Estrogens are hormones that are imperative for sexual and regenerative advancement, mostly in females. They are additionally alluded to as female sex hormones. The expression "estrogen" can encompass any of hormones in this group – estriol, estrone and estrodial.
In guys, the majority of estrogen is coming from (aromatization of) testosterone. As men age, the creation of androgens from the adrenals and gonads is diminished. The aromatization of testosterone to estrogen (particularly estradiol) is regularly kept up, however because of an assortment of elements, more testosterone is typically aromatized in aging men, bringing about a further lopsidedness of the proportion of lower testosterone to higher estrogen.
Subcutaneous stomach fat goes about as a secretory organ, frequently creating and dishing out higher levels of estradiol into a maturing man's blood. A man’s midsection is a good way to estimate one’s future chances of a struggle with an imbalanced endocrine system and its association with metabolic syndrome and everything that comes under that umbrella of problems.
Testosterone is a hormone - a delegated master communicator if you will - that is in charge of the many male characteristics. Females likewise create testosterone, just in much smaller sums. Testosterone is a kind of androgen predominantly manufactured by the gonads in cells called the Leydig cells.
In short, testosterone is what makes and man, a man! It is anabolic in nature meaning it lends to helping preserve and build muscle. Muscle is metabolically active which burns more calories (like fat). As testosterone helps build and maintain muscle better, this leads to a better ability to regulate blood glucose levels more effectively (diabetics, take note). It helps improve our cognitive function, drive heart health and energy day to day contributing to being a more masculine and healthy man.
Estrogen predominance is a term that depicts a condition where a man or a woman may have too much estrogen, frequently imbalanced in its proportion to progesterone and testosterone.
In men and premenopausal women, estrogen dominance contributes to unhealthy fat gain, water retention and a host of other health and wellness issues as mentioned already.
High estrogen levels in men may also contribute to prostate cancer and heart disease as well as gynecomastia (enlarged breasts). Many of these symptoms correspond with a testosterone deficiency.
Estrogen levels are typically correlated with muscle to fat ratio mass. Less testosterone = less muscle. Less muscle = lower metabolic rate. Lower metabolic rate = more fat gain in time. More fat storage = higher potential for aromatase action, meaning higher estrogen levels.
We can also factor in the numerous amounts of environmental and cosmetic endocrine disruptors that contribute extra estrogenic activity within the body. We are seeing this today more than ever before in our modernized world we live in. Stop and think for a second of how our westernized world’s health status and bodies look today vs just a few decades ago… We are much fatter with tons of cases of low testosterone (“low T”) in men, estrogen dominance issues with women and the list goes on.
The plague of stomach stoutness seen in maturing men is related with a heavenly body of degenerative problems, including coronary illness, diabetes, and cancer.
Given most estrogen is synthesized in abdominal adipose (fat) tissues in men, reducing body fat and one’s waistline can provide huge health benefits, including a positive contribution to the fight of reducing excessive and unwanted estrogen.
One of the most effective ways for men to reduce belly fat is to restore their testosterone to optimal levels while incorporating the most effective products available to minimize its conversion to estrogen (more on that to come in a moment). Minimizing environmental or external xenoestrogens while consuming plenty of nutrients from cruciferous vegetables that may help to inhibit the aromatase enzyme can help with this picture as well by preventing testosterone conversion (aromatization) into estrogen.
Unfortunately, as men grow older, their testicular output of testosterone slows down more year after year beyond the point of natural return. This means that inhibiting estrogen conversion alone may not be enough to help restore a proper looking testosterone to estrogen picture within for a man due to him not being able to sufficiently produce enough endogenously on his own.
Fortunately, options including effective and “manly” compounded testosterone creams are available that can be rubbed on the skin for absorption into the bloodstream. These should not be confused with the weaker gels that are a small fraction of what the more powerful compounded creams typically are.
For men with excess aromatase activity, supplemental (TRT) testosterone might convert into too much estrogen. To prevent this from happening, the use of very low-dose aromatase-inhibiting drugs (0.5 mg of compounded anastrozole 2-3x a week) may be all that is needed to protect against estrogen overload.
Anastrozole is considered by many as the golden go to standard for safely controlling estrogen. Some men only need a very small dose, others may need more. When engaging in a testosterone optimizing program, this is something that any smart man and educated doctor will want to ensure they are incorporating in.
There is no need to guess how much you need, as a blood test taken initially and again 30-45 days after initiating testosterone-replacement can not only reveals a man’s estrogen levels, but also ensures that the PSA concerns aren’t present or have not spiked (indicating possible pre-existing prostate cancer), that the dose of testosterone cream is appropriate, and that the best measures are taken to avoid any side effects or concerns.
Although extremely rare to see, some men may be deficient in aromatase to where they do not make enough estrogen and a mediocre or aggressive approach of estrogen control with TRT treatment may lower there levels a bit too much.
If a blood test reveals estrogen levels to be too low, which may occur if Arimidex® or anastrozole is being used for example, along with their doctor, the dose should be reduced accordingly.
In short, utilizing anastrozole will inhibit an effective amount of the aromatase activity and therefore prevent conversion of testosterone into more estrogen. In laymen’s terms, this allows the testosterone to stay on the right side of the fence and do the job men want it to do when starting a TRT program.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) programs also may lead to sterility for some, but not all. Prescription estrogen blockers, such as clomiphene (Clomiphen) with HCG and estrogen control via anastrozole can often restore balance & optimize hormones without affecting fertility and it fact, help it. You can read more on that here: http://blog.youth-rx.com/reboot
If you’re new, visiting us for the first time or have been on the fence for a while but now ready to explore if a properly built TRT program is right for you, then simply fill out our medical history form below and one of our consultants will schedule a time for a complimentary call to discuss programs, processes, options and more.
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Best wishes in your healthcare success,
YOUTH-RX Team