The connection men and testosterone is a familiar one, but what about estrogen in the male body?

They always talk about testosterone, but often forget about estrogen, which is just as important in the male body as TST, even though it is the essential female sex hormone. As it happens, it is necessary to have the hormonal system in balance, because otherwise things don't work properly and the body protests. So let's take a little closer look at this hormone, which I promised ina previous article on testosterone therapy (TRT) for men later in life.

Again, the article does not encourage any abuse of banned substances, but on the contrary points out the possible risks and explains the function of hormones in our body. It serves as informative only, but the opinion and recommendation of a medical professional is crucial in any choice of treatment.

Elevated estrogen levels in men and gynecomastia

At the outset, to make it clear what is going on, we will start with elevated estrogen levels by various influences. The first symptom of increased estrogen levels can be encountered in men as early as puberty, with hormonal imbalance. Gynecomastia, a condition where the male body essentially adopts female characteristics, can also occur in susceptible individuals. Gynecomastia refers to a benign enlargement of the mammary gland in the male breast. It means enlargement of the breast tissue, where male breasts look pointed, i.e. they look like women's breasts. As mentioned earlier, this is caused by an excess of estrogen and can be worsened directly by an excess of progesterone.

Gynecomastia at puberty

Physiological gynecomastia usually occurs during puberty. During this period, there is a rapid development of sex hormone-dependent tissues. Temporarily increased levels of estrogen, which is also produced in the testicles, cause swelling of the breasts in the nipple area. These can be very sensitive to painful. This type of gynaecomastia often resolves spontaneously after the pubertal period after 1-2 years.

Gynaecomastia in old age

Physiological gynecomastia also affects older men. It is then that the activity of Leydig cells in the testes is suppressed. These are responsible for the production of testosterone. The decline in the male sex hormone disrupts the overall balance. Subsequently, the influence of estrogen in the body begins to prevail. This is manifested by enlargement of the mammary gland.

Gynecomastia in users as

We also see this in young bodybuilding competitors who reach for anabolic steroids and do not know how to control the increased estrogen levels when using aromatizable androgens. It's sad nowadays to see already young competitors with this symptom on the podium. Interfering with the reproductive system at such a young age, which is regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, certainly carries its own risks, especially the clinical syndrome of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (reduced serum FSH and LH levels, low endogenous (self) testosterone production, impaired spermatogenesis and testicular atrophy). Anabolic androgenic steroids inhibit LH secretion by direct action on the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and by inhibition of GnRH secretion from the hypothalamus. This, in turn, induces a corresponding reduction in secretion of both LH and FSH, and the reduction in LH decreases endogenous testosterone production.

Estrogen in men in general

Also referred to as estrogens, a group of hormones that are found in different areas of the body. The main purpose of estrogen in men is to assist in sperm maturation and to help regulate your libido. It is much more abundant in women and helps them in developing feminine characteristics. Some of these characteristics can also develop in men if estrogen were to be excessive in the male body. But estrogen has a greater purpose, which we will discuss.

Estrogen's role in men is important. It is important for GH and IGF synthesis, bone density, lipid profile, glucose uptake and utilization, AR sensitivity and activation, immune function, anti-inflammatory (inflammation) effects, and a host of other benefits. Without it, we men would not function properly.

Estrogen is biosynthesized. This means it is made by another source in the body. It is a conversion of testosterone. Testosterone is converted to estrogen by an enzyme called "Aromatase". The amount of aromatase enzymes in the body has its importance and not everyone has the same amount. But it is mostly found in fat cells. The more fat you have, the more estrogen you convert. One of the many reasons why anabolic steroids are not recommended when you are overweight. This certainly makes sense for the reason alone that if you are fat, you can't eat properly and if you can't eat properly, what good are AS? To digress, it's just a product of our times that AS are omnipotent, yet few people can eat right and work hard, and without that you won't move from your seat even if you take asteroids.

You've probably heard different names for estrogens, such as E2, or estradiol. Estrogen, as a whole, is made up of several sex hormones. These are as follows:

1. Estrone (E1)
2. Estradiol (E2)
3. Estriol (E3)

We are primarily interested in Estradiol or E2. This is because E2 is what concerns us men. E2 is 10 times more potent than E1 and 100 times more potent than E3. This is why men should have their blood tests to check the level of the just mentioned estradiol. Your estrogen levels should be within range to maintain a healthy libido and avoid side effects. This is one of the important things. Levels that are too low can cause problems. Levels that are too high can cause serious complications. So we need a balance. Let's look at the problems that can come with high or low estrogen levels:

Side effects of low estrogen levels:

