Estrogen is a key hormone for women. It regulates various important functions throughout the body including menstruation, bone density, and cognitive function.

But what happens when your body doesn’t produce enough of it? Low estrogen symptoms can occur, which can cause a range of health issues from fatigue to hot flashes. However, one of the most important factors in recognizing low estrogen symptoms is sleep.

What is Estrogen?

Before diving into the connection between estrogen and sleep, it’s important to understand what estrogen is and its effects on the body.

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone that is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system. Nevertheless, estrogen is not solely related to reproduction. It also plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin, bones, and organs, as well as cognitive function, mood, and sleep.

Low estrogen levels can cause a range of symptoms that negatively impact the body.

Low Estrogen Symptoms

When estrogen levels are too low, physical and psychological symptoms can arise. The physical symptoms vary from person to person, but often include:.

Hot flashes
Night sweats
Irregular periods
Loss of libido
Dry skin
Loss of muscle mass and strength
Difficulty with urinary tract infections
Menopausal weight gain
Fatigue

The psychological symptoms of low estrogen are also varied, but can include:.

Irritability or mood swings
Depression or anxiety
Difficulty concentrating
Memory problems
Insomnia or other sleep problems
Difficulty with decision-making

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor may recommend further testing to determine whether low estrogen is the cause of these issues.

The Connection Between Estrogen and Sleep

Estrogen plays an important role in sleep. It helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and can affect the quality and quantity of sleep.

Women with low levels of estrogen often experience sleep disturbances such as insomnia or difficulty sleeping through the night. Moreover, this lack of restful and restorative sleep can cause fatigue, which exacerbates physical and psychological symptoms related to low estrogen.

How to Improve Your Sleep When You Have Low Estrogen

If you are experiencing sleep disturbances due to low estrogen levels, there are steps you can take to improve your sleep quality. One of the most important things is to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

If you are struggling to fall asleep, some relaxation techniques can help. Practicing meditation, deep breathing, or gentle yoga before bed can help calm your mind and promote relaxation. Getting regular exercise can also help improve sleep quality.

It is also important to create a sleep-conducive environment. Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. Invest in comfortable bedding and pillows to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible throughout the night.

Conclusion

Estrogen is an important hormone that plays a key role in regulating sleep. When estrogen levels are low, sleep quality can be impacted which can exacerbate low estrogen symptoms.

It is important to identify and treat low estrogen symptoms to improve overall health. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether low estrogen could be the culprit.

Creating healthy sleep habits such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, practicing relaxation techniques, and creating a sleep-conducive environment can help improve your sleep quality when you have low estrogen.