BonesGrowth
Iron
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Disclaimer :
This thread is for educational purposes only. It discusses estrogen and compounds such as aromatase inhibitors from a biological perspective.The use of any hormonal or pharmaceutical substances carries risks. Nothing here is medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before altering hormone levels.
You are responsible for your own decisions.
Introduction
Estrogen is a deal for men and women. It is a hormone that our bodies make from other hormones. For men estrogen is important for having bones, being able to think clearly, and having a normal sex drive. It also helps our bodies use insulin and keeps our hormones in balance.
In this thread I want to talk about what estrogen does in a mans body. I will discuss the things it does and the bad things. I will also talk about how estrogen affects how a man looks, including his face. I will explain why having too much estrogen can be a problem, for many men even if they do not know it. I will also go over ways to manage estrogen properly.
Its about understanding estrogen. We need to know when estrogen helps the body and when it gets in the way.
Good effects
People usually think of estrogen as a hormone that's mainly for women. But the thing is estrogen is actually an important hormone that does a lot of things in the male body too. Estrogen has functions, in the male body.
One of estrogen's main functions is influencing the health and strength of bones. Estrogen works by balancing the amounts of bone that are formed and resorbed (broken down). Without adequate amounts of estrogen in the body, bones become weak and will eventually be damaged from continually being stressed over a prolonged period of time.
Estrogen is really important for tissue and joint health. It helps keep the fluid in the joints and makes the collagen that keeps the ligaments and tendons strong. This is great for people who exercise or do resistance training. Estrogen does a lot of things for the joints like keeping them healthy and strong which is especially good, for people who are active and use their joints a lot.
Estrogen has an effect on the brain and emotions. It affects the brain in a ways. Estrogen regulates the activity of things called neurotransmitters that are associated with mood and attention. Estrogen also regulates the bodys response, to stress. When estrogen levels are normal people will have brain function and they will have better mental clarity. Estrogen is important for the brain and emotions and normal estrogen levels can make a difference.
Estrogen is really good for the skin. It helps the skin stay hydrated and elastic. Estrogen also helps the skin make collagen, which is important for skin quality. The skin will. Feel better because of estrogen.Estrogen does a lot of things for the heart too. It helps keep cholesterol levels in check. Estrogen makes sure we have a balance of fats, in our body. So estrogen helps keep our heart healthy in two ways. Estrogen promotes heart health by doing these things.
Bad effects
The role of estrogen in our bodies is really important.. When estrogen does not work the way it should it can cause a lot of problems for men. These problems can affect the way men look. They can also affect their overall health. Estrogen plays a part in this and when it does not work right men can experience a lot of undesirable effects, from estrogen.
Estrogen is what makes our growth plates close and get hard. This means our bones do not grow anymore. Estrogen has an effect on how our bones grow. It does this by telling our growth plates what to do. So when estrogen is more active it will make our growth plates close. This is how estrogen affects the growth of our bones. Estrogen is very important for the growth of bones because it tells the growth plates to grow or to close. Once the growth plates close, a bone cannot grow any longer in terms of length, meaning that if an individual has high levels of estrogen and those levels cause growth plates to close, the individual's height and bone growth will end permanently.
The development of gynecomastia is something that happens because of estrogen. Estrogen has an effect on the glands. It does this by attaching to estrogen receptors. This causes the breast tissue to grow. Sometimes this growth can lead to the development of glandular tissue in the breast rather, than just fat. So when gynecomastia develops into glandular tissue it cannot be reversed without surgery. Gynecomastia is a condition that can be very hard to get rid of once it has developed into glandular tissue.
The way fat is spread around the body is also something that estrogen has an impact on. When the body has much estrogen fat starts to collect in certain areas like the chest, lower abdomen, hips, glutes and thighs. This is how womens bodies usually store fat. It is the opposite of what people want when they are trying to get an muscular physique. This kind of distribution makes the body look softer overall. Fat distribution like this with fat, in the chest, abdomen, hips, glutes and thighs is not what people want when they are trying to look lean and strong.
Another adverse effect due to high levels of estrogen is the body holds onto water. Estrogen makes the body keep sodium and water which can make people look bloated. You can see this when your face looks puffy and your muscles do not look as defined as they should. This is really noticeable, in the face, where the edges of the jawline and the shape of the cheeks are not as sharp as they used to be. The estrogen is what makes the jawline and the cheeks look softer.
On a sexual level, estrogen gets in the way of how androgens are supposed to work. For men this can mean they are not as interested in sex as they used to be. They might not get erections easily or they might not be as strong. Men may also feel less motivated to have sex. They might feel less confident about themselves. Estrogen also affects hormones, like prolactin, which can make things even worse for a mans sex life and his desire to have sex. Estrogen is really bad, for men when it comes to sex because it messes with androgens and prolactin which're important for sexual function and sexual drive.
From a neurological perspective, estrogen can have a negative impact on a man's mood and mental state. Symptoms of this may include emotional instability, irritability, anxiety, a reduced ability to handle stress, and a tendency toward depression are some of the symptoms of low testosterone. Motivation and a competitive nature can also diminish if there is an imbalance of neurotransmitters.
