How I Feel With Low Estrogen Vs High Estrogen

Summary

In this video, the speaker, Derek, discusses the importance of understanding one's estrogen levels and the potential dangers of self-diagnosis without blood work. He shares personal experiences with high, normal, and low estrogen levels, highlighting symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, and physical changes. Derek emphasizes the role of estrogen in maintaining a healthy sex drive and the risks of mismanaged hormone balance, urging viewers to educate themselves and seek professional guidance for hormone-related health issues.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Self-diagnosing hormone levels without blood work is not recommended and can lead to mismanagement of hormone balance.
• 💊 The use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) without understanding one's hormone levels can result in excessively low estrogen levels.
• 🔄 Hormone balance is crucial, as both high and low estrogen levels can have negative impacts on health and libido.
• 🌡 High estrogen levels can cause erectile dysfunction, even with sufficient androgen levels and the use of PDE5 inhibitors.
• 🛌 Morning erections can be an indicator of a healthy estrogen to androgen balance, suggesting a 'sweet spot' in hormone levels.
• 📉 Low estrogen levels can lead to a loss of libido and sexual interest, to the point of becoming asexual.
• 👨‍⚕️ The importance of proper hormone management is emphasized, as improper use of hormones can have detrimental effects on physical and sexual health.
• 💡 The speaker shares personal experiences to provide a framework for understanding the symptoms of high and low estrogen levels.
• 🚶‍♂️ A significant drop in sexual interest and activity was personally experienced when estrogen levels were too low.
• 🧠 Estrogen plays a key role in regulating sex drive, and its absence or insufficiency can lead to a lack of sexual desire.
• 📚 Education on the benefits and proper management of estrogen is crucial for maintaining overall health and sexual function.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the video?

The video aims to provide a framework for individuals to understand the symptoms of high and low estrogen levels, based on the speaker's personal experiences, and to caution against self-diagnosis without blood work.

Why does the speaker advise against self-diagnosing without blood work?

The speaker advises against it because without proper blood work, individuals may mismanage their hormone levels, leading to potential health issues such as extreme estrogen levels causing erectile dysfunction or low estrogen leading to a loss of libido.

What is an aromatase inhibitor and why might someone misuse it?

An aromatase inhibitor is a drug that reduces estrogen levels by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase. Misuse can occur when individuals use it without understanding their current hormone balance, potentially leading to dangerously low estrogen levels.

What are some symptoms the speaker associates with high estrogen levels?

High estrogen levels, according to the speaker, can cause difficulty in maintaining an erection, even with the use of PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra and Cialis, despite having a high libido.

What does the speaker refer to as the 'sweet spot' for estrogen levels?

The 'sweet spot' refers to an optimal balance of estrogen and androgen levels where the individual experiences no erectile dysfunction issues, wakes up with morning wood, and has a healthy libido.

What are some signs of low estrogen levels as described by the speaker?

Low estrogen levels can result in a loss of libido, hair loss, and a general lack of interest in sexual activity. The speaker also mentions that low estrogen can make it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection.

Why does the speaker mention the importance of not overusing AIS in HRT?

Overusing aromatase inhibitors (AIS) can lead to excessively low estrogen levels, which can negatively impact not only bodybuilding progress and body composition but also sexual function and overall well-being.

What is the speaker's opinion on self-induced desensitization to sexual stimuli?

The speaker suggests that self-induced desensitization, such as excessive use of pornography, can lead to erectile dysfunction and a decreased sex drive, which can complicate the self-diagnosis of hormone levels.

How does the speaker describe the impact of low estrogen on his personal life?

The speaker describes a period in his life where low estrogen levels, caused by the use of letrozole, led to a complete loss of interest in women and sexual activity, resulting in the termination of relationships and a focus solely on bodybuilding.

What is the role of estrogen in regulating sex drive according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating sex drive. High levels can lead to erectile dysfunction despite a high libido, while extremely low levels can lead to asexuality and a lack of interest in sexual activity.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of blood work in understanding hormone levels?

The speaker emphasizes blood work because it provides accurate information on hormone levels, which is essential for proper hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and avoiding the health risks associated with imbalanced hormone levels.