Estrogen Dominance

What are the effects of Estrogen Dominance?

When there is too much estrogen compared to progesterone in the body you may experience abnormal menstruation, such as heavy and painful periods.  Estrogen dominance can also cause severe PMS, headaches, low sex drive, bloating, mood swings, fatigue, anxiety & depression, breast tenderness, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, and hormonal weight gain.

What causes Estrogen Dominance?

Several factors can contribute to estrogen dominance, such as:

• Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy: Birth control pills can suppress progesterone production by stopping ovulation.  They can also raise estrogen levels and cause estrogen dominance.  The same can happen when a menopausal patient is given high estradiol levels without progesterone.  In addition, when synthetic hormones are prescribed it’s much harder for the body to metabolize and get rid of them.
• Weight gain:  Fat cells produce estrogen and can cause estrogen dominance.  Estrogen dominance, in turn, can cause weight gain and create a vicious cycle.  
• Insulin and cortisol imbalance:   Weight gain and visceral fat around the belly can cause insulin resistance.  Sugar levels start to fluctuate as a result and cause weight gain, which in turn can cause estrogen dominance.  Too much stress can cause cortisol release, which could also stimulate insulin production.  
• Poor liver function:  If your liver is not functioning properly and cannot process estrogen and eliminate it through the bowels, this could lead to estrogen buildup in the body.  
• Poor diet:   In order to metabolize estrogen, Magnesium, Zinc, fish oil, and B vitamins are needed.  The lack of these minerals and vitamins can lead to estrogen dominance.  
• Genetics:  Certain genetic markers affect how estrogen is metabolized in the body. 
• Exogenous estrogens: BPA in plastics, pesticides, and beauty products that are either ingested or absorbed through the skin can mimic our bodies’ own estrogen, causing levels to increase.

What are the effects of low Progesterone?

Low progesterone may cause irregular or absent menstrual cycles, mood changes (particularly anxiety or depression), hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and headaches or migraines in women who aren’t pregnant.

Progesterone is especially important during the childbearing years, if you don’t produce enough progesterone, you may have trouble getting or staying pregnant. Progesterone is secreted after ovulation during the second half of the menstrual cycle and helps the uterine lining thicken, ready to receive a fertilized egg. If the lining is not thick enough, the egg won’t implant. Pregnant women need progesterone to maintain their uterus until the baby is born. If progesterone levels are too low the uterus may not be able to carry the baby to term, with symptoms that include spotting and miscarriage.

How do we test for Estrogen Dominance?

Dr. Lalezar will determine if you have estrogen dominance by measuring your estrogen and progesterone on days 19-23 of your cycle and calculating the ratio between them.  In addition, if you have red dots on your tongue, giving it an appearance of a strawberry, or red dots on your breasts or chest (cherry angiomas), most likely, you are suffering from estrogen dominance.  

Natural ways to manage these hormone imbalances include:

• Liver cleanses:  Enhancing the liver’s phase I and phase II detoxification pathway will enhance estrogen metabolism and excretion.
• Manage stress levels:  reducing stress levels will bring down cortisol levels.
• Manage insulin levels:  eating high cruciferous vegetables, fiber, flaxseed, broccoli, kale,  low sugar, and carbohydrates.
• Avoid chemical estrogens: look for BPA-approved plastics or alternatives, switch to natural brands for your toiletries & cosmetics, and go organic to limit pesticide exposure.
• Lose weight: less fat will cause less estrogen production.
• Supplementation:  Myomin or DIM.  Fish oil.  Natural progesterone.

How do I find out more about Estrogen Dominance Treatments?

Call the Health & Vitality Center at 310-477-1166 or click here to schedule an appointment. We are one of the leading centers for health and wellness in Los Angeles. Holistic Doctor Shiva Lalezar is an expert in diagnosing and treating estrogen dominance and other hormonal disorders. Let us help you find the root cause of your problems and get back on the road to better health.