Hormones are active and crucial in men’s physical and psychological health, as they affect sexual drive, fertility, energy, mood, sleep, and other aspects. One of the main hormones that plays an essential role in male fertility is the estrogen hormone. And in the following article, we will cover everything related to the estrogen levels test for men.

Estrogen Levels Test

Estrogen levels test is a test that measures estrogen hormone levels in the blood, and sometimes in urine.

Estrogens are a group of hormones that play a vital role in various aspects of women’s reproductive health, including puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. It is also present in small amounts in men and plays an important role in their bone health, heart health, brain health, and reproductive health. (1)(2)

A doctor may order an estrogen hormone test for males to check their hormone levels in the body, as elevated levels can cause the following conditions in males: (2)(3)(4)

1. Infertility.
2. Delayed puberty, characterized by delayed development of muscle mass, lack of body hair growth, lack of voice deepening, and slow or delayed testicular and penile growth.
3. Gynecomastia is a condition in which a man experiences breast enlargement.
4. Erectile dysfunction.

What does the test measure?

There are many types of estrogen, but only three types are commonly tested: (2)(3)(4)(5)

• Estrone (E1): It is the primary estrogen hormone in women after menopause and is present in small amounts in men. This hormone is usually produced by converting androstenedione in the adrenal gland or from other androgens. The testicles, ovaries, placenta, and adipose tissues can also produce it.
• Estradiol (E2): It is the main form of estrogen in nonpregnant females of childbearing age. It is essential for fertility and supports bone and brain health. It is mainly produced in the ovaries, and in males, it is produced in small amounts in the testicles and plays a crucial role in their sexual health, including achieving erections, regulating sexual drive, and sperm production.
• Estriol (E3): It is the primary form in pregnant women, produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Males and nonpregnant females have very low levels of this estrogen.

When should men get an estrogen test?

Typically, doctors order males to undergo estrogen levels test (estradiol and/or estrone) to: (1)

1. Investigate the causes of delayed puberty.
2. Diagnose gynecomastia.
3. Find tumors that cause excessive estrogen production (testicular tumors or adrenal glands).
4. Determine whether elevated estrogen levels are due to low testosterone or androgens, major male hormones.

How to prepare for this test?

This test does not require any specific preparation or fasting. However, informing the doctor about any medications or supplements being taken is essential. (1)

How is this test performed?

This test is conducted as follows: (2)(3)

• Blood Test

 A small blood sample is taken from the patient’s arm and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

• Urine Test

 To perform a urine test, the person is asked to collect their urine over 24 hours in a special container, following specific instructions.

What is a normal estrogen level for men?

The normal levels of estrogen hormone vary depending on the age and medical history of the individual. Here are the normal levels of some forms of estrogen hormone in adult males:(4)(5)