What is Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen dominance refers to a condition where a woman has excess estrogen in relation to progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can occur due to various factors:
- Excess Body Fat: Fat cells increase conversion of other hormones into estrogen, leading to high estrogen levels. Losing weight can help rebalance hormones.
- Stress: Chronic stress causes the body to produce more cortisol, which impairs progesterone production and tilts the balance towards estrogen dominance. Managing stress through lifestyle changes is important.
- Environmental Estrogens: These are estrogen-mimicking compounds found in plastics, cosmetics, pesticides, etc. Reducing exposure to these environmental estrogens can lower the overall estrogen load.
Some common symptoms of estrogen dominance include:
- Irregular periods or spotting
- Bloating, water retention
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- Mood swings, irritability
- Brain fog, trouble concentrating
- Hair loss
- Low libido
Estrogen dominance has been linked to infertility, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and certain types of cancers when unchecked over long periods.
To treat estrogen dominance, focus should be on:
- Improving Diet: Eat more fiber-rich plant foods and eliminate processed/fried food. Cruciferous veggies help metabolize excess estrogen.
- Supplementing with Progesterone: Progesterone creams, pills, or herbal formulas containing chaste berry or vitex can oppose estrogen. Always consult a doctor first!
- Stress Management: Try yoga, meditation, getting enough sleep.
- Avoiding Environmental Estrogens: Use glass/stainless steel over plastic containers, organic produce, "clean" beauty products.
In summary, estrogen dominance is a rising problem due to modern lifestyles and environmental factors. Paying attention to diet, exercise, stress relief, and limiting toxin exposure can help restore hormonal balance naturally. Consult a women's health practitioner at Rebalance Clinic for testing and personalized treatment guidance.