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E2 Hormone Levels & Menopause

Menopause is the period in a woman's reproductive life when menstruation no longer occurs and she is no longer capable of becoming pregnant. A woman is typically deemed as having reached menopause when she hasn't had a period for 12 months (the average age is 51), but menopause may begin many years before this hallmark is reached. The menstrual cycle is governed by estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that are produced by the ovaries. The primary form of estrogen is estradiol, also known as E2.

  1. Types of Estrogen

    • E2 is one of three types of estrogen that women's bodies naturally produce. E2 is the most predominant of the three during a woman's reproductive years, i.e., from the onset of menstrual periods until menopause. When a woman is pregnant, a form of estrogen known as estriol (E3) is dominant, whereas after menopause, estrone (E1), a type of estrogen that's weaker than E2, is the most prevalent.

    Physical Effects of Menopause

    • Menopause itself is not an illness, but the symptoms it causes can leave a woman feeling as though her health is being compromised for several years leading up to menopause. Women commonly experience greater-than-usual fatigue, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, irregular periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness and a tendency to gain weight, particularly in the abdomen. Some of these physical changes are attributed to the decrease in the production of estrogen, particularly E2. A decrease in estrogen is also linked to a loss of bone density, which may lead to osteoporosis.

    Hormone Replacement Therapy

    • Several methods exist for replacing some of the lost E2, thus reducing the symptoms brought on by its absence. These methods are collectively referred to as hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. Estradiol may be taken orally as a pill, it may be absorbed via a patch placed on the skin, or it may be provided via a vaginal ring. Creams and gels that are applied topically to the arms or legs are also available.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that HRT be used for the shortest time and at the lowest doses possible.

    Warning: When HRT Should Be Avoided

    • HRT should not be considered by women who may be pregnant or those who have a history of breast cancer, heart disease, or blood clots. Taking estrogen to prevent memory loss or strokes when other bothersome symptoms of menopause are not present is also inadvisable. Always consult your doctor to determine whether HRT is safe for you.

    Alternative Medications

    • Drugs other than replacement hormones can also be prescribed to compensate for declining levels of E2 and reduce the symptoms of menopause. These include antidepressants, such as venlafaxine, fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline, for mood swings; neurontin, a drug intended to treat seizure disorders but which also reduces hot flashes; clonidine, a medication for treating high blood pressure that also reduces hot flashes; and biphosphonates and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) to improve bone density and lessen the impact of osteoporosis that can accompany menopause.

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