Do we have low estrogen?

Colleen87 · 08-17-2009, 10:12 AM

Estrogen is stored in fat right? So do thin cysters have low estrogen? Because I keep hearing about estrogen dominant pcos and I dont think that I am that, I think I am more testosterone dominant. Maybe if I had a bit more estrogen I would be better off. When I was pregnant I never had to wax my upper lip. My acne was really bad though...but no excess hair problems.

Daisy811 · 08-17-2009, 10:36 AM

You make a very good point! I have never heard of estrogen dominated PCOS vs. testosterone dominated PCOS, however....not to say they don't exist. During my first acupuncture visit for ttc, my acupuncturist asked me if a doctor had ever asked me to gain weight because he perceived me as being pretty thin. I was surpised by is suggestion, and never followed thorugh on his advice. He said the same as you, that estrogen is produced by fat, and gaining weight might balance out my estrogen/testosterone levels. I do know that my testosterone levels are high, and my FSH/LH levels are out of whack, but I never remember my estrogen levels bein specifically addressed with me. Hmmmm....

KatCarney · 08-17-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colleen87

Estrogen is stored in fat right? So do thin cysters have low estrogen?

You're asking if women with 'normal' body fat levels have 'low' estrogen?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colleen87

Because I keep hearing about estrogen dominant pcos and I dont think that I am that, I think I am more testosterone dominant. Maybe if I had a bit more estrogen I would be better off. When I was pregnant I never had to wax my upper lip. My acne was really bad though...but no excess hair problems.

You should talk to your doctor about your symptoms (but not in terms of 'estrogen/androgen' dominance). You might have what is common to many women with pcos of all body weights: excess androgens.

Study: Androgens in Thin Cysters with and without IR

See the stickies at the top of the HAIR forum for information on various treatments. (I don't recall ever seeing 'more estrogen' as a remedy. And in the case of body fat...excess body fat can tend to signal the ovaries to produce even more androgens.)

The information in this Stickie from the Diet & Exercise forum has information about IR and Androgens contributing to belly fat. There are a few links that the anti-androgen 'flutamide' can help with belly fat:

QUICK LINKS: PCOS and Losing BELLY FAT

Just a general note to anyone else reading this... 'thin' doesn't mean 'normal body fat' or 'normal body fat distribution'. From the stickies at the top of the THIN CYSTERS forum:

Fat distribution affects PCOS metabolism regardless of body weight

Melly78 · 08-17-2009, 03:19 PM

I think I do. I had to take estrogen this cycle to help build a lining after 2 months of no AF and Prometrium not working. I was also working out and dieting a little too hard, I think.