High Estrogen in Men - Understanding Symptoms

High Estrogen in Men: Symptoms and Solutions Explained

Hormones play a crucial role in regulating numerous bodily functions, and maintaining a proper hormonal balance is essential for overall health, especially for men. While testosterone is commonly associated with male health, estrogen also exists in men, but in smaller quantities. However, a high estrogen level can lead to severe health problems, including weight gain, mood swings, growth of breast tissues, etc.

Moreover, a study reveals that approximately 20% of men aged 60 years and above experience hormonal imbalance, including high estrogen levels. So, continue reading this blog to learn about the symptoms of elevated estrogen in men, its causes and how to control it effectively.

What are the Symptoms of High Estrogen in Men?

Here are the common signs and symptoms of high estrogen in men:

• Gynecomastia : Gynecomastia is a condition prevalent among men with enlarged breast tissue. The hormonal imbalance of testosterone and estrogen leads to this enlargement of tissues. When there is a high estrogen level, men also experience tenderness in the breast, similar to women.
• Infertility : The estrogen hormone enables accurate sexual functioning among men. So, when there are high estrogen levels, the sperm count reduces and causes infertility issues.
• Type 2 Diabetes : A recent study reveals that a high level of estrogen among men raises the risk of Type 2 diabetes. However, the risk of diabetes is independent of the levels of testosterone.
• Retention of Fluids : Men with high estrogen levels might experience swollen feet or hands. They might also feel bloated and puffy all the time.
• Fatigue and Mood Swings : High levels of estrogen among males cause anxiety, depression, tiredness, irritability, mood swings and sleeplessness.
• Distribution of Female Body Fat : The estrogen hormone in males slows down the fat-burning process and stores more fat in the body. As a result, it becomes difficult to shed the extra kilos of body weight. The accumulated fat gets distributed further in the hips, thighs, breasts and arms. Also, men with high estrogen levels experience soft musculature.
• Erectile Dysfunction : An increased level of estrogen hormone in males causes difficulty maintaining an erection and also experiencing low libido.
• Enlarged Prostate : As you age, the level of estrogen among men increases, which further raises the proliferation of the prostate gland. Thereby, it results in an enlarged prostate or prostatic hypertrophy.
• Heart Diseases : Men with high levels of estrogen pose a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

What Causes High Estrogen Levels in Men?

There are several underlying factors for high estrogen levels in males. The most common causes include:

• Excess Fat : The presence of fat cells in the body converts testosterone into estrogen through a process commonly known as aromatisation. Thereby, it denotes that excess body fat leads to higher estrogen levels.
• Medications : Intake of some specific medicines or drugs, such as antifungal medications, anabolic steroids and antidepressants, causes hormonal balance disruptions. This results in high estrogen hormone in males.
• Liver Disease : The liver plays a vital role towards elevating hormone levels, including estrogen. Any liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, affects this process and results in abnormal estrogen levels.
• Ageing : With age, the natural testosterone level reduces while the estrogen level remains comparatively stable. This change in hormonal balance leads to high estrogen levels among men.
• Medical Conditions : Certain medical conditions, such as testicular tumours, obesity, and issues with adrenal glands, disrupt the production of hormones and thereby result in hormonal imbalance.

How is High Estrogen Level Diagnosed Among Men?

If you experience symptoms of elevated estrogen levels, make sure to book an appointment with your doctor for a professional diagnosis. This includes a physical examination and laboratory tests. Your medical history is also taken into consideration.

While undergoing a physical examination, your doctor will check for any signs of estrogen dominance, such as enlarged breast tissue. After this, the doctor determines if you need further testing. If required, you will be prescribed certain blood tests to assess various hormone levels and the functioning of the liver.

Once these tests are done, the severity of your hormonal imbalance can be determined, and doctors can recommend different treatment options accordingly.

How to Maintain a Healthy Estrogen Level?

Considering the diagnosis of estrogen hormone in males, healthcare professionals might suggest different ways how to reduce estrogen in men with ease. So, the following are some ways to maintain a healthy estrogen level in men to lead a better life:

Medications

There are two types of medicines prescribed particularly for treating high estrogen levels in males: aromatase inhibitors and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

Aromatase inhibitors such as letrozole or anastrozole prevent blockage of conversion of testosterone to estrogen, resulting in a lowering hormonal imbalance. However, the effectiveness of these drugs needs further research.

SERMs such as tamoxifen are prescribed only when gynecomastia is a concerning issue, but such medications are also prescribed for the treatment of other cases.

Overall, SERMs function by blocking the estrogen receptors in the body, lowering estrogen levels and restoring hormone balance.

Change in Lifestyle

Incorporating a healthy diet and exercise into your daily routine is a must for controlling high estrogen hormone levels. Alongside this, bringing changes in lifestyle is also necessary. For individuals with high estrogen, doctors often recommend a low-fat and high-fibre diet.

Here is the list of foods you can include in your meals to maintain a low estrogen level:

1. Cruciferous vegetables such as kale and broccoli. It contains phytochemicals and can blockthe production of estrogen in males
2. Red grapes consist of natural estrogen blockers, namely proanthocyanidin and resveratrol
3. Shiitake and portobello mushrooms naturally lower aromatase, which the body further uses for converting male sex hormones to estrogen
4. Grains such as corn and oats, and green tea prevent estrogen production.
5. Pomegranates are rich in phytochemicals and block the production of estrogen among males.

Besides these dietary changes, it is important to stay in shape to manage and restore normal testosterone levels. Alongside, make sure to exercise regularly for a healthy body weight and lower excess fat that can elevate estrogen levels.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)

Testosterone replacement therapy is a specific kind of treatment for improving low testosterone levels among males with hormonal imbalances. With TRT, testosterone levels are enhanced with the restoration of normal hormonal imbalance in the body.

However, there are certain risks associated with TRT, including the development of prostate cancer, sleep apnea and blood clotting. Make sure to discuss the treatment options with your doctor before beginning them.

Bottom Line

Thus, to answer your question, 'Do males have estrogen?' Yes, males do have estrogen, but higher levels can be quite alarming towards their health. High levels of estrogen in men can bring significant changes such as fatigue, sexual health problems, reduced mass in muscles and more.

Bringing changes in lifestyle and undergoing hormone therapy can restore hormonal balance. Regular monitoring of functioning hormones can cause men to take early action. If you experience any symptoms, check your hormone levels and approach your healthcare professionals to receive the right care.