Why Do Men Need Estradiol?
Everyone knows that elevated estradiol levels almost certainly lead to gynecomastia. And what can you call something that endows a masculine warrior with a trait exclusively characteristic of women? Only an enemy, and a treacherous one at that.
If only that were all. Consistently elevated levels of estradiol not only hinder "fat burning" — especially in the abdominal area — but also contribute to fat deposition "in the female pattern," that is, on the hips and buttocks.
Estradiol — Enemy?
Agree: there is little attractive about a man with a large butt and feminine hips. In any case, this is far from the body type most of us dream about.
Furthermore, elevated estradiol can lead to increased blood viscosity, which results in thrombosis. A too-high level of estradiol means a high likelihood of arterial stenosis and prostate problems.
But that's not all — elevated estradiol levels can lead to potency issues. Even if a normal erection is achieved, the sensations from orgasm will be far from usual and unsatisfactory.
True, in this case, it's not entirely about estradiol, but elevated levels of this hormone inevitably lead to increased prolactin levels, which is responsible for all the unpleasantness listed in this paragraph.
Or Maybe a Friend!
One of the most effective ways to increase one's own testosterone levels in men is to use very high doses of aromatase inhibitors.
At the beginning of the cycle, everyone who has tried it, without exception, experiences a sharp drop in estradiol levels, which immediately leads to an equally sharp drop in mood, and in extreme cases can provoke a slide into depression.
It turns out that estradiol can be considered a hormone of good mood. And again, that's not all. A too low level of estradiol, as it turns out, is fraught with the development of inflammatory processes.
No, they won't develop on their own, but the slightest injury during training against a background of low estradiol levels threatens to turn into major problems.
Another important point: estradiol is needed for muscle growth. And not just needed, but essential — for example, it can increase the number of androgen receptors in muscle tissue and also raise the level of free testosterone.
Friend? Definitely! It should also be noted that estradiol is important for the functioning of the cardiovascular system. I already mentioned that elevated estradiol levels negatively affect blood flow.
But a significant drop in this hormone level for a long period is also bad: it can lead to the development of angina pectoris and even myocardial infarction.
By the way, women, who for obvious reasons have much more estradiol in their blood than men, have a much lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
To sum up: not long ago, the American Medical Association published data from a rather extensive study in their journal.
Scientists tracked the estradiol levels in elderly men for three years and tried to determine the influence of this hormone on life expectancy.
It was found that mortality was higher in the group of men whose estradiol levels were elevated (close to the upper limit of the reference range or exceeding the upper permissible value).
But what was interesting: the highest mortality rate was recorded in the group with too low estradiol levels — below the permissible limit.
The Ideal Estradiol Level for Men
In fact, estradiol is two-faced: it can be either your most reliable friend or your worst enemy.
As mentioned earlier, the AMA recommended that all men periodically check the level of this hormone in their blood and even released a chart that compiled the ideal estradiol levels for men of different ages.
I could present it here, but I won't. Unfortunately, things are not so simple. Focusing solely on the estradiol level itself is pointless. It's like trying to determine if 30 liters of gasoline is a lot or a little.
For a small hybrid engine car, it's a lot. But for an old six-liter "American" car, it's just a "drop in the bucket."
With estradiol, it's the same: what is considered close to ideal for men of almost any age, 25 pg/ml, may sometimes be too low. Ultimately, it all depends on the level of another hormone, also a sex hormone, but now the main one for men — testosterone.
It's the ratio of testosterone to estradiol levels that should be considered. Especially for those of us who are into so-called sports pharmacology.
Read the continuation of the article
To learn about the optimal estradiol level for men, read the second part of the article The Optimal Ratio of Estradiol and Testosterone
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