Estrogen dominance is a condition where a woman has too much estrogen relative to progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can lead to a variety of symptoms including:
- Irregular periods or heavy menstrual bleeding - Bloating, fluid retention, and weight gain - Fibrocystic breasts - Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression - Fatigue, insomnia, trouble focusing - Low libido - Headaches and migraines
What causes estrogen dominance? There are a few key factors that contribute to high estrogen levels:
- Exposure to xenoestrogens - chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body. These are found in plastics, pesticides, fragrances, and more. - Chronic stress - leads to increased cortisol which inhibits progesterone production - Perimenopause - estrogen levels fluctuate and drop while progesterone levels drop rapidly - Poor liver function - impairs metabolizing and eliminating estrogen - Obesity - fat cells produce aromatase that converts testosterone to estrogen - Nutritional deficiencies - leads to impaired hormone metabolism
The hormones estrogen and progesterone work together in a delicate balance. When estrogen is not properly balanced by progesterone, symptoms of estrogen dominance can occur.
Some key signs of estrogen dominance include:
- Weight gain or inability to lose weight - Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression - Tender or fibrocystic breasts - Migraines and headaches - Fatigue, insomnia, brain fog - Low libido
What are some solutions for estrogen dominance?
There are several natural ways to treat and prevent estrogen dominance:
- Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens - avoid BPA plastics, parabens in beauty products, and pesticides in food - Manage stress through yoga, meditation, massage, and other relaxing activities - Support the liver with milk thistle, dandelion, and gastrointestinal cleansing - Eat a clean, anti-inflammatory diet - emphasize fiber, antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies - Increase progesterone levels - foods like yams, nuts, seeds; progesterone cream can help - Take supplements like DIM and Calcium D-Glucarate to promote estrogen metabolism - Exercise regularly to improve estrogen metabolism and modulate hormones
The team at Hormone Harmony can help diagnose and treat estrogen dominance through lab testing, lifestyle changes, supplements, and bioidentical hormone therapy when needed. Our integrative approach helps women find hormonal balance, relief from symptoms, and improved quality of life. Contact us today for a consultation to see how we can help you overcome estrogen dominance and thrive!