There are two main reproductive hormones in the female body, estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones need to be balanced in order for the reproductive system to be healthy (fertility, menstruation…). When estrogen levels outweigh those of progesterone, the body finds itself in a state of estrogen dominance.
Many women experience estrogen dominance at a point or another in their life, and most don’t even realize it.
What causes estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance is a result of either by too much estrogen in the body, or too little progesterone. Causes will be stress, obesity, conditions like PCOS, gut microbiome imbalances, the consumption of external estrogen in water, in meat and dairy or the use of hormonal birth control and hormone replacement therapies.
Pesticides, canned goods, plastic and personal care products also contain hormonal disruptors. . Phytoestrogens, estrogens present in plants such as soy and flax, are not bad per say, but if the body is already in a state of estrogen dominance, they might make the problem worse [1].
Symptoms of estrogen dominance:
Symptoms of estrogen dominance are many and non specific, they include intense PMS symptoms, tender and/or lumpy breasts, poor sleep quality and insomnia, anxiety, depression and mood swings, heavy, absent or irregular periods, mid-cycle spotting, endometriosis, infertility, weight gain, especially in the lower and mid-body sections, cellulite and water retention, hair loss, bloating, low libido and brain fog to name a few.
Consequences of estrogen dominance:
Estrogen dominance can negatively impact day to day life by causing mental health fluctuations, exaggerated PMS pains and discomforts, poor body image because of the weight gain and the water retention, and by making conception and pregnancy difficult.
Any hormonal imbalance in the body is dangerous, and estrogen dominance is no exception. High levels of estrogen for long periods of time can cause a variety of serious diseases, estrogen-dependant cancers such as breast, endometrial, ovarian and colorectal cancers.
Estrogen dominance also causes a number of other conditions, known as estrogen-dependent disorder, the most important of which are: High blood pressure, thyroid disorders, and insulin resistance which is the root cause behind type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
What to do to fix estrogen dominance:
By the looks of it, estrogen dominance is quite the heavy subject, but the good news is, there is plenty to do to help with this condition. In extreme or advanced cases, anti-estrogen drugs may be prescribed by doctors. But nutrition and lifestyle interventions can be just as effective.
To balance estrogen and the female reproductive hormones, many things can be done:
1) The most important advice is to lower stress levels. Chronic stress directly causes progesterone levels to drop, thus being responsible for a state of estrogen dominance.
2) Watch what you consume: meat and dairy can contain estrogens. Make sure to filter your water, eat organic foods and don’t use any plastic or BPA lined cans.
3) Limit the hormonal disruptors in your personal care and cleaning products, stay away from phthalates, parabens, benzophenones and favor non toxic natural alternatives.
4) Lose weight if you are overweight, fat cells (adipose tissue) also secrete estrogen, increasing its levels in the body.
5) Limit your consumption of sugar and carbohydrates, too much insulin production can disrupt the female reproductive hormonal balance.
6) Discuss other birth control options with your primary care physician if you’re on the pill, or opt for phytoestrogens instead of hormone replacement therapy if you’re in menopause [2].
7) Load up on probiotics to balance your gut and prioritize digestive health.
8) Meditation, yoga, gratitude. Start a de-stressing practice that will free up that pregnenolone for progesterone.