Estrogen has a suppressive effect on the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis. Over time, this leads to a decrease in the production of endogenous testosterone, leading to a cycle of worsening symptoms of androgen deficiency including fatigue, poor recovery, and a loss of vitality.
Aesthetically, estrogen has a negative effect on facial dimorphism as increased estrogen activity increases the softness of facial features, the reduced prominence of the jaw, fuller cheeks, and a less angular mid-face. Extreme increases in estrogen activity may cause facial structures to be more neotenous in appearance; that is, to have a feminized appearance.
Hair health is something that can be affected by changes in estrogen levels too. When someone has estrogen levels the hair follicle and the scalp do not work properly. This can cause problems for people who're already prone to hair loss because of their genes. It can make their hair fall out more or make it look really bad. Hair health and estrogen levels are really connected. When estrogen levels are low hair health can suffer. This can lead to hair that's thin all over or just does not look very good.
Overall, although estrogen is necessary for many bodies, excessive estrogen or poorly regulated estrogen signaling is one of the primary hormonal causes of feminization, the slowing of aesthetics from a male to female state, and a decrease in masculine performance.
Aromatase inhibitors
Aromatase inhibitors are things that help lower the amount of estrogen in the body. These aromatase inhibitors work by stopping an enzyme called aromatase from doing its job. Aromatase inhibitors are important because they can reduce estrogen production.
The enzyme that does this job is called aromatase. Aromatase is really important because it helps turn testosterone into estradiol (E2) and it also turns androstenedione into estrone (E1). This process happens on its own. It is one of the main ways that mens bodies make estrogen. Aromatase plays a role in this process of estrogen synthesis in men.
By blocking the activity of aromatase, aromatase inhibitors limit the conversion of androgens into estrogens. This results in lower circulating estrogen levels, mainly E2 and E1, and a higher amount of bioavailable testosterone.
The enzyme that does this job is called aromatase. Aromatase is really important because it helps turn testosterone into estradiol (E2) and it also turns androstenedione into estrone (E1). This process happens on its own. It is one of the main ways that mens bodies make estrogen. Aromatase plays a role in this process of estrogen synthesis in men.
By blocking the activity of aromatase, aromatase inhibitors limit the conversion of androgens into estrogens. This results in lower circulating estrogen levels, mainly E2 and E1, and a higher amount of bioavailable testosterone.
Videos explaining their uses :
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Why are aromatase inhibitors used?
Aromatase inhibitors initially came into existence due to medical purposes. At present, these drugs are primarily employed for treating estrogen-sensitive types of breast cancer. Some forms of breast cancer develop from the stimulation caused by estrogen attachment to the respective receptors on the tumours resulting in accelerated growth. Aromatases inhibit the pathway whereby estrogen is produced, and hence reduce the amount of estrogen made, therefore they may delay or halt the growth of cancers related to estrogen production.
Other applications include using them in conjunction with hormone or peptide, particularly during puberty or at subsequent stages in life. When employed in these circumstances, aromatase inhibitors decrease the amount of estrogen been secreted and increase the amount of testosterone available. They prevent the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen, thereby diminishing premature subject exposure to the adverse effects of elevated oestrogen levels and permitting those pathways associated with the growth and development of testosterone or androgens to function more effectively.
Pros and con
Aromatase Inhibitors advantages and disadvantages must be understood before use. they will exhibit positive benefits when used properly, however, when abused/inappropriately used, they will lead to adverse side effects. Adverse effects are determined by the individual reaction or the dosage and the hormonal balance of an individual. This section will list the major pro's and con's associated with Aromatase Inhibitors to help identify the ways the Hormonal balance in the body can be affected by Aromatase inhibitors.
Pros
Increased testosterone levels in the body.
The goals of aromatase inhibition are to improve bioavailable testosterone and limit excessive production of estrogens. If your body produces high levels of testosterone due to high levels of aromatization, then the aromatase inhibitors will prevent this conversion from happening. The net effect will be to maintain higher levels of testosterone while decreasing the amount of estrogen produced and thus limiting estrogen-related side effects. Aromatase inhibitors also have the potential to delay growth plate closure during puberty and therefore be beneficial in pediatric patients.
Reduction in estrogen-related side effects.
Using aromatase inhibitors reduces the ability to create excess estrogen by reducing the production of E2 and E1 (estradiol and estrone) through aromatization of testosterone to estrogen. Since less estrogen is produced when testosterone is not converted to estrogen via aromatization, lower total amounts of estrogen are produced, resulting in less bloating and fluid retention, less body fat storage in areas where estrogens typically store fat (breast, hips, and lower abdomen), and fewer estrogen-related side effects.
The potential delay in the closure of growth plates during puberty due to hormonal changes.
The majority of research into the use of aromatase inhibitors has been conducted with children and adolescents in order to determine how these agents may alter hormonal regulation. The majority of aromatase inhibitors available today are FDA-approved medications that are prescribed by physicians to treat conditions such as breast cancer and certain types of menopausal syndromes, and thus the medical benefits of all aromatase inhibitors for all ages will vary.
