Understanding Estrogen Dominance: Causes and Solutions

You’re not alone if you feel more tired than usual. If you have brain fog, stubborn weight gain, or changes in your menstrual cycle, it’s the same. These symptoms, plus a few others, may indicate estrogen dominance. It’s a common hormonal imbalance.

Estrogen dominance occurs when estrogen is too high compared to progesterone. Estrogen dominance is often discussed in women’s health. It can affect people of all ages and genders.

Even men produce estrogen, albeit in smaller amounts. Understanding estrogen dominance is crucial. Hormonal imbalances can harm our well-being.

What is Estrogen Dominance?

Before we discuss estrogen dominance, let’s review some basics. We need to know about estrogen in our bodies.

Estrogen: A Primer

Estrogen is the “female” hormone. Testosterone is the “male” hormone. However, both genders naturally produce estrogen and testosterone, just in different amounts.

In women, estrogen levels rise during puberty. They are key to developing female sexual traits.

Estrogen is vital. It regulates the menstrual cycle, supports reproductive health, and affects mood. It has other functions, too.

However, estrogen dominance can occur when estrogen is too high compared to progesterone, a key sex hormone. It’s not about eliminating estrogen. Like many things, balance is key.

Signs of Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen dominance can cause subtle symptoms. They are sometimes mistaken for other conditions. This makes getting an accurate diagnosis sometimes tricky.

Let’s take a closer look at some tell-tale signs that may indicate your hormones are off-kilter:

Estrogen Dominance Symptoms
Irregular periods: Do your periods play hide-and-seek— coming too frequently or skipping for months? This fluctuation can be a sign of high estrogen.
Heavy periods: Experiencing heavy bleeding every month? This could also indicate high estrogen.
Severe PMS: Intense mood swings, tender breasts, and bloating? These PMS symptoms may point to a hormonal imbalance.
Weight gain: Particularly in the hips, thighs, and lower belly, as estrogen dominance can influence fat tissue distribution.
Fibroids: These benign tumors in the uterus can be painful, and excess estrogen doesn’t help.
Endometriosis: This condition occurs when uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus and can be influenced by high estrogen levels.
Fatigue: That constant, “I-need-a-nap-but-I-just-woke-up” feeling may be a sign of a hormone imbalance.
Sleep problems: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night can be linked to hormone fluctuations.
Mood swings: Experiencing rollercoaster emotions? Your hormones might be behind those highs and lows.
Anxiety: That “always on edge” sensation might be more than everyday stress. High estrogen can impact mood and contribute to feelings of anxiety.
Hair loss: Seeing more strands on your brush than usual? Estrogen dominance can sometimes contribute to hair loss.
Low libido: A decrease in sex drive is a potential side effect of estrogen dominance.
Cold hands and feet: You can blame cold hands and feet on poor circulation, which can be a result of fluctuating hormones.

The Root Causes of Estrogen Dominance

So, why is estrogen often running amuck these days? There are a number of reasons, many tied to modern life:

Xenoestrogens:

Xenoestrogens¹ are sneaky chemicals found in pesticides, plastics, and even personal care products. These chemicals mimic estrogen in the body.

Our bodies struggle to break xenoestrogens down, leading to potential hormonal havoc. A study published in Endocrine Reviews delves into the impact of these endocrine disruptors.

Diet and Gut Health:

A gut that’s not functioning optimally can struggle to eliminate excess estrogen. What you eat and the balance of bacteria in your gut play a crucial role. According to one study², women eating a high-fiber diet had three times more fecal estrogen excretion.

Stress:

Chronic stress raises cortisol (the stress hormone), disrupting hormone production. This may worsen estrogen dominance. It sacrifices progesterone to produce more cortisol to manage fight-or-flight reactions.

The VA’s Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation³ highlights the interplay between stress and hormonal imbalances.

Obesity:

Body fat, especially adipose tissue, produces more estrogen. This can create an imbalance. Excess estrogen can cause weight gain, which boosts estrogen production. This can create a vicious cycle.