Ssteoporosis (weakened bones - long term low levels)

• Poor sex drive
• Fatigue
• Lethargy
• Decrease in skin quality
• Depression
• Poor sense of well-being and low quality of life

Side effects of high estrogen levels:

• Gynecomastia
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression
• Erectile dysfunction
• Water retention in the body
• High blood pressure
• Loss of balance/instability/dizziness
• Respiratory problems
• Irritability
• Low libido
• Insomnia
• Prostate related problems
• Crying like a little girl and being more emotional

You see yourself, both high and low levels are not healthy. And since we've already said that the more body fat we have, the more aromatase enzymes we have, you'll understand why it's best to keep your body fat within limits and lose weight. This goes double for those considering a steroid cycle or TRT treatment.

How to control estrogen

First, you see the side effects listed above, which also serve as symptoms. However, this is always crystal ball divination and blood work is really the only way to accurately manage your E2 levels. Otherwise, we would simply follow the symptoms and the actual diagnosis becomes a guessing game. Let's talk about the methods that are used to manage estrogen if you are considering TRT testosterone treatment or a steroid cycle with aromatizable compounds.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)

There are several inhibitors that you can use. The main purpose of all of these drugs is to maintain healthy estrogen levels. While they work in different ways, they all focus on reducing or maintaining estrogen levels. Since we've already learned that the aromatase enzyme is synthesized estrogen, the name "aromatase inhibitor" suddenly makes sense, right? AIs do exactly as their title suggests. They inhibit aromatase activity in your body. Now we need to find out what inhibitors are available and how they work.

There are several inhibitors available on the market today. Not all of them are the same.

Types of aromatase inhibitors:

1. Selective
2. Non-selective

For our purpose, we only need selective compounds because non-selective compounds work differently and are generally very weak. To save time, we will not discuss non-selective inhibitors because they are not relevant to our purpose.

Types of selective inhibitors:

1. Reversible inhibition
2. Irreversible inhibition

Reversible inhibition means that aromatase enzyme activity is blocked, but the enzyme remains alive and intact. Irreversible inhibitors kill the enzyme. Remember, just because an enzyme is dead doesn't mean you won't develop other enzymes. On the contrary, you will continue to develop aromatase enzymes. By either killing or blocking aromatase enzymes, the conversion of testosterone to estrogen is blocked. And if dosed correctly, your levels will eventually drop to a reasonable and healthy range.

Affordable and popular reversible AIs:

• Anastrozole ( Arimidex )
• Letrozole ( Femara )
• Formestane (Lentarone)
• Vorozole(Revisor)

Available irreversible AIs:

• Exemestane ( Aromasin )

In general, these are options to lower estrogen levels and maintain a healthy range of estradiol E2. However, we must not forget that these are always prescription drugs, so they are not over-the-counter and carry a number of side effects of course. These are not lozenges, they are powerful drugs, so you are always playing with fire a bit if you don't have the necessary knowledge. But that's the whole game with banned substances, which to many seems like a common and not harmful thing, but it's definitely not.

You could also use some free products. Some have been shown to work well, but of course depending on the individual as we all react differently to these drugs.

• DIM (Diindolylmethane) - for example on TRT, can be effective.
• Resveratrol (quite weak)
• Chrysin (better than Resveratrol, but still weak)
• Zinc (Decent, but effective dose is also not healthy)

Dosage of inhibitors

For availability purposes, only Arimidex, Letrozole, and Aromasin can be discussed. These are the most commonly used. Each is different, uses different compounds, and dosages may vary, therefore only estimated dosages based on user experience can be written. Our new forum will be up and running soon, where you can then direct questions and possibly exchange experiences with other antiestrogen users. Of course, never give a recommendation to someone for whom a certain dose works. Always do blood tests after 4-5 weeks of TRT therapy or an AS cycle to see what your estradiol levels are, just to be safe.

Conclusion

Playing with hormones is like playing with fire. If you knock your estrogen too low, you will feel at the bottom. If it flies too high, you will suffer from other side effects. Nothing is as simple as it first appears and you need to use your own head rather than blindly following someone else. Really always think things through and do your own research. What your buddy says is irrelevant. We are all completely different and we have to approach it that way. The article has hopefully opened some eyes again that things are much more complicated than they first appear. Always think of your health first and foremost.

Don't forget that the most important thing of all is to learn to eat right and exercise hard first. This is the basis of your improvement and no banned substances or asteroids will replace it. Your forward progress will always be much better if you grow up first, reach your natural maximum and thus also verify that you are doing things right. If you don't see a good change in physique with the natural approach, then no substance will help you because you are not doing things right.