ESTROGEN - NOT JUST FOR WOMEN!

Even as recently as the 90’s, estrogen was only considered important in women and of little value to men. However, a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association proves just how critical estrogen is for males and how unbalanced levels of estrogen can increase mortality rates in men. While men like to blame estrogen for their female issues, their life may actually depend on their own healthy balance of the hormone. It is believed that approximately 99 percent of men today do not know where their estrogen levels stand, so it should be no surprise that our nation is bogged down with age-related diseases.

“Not all men understand that estrogen is an integral part of their health and well-being. When men come into my office, they tend to wonder why their estrogen levels were tested” says Cleveland bioidentical hormones expert Dr. Gary Joseph. Recent studies suggest that optimal levels of estradiol are between 21.80 and 30.11 pg/mL and men should strive to maintain within this range. The result of the study justifies the aggressive approach taken by men to ensure their estrogen levels are balanced and at optimum levels throughout their lives.

Men need to test their estrogen levels because of the lethal implications of having a hormonal imbalance, often brought on by andropause – the male menopause. In order to understand the cause of the estrogen imbalance it is necessary to understand the male process for creating estrogen. Men produce estrogen by transforming testosterone into estradiol with the help of an enzyme called aromatase. It is not uncommon for older men to have too much aromatase activity, which can cause too much of their testosterone to be converted into estrogen; this results in the depletion of testosterone and estrogen dominance. Other men lack aromatase and instead suffer an estrogen deficiency or have too little testosterone to convert.

Excess amounts of estrogen contribute to the development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries; in fact, even slight elevations in levels of estrogen can double the risk of stroke and coronary artery disease in men. In addition, higher levels of estrogen have been found in men who have higher blood levels of estrogen. On the other hand, insufficient levels of estradiol predispose men to osteoporosis and bone loss.

Fortunately, there is a solution; men can get tested to gauge their levels of estrogen. “Having unbalanced levels of estrogen is an easily correctible hole in conventional medicine” says Dr. Joseph. The specialists at BodylogicMD are highly trained bioidentical hormones doctors who can provide men with a comprehensive solution that includes: nutrition, fitness and bioidentical hormones to achieve optimal hormonal levels.

It is time for men to take their health more seriously. The recent study shows that unbalanced levels of estrogen can significantly exacerbate the risk of degenerative disease in aging men and dramatically increase their mortality rate. Don’t be part of the 99 percent of men who are unaware of their estrogen levels.

-Dr. Gary Joseph, BodyLogicMD of Cleveland