Learn more about the relationship between PCOS and weight gain⁴.

Medications:

Certain medications, like hormone replacement therapy (HRT)⁵ and some birth control pills, can affect hormone balance. This can potentially tilt the scales toward estrogen dominance, as noted by WebMD.

How to Diagnose Estrogen Dominance: Hormonal Testing

If you suspect estrogen dominance, consult a healthcare professional for a diagnosis.

Various tests can confirm estrogen dominance and other hormonal imbalances. They measure your hormone levels. Below are some of the most common and effective testing options available:

Blood Tests

A common method to assess hormone levels is serum blood testing. This test measures hormone levels in your blood at a specific time. It includes various forms of estrogen. Typically, the test will measure:

• Estradiol (E2): The most potent estrogen. It is key for reproductive and menstrual health.
• Estrone (E1): A form of estrogen. It is more common post-menopause and linked to fat storage.
• Estriol (E3): The weakest form of estrogen, most abundant during pregnancy.

Doctors often order blood tests. They provide a snapshot of your hormone levels. They help identify imbalances, like estrogen dominance. However, this test gives only a single, time-specific reading. It might not capture the full picture of daily hormonal fluctuations.

Saliva Tests

Saliva testing is a non-invasive method. It measures bioavailable (or active) hormones that are accessible to the body’s tissues.

Some healthcare providers prefer saliva tests. They show how much hormone is available for the body to use, not just what is in the bloodstream. Saliva tests are more accurate for this.

Saliva samples are usually collected multiple times during the day. This helps us understand how hormone levels fluctuate over 24 hours.

This is especially helpful for hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Their levels can change throughout the day and during the menstrual cycle. Saliva testing may provide better insight into adrenal fatigue and stress-related hormonal imbalances.

Urine Tests

Urine tests measure hormone metabolites. They show how your body is metabolizing estrogen and other hormones. A common method for this testing is the DUTCH test. It stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones.

This test gives a detailed view of hormone levels over time, not just a snapshot.

The DUTCH test helps you understand how your body processes estrogen. It shows if it is breaking it down into harmful or beneficial metabolites.

This method can help women with estrogen dominance, PCOS, or perimenopause.

Finding Relief from Estrogen Dominance

Managing estrogen dominance requires a holistic approach. Focus on lifestyle changes, diet, and therapies. Below are expanded solutions that address estrogen dominance more effectively.

Lifestyle Tweaks for Hormonal Balance

A few targeted changes in your daily routine can make a significant difference in managing estrogen dominance:

• A few small changes to your daily routine can help manage estrogen dominance.
  • Switching to glass containers instead of plastic.
  • Using natural beauty and cleaning products free from parabens, phthalates, and BPA.
  • Choosing organic foods to reduce pesticide intake.
• Reduce Xenoestrogen Exposure: Xenoestrogens are synthetic compounds that mimic estrogen. They are in plastics, cosmetics, cleaning products, and pesticides. Minimize your exposure by:
  • Switching to glass containers instead of plastic.
  • Using natural beauty and cleaning products free from parabens, phthalates, and BPA.
  • Choosing organic foods to reduce pesticide intake.
• Balance Your Exercise Routine: Both too little and too much exercise can harm your hormones. Aim for moderate, regular physical activity such as walking, swimming, or yoga. Exercise reduces body fat, which stores excess estrogen. It also improves hormone balance.
• Stress Management: Chronic stress boosts cortisol. This disrupts hormone balance and worsens estrogen dominance. Incorporate stress-reducing techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness into your daily routine. Consistent relaxation practices can support adrenal function and promote better hormonal health.

