Estrogen Control for Men
We have two primary objectives when it comes to treating andropause symptoms: safety and effectiveness. Neither is possible without monitoring and managing estrogen.
Facts About Estrogen
- Small amounts of estrogen improve cardiovascular health, enhance brain function, and prevent osteoporosis in men. In other words, men need estrogen—just not very much of it.
- Small amounts of testosterone are routinely converted to estrogen via a process called aromatization.
- Estrogen that is too high or low can cause fatigue, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and depression. Joint pain is a symptom specific to estrogen that is too low, whereas weight gain and water retention are specific to estrogen that is too high. When estrogen is substantially elevated, it can cause sensitive nipples and gynecomastia (colloquially known as man boobs).
- Many medical professionals erroneously believe that testosterone causes prostate cancer. Healthy testosterone levels actually support prostate health. Elevated estrogen, on the other hand, is unhealthy for the prostate.
- It’s common for estrogen to become imbalanced in men as they age.
Why Estrogen Needs to Be Managed
Unlike testosterone, we don’t think of estrogen as being a hormone that is replaced during hormone therapy. Rather, the conversion of testosterone to estrogen needs to be controlled so estrogen is kept within a tight window.
If estrogen is too high or low, men will tend to have symptoms. And as mentioned above, heart health, bone health, brain health, and prostate health can be compromised.
Managing this aspect of treatment is just one of the many differences between treatment done safely and effectively, versus treatment that is neither safe nor effective.
Method of Treatment
Virtually every man undergoing properly administered testosterone therapy will need estrogen controlled as part of his therapy.
Prior to starting treatment, some men will have estrogen that is low, some will have estrogen within a healthy range, and some will have estrogen that is elevated.
If testosterone is replaced to healthy levels without suppressing estrogen conversion, estrogen will likely become elevated (even if beginning levels are low).
- Estrogen conversion is suppressed via an oral medication called an estrogen blocker. Estrogen blockers, also known as aromatase inhibitors, block the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.
- Pinpointing the appropriate estrogen blocker dosage for each man requires expertise. Our physicians have the experience necessary to ensure this aspect of therapy is done correctly. Evaluating lab results and symptoms are part of the treatment process.
- Treatment includes follow-up lab testing at regular intervals and adjustments to dosing as warranted.
Estrogen management is just one piece of our Renew Man Program. But it’s an important one. Without estrogen control, testosterone therapy is neither safe, nor effective. It’s that significant. Ultimately, there’s a right way and a wrong way to balance male hormones. At Renew Youth, the right way is the only way we know.