[Medical Q&A] What effects does decreased estrogen have on women’s health?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Wu Xueyan, Chief Physician, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Estrogen is the most important sex hormone in the female body. It is not only responsible for inducing and maintaining female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development, but also promotes the proliferation of the endometrium during the childbearing age (manifested as regular menstrual cycles).

Reduced estrogen levels have different effects on women's health at different stages of life.

If the estrogen level is low during puberty, it may lead to the loss of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast failure and lack of female-specific body shape. In addition, it may also cause primary amenorrhea.

If estrogen levels drop after puberty has been completed and menstruation has occurred, secondary amenorrhea may occur. Symptoms include mood swings, hot flashes and sweating, dry skin, shrinkage of breasts and internal and external genitalia, decreased or absent vaginal discharge, and vaginal dryness, leading to painful intercourse, which in turn affects sexual desire and mood.

In addition, pathological decrease in estrogen levels increases women's risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Understanding the importance of estrogen to women's health, promptly recognizing the signs of low estrogen levels, and taking appropriate medical measures are essential to maintaining women's overall health.