Dietary Adjustments to Reduce Estrogen Dominance

The right dietary choices can help your body metabolize and eliminate excess estrogen. Here’s how to tweak your diet for better hormone health:

• Increase Fiber Intake: A high-fiber diet helps remove estrogen through digestion. Foods like flaxseeds, chia seeds, lentils, and whole grains aid in this process.
• Eat Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. They contain a compound called indole-3-carbinol. It supports estrogen metabolism in the liver and reduces excess estrogen in the body.
• Add Phytoestrogens: Foods like flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and soy contain phytoestrogens. They can regulate estrogen by competing with stronger forms of it in your body.
• Limit Alcohol and Sugar: Too much alcohol can strain your liver. It will then metabolize estrogen less efficiently. Also, high sugar intake can cause insulin resistance. It is linked to hormonal imbalances. Limiting alcohol and refined sugars can help the liver and stabilize blood sugar.

Supplements That Can Make a Difference

Diet and lifestyle are crucial. But, supplements can help with estrogen dominance. Here are some that may help:

• DIM (Diindolylmethane): It’s from cruciferous vegetables. DIM supports healthy estrogen metabolism. It promotes converting stronger estrogens (estradiol) into weaker, less harmful ones (estriol). This supplement can be particularly beneficial for those dealing with estrogen dominance.
• Calcium-D-Glucarate: This supplement detoxifies estrogen. It stops the hormone from being reabsorbed into the blood after the liver processes it.
• Milk Thistle: It supports liver function. It can help the liver process and remove excess estrogen.
• Maca Root: This adaptogen helps balance hormones. It supports the adrenal glands. So, it is useful for those with stress-related hormonal issues. Maca has been shown to regulate both estrogen and progesterone levels.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish or flaxseed oil, omega-3s may reduce inflammation. This can support hormone balance.

Natural and Alternative Therapies

Many individuals turn to natural and alternative therapies to support hormonal health. Here are some that may help manage estrogen dominance:

• Acupuncture: Acupuncture can help balance hormones by stimulating energy pathways in the body. Many women have found relief from estrogen dominance symptoms. These include mood swings, headaches, and irregular periods. Regular acupuncture treatments helped. Also, acupuncture is known for reducing stress and anxiety. These can cause hormonal imbalances. For more information on how acupuncture can help with stress and anxiety, check out this detailed guide.
• Herbal Medicine: Several herbs have been shown to support hormonal balance:
  • Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry): It’s commonly used to regulate the menstrual cycle. It can help balance estrogen and progesterone levels.
  • Black Cohosh: It reduces symptoms of estrogen dominance, like hot flashes. So, it is often used to manage hormonal imbalances during perimenopause and menopause.
  • Ashwagandha: It’s an adaptogen. It may help manage cortisol. This could reduce stress’s effect on estrogen production.

Medications for Severe Estrogen Dominance

For those with severe estrogen dominance, medications may be needed.

• Hormonal Therapy: If natural methods fail, doctors may prescribe hormones to fix imbalances. This may involve using bioidentical hormones or medications, like progesterone, to counter excess estrogen.
• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs): They block estrogen’s effects in the body. They are often used for serious issues from high estrogen. These include endometriosis and estrogen-sensitive cancers.

Consult a healthcare professional before starting any medications or supplements. Hormone levels must be monitored to ensure the best outcome.e.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing estrogen dominance begins with proper diagnosis. Blood, saliva, or urine tests can identify your hormone levels. This is the first step to finding balance and relief from symptoms.

You can restore your hormonal health and improve your well-being. Use the right approach. It could be lifestyle changes, diet, supplements, or medical treatments.

If you suspect you’re experiencing estrogen dominance, don’t wait. Consult a healthcare provider today. Discuss your symptoms and the best tests.

A correct diagnosis and a custom treatment plan will help you feel healthier and more in control. Take charge of your health. Schedule an appointment with a hormone specialist or your primary care provider now.

References

1. https://www.rupahealth.com/post/what-are-xenoestrogens-and-how-you-can-avoid-them[↩]
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3628202[↩]
3. https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/estrogen-dominance.asp[↩]
4. https://www.webmd.com/women/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-and-weight-gain[↩]
5. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/[↩]