woman estrogen question

[kethnaab]

Wife is 38, has had 4 kids, and has always been a lifter. She recently experienced an INSANE strength increase with her bench press (235 raw, paused, no gear).

Now, I'd love to take credit for her bench press gains because I put together her peaking program for it, but honestly, I sincerely doubt it.

What has happened since the 4th youngling is that she has had a wicked problem with high blood pressure and water retention as well as fat gain. She has eaten very cleanly for months on end, and it doesn't seem to help like it used to. It's as if her metabolism has grinded to a stop, and she is holding water for months on end, it's not just a 'monthly thing'.

But her strength gain...sheesh...she's a strong chickie, but this is nuts. She's never broken 200 before on the bench, even when she was young and fully healthy.

Is this an estrogen thing, i.e. it's going out of control? and if so, is there any benefit to using an anti-estrogen in small amounts to help her with this weight/water/blood pressure thing?

[Glaim]

Sure she's not using a-bombs?

In all seriousness, you wouldn't want to just throw an anti-e at her...she really needs to see a qualified medical professional. Edema can be caused by a whole host of things. The slowing of the metabolism + water retention sounds like a thyroid issue, but that does not typically coincide with strength gains as such a condition would hinder protein synthesis.

[kethnaab]

yeah, that's what i thought too, she's on a blood pressure medication.

just weird what is going on. strong like a bull, incredible, but she doesn't like the h20 retention at all, nor the fat gain. poor woman is trying HARD not to gain weight, and she is powerless to stop it.

her T levels are normal from a basic t level test.

[marianco]

Both Estrogen and Testosterone are necessary for muscle mass gain. Without Estrogen, you become defined but slim. Estrogen and Testosterone are both anabolic hormones. Estrogen, besides being anabolic, promotes cell division - thus the risk of cancer if it is not balanced.

As we age, both men and women start having declines in Testosterone and Progesterone. This causes an imbalance, which can lead to fatigue, weight gain and water retention. Since Progesterone counteracts Estrogens anabolic effects, the reduction in Progesterone may unleash Estrogen's muscle and thus strength building effects. Estrogen contributes to water retention, while Progesterone is a natural diuretic. Estrogen blocks thyroid hormone, while Progesterone (possibly Testosterone, but I am not yet clear on this), allows thyroid hormone to function. Testosterone and Progesterone are both calming and blood pressure reducing. Thus as the hormone imbalance occurs with aging, a person may become stronger, fatter, yet more tired, with water retention and higher blood pressure. Mood changes can also occur. Estrogen causes aggressive behavior, whereas Testosterone produces calmness and Progesterone produces calmness and nurturing behavior. High testosterone levels leads to the creation of more Estrogen through aromatization, leading to aggressive behavior.

An anti-estrogen is useful for lowering Estrogen levels. But the problem lies not in Estrogen, but in not making enough Testosterone and Progesterone as we age. For women past 30 years of age, anovulatory periods occur. No progesterone is then made since you need ovulation and the resulting corpus luteum to make progesterone.