WHAT IS ESTROGEN DOMINANCE?
Estrogen dominance is the condition of increased estrogen levels relative to progesterone levels in the body.
It could be the result of overproduction of estrogen by the body, changes in estrogen metabolism and excretion, or an imbalance in the estrogen to progesterone ratio.
It is a common condition that can develop from a variety of causes such as excess body fat, environmental estrogens (toxins, xenoestrogens, phytoestrogens), poor digestion, chronic stress, birth control, excessive exercise, soy consumption, a taxed liver, and adrenal issues. It is the PRIMARY reason for PMS and is the real pandemic for women's health.
All of these factors either increase estrogen.
Symptoms can look like:
Trouble sleeping
Hair loss
Acne
Irritability
Anxiety
Painful periods
Endometriosis
PCOS
Ovarian cysts
Bloating
Cold hands and feet
Erratic sleep or insomnia
Irregular periods
Mental fog
Infertility
Estrogen dominance can impact sugar metabolism, fat build up and break down, energy level, and neurotransmitter production leading to anxiety and depression.
It also puts you at a much higher risk of thyroid dysfunction, breast cancer, uterine fibroids, and autoimmune disease.
Some simple tips to stabilize your estrogen levels are:
Cut out seeds, seed oils, and of course, soy - Most seeds and seed oils, and of course soy products, are extremely estrogenic, contributing to the high levels of estrogen already present. Most of my clients see a huge difference in their menstrual cycle and symptom relief quickly after removing these more toxic phytoestrogens completely.
Eat more carrots and cruciferous vegetables - Cruciferous veggies contain Diindolylmethane which helps your body metabolize estrogen. Carrots contain unique indigestible fibers to help detox excess estrogen. Raw carrots have been found to help by preventing the reabsorption of estrogen from the intestine, meaning the liver can more effectively regulate metabolism.
Support your liver - Your liver has the task of filtering your blood and cleaning out all of the junk that is messing with your hormones. Chances are if you are struggling with estrogen dominance, your liver is taxed. So in order to reverse estrogen dominance symptoms, it’s important to show your liver some love. It can be really supportive to incorporate bitter herbs (dandelion, milk thistle, burdock) and also supplement with organic grass-fed beef liver.
Get off of hormonal birth control - Hormonal birth control blocks progesterone. Progesterone is only released during ovulation, and ovulation is blocked by hormonal birth control. This skyrockets estrogen levels like nothing else and is a huge causation of estrogen dominance.
Nurture your adrenals - For the love of all things holy, do not drink caffeine on an empty stomach. If you know that your adrenals are already taxed (fatigue, dizziness, anxiety), cut it out completely, especially during your luteal and menstrual phase.
Workout according to your cycle - A good example of someone who struggles from estrogen dominance is a woman who lost her cycle due to long distance running daily. Move according to your cycle, and make sure that you are resting and moving in a restorative way especially during your luteal and menstrual phases.
Cut back on xenoestrogens and toxins - Xenoestrogens substances that are close enough in molecular structure to estrogen that they can bind to estrogen receptor sites with hazardous outcomes. Sources of Xenoestrogens include plastics, pesticides, and chemicals. Chances are you use about 10 of them before leaving the house daily! Common places you might find them are soaps, perfume, deodorant, clothing, room spray, cleaners, makeup, and shampoo. Start making healthy swaps and reaching for more hormonally supportive alternatives.
Stress less - Decreasing stress comes down to self responsibility and self awareness, and looks different from person to person. This can look like getting more exercise, setting boundaries, or simply just resting more.
