• Menopause

Understanding Low Estrogen in Women

Published: July 25, 2025
Updated: July 25, 2025
5 mins

Estrogen plays a major role in the female body – regulating everything from your menstrual cycle to your mood, bone health, skin, sleep, and even sex drive. When estrogen levels drop – whether it’s during menopause, after childbirth, or even in your 20s or 30s – it can throw your body (and mind) out of balance. And because the symptoms can show up in unexpected ways, it’s easy to chalk them up to stress, aging, or “just one of those things.”

In this article, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about low estrogen: the signs and symptoms (including some weird ones), what causes it, how it’s diagnosed, what it can do to your body, and how to treat it – especially if it’s affecting your quality of life.

What are Normal Estrogen Levels?

Estrogen levels aren’t static – they rise and fall naturally depending on your age, where you are in your menstrual cycle, and whether you’re pregnant, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal. So what’s considered “normal” can vary a lot from person to person.

For example, during the menstrual cycle, estrogen (specifically estradiol, the most active form) can range anywhere from about 15 to 350 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL), peaking just before ovulation. In pregnancy, levels shoot up significantly. After menopause, they drop and tend to stay low – usually under 10 to 20 pg/mL.

What is Low Estrogen?

Low estrogen happens when your body isn’t producing enough of this key hormone to support normal functions – and depending on the cause, it can be a short-term dip or a more chronic issue.

While levels can vary based on age and cycle phase, estradiol (the most commonly measured type of estrogen) is typically considered low if it falls below 30 pg/mL in premenopausal women. Postmenopausal levels are naturally much lower, often below 20 pg/mL – but if symptoms are severe, that can still be a concern.

There are three types of estrogen in the body:

• Estradiol (E2): The main type during your reproductive years

• Estrone (E1): More common after menopause

• Estriol (E3): Primarily produced during pregnancy

When you get your hormone levels checked, estradiol is usually the one tested, since it’s the most active and closely tied to symptoms.

It’s also worth noting that low estrogen isn’t always a long-term issue. It can drop temporarily due to things like stress, over-exercising, or being underweight – and bounce back once the underlying issue is addressed. But if your levels stay low over time (like during perimenopause, menopause, or due to certain health conditions), treatment might be necessary to help you feel like yourself again.

How Do I Know If I Have Low Estrogen?

Estrogen affects so many systems in the body that it’s easy to wonder if unusual symptoms (like mood swings, fatigue, or changes in your period) could be hormone-related.

The truth is, low estrogen can look different for everyone. Some people experience a handful of symptoms; others feel like their whole body is out of sync. That’s why diagnosing low estrogen involves more than just going off how you feel.

Here’s how it’s typically done:

• Symptom tracking: Keeping a journal of what you’re experiencing – like sleep issues, hot flashes, irregular cycles, or brain fog – can help your doctor spot a pattern.

• Blood tests: A simple blood test can measure your estrogen levels (usually estradiol) to see if they’re in a healthy range for your age and life stage.

• Doctor consultation: A healthcare provider will consider your symptoms, medical history, and lab results before making a diagnosis or recommending treatment.

While it’s tempting to self-diagnose based on what you read online, estrogen levels are complex – and symptoms can overlap with other health conditions like thyroid disorders or vitamin deficiencies. The safest way to know if you have low estrogen is to speak with a medical professional who can help you get a clear diagnosis and the right support.

What Causes Low Estrogen?

There are several reasons your estrogen levels might dip, and not all of them are tied to menopause.

Natural aging and menopause

As you get older, your ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. This drop typically starts during perimenopause (usually in your 40s) and continues after menopause, when estrogen levels stay low long-term.

Surgical menopause

If you’ve had your ovaries removed (oophorectomy), your body loses its primary source of estrogen overnight. This is sometimes called “surgical menopause” and often causes more sudden and intense symptoms.

Certain medications or treatments

Some cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation can damage the ovaries, leading to lower estrogen levels. Hormonal therapies (like those used for endometriosis or breast cancer) can also suppress estrogen on purpose.

Autoimmune disorders

Conditions like Addison’s disease or autoimmune ovarian failure can interfere with estrogen production, especially if the immune system mistakenly targets hormone-producing tissues.

Excessive exercise or disordered eating

If your body doesn’t have enough energy (due to overtraining, undereating, or very low body fat), it may shut down estrogen production to conserve resources – often leading to missed periods and other symptoms.

Genetics or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)

Some women experience significantly lower estrogen levels before age 40 due to genetic conditions or unknown causes. This is often called premature ovarian insufficiency, and it can feel a lot like early menopause.

Symptoms Associated with Low Estrogen

Estrogen does more than regulate your menstrual cycle – it influences everything from your skin and hair to your mood and metabolism. That’s why low estrogen symptoms can show up in ways that might surprise you. And if you’re wondering whether you’re dealing with hormone imbalance, recognizing the signs of low estrogen in women is a good place to start.

Physical symptoms 

These are often the most noticeable – and they’re usually what bring people to the doctor first.

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Vaginal dryness

• Irregular or missed periods

• Fatigue and low energy

• Thinning hair or hair loss

• Dry skin 

• Weight changes 

Emotional and mental symptoms

Low estrogen doesn't just affect your body – it can also influence your brain chemistry and mood. Symptoms may include:

• Mood swings

• Irritability

• Anxiety or depression

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

Sexual and reproductive symptoms

Estrogen plays a key role in sexual health and fertility, so drops in hormone levels can affect both.

• Low libido

• Pain during sex

• Fertility issues

“Weird” symptoms

Not every symptom is obvious — some are subtle or unexpected. These weird symptoms of low estrogen can fly under the radar but still affect your quality of life:

• Joint pain or stiffness: Estrogen helps maintain joint health and inflammation levels

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears): Some women report a buzzing or ringing sound as hormones shift

• Burning mouth syndrome: A strange tingling, burning, or numbness in the tongue or lips

• Increased sensitivity to allergens or environmental changes: Estrogen helps regulate the immune system

• Skin crawling sensations: Also called formication, this can feel like bugs under your skin

• Change in body odor: Hormone fluctuations can alter how your sweat smells

Low Estrogen Side Effects

Estrogen levels that remain low for prolonged periods – especially without treatment or intervention – may negatively impact your long-term health. These effects are typically more uncomfortable than symptoms like hot flashes or mood swings. Over time, chronically low estrogen can contribute to more serious health concerns, particularly after menopause. 

Osteoporosis and bone loss

Estrogen helps maintain bone density by slowing the natural breakdown of bone. When levels drop, that protective effect weakens and can lead to thinner, more fragile bones. Without enough estrogen, women are at higher risk for osteopenia, osteoporosis, and even fractures from minor falls.

Cardiovascular issues

Estrogen has heart-protective qualities, including helping to keep blood vessels flexible and supporting healthy cholesterol levels. After menopause, as estrogen declines, the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure can rise – especially if other risk factors are present.

Weight gain and metabolic changes

Low estrogen can contribute to slower metabolism, increased fat storage around the abdomen, and shifts in how your body regulates insulin. These changes can make it harder to maintain a healthy weight and may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Urogenital atrophy

Estrogen supports the health of vaginal and urinary tissues. When levels drop, those tissues can become thinner, drier, and less elastic. This can lead to vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, frequent UTIs, and even urinary incontinence – a group of symptoms collectively known as urogenital atrophy.

Where Can I Learn More About Hormonal Balance?

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