Oestrogen Deficiency
1 medicine
Oestrogen deficiency is a drop in circulating oestrogen, most often around menopause, causing hot flushes, vaginal dryness and bone loss. Hormone replacement therapy restores oestrogen levels and relieves symptoms.
Key facts
- Oestrogen deficiency means the ovaries are producing less oestrogen than the body needs. It is most common during perimenopause and menopause.
- Surgical removal of the ovaries, certain cancer treatments and prolonged low body weight can also lower oestrogen at any age.
- Typical signs are hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes and accelerated bone loss.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), often with conjugated oestrogens, restores oestrogen levels and relieves symptoms; a doctor should weigh personal risk factors before starting.
What causes it
Oestrogen deficiency happens when the ovaries make less oestrogen than the body needs. Perimenopause and menopause are the most common triggers, since ovarian function winds down naturally with age. Surgical removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy or pelvic radiotherapy, and prolonged very low body weight can also cause a drop in oestrogen at any age, since the ovaries need adequate energy reserves and reproductive signalling to function normally.
Symptoms
Hot flushes and night sweats are the best-known signs, often disrupting sleep and daily comfort. Vaginal dryness, reduced libido and mood changes are common but less openly discussed. Over the longer term, low oestrogen accelerates bone loss, raising the risk of fracture, and it can affect skin, joints and concentration as well.
How oestrogen deficiency is treated
Hormone replacement therapy is the main treatment, restoring circulating oestrogen to relieve symptoms and protect bone density. Conjugated oestrogens, a well-studied form derived from natural sources, are used in standard HRT regimens. These fall under women's health care and are usually prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time that controls symptoms. Vaginal preparations can address dryness alone with less systemic absorption, while systemic forms cover hot flushes and bone protection together.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if symptoms are affecting daily life, or before starting HRT so personal and family history, including any history of blood clots, breast cancer or cardiovascular disease, can be weighed against the benefits. Ongoing HRT should be reviewed periodically to confirm it remains the right choice.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.