It is a well-known fact that testosterone is a male sex hormone, and estrogens (estrone, estriol, and estradiol) are female. However, the body of men also produces a small amount of estradiol, which is involved in metabolic processes – and reproductive function.
At the same time, an increased level of estrogen definitely poses a danger to male metabolism. Typical symptoms include female-type obesity (including gynecomastia), potency problems, and growth retardation in teenage boys. How to lower estrogen?
Estrogens in the male body
The term “estrogens” is a collective term for several hormones. The strongest of these is estradiol, followed by estrone and estriol. In their structure, these are steroid sex hormones responsible for regulating the biological functions of the body.
In women, they are produced in the ovaries and have a pronounced feminizing effect on the entire body. In men, estrogens (in significantly smaller quantities) are synthesized in the testicles, adrenal cortex, brain, bones, and adipose tissue – having a predominantly local effect.
The rate of estrogen production in the body of an adult male is about 10-60 pg/ml for estrone and 10-40 pg/ml for the more powerful estradiol. For comparison – in the body of a woman before menopause, up to 500 pg/ml of various estrogens are produced, and after reaching 50 years – no more than 10-100 pg/ml.
Phytoestrogens in food
Some foods, such as soybeans and even beer, contain phytoestrogens. These nutrients are proteins structurally similar to estrogens. Although they are able to influence the same receptors in the body, the level of this influence is very limited.
Research does not show a link between eating reasonable amounts of soy or beer products on estrogen levels in healthy men. However, research is underway on the possible negative effects of phytoestrogens on the body of adolescents.
Relationship with the reproductive function
The effect of estrogen and testosterone balance on male reproductive function is an actively studied topic. For example, in July 2020, data from an extensive study was published that analyzed the sexual health of 1,076 men aged 19 to 60.
The men studied suffered from one of three types of sexual dysfunction – erection problems, premature ejaculation, and difficulty achieving ejaculation. Each of these disorders is characterized by low or high estrogen levels.
Obviously, the difficulty in achieving ejaculation is due to high hormone levels. However, erection problems were observed against the background of low estrogens. Finally, premature ejaculation is associated with normal estrogen but elevated testosterone.
Estrogens in men:
- low level – problems with libido and erection
- high level – delayed ejaculation
Benefit or harm?
Another study showed that low estrogen levels (against a background of low testosterone levels) negatively affected libido – while increasing blood estradiols to levels of at least 5 ng/dl had a positive effect on male reproductive function.
Despite this, we are talking about extremely small amounts of estrogen – no doubt, an excess of female hormones in a man’s body negatively affects the operation of many systems. At the same time, one of the key symptoms is gynecomastia – the growth of fatty tissue in the chest area.
Estrogens and gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a disease associated with the growth of fatty tissue in the chest area in men according to the female type. One of the causes of gynecomastia can be an increased level of estrogen – especially against the background of being overweight and storing visceral fat, which also affects metabolism.
The disadvantage of gynecomastia is that when losing weight and getting rid of fat, the breasts do not return to their normal shape – even if there are muscles. In this case, a surgical operation is used, as a result of which a micro-incision is made, through which excess tissue is removed.
Impact on adolescent growth
Excessive amounts of estrogen in the body of teenage boys leads to growth retardation and negatively affect testosterone. A possible role can be played, again, by the presence of excess weight – as well as the regular presence of foods with phytoestrogens in the diet.
How to lower estrogen
One of the easiest ways to lower estrogen levels in men is to exercise regularly, especially strength training. An increase in testosterone affects a number of processes in the body, including the activation of fat-burning and muscle gain.
Scientists recommend the following foods to reduce estrogen:
- Green vegetables. We are talking about all kinds of salad plants (including arugula and iceberg) and various types of cabbage (white cabbage, broccoli, etc.) – they contain phytonutrients that block the production of estrogen.
- Mushrooms – naturally reduce the activity of the aromatase enzyme, which plays an important role in the process of converting androgens to estrogens.
- Whole grain cereals. Cereals (buckwheat, quinoa, spelt, oats) contain fiber, the use of which has a number of health benefits – including lowering estrogen.
Estrogens are steroid sex hormones that control the reproductive function of both female and male organisms. At the same time, an excessively low level of estrogen in men is associated with a decline in libido, and an excessively high level is associated not only with a set of fat according to the female type, but also with possible infertility.