What are the reasons for high estrogen in men?

Dr Amit Kumar Devra elaborates.

Often considered to be a female hormone, estrogen is a set of steroid hormone that occurs more often in men if they have high BMI count or if they are overweight. Testosterone can affect men so much so, that it can lead to irregularities in testosterone while hampering bone health, brain function, cardiovascular function and sexual function. Dr. Amit Kumar Devra, Senior Consultant - Urology & Renal Transplant Department at Jaypee Hospital, Noida unearths the functioning and top signs and symptoms of high estrogen in men.

Understanding the Functioning of Estrogen in Men

Testosterone is the main male hormone (Androgen) responsible for sexual function and secondary sexual features. Androgen is secreted majorly from testis and marginal from adrenal gland. A part of this androgen is converted in estrogen in the peripheral fatty tissue. In males, the main biologically active estrogen is estradiol and this process is called as aromatization i.e. conversion of testosterone to estradiol. With aging, the production of androgens from the gonads and adrenals is decreased. Although the aromatization of testosterone to estradiol is maintained, but in elderly often due to a variety of factors, more testosterone is aromatized in fatty tissues, causing a further imbalance of the ratio of testosterone to estrogen, i.e. excess estradiol and lesser testosterone. The reason for increase aromatization activity is mainly because of increase in subcutaneous abdominal fat mass (obesity). Read more about 7 symptoms of male menopause or andropause you should know!

Signs and Symptoms of High Estrogen in Men

• Loss of muscle mass - Relative low testosterone causes decrease in muscle mass. This typically happens because of the advancing age and a range of metabolic disorders. One must understand that fat tissues contain aromatase and helps in converting testosterone into estrogen.
• Gynecomastia or male breast growth: Medically known as gynecomastia, because of the high levels of estrogen in men, the breasts tend to change their shape. Because of estrogen the breasts become larger in men, leading to distinct pectoral fat deposits. This condition is quite common among boys and often happens during their puberty stage, but it continues during adulthood, it might be one of the underlying reason of high estrogen in men.
• Increase in cardiovascular problems: Some studies and research have often confirmed that high estrogen in men tends to increase the heart attack and stroke occurrences in men.
• Deficiency of zinc in the body: Zinc tends to display the level of aromatese in the body. However, if the levels of zinc are lower than the usual, then the level of aromatese rises leading to disruption in normal pituitary functions. Without the adequate presence of zinc, the pituitary gland tends to not release the follicle and luteinizing stimulating hormones, which stimulates the testes for the production of testosterone.
• Faulty feedback If a man possessed too much of estrogen in his system, then the vicious cycle of the same can lead to higher level of estrogen and thus a faulty feedback system. This further leads to tricking the brain into releasing of an even lesser amount of testosterone.

Treatment for High Estrogen in Men

The treatment includes change in lifestyle like following a healthy diet, regular exercise and avoiding stress. Hormone replacement therapy is indicated if there is a significantly reduced blood testosterone level. Hormonal replacement can be in the form of oral pills, gel or injectable. However, because of the increased risk of developing prostate cancer, screening for the risk is mandatory before starting hormonal therapy. Read here Male menopause myth or reality?

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