Which Factors May Affect Estrogen Levels?
The levels of estrogen in the body can vary from person to person. In addition, they may fluctuate over the lifetime, especially during each menstrual cycle. This would lead to hot flashes or mood changes. Certain factors may affect the levels of estrogen, including puberty, pregnancy and breastfeeding, aging, menopause, obesity and overweight, strenuous exercises, anorexia nervosa, and extreme diets. Low or high estrogen levels may also result from the use of some medications, such as tetracyclines, phenothiazines, estrogen-containing drugs, ampicillin, or corticosteroids. Many conditions may be associated with the fluctuation of estrogen in the body. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, tumors of the adrenal glands or ovaries, polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, an underactive pituitary gland, primary ovarian insufficiency, as well as congenital conditions like Turner’s syndrome. [3]
