What Is The Connection Between Estrogen and Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome is said to affect about five million people in the United States today. Almost 90 percent of these are women aged between 40 to 55, which lead to an interesting question – is there a connection between estrogen and fibromyalgia syndrome?

It was found that both women with estrogen issues and women suffering from fibromyalgia have had more severe premenstrual syndrome, (PMS) such as back aches, abdominal cramps, sleeplessness and headaches, and pregnancy symptoms, such as fatigue, stiff muscles and increased pain levels. As compared to healthy individuals, they are more susceptible to emotional stress, brain fog and confusion during their menstrual cycle. They are also more prone to dysmenorrhea and breast cyst.

Treating Fibromyalgia with Estrogen

With the notion that estrogen could somehow play a part in fibromyalgia syndrome, studies were conducted to find out if estrogen can be used to treat fibromyalgia. Recent studies of estrogen and fibromyalgia have indicated that applying estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) to those with fibromyalgia will not lessen the pain. Moreover, you need to keep in mind that there is also some risk to long term use of estrogen that includes breast cancer as well as other cardiovascular problems. Nonetheless, some positive results were acheived in treating other symptoms of fibromyalgia such as sleep and mood disorders and fatigue.

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