Is a woman with too much estrogen a super woman? Excess estrogen is a very common condition in women and is referred to as estrogen dominance. The balance between the two primary female hormones-progesterone and estrogen-is critical. A relative excess of estrogen creates a hormonal imbalance causing a condition called estrogen dominance.
Excessive exposure to external estrogens (xenoestrogens), stress, obesity, poor diet and hormone disrupting chemicals and unopposed estrogens from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or birth control pills could swing the balance.
Too much estrogen reduces progesterone (relatively) and causes uncontrolled cell growth and development of cysts (acne, fibrocystic breast, ovarian). It also enhances fluid retention and increases risk of hormone related cancers as breast cancer
Do you suffer from a hormonal imbalance known as estrogen dominance?
- Do you have menstrual cramps or menstrual irregularities?
- Do you suffer from PMS symptoms as swollen tender breasts, bloating, migraine, irritability?
- Do you have breast cysts, ovarian cysts, fibroids or endometriosis?
- Do you have hot flashes and night sweats?
- Do you suffer from swollen fingers (rings are too tight) or feet (cannot fit into your shoes)?
- Do you have unexplained weight gain?
- Do you have frequent sweet cravings?
- Do you feel tired or depressed most of the time?
The early warning symptoms of estrogen dominance include PMS, depression, loss of sex drive, sweet cravings, heavy periods, weight gain, breast swelling and water retention.
What are the causes of estrogen dominance hormonal imbalance?
1-Excess exposure to xenoestrogens in food as commercial meat, chicken, dairy products, farmed fish, soy products, foods sprayed with pesticides and plastics which leach into food when used for wrapping. Xenoestrogens are also found in dark hair dyes (phenylendiamine), soaps and cosmetics (parabens/ phthalates), dry cleaning chemicals, plastics, PBA in plastics and can linings and bleaching chemicals used in tampons and pads.
2-Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy– Exposure to estrogen alone without sufficient opposing progesterone increases the level of estrogen in the body.
3-Stress raises levels of the adrenal hormone cortisol which blocks progesterone binding sites and lowers the levels of DHEA hormone, the precursor of progesterone.
4-Obesity -Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal steroids to estrogen. The more the fat intake is, the higher the conversion of fat to estrogen.
5-Poor diet -Excess estrogen in the body is detoxified by the liver and excreted via the colon. A diet that lacks fiber, probiotics and essential nutrients for function of liver detoxification enzymes contributes to estrogen dominance.
6-Caffeine-studies have shown that women who consume 4-5 cups of coffee had nearly 70% more estrogen than women who consume less than 1 cup.
7-Statins– Scientific research found that cholesterol lowering drugs (statins) increase estrogen levels in women. The incidence of breast cancer in women using statin drugs was found to be increased. Statins also deplete Coenzyme Q 10 a breast cancer protective nutrient.
What about men?
Men too can suffer from estrogen dominance and testosterone deficiency. While men make very little estrogen they are exposed to this hormone in their diet and in the environment. This may explain the increase in genital defects in male infants, and rise in infertility, prostate and testicular cancer.
How to avoid estrogen dominance hormonal imbalance?
Here are 5 Oakville holistic nutritionist-proven tips to balance your hormones naturally:
- The first step is to eliminate xenoestrogens from diet or home as much as possible.
- Avoid birth control pills and HRT containing either estrogens or synthetic progesterone.
- Eat organic as much as possible
- Cut down on commercially produced meat products and dairy.
- Limit caffeine daily intake.
Asking for help of a registered holistic nutritionist who can offer you a nutritionist-tailored program that includes diet, supplement and lifestyle changes, is the best approach to balance your hormones, get rid of your unpleasant symptoms or even reverse your problems.
If you know a friend or family member who is struggling with hormonal imbalance due to estrogen dominance, please share this link with her to help her find a safe and natural solution to her health concerns and regain her health back with a holistic nutrition approach to hormonal imbalance.
We offer tele-health coaching via Zoom, so we can help you if you are out of area. If you need help with your health and nutrition, sign up for a 15 Min Discovery Call with Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Life Coach, Maha Nasr to discuss your current goals and concerns and ask how we she can help you.
