What is estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance occurs when there is an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone in the body, with higher levels of estrogen relative to progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can develop due to several factors:
- Excessive estrogen production - This can occur naturally or from external sources like birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
- Impaired breakdown and elimination of estrogen
- Low levels of progesterone - Progesterone opposes estrogen, so low levels allow estrogen to become dominant
Some symptoms and signs of estrogen dominance include:
- Heavy, painful, or irregular periods
- PMS symptoms like bloating, headaches, mood swings
- Weight gain, especially around the hips and thighs
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Cold hands and feet
- Foggy thinking and memory lapses
- Mood changes like anxiety, irritability, and depression
Long-term risks of prolonged estrogen dominance include an increased risk of uterine and breast cancers, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Some helpful lifestyle changes to counter estrogen dominance naturally include:
- Avoiding xenoestrogens from plastics, personal care products, etc
- Choosing organic foods to minimize pesticide exposure
- Engaging in regular exercise to improve estrogen metabolism
- Managing stress levels with yoga, meditation, etc
- Supporting liver detoxification pathways
Supplements like DIM, Calcium D-Glucarate and B-vitamins can also aid hormone detoxification and balance. For moderate to severe cases, bioidentical progesterone treatment may be warranted to directly counter the excessive estrogen levels.