A woman can check her estrogen levels at home using at-home test kits that analyze blood, urine, or saliva samples, typically involving a finger prick, collecting urine over 24 hours, or spitting into tubes, with the samples then sent to a lab for analysis. While convenient, these tests offer an indication, but a doctor's interpretation, often alongside symptoms and clinical diagnosis, is crucial for understanding results, especially for menopause, as results can fluctuate and be less precise than lab tests.
How can I check my hormone levels at home? Blood tests – At-home estrogen blood tests are quick and easy. You just need to prick your finger and collect a small blood sample in a vial. After that, you can send your sample to a lab for testing.
What are the symptoms of low estrogen levels?
If you are tested at your provider's office or a lab, you will provide a blood or urine sample. If you use an at-home test, the sample is usually saliva (spit). For a blood test: A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle.
The Various Symptoms of High Estrogen and Low Estrogen
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Hormonal imbalances show up as symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues (acne), hair changes, sleep problems, brain fog, low libido, digestive issues, and temperature sensitivity, affecting energy, body functions, and mental well-being, often linked to stress, thyroid, or reproductive hormones.
If you have low estrogen, you may experience symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats, mood swings, brain fog and memory problems, vaginal dryness, and more.
Across all facilties, the average cash price for Blood test to measure a type of estrogen in the blood is $222. However, the price you pay varies significantly based on your location and any insurance coverage. Enter your zip code to search for nearby providers of this service and find the best rates.
In premenopausal women, we have FDA-approved medications that can help treat low sex drive These are not hormone based, so checking hormone levels is not necessary. For post-menopausal women, there are off-label treatments, including testosterone therapy, that may help.
Thinning: The skin becomes visibly thinner, making blood vessels more apparent and you might even notice that you bruise more easily. Wrinkles: Fine lines appear more pronounced, especially around the eyes and mouth.. Sagging: Loss of firmness in the jawline and cheeks.
Oestrogen is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets that you swallow and patches, gels or sprays that you put on your skin. Brand names include Elleste Solo, Bedol, Progynova and Zumenon tablets, Evorel, Estradot, Estraderm, Femseven and Progynovna patches, Oestrogel and Sandrena gel, and Lenzetto spray.
Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, is often broken down into four overlapping stages focusing on menstrual cycle changes: the Late Reproductive Stage (slight cycle variations), Early Perimenopause (cycles vary by 7+ days), Late Perimenopause (cycles 60+ days apart, skipping periods), and finally, Menopause (12 months without a period), marking the end of perimenopause's hormonal fluctuations. Symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and brain fog can appear in any stage, though they often intensify in later stages as hormone drops become more significant, especially progesterone.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms to help rule out other possible causes, and check your blood pressure. They'll also arrange for you to have a number of hormone tests to find out whether the excess hormone production is caused by PCOS or another hormone-related condition.
What are the signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
In women, a hormone imbalance can also cause vaginal dryness and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Speak to your GP if you're concerned about symptoms. They can refer you for a blood test to check for a hormone imbalance.
Low estrogen can happen with age, after pregnancy, from medical conditions, or even lifestyle factors like stress and under-eating. Symptoms range from hot flashes and brain fog to vaginal dryness, irregular periods, and mood changes.
Age. If you start menopause hormone therapy at age 60 or older, or it has been more than 10 years since menopause, your risk of serious complications increases. But if you start menopause hormone therapy before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits may outweigh the risks.
Changes in estrogen levels
To increase your estrogen levels, consider adding:
Side effects of taking oestrogen can include: headaches. breast pain or tenderness. unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting.
Herbal teas such as spearmint, chamomile, or green tea can help support hormone regulation and reduce stress.
Listen to your body — it's trying to tell you something
Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are in charge of sending impulses between nerve cells, are the main hormones linked to depression and sadness. In specifically, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are three neurotransmitters that are vital.