Estrogen and Muscle Health

One of the most undesirable consequences of aging is the loss of muscle mass and strength. Current research suggests that low sex hormone concentration, specifically estrogen, may be among the key mechanisms for muscle wasting (sarcopenia) and weakness. [138] Interestingly, a large body of scientific evidence suggests that restoring estrogen levels through ERT may help diminish age-associated muscle loss and improve overall muscle function:
1. In postmenopausal women, one-year ERT intervention appears to increase muscle size, vertical jump height and running speed. [139-140]
2. In older females, ERT increases isometric muscle strength. [141]
3. In women aged 55–56 years, ERT results in more muscle power, higher vertical jump, faster walking speed, greater lean body mass and less fat mass. [142]
4. In postmenopausal women, ERT significantly increases muscle mass and improves muscle function by increasing protein synthesis as well as growth factors. [143-146]
5. In older women with muscle weakness, ERT significantly increases muscle mass, muscle function, muscle force and power generation. [147-149]
6. In peri- and postmenopausal women, ERT prevents muscle strength loss by improving the function of the existing muscle. [150-153]
7. In premenopausal and postmenopausal women, ERT significantly increases quadriceps femoris muscle strength. [154-155]
8. In postmenopausal women, ERT improves performance, mass and composition of various muscle groups in the body. [156-165]
9. In rodents, estrogen administration reduces muscle structural damage and muscle membrane disruption following potentially damaging exercise. [166-170]