Estrogen Dominance: Signs, Symptoms & Root Causes
Estrogen dominance is extremely common these days, but not enough people are talking about why. It can manifest in a variety of different ways in both men and women. For women, estrogen is the hormone responsible for building the uterine lining in preparation for a baby, but it’s just as important if you’re not trying to get pregnant.
Your body naturally makes estrogen from your ovaries, adrenals, fat cells, brain and other tissues. It’s the reason for those curves, plump lips and healthy glowing skin every women dreams about! It’s also important for maintaining strong bones as well as brain and heart health.
The key is balance, because too much estrogen or not enough progesterone to balance it out leads to estrogen dominance, which is very problematic!
Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance:
Weight gain
Fatigue
PMS
Cramping
Tender breasts
Bloating before and during your period
Heavy periods
Emotional instability, anxiety, depression, panic attacks
Low libido
Headaches
Poor sleep
Ovarian cysts
PCOS
Fibrocystic breasts
Estrogen-related cancers, such as breast cancer
Infertility
In men, estrogen dominance often manifests as weight gain and obesity, fatigue, low testosterone, prostate issues and depression.
Possible Root Cause Factors:
Birth control pills
Liver toxicity/congestion
Imbalanced gut microbiome
Clogged lymphatics
Poor sleep which impairs detoxification and elimination
Increased toxicity
Xenoestrogens: toxic synthetic estrogens found in plastics, perfume, cleaners, take out containers, cookware, etc.
Let’s break down a few of these root causes.
The Pill
The birth control pill is handed out like candy and comes with a whole host of side effects, many of which go unspoken when you ask your doctor, including increased risk of autoimmune disease, heart attack, thyroid and adrenal disorders. (This deserves an article of its own in the future.) The pill contains synthetic estrogens, which are NOT the same as the ones our body produces naturally, even though that’s usually what we’re told. Consider working with a holistic practitioner to assess your hormones and help you get off the pill.
Poor Digestive Health
It’s important to work towards having 2 fully formed bowel movements a day, as this is an essential way the body excretes toxins, excess estrogens and waste. Additionally you’ll want to work with a qualified gut health practitioner to safely rebalance your microbiome, as gut bacteria, yeast and other microbes strongly influence hormonal balance.
Where to Start:
Start by increasing gut-friendly fibres like dark leafy greens, flax and chia seeds, while decreasing refined sugars and carbohydrates. You can also increase probiotic foods such as sauerkraut and focus on getting half your body weight in ounces of filtered water daily.
If you don’t currently have a holistic practitioner, we’d love to help! Click here to contact us today.
Impaired Liver Detoxification
With the onslaught of chemicals, medications and antibiotics we’re exposed to on a daily basis, it’s no wonder why this crucial organ might struggle to properly detoxify excess estrogens. The liver is actually responsible for converting harmful estrogens into non-harmful forms through a process called hydroxylation. Many people struggle to do this due to excess toxicity, poor diet, poor sleep, not enough movement, genetic factors, etc.
Where to Start:
Increase your intake of cruciferous vegetables, lemons and leafy greens, lower your sugars and consult your holistic nutritionist about getting on additional liver support through supplementation. You don’t want to supplement with any liver product if you’re not eliminating waste, as you can increase endotoxins, so be sure to address constipation first.
Think you might be dealing with estrogen dominance? To inquire about hormone testing, contact Winnipeg Nutrition at 204-952-7982 or visit our contact page.
Sources:
Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten
The Hormone Cure by Dr. Sara Gottfried
