Are you estrogen dominant? And what does that mean for your health and fertility!

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You may or may not of heard estrogen dominance. Estrogen is essential for many roles in the human body ranging from fertility, proper immune function, maintaining healthy bones and cardiovascular health as well as regulating blood sugar. Too much estrogen, however, can cause many unwanted symptoms and diseases. The balance of sex hormones are essential for health, fertility and preventing cancers.

Symptoms of estrogen dominance include

  • PMS- headaches, bloating, breakouts, sore breasts

  • Weight gain (particularly in hips, midsection, thighs)

  • Fibrocystic breasts

  • Uterine Fibroids

  • Endometriosis

  • Abnormal menstruation

  • Fatigue

  • Reduced sex drive

  • Depression 

  • Anxiety

  • Bloating

  • Breast tenderness

  • Mood swings

  • Brain fog

  • Insomnia

So how does estrogen dominance occur.

  • Constipation, not pooing everyday reduces the vital detoxification of estrogen which leads re circulation of estrogen in our body.

  • We are also constantly exposed to chemicals that affect estrogen levels like plastics, BPA, sulfates, phthalates, and more. Man-made products contain xenoestrogens, which means they mimic estrogen and disrupt your hormone balance. Opting for natural organic skin products and mineral makeup will reduce this exposure.

  • There’s a long list of chemicals that mimic estrogen. Here’s the short list of the more common ones you’ll see:

    • Parabens. Manufacturers use this well-known xenoestrogen as a preservative.

    • Phthalates. You’ll find phthalates in plastics and as an emulsifier and stabilizer in topical products.

    • Benzophenones. This additive alters estrogen and testosterone production. Most often, you’ll find it in sunscreens.

  • Excess body fat is one of the main causes of estrogen dominance. Not only does fat tissue absorb and store estrogen in your bloodstream, it also synthesizes estrogen from your other hormones. Maintaining a health body weigh is important

  • Your gut microbiome regulates circulating estrogen using an enzyme known as beta-glucuronidase. When your microbiome is out of balance these enzymes can’t properly metabolize estrogens.

  • Liver loaders and excess of processed foods as they effect your detoxification pathways.

So how can a nutritionist and health practitioner help you with estrogen dominance?

  • Evaluating your diet to ensure that your are consuming wholefoods with little human intervention (processed foods).

  • Including cruciferous vegetables. Indole-3 carbinol is a metabolite of broccoli and brussels sprouts which is further broken down to diindolylmethane (DIM), which increases sex hormone clearance in the liver and has been linked to reduced risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. Supplementation with DIM alters urinary oestrogen metabolite profiles in women.

  • Magnesium is a super supplement for numerous reasons. It helps balance your sugar craving, keeps the bloat away, helps with migraines, improves sleep, and keeps your regular. It also helps balance estrogen levels by binding to xenoestrogen, eliminating them from your body.

  • Elevated levels of cortisol ( stress hormone) interfere with sexual hormone expression in various unfavorable ways. Supporting the adrenal glands and cortisol production with vitamin-C-rich foods such as berries and citrus is key. Incorporate citrus for an extra boost in salad dressings, smoothies, and as a topping to any dish. Implementing lifestyle strategies to reduce stress is also essential. For example yoga, legs against the wall and time in nature reduces your stress hormone cortisol.

  • Drive bile flow and support liver health with bitters such as leafy greens including dandelion and acids such as raw apple cider vinegar and lemon.

  • Reducing alcohol intake. Alcohol can change the way a woman's body metabolizes estrogen (how estrogen works in the body). This can cause blood estrogen levels to rise. Estrogen levels are higher in women who drink alcohol than in non-drinkers. These higher estrogen levels may in turn, increase the risk of breast cancer.

Estrogen is not the bad guy here however the balance of progesterone, estrogen and testosterone is vital through our menstrual cycle. These hormones work with each other in a harmonious way, when this is imbalanced then hormonal symptoms can start to present.

References Below

https://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/9/8/773

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/08/990823072615.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4299758/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11101-008-9106-4

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