Am I experiencing a hormonal imbalance after menopause at 64?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 64 and in the postmenopausal stage. I had a hormone blood test and my testosterone was very low, less than 5. My vitamin D was low and my Estradiol was 73. I started to take supplements, all-natural like DHEA, vitamin D, HGH and Smilax. I just got tested again and my vitamin D is fine.

But, my Estradiol is even higher and my testosterone is 114. Now, two days before, I took the test while on Smilax which I know has its effect on testosterone level. I am mostly worried about estradiol and ovarian cancer.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your estrogen level should be low at the postmenopausal stage. But, your estrogen level is similar to the level of normal reproductive years. Estrogen helps bone but carries the risk of breast cancer, and uterine (endometrial) cancer. Estrogen therapy in the postmenopausal period also carries the potential risk of ovarian cancer. DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) can help to increase energy and sex drive (libido) but not definite. DHEA is converted in the body to testosterone.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Only estrogen replacement in the form of hormone replacement therapy is known to be associated with ovarian cancer. I am not aware of any studies showing the body's own secretion of estrogen (high or low) associated with ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer cells express the estrogen receptors so that they can be stimulated to grow by estrogen. I am not aware of any studies showing a correlation between blood testosterone level and risk of ovarian cancer.

Please feel free to ask if further clarification is required.

Thank you.