What is estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance refers to a condition where a woman has excess estrogens circulating in her body, with deficiencies in progesterone to balance those estrogens out. This hormonal imbalance can cause various symptoms.
Some key things to know about estrogen dominance:
- It's often caused by external factors like diet, lifestyle choices, environment, stress, and medications rather than simply high estrogen production. Consuming foods with xenoestrogens or taking medications like birth control pills can contribute to high blood estrogen levels.
- Symptoms may include PMS, irritability, bloating, weight gain, irregular periods, breast pain, and fatigue. There may also be an increased risk for conditions like endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
- Testing hormone levels through blood, saliva, or urine tests can help diagnose estrogen dominance. However, symptoms are also important for diagnosis.
- Making lifestyle changes is usually the first line of treatment. Getting regular exercise, improving diet, reducing alcohol intake, managing stress, and getting proper sleep helps rebalance hormones.
- Progesterone creams, supplements, or compounded bioidentical hormones may also be prescribed to help oppose estrogen and rebalance the ratio between estrogen and progesterone in the body.
If you suspect estrogen dominance based on your symptoms, consider making an appointment with the experts at Hormone Health Center. Their physicians specialize in customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help rebalance estrogen metabolism and relieve symptoms. Treatments are tailored to your unique hormone needs through cutting-edge testing and consider your lifestyle and health history. Most patients see significant improvements within months when hormones are restored to optimal levels. Book a consultation today to learn more!
Now to dive deeper into some key aspects of estrogen dominance...
What Causes Estrogen Dominance?
There are many potential causes of estrogen dominance:
- Obesity - Fat cells increase estrone levels so weight gain can disrupt endocrine balance. Losing excess body fat is key.
- PCOS - Polycystic ovarian syndrome causes the ovaries to produce excess androgens like testosterone which get converted into estrogens.
- Stress - Elevated cortisol increases estrogen and lowers progesterone. Managing daily stress is important.
- Poor Liver Function - The liver helps filter excess estrogen so issues like fatty liver reduce estrogen clearance.
Assessing Estrogen Dominance Through Testing
Diagnostic tests like blood spot testing offered by Hormone Health Center can accurately track estradiol and progesterone levels. This allows precision targeting of hormonal issues. Testing estrogen metabolites...