By Mike Kocsis | 10 minutes read | Last updated: July 19, 2025 Categories: Menopause Testosterone
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
Estrogen is a sex hormone that is produced in both men and women in specific amounts. It’s involved in various important functions, which is why it’s crucial to maintain normal estrogen levels to enjoy a healthy life.
However, estrogen levels do change with age which is totally normal and natural. Regardless of these natural fluctuations, they should not be too high or too low than their normal range.
Abnormal estrogen levels can result in undesirable symptoms, impacting your health and life in countless ways.
In this article, we have thoroughly explained what normal levels of estrogen look like in both men and women. We have also highlighted symptoms of high estrogen, symptoms of low estrogen, and the best treatment for low estrogen.
What is estrogen?
Estrogen is one of the main female sex hormones that impacts the female reproductive system in many ways.
Estrogen plays several important roles in the body, including the development of secondary sex characteristics such as breast growth, the release of the egg from the ovaries, and the development of hair in the pubic area etc.
It exerts its effects by binding to estrogen receptors located throughout the body. The pituitary gland regulates estrogen production by releasing hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
As testosterone is a male sex hormone, females also produce it; similarly, estrogen is also produced in men, albeit in smaller amounts.
Estrogen has three types:
Estrone (E1)
Estrone is produced in the body after menses. Your body can easily convert it into other forms of estrogen.
Estradiol (E2)
Estradiol is the main estrogen that women produce throughout their reproductive years to maintain their reproductive health.
Estriol (E3)
Estriol is mainly produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Its levels increase throughout pregnancy.
Women produce estrogen throughout their lives, but its levels keep fluctuating with the menstrual cycle and other life phases (puberty, pregnancy, etc.).
What are normal estrogen levels in women?
Estrogen levels change in women with age. They start fluctuating in premenopausal women and then decline sharply after menopause.
Normal estradiol levels in women
| Life phase | Estradiol |
| Before puberty | Undetectable – 20pg/ml |
| During puberty | Undetectable – 350 pg/ml |
| Before menopause | 15 – 350 pg/ml |
| During and after menopause | Less than 10 pg/ml |
Normal estrone levels in women
| Life phase | Estrone |
| Before puberty | Undetectable – 29 pg/mL |
| During puberty | 10 – 200 pg/mL |
| Before menopause | 17 – 200 pg/mL |
| During and after menopause | 7 – 40 pg/mL |
Estrogen levels during pregnancy
Estrogen levels increase throughout pregnancy and then reach their peak during third trimester.
The following graph highlights levels of estradiol, estriol, estrone, and progesterone during pregnancy.
Estrogen levels by age chart for females
What are normal estrogen levels in men?
Unlike women, estrogen levels in men increase with age. According to the Mayo Medical Labs, the normal levels of estrone and estradiol in men are:
Normal estradiol levels in men
| Life phase | Estradiol |
| Before puberty | Undetectable – 13 pg/ml |
| During puberty | Undetectable – 40 pg/ml |
| Adult man | 10 – 40 pg/ml |
Normal estrone levels in men
| Life phase | Estron |
| Before puberty | Undetectable – 16 pg/ml |
| During puberty | Undetectable – 60 pg/ml |
| Adult man | 10 – 60 pg/ml |
What does estrogen do to a woman?
Estrogen is involved in various bodily functions in females, such as:
- Development of secondary sex characteristics
- Regulation of menstrual cycle
- Growth of egg follicles
- Maintenance of vaginal wall thickness
- Development of lubrication
- Regulation of uterine mucus secretions
- Formation of breast tissues
- Prevention of milk flow during weaning
- Maintain bone density and bone health
- Contribute to skin elasticity and hydration
- Impact mood and cognitive function
What does estrogen do to a man?
Estrogen is involved in maintaining various sexual functions in men throughout their lives.
Even though testosterone is the key male sex hormone, it is important to maintain a balance between testosterone and estrogen in men for normal performance of testosterone.
In men, testosterone can also be changed into estrogen when the need arises.
The main functions of estrogen in men are:
- Production of normal sperm count
- Ability to develop an erection
- Regulation of sex drive
- Maintenance of testicular function
- Brain development
- Sexual behaviour
- Cognitive function (focus and memory)
- Bone growth and development
- Protective effect on cardiovascular health
In men, the levels of testosterone decrease with age but the levels of estrogen increase. It is a natural process and does not cause any adverse effects.
