Oestrogen levels fall naturally as people get older, particularly after menopause. The drop happens at different rates for different women, so it can be hard to pinpoint exactly when it starts. Signs of low oestrogen also do not look the same for everyone. Still, most women experience one standout symptom when levels fall and it is not always what you expect from a hormone linked with periods.
Why Oestrogen Matters Beyond Periods
“While patients most commonly associate oestrogen with the reproductive system, it is not solely a reproductive hormone,” family physician Dr Brynna Connor has previously explained. Oestrogen influences many systems and processes in the body, including bones, the cardiovascular system, the brain and skin. One area it affects very clearly when levels drop is body temperature regulation.
The Number One Sign Of Low Oestrogen
“Most famously, low oestrogen levels can cause vasomotor symptoms which are hot flushes and night sweats,” says ob-gyn Dr Elizabeth West. “These are the hallmark of menopause and a classic symptom of low oestrogen.”
Oestrogen plays a key role in helping maintain body temperature. “A drop in oestrogen levels confuses the hypothalamus (the brain’s thermostat), making it believe the body is overheating, which triggers a rapid cooling response like blood vessel dilation,” Dr Connor has explained. “This causes the flash or flushing of the skin and sweating to shed heat.”
These episodes can range from a brief warm rush to intense heat that leaves clothes soaked. Some women notice them only occasionally, while others experience several a day.
How Hot Flushes Disrupt Sleep
Beyond needing to change a shirt once or twice a day, hot flushes can have a ripple effect on sleep. “Hot flushes and night sweats often impact sleep, and women are unable to sleep through the night,” says Dr West.
Some people wake up drenched in sweat. Others jolt awake just before a flush hits because the changes in the brain that trigger the flush also disturb normal sleep patterns. Over time, broken sleep can leave energy, mood and concentration running low.
When To Talk To A Doctor
The severity of low-oestrogen symptoms like hot flushes varies widely from person to person. Some women find them manageable, while others feel they are constantly on edge, exhausted or uncomfortable.
If symptoms feel intense, are getting worse or start to affect daily life, it is time to check in with a doctor. Blood tests, a detailed symptom history and a review of overall health can help confirm what is going on.
There are many lifestyle strategies and medication options that can help manage low oestrogen, ease day-to-day symptoms and support long-term health. A healthcare professional can walk through choices such as cooling strategies, sleep routines, non-hormonal options and, where appropriate, hormone therapy to find a plan that fits individual needs and risks.
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