Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen excess is one of the most common hormone imbalances that I see. Estrogen dominance is essentially too much estrogen. There are two types of estrogen dominance: relative and frank. Relative estrogen dominance means that there is an excess of estrogen relative to other sex hormones, especially progesterone. Even if on labs your estrogen (estradiol or total estrogens) fall within “normal range” you can still have a relative estrogen dominance because your estrogen is too high compared to progesterone. Sometimes, I see women have a frank estrogen excess. That is when estrogens are above normal range for the time of cycle that they were drawn.

Symptoms common with estrogen dominance:

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  • Anxiety

  • Fibroids

  • Endometriosis

  • Heavy, painful periods with clotting

  • Weight gain specific to hips, butss, and thighs

  • Hormonal migraines

  • Gallbladder disease

  • PMS with mood swings and bloating (fluid retention)

Understanding The Origins Estrogen Dominance

One of the main reasons for estrogen dominance is because hormonal birth control is so popular. Firstly, the birth control pill creates a burden over time on the liver, making it more difficult to eliminate estrogen. Prescribing the pill to “balance hormones” just stacks more estrogen on top of estrogen. Second, hormonal birth control releases synthetic progesterone, which suppresses your natural progesterone production. Progesterone balances the effects of estrogen, and without enough, you end up with symptoms of estrogen dominance.

Another reason for estrogen build up in the body is due to environmental toxins that act as “endocrine disrupting chemicals” (called EDCs). Most EDCs mimic estrogen and turn on estrogen receptors, so they are often referred to as “xenoestrogens”. These are in our personal care products, food storage containers, on our food, in our water, they are essentially unavoidable, but you can do your best to decrease your exposure. Here are some examples:

  • Parabens. Manufacturers use this well-known xenoestrogen as a preservative, commonly in lotions (listed as “methyl-”, “butyl-” parabens, etc)

  • Phthalates. You’ll find phthalates in plastics and as an emulsifier and stabilizer in topical products. They are common in soft plastics such as your store bought water bottles, ziploc bags, and in perfumes and cosmetics.

  • Benzophenones. This additive alters estrogen and testosterone production. Most often, you’ll find it in sunscreens.

  • Bisphenol-A (BPA). This compound is gaining attention as a chemical disruptor and is usually found in hard plastics, water bottles, canned food, and receipts. Unfortunately, it is being replaced by BPS which has been shown to be just as endocrine disrupting, so watch out for those “BPA-free” containers.

It is important to avoid these chemicals to your best ability, whether that means replacing your personal care products one at a time as you use them up or trashing the whole lot and buying new. It is important to be conscious of what you are putting on your skin.

What you eat affects your hormones, plain and simple. Certain foods are more estrogen mimicking. Everyone thinks of soy as the main culprit, but it isn’t as problematic as dairy (think about it, it is lactating cow), conventionally raised red meat, and pesticides. It’s common practice for factory farmers to administer hormones to animals for faster growth, which end up in your meat (particularly the fat) and dairy. This obviously can affect your body too. Choose organic foods, grass fed, grass finished, free range meats when you can; and scale back on the red meat and dairy. More importantly, eating more plant-based foods can help with elimination of estrogens, as these plants (especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower) can provide compounds and fiber to help detoxify and eliminate estrogen metabolites.

What to do if you have estrogen dominance

  • Consider quitting birth control. Talk to your doctor about non-hormonal birth control options.

  • Swap out your personal care products for nontoxic alternatives.

  • Choose organic foods, grass fed/finished meats, and eat mostly plant-based foods.

  • Ensure your gut is healthy. Constipation allows for the reabsorption of hormone metabolites, which is a problem if you are trying to eliminate estrogens

  • Support detox pathways.  Foods, herbs, and supplements can help support your liver to help get rid of excess estrogens. My favorite go-tos are cruciferous vegetables, dandelion root, high fiber foods, and flax seeds.

  • Lose weight if you need to.

  • Eliminate alcohol and caffeine.

  • Meditation, yoga, gratitude.