What are the causes of estrogen imbalance?
Blood estrogen levels are bound to decrease in women and increase in men as they age.
But sometimes certain medical conditions, treatments, medications, and life stages can also cause estrogen imbalance, disturbing your health in various ways.
Common causes of high estrogen levels
High estrogen levels in men and women can happen because of multiple reasons, including:
- Hormonal imbalance (polycystic ovary syndrome – PCOS, menopause transition, low progesterone hormone)
- Excess body fat
- Liver dysfunction
- Hormone therapy
- Birth control pills
- Exposure to xenoestrogens
- Certain health conditions, such as tumours
- Thyroid issues
- Alcohol consumption
- Chronic stress
Common causes of low estrogen levels
Men and women can have low estrogen levels due to:
- Ageing (in women)
- Menopause
- Premature menopause
- Pituitary disorders
- Turner syndrome
- Low body fat
- Eating disorders
- Severe stress
- Chemotherapy or radiation
- Surgical removal of the ovaries
- Certain medications
A little fluctuation in estrogen concentration does not produce noticeable symptoms. However, extreme fluctuation can induce negative changes in the physical and mental health of both men and women.
What happens when estrogen levels are high?
High estrogen symptoms in women
Too much estrogen can lead to the following symptoms in women:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Weight loss
- Breast swelling
- Bloating
- Formation of lumps in the breasts
- Irregular periods
- Low sex drive
- Mood swings
- Hair loss
- Trouble sleeping or sleeplessness
- Headaches
- Breast cancer
High estrogen symptoms in men
As described earlier, it is important for the sexual health of men that they have a balance between estrogen and testosterone.
When these hormones get imbalanced due to the increased production of estrogen, then the following symptoms appear.
- Reduction in sperm production
- The problem in getting an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Low sex drive
- Development of enlarged breasts (gynecomastia)
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention
- Fatigue
What happens when estrogen levels are low?
Low estrogen symptoms in women
Women notice the following symptoms when they produce low estrogen:
- Lack of vaginal lubrication that leads to painful sex and vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Absent periods
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Depression and anxiety
- Difficulty in concentrating
- High blood pressure
Low estrogen symptoms in men
Estrogen deficiency is not very common in men. However, if it happens, men experience the following symptoms:
- Low sex drive
- Loss of bone mass
- Accumulation of fats around the belly
- Decreased libido
- Dry skin
The effects of imbalanced estrogen levels: A scientific perspective
Latest studies on estrogen imbalances and neurological conditions in women
A 2023 study published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology suggests that low estrogen levels in postmenopausal women could increase the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease due to reduced neuroprotective effects of estrogen on brain cells.
In a 2024 large UK Biobank cohort (273,260 women), longer lifetime estrogen exposure (e.g. later menopause, later menarche) correlated with a 28% decrease in dementia risk, while shorter exposure (early menarche, reproductive surgery) increased the risk.
The latest study on low estrogen levels and heart disease risk in women
A 2025 study published in Circulation Research showed that women experiencing late-onset menopause (after age 55) had better vascular function, healthier lipid profiles, and less oxidative stress, compared to those with early menopause.
It indicates estrogen’s protective role on blood vessels over time.
The latest study on low estrogen and weaker bones in men
Several studies have found that men with low levels of estrogen (below about 11–12 pg/mL) have weaker bones and a higher risk of breaking bones, especially in the hip, even if their male hormone testosterone levels are normal.
How to diagnose high or low estrogen levels?
The symptoms mentioned above are the indicators of high/low estrogen. However, you cannot diagnose this issue based on only these symptoms.
To identify estrogen imbalance, your healthcare provider may ask you about your family history of hormonal imbalance. He may then ask you what symptoms you have noticed so far.
After that, he will take a blood sample and send it to the lab, where the concentration of serum estrogen will be identified.
After getting blood tests, your doctor will tell you which low estrogen treatment options you have and which is the best option according to your condition.
How to test estrogen levels at home?
Testing estrogen levels at home is possible with modern at-home test kits. You can purchase them online or via some pharmacies.
There are different kinds of at-home testing kits based on the sample type, such as saliva test kits, urine test kits and finger-prick blood test kits.
Choose your desired kit and follow the instructions to draw a sample. Send over fresh sample to a designated lab and get results in just a few days.
How to increase estrogen levels?
