We often think of estrogen as a women’s hormone. It is not alarming that most men are not only unaware of having estrogen and the important consequences of having an estrogen imbalance. Doctors have known for years that men with either too low or too high estrogen
(and often low testosterone) have a significant increase in atheroscierosis, stroke, coronary
artery disease, benign prostate enlargement, prostate cancer, osteoporosis, and bone fractures.
With this in mind, 99% of men today have no idea what their blood estrogen and testosterone levels are which helps explain the epidemic of age-related disease that is affecting men’s health,
families, and pocketbook.
Top medical journals (i.e. Journal of the American Medical Association and The Journal of Clinical Endrocrinolody & Metabolism) have documented and published these findings. Why then are these test not performed during your annual physical? Below are some key points to known medical facts on the effects of estrogen/testosterone imbalance.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and leading cause of disability. Abnormal blood clotting in the cerebral blood vessels is the most common cause of stroke. Excess estrogen promotes abnormal blood clots.
In a recent study of 3,014 men, those men with low estradiol and testosterone levels had a 96% increase in mortality rate compared to men in the optimal ranges of testosterone and estradiol.
According to research, men with coronary artery disease had low testosterone and high estradiol levels as compared to the healthy age- matched control of men. Thus showing a significant positive correlation between low estradiol levels and the promotion of atherosclerosis in men.
High estrogen levels have been related to an increase proliferation of stromal cells in the prostate gland causing the many urinary discomforts associated with Benign Prostate Enlargement.
In men with low estradiol levels, hip fractures were more than three times higher to occur than compared to men with normal levels. In addition, men whose estradiol and testosterone levels were both low these men were 6.5 times more likely to have a hip fracture.
Men produce estrogen by a process involving an enzyme called aromatase that transforms
testosterone into estrogen. Unfortunately, older men have a higher aromatase activity, therefore reducing the already low testosterone into a high harmful estrogen.
Fortunately no matter what the underlying cause, aging men (greater than 35 years old) can easily achieve optimal testosterone and estrogen levels.
As an Anti-aging/Wellness physician, I feel that it is important to treat the whole individual, addressing what is required in order to live an optimal life. Once an imbalance has been identified, replacing the appropriate hormones using Bio-Identical Hormone Pellet Therapy will help to achieve the necessary levels to increase testosterone levels without the need for daily gels or injections. In addition, it may be necessary to block the conversion of excess estrogen which is usually done in the form of a pill once a month. Men, we need to fight the fight and get tested, not only for ourselves but for your loved ones as well. There is no reason why we should allow ourselves to fall victim to the same conditions our grandfathers had to accept.