Cons
Brain Function
Low estrogen affects brain function. The estrogens, E2, and E1, have a very important function in the brain. They affect mood, cognitive function, and protect the brain. Low estrogen levels can cause symptoms such as low mood, brain fog, difficulties concentrating, and emotional instability.
Joint Health and Connective Tissue Issues
Estrogen promotes joint lubrication, elastic tendons, and lowers inflammation in the joints. If estrogen levels are very low, it can cause joint pain, joint stiffness, as well as a reduction in performance during-training.
Reduced Muscle Growth and Recovery
Moderate estrogen levels are involved in muscle protein synthesis and IGF-1 signaling. An individual will have slower anabolic processes when they have low levels of E2, leading to decreased muscle growth and recovery.
Potentially Unstable Hormones
A high degree of inhibition results in a crash of estrogen levels, leading to side effects such as fatigue, decreased libido, decreased lipids, and a serious hormonal imbalance.
Potential Negative Long-Term Health Effects
If not managed properly, long-term chronic suppression of estrogen can negatively impact cardiovascular health, lipid profile, and quality of life.
Common Aromatase Inhibitors
Aromasin (Exemestane)
Aromasin can be classified as a suicide inhibiting agent (i.e., it binds to and irreversibly blocks the aromatase enzyme).
Because aromatase cannot be "unblocked", the body must produce new aromatase in order to maintain normal estrogen levels.
Compared to non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors, Aromasin causes considerably less estrogen rebound and has been shown to be tolerated better on the long-term. Aromasin is sometimes referred to as "smoother" than non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors and possesses slight androgenic properties.
Because aromatase cannot be "unblocked", the body must produce new aromatase in order to maintain normal estrogen levels.
Compared to non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors, Aromasin causes considerably less estrogen rebound and has been shown to be tolerated better on the long-term. Aromasin is sometimes referred to as "smoother" than non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors and possesses slight androgenic properties.
Steroidal (suicide inhibitor)
Moderate, gradual
≈ 60$/30 tablet (depending on the source)
Arimidex (Anastrozole)
Anastrozole (Arimidex) is an anti-estrogen medication belonging to the category of nonsteroidal and reversible aromatase inhibitors (RAIs).
Anastrozole works by inhibiting the conversion of androgen to estrogen by blocking the activity of the aromatase enzyme, resulting in a decreased amount of circulating estrogens in the body. Following cessation of use, anastrozole may allow for rapid restoration of normal estrogen production.Estrogen suppression with anastrozole is considered to be moderate to strong and allows for greater dosing variability, however, due to the reversible nature of anastrozole, the reintroduction of estrogen after stopping anastrozole can occur if not closely monitored.
Anastrozole works by inhibiting the conversion of androgen to estrogen by blocking the activity of the aromatase enzyme, resulting in a decreased amount of circulating estrogens in the body. Following cessation of use, anastrozole may allow for rapid restoration of normal estrogen production.Estrogen suppression with anastrozole is considered to be moderate to strong and allows for greater dosing variability, however, due to the reversible nature of anastrozole, the reintroduction of estrogen after stopping anastrozole can occur if not closely monitored.
Non-steroidal, reversible
Moderate to strong
≈ 35$/30 tablet (depending on the source)
Letrozole
Letrozole is classified as a non-steroid aromatase inhibitor as well, however, it is much more potent than Aromasin or Anastrozole and aggressively inhibits estrogen in the body.Due to the potency of Letrozole, there is a high chance of crashing E2 levels, which requires a lot of attention when dosing. The dosing of Letrozole provides very little room for any errors, and therefore, Letrozole is usually referred to as the strongest option.
Non-steroidal, reversible
Very strong
≈ 30$/30 tablet (depending on the source)
(In my opinion, non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors are better than steroidal aromatase inhibitors because they provide greater control & availability of adjustment due to the ease in which you can discontinue the medication if needed. For example, if bloodwork or symptoms change or when the medication just doesn’t feel right, quick adjustments can be made to non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors. Whereas, you cannot come off of a steroidal aromatase inhibitor.)
Important note : Dosing and Bloodwork
The effectiveness and safety of an Aromatase Inhibitor have nothing to do with price. The most important thing is the proper use of the AIs in terms of dosing. Estrogen suppression is dependent on dosage levels.
Bloodwork is necessary in order to ascertain each individual's estrogen levels, preferably E2, so that proper dosing adjustments can be made, thereby minimizing risk.
The goal is not to completely remove estrogen from the body, but instead to maintain an appropriate amount within a healthy range. Guessing doses without bloodwork is the fastest way to crash E2 and cause long-term issues.
Thanks for reading
I appreciate you reading this thread. While I'm not the best at this topic, I know I probably have got something wrong or missed many other details. Please jump in with any corrections, constructive feedback or anything else that might be helpful.
(I took some inspiration from @Zagro formatting and layout for this thread.)
