How to Dominate Estrogen Dominance
Though estrogen deficiency is one of the more commonly known conditions related to hormonal imbalance, there is also a large number of women on the other end of the scale who are undergoing the negative impacts of having too much estrogen in their body.
Defining Estrogen, the Female Sex Hormone
Estrogen is the hormone that is most associated with menstruation and pregnancy, and for good reason. It is the primary sex hormone in females and assists in developing the secondary sexual characteristics in women. Its main responsibilities lie in developing the female reproductive system, including the breasts, uterus, and ovaries. This hormone also accelerates metabolism, increases bone formation, and promotes lung function.ID-100198934
How Will I Know if I Have Too Much Estrogen?
The best way to determine whether there is too much estrogen in your body is to undergo a thorough check-up with a medical physician who is knowledgeable about hormone balances. But before booking an appointment at a clinic, a good way to guess whether you have estrogen dominance or not is by checking for common symptoms associated with the condition. Women with too much estrogen in their bloodstream may experience the following side effects:
An increase in weight
Varicose veins
Dryness of the vagina
Itchiness of the vagina
Skipped menstrual periods
Missed menstrual periods
Unpredictable mood swings
What Are the Causes of Estrogen Dominance?
- Health problems related to the liver.
The liver is responsible for filtering and processing blood as it circulates the body. Within this organ are enzymes that drive chemical reactions necessary for important body processes such as metabolizing nutrients, making blood clotting proteins, and detoxifying harmful substances. If your liver’s functions are compromised, your body is unable to flush out the hormones regularly. This means that any estrogen in your system ends up staying in your bloodstream instead of being removed naturally. - A lack of the right foods and nutrients.
When your body does not have enough cholesterol, it is unable to produce the right amount of progesterone. This is because progesterone is made from pregnenolone which, in turn, is converted from cholesterol. Sometimes called the hormone of pregnancy, it works hand-in-hand with estrogen. A rise in progesterone signals the uterus to prepare for the implantation of a fertilized egg and, in case pregnancy does not occur, its decreasing levels in the body will lead to menstruation. Cholesterol is found in animal fats, while cholesterol-like substances are found in some plant products such as avocado, flax seeds, and peanuts. - Perimenopause and menopause.
Unfortunately, most women experience a decrease in progesterone as they reach the menopausal phase, meaning it is a natural process that females will experience at some point in their life. Menopause is said to be occurring 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual period. In the US, the average age for this is 51, but every woman has a different story. Some enter the menopausal phase early into their 40s, while others do so late in their 50s. - Contraceptives, particularly birth control pills.
Contraceptive pills have different dosages of a combination progesterone and estrogen, and some contain more estrogen than others. Women who take in pills with high-levels of estrogen are bound to find themselves with higher levels of the hormone than what their bodies would normally produce. These days, women have the option of using low-dose pills that only have 35 micrograms or less of estrogen. Despite the reduced amount, this pill still proves to be effective and safe for most women.
Is There Any Way I Can Get Treated for Estrogen Dominance?
The most effective treatment for women in Illinois suffering from estrogen dominance is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, wherein more progesterone will be introduced to your body. This is done so that your levels of progesterone will be increased so that they are at a healthy ratio compared to your estrogen levels. This means that you will be able to rebalance the effects of these two sex hormones. If you are not comfortable with the idea of boosting your progesterone levels, your physician may also be able to recommend other ways that you can directly influence your levels of estrogen, such as by making changes to your diet and by doing specific exercises.
Author Bio: John Newman is a writer and marketing professional from Genemedics.com. He writes about health, business and technology. One of his advocacies is to inform people more about preventing and fighting diseases by knowing their symptoms and possible effects.