Newsletter

A pervasive fear in the general male population and some in the medical profession centers around estrogen levels in men. Indeed, various vitamin journals have published that estrogen in men is bad. However, this is not the conclusion published in medical journals. Estrogen is in fact protective to the heart, brain and bones – men included.

The confusion arises over how much estrogen is good. As a healthy man grows older, 40 years old +, hormone levels decrease to a low or below-normal level including testosterone. This begins andropause, the equivalent of female menopause. Blood tests usually are performed to measure the various hormones. Physicians can prescribe a natural testosterone gel/cream to be applied on the skin to raise and maintain the testosterone levels.

Aromatase, an enzyme produced normally in the body, molds testosterone into estradiol. The production of aromatase is increased with the aging male which then can cause increased conversion of testosterone into estradiol. Other factors that influence aromatase levels are alcohol intake, decreased zinc levels, obesity and prescription drugs such as diuretics.

The estradiol levels can also increased more so when testosterone is replaced by injection than by application of a transdermal gel/cream. Increased estrogen levels can produce Gynecomastia, enlarged breasts in men. This would be an indication to treat the elevated level by blocking the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

With proper monitoring, there should be no reason to fear estrogen levels and every reason to benefit from hormone (testosterone) replacement.

This information is provided courtesy of
Neal Rouzier, M.D.