If you are diagnosed with low estrogen, then worry not. There are many treatment options available that can help you restore estrogen.
Before you start a medical treatment to increase serum estrogen levels, it’s advised to first try natural methods and see how they work.
If your estrogen level fluctuation is minor, these natural methods will most likely help. Otherwise, you may have to try hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
How to increase estrogen naturally?
Eat estrogen-boosting foods
One of the best ways of increasing estrogen levels naturally is by eating foods that boost their levels in the body.
Popular examples of estrogen-boosting foods are flax seeds, soybeans, sesame seeds, berries, peaches, dried fruits, garlic and wheat bran.
Take supplements
Supplements like vitamin D supplements and vitamin B supplements are also very helpful in boosting estrogen levels.
However, if you are taking any other medications, you should first talk to your doctor before taking these supplements. This is because these supplements may react with the ingredients of medications.
Maintain a healthy body weight
Gaining excessive body weight can also result in the reduction of estrogen levels. Therefore, do exercise regularly in moderation and stay active to maintain your body weight.
Avoid exercising in excess
Extreme exercise can cause a reduction in estrogen levels. Our bodies are designed to produce more stress hormones under such situations. And when more stress hormones are produced, a decline in the levels of hormones like estrogen occurs.
Reduce stress
Prolonged stress and lack of sleep can cause fluctuations in your hormone levels. Therefore, try to reduce your stress level and sleep at least 8 hours at night.
What are the other effective ways of increasing estrogen?
One of the most popular treatments for increasing estrogen levels is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Hormone replacement therapy is an effective treatment in which you are given FDA-approved bio-identical estrogen in different forms, such as pills, injections, patches, etc.
This treatment helps in regaining normal estrogen levels.
If you are low on progesterone (another female sex hormone), then you will be given a combination of progesterone and estrogen, but if you need only estrogen, then you will be given only estrogen.
So far, hormone replacement therapy has helped many women restore their estrogen levels and feel healthy again. It has also helped many menopausal women reduce the symptoms of menopause.
Even though this treatment is very beneficial, it still has some side effects. So, make sure you discuss its pros and cons with your doctor before opting for it.
Healthy estrogen levels FAQs
When are estrogen levels highest?
Estrogen levels peak sharply during the mid-cycle or ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. This usually occurs around day 12 to 14 in a standard 28-day cycle.
Why do estrogen levels fall after menopause?
Estrogen levels decline significantly after menopause because the ovaries (the primary source of estrogen in women) reduce their production of this hormone.
Where is estrogen produced in males?
In men, estrogen is mainly produced in the testes, fat cells, the brain and adrenal glands.
Conclusion
Estrogen is an important reproductive hormone that is involved in many sex functions in both men and women.
Maintaining estrogen’s normal levels in the body is important for healthy living. A decrease or increase in estrogen can produce different symptoms.
If you are low or high in estrogen, then ask your doctor about different treatment options before choosing one.
Women deficient in estrogen are often recommended to undergo hormone replacement therapy. It is an effective method of bringing low estrogen levels back to normal.
If you are concerned that you may have low or high estrogen levels, it is important to seek professional advice.
Our specialised doctors can review your symptoms and provide expert guidance on the best course of action.
By consulting with experienced healthcare professionals, you can receive a comprehensive evaluation and personalised treatment plan to address any hormonal imbalances effectively.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to Balance My Hormones for a thorough assessment and to explore your treatment options.
References
Fasero, M., & Coronado, P. J. (2025). Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women with Menopause. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(11), 3663. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14113663
Ali, N., Sohail, R., Jaffer, S. R., Siddique, S., Kaya, B., Atowoju, I., Imran, A., Wright, W., Pamulapati, S., Choudhry, F., Akbar, A., & Khawaja, U. A. (2023). The Role of Estrogen Therapy as a Protective Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Postmenopausal Women: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. Cureus, 15(8), e43053. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.43053
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About the Author: Mike Kocsis
Mike Kocsis has an MBA with a focus on healthcare administration and is an entrepreneur and medical case manager for Balance My Hormones which offers medical services in the UK and Europe. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, much of that working with people who have hormone imbalances. Mike has appeared on podcasts and radio and is an expert speaker on the subject of hormone imbalance. He specialises in Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and has helped thousands of people suffering from hormone imbalances recover and regain control of their lives. You can follow him on LinkedIn and on the Balance My Hormones YouTube Channel.
Last update: July 19th, 2025
