7 Signs of Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen dominance is the state of hormonal balance in which estrogen is in overabundance compared to progesterone and testosterone.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that estrogen is overproduced; it simply means that estrogen levels are imbalanced compared to the other two.

The reasons can vary, and it can affect men and women.

Because estrogen dominance is a symptom, not a cause, the reasons for it can vary person-to-person. Understanding how these hormones affect your body is the first step in assessing and treating estrogen dominance.

What is estrogen?

Estrogen itself is a blanket term for several hormones that play similar and critical roles in bodily functions:

• Estriol
• Estradiol
• Estrone

These hormones help prepare the body for pregnancy and affect the nerve, cardiac, and metabolic functions.

Though estrogen is considered mainly in the context of women’s bodies, it’s essential for men as well.

Estrogen production declines in menopause and perimenopause, as it’s strongly associated with menstruation.

For men, the opposite effect is true – estrogens tend to increase with age.

Progesterone

This hormone is actually a precursor to estrogen and testosterone, becoming one or the other depending on the body’s needs.

Progesterone itself, however, is essential for a variety of functions, including (but not limited to):

• Cardiac functioning
• Proper sleep rhythms
• Blood sugar and insulin sensitivity
• Clear thinking

For both women and men, progesterone declines as they age.

In some people, however, estrogen doesn’t decline at a steady rate, and estrogen dominance occurs.

Signs and symptoms of high estrogen

While the symptoms of estrogen dominance vary, some primary ones affect the majority of people dealing with this condition.

Fatigue

When we’re talking about fatigue in estrogen dominance, we’re not just talking about interrupted sleep. This will be difficult to shake and affect your daily life. It can exist alongside sleep deprivation, though, which is another symptom of estrogen dominance.

Weight gain and water retention

Too much estrogen can make it harder to lose weight, easier to gain weight and cause your body to bloat. Part of this process is the lower levels of progesterone, which help regulate blood sugar and insulin.

Hair loss

Though women often lose some hair as they age, estrogen dominance can be a cause. This is especially true if the hair loss occurs before menopause.

Hot flashes

Night sweats and hot flashes are common during menopause but if they’re occurring earlier in life, estrogen dominance might be the cause. Because night sweats can be a symptom of other diseases, though, you should speak with your doctor if you’re experiencing them on a regular basis.

Moodiness

Hormonal imbalances cause mood swings; that’s a fact of life. Estrogen dominance can cause mood swings, especially if there are no other discernable causes to consider.

Difficulty getting pregnant

Estrogen imbalance can make it difficult to get pregnant and cause issues with carrying a baby to term. Persistent fertility issues might be a sign of estrogen dominance.

Brain fog

Difficulty thinking or planning even minor events throughout your day can be a sign of hormone imbalance.

When your estrogen levels are in excess, you might have difficulty remembering things or paying attention.

Though this list isn’t exhaustive, these are some of the most common and impactful symptoms of estrogen dominance. If you find yourself experiencing several of them, it might be time to talk to your doctor about treatment.

Reverse estrogen dominance naturally

Fortunately, estrogen dominance can be reversed, and you can do things to help improve the symptoms.

While self-remedy might not fix the problem entirely, these strategies can work to improve your condition dramatically.

Exercise

Not only does exercise improve your mood by itself, along with helping keep you healthy, it aids in the breakdown of estrogen. Less fat mass also decreases the amount of estrogen your body produces, which is another good incentive to go for a walk today.

Improve your diet

Highly processed foods wreak havoc on your body, no matter who you are. Increase the number of whole foods you eat, especially cruciferous veggies like broccoli and kale. The fiber and b-vitamins in these foods help eliminate excess estrogen, and the rest of the nutrition they pack is highly beneficial in general.

Consider Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, provides your body with synthetic hormones nearly identical to the real thing. This type of treatment can help alleviate the problems associated with estrogen dominance by bringing your hormones into balance.

Hormone replacement is used in menopausal women, but it’s a powerful tool for treating estrogen dominance in anyone at any age. If you’ve been diagnosed with estrogen dominance, or suspect you’re suffering from it, talk to your doctor about how BHRT can help.

Stress reduction, exercise, and a healthy diet can help alleviate the symptoms of estrogen dominance. When paired with BHRT, you can regain balance of your hormones and decrease the impact this condition has on your life. You don’t have to suffer; call us today to schedule an appointment to see if you’re dealing with estrogen dominance and to create a plan to resolve it for good.

Sources

hormone.org
medicalnewstoday.com
medicalnewstoday.com
healthline.com
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov