Estrogen Dominance in the Modern Woman
The very common symptoms that women attribute to hormones are most often the result of an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen promotes growth of tissue, such as the uterine lining in the first half of our cycles. Progesterone, on the other hand, helps moderate the effects of estrogen, including the growth effects.
Some common symptoms of estrogen and progesterone imbalance are: PMS breast tenderness, excessive or irregular menstrual bleeding and cramps, early menstruation, fat gain, hot flashes, depression and anxiety, fibrocystic breasts, hair loss, bloating, low or absent libido, infertility, insomnia, polycystic ovaries, uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, cervical dysplasia, and breast cancer.
Women make estrogen in their ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat cells. During the first two weeks of our cycle, estrogen is secreted to promote the growth of the uterine lining for egg implantation. After ovulation, the egg produces progesterone to maintain the lining and vascular system. If an egg is implanted, progesterone continues to be increased so the uterine sac can maintain the growth of an embryo. If the ovulated egg does not become fertilized, then the progesterone production decreases and the uterine lining is not maintained, sloughing off with our monthly bleeding.
Estrogen and progesterone hormones can become out of balance for several reasons. One reason is exposure to a huge number of xenoestrogens (chemicals that mimic estrogen in our bodies). These chemicals sit on estrogen receptors and mimic the effects of estrogen.
Xenoestrogens come from many places: birth control pills; hormone replacement drugs; additives in lotions, shampoos, make up and deodorants; plastics and cookware; growth hormones in factory-farmed animal products; pesticides and herbicides; DDT; PCBs; and foaming agents in soaps and detergents.
Sometimes, women produce too little progesterone when under stress—the precursor hormone that makes progesterone gets used to make cortisol, the stress hormone, instead. Cortisol helps us fight or flee; it raises blood sugar, keeps us mentally alert, and heightens our immune system, among other responses. Many of us under pressure at work, at home or undergoing psycho/emotional stress maintain high cortisol levels. Over time, this depletes the resources to make adequate progesterone, thus promoting estrogen dominance or imbalance with progesterone.
Perimenopause is a time when we start missing some ovulations. Remember: it is the ovulating egg making progesterone, so a few missed cycles and our total load starts to be reduced. This often initiates the start of menopause symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and anxiety or moodiness. The balance may have been leaning in that direction from chemical exposures or stress, but with the missed ovulations, the imbalance is exacerbated and new or exaggerated symptoms develop.
The liver is responsible for degrading toxins and our hormones. Because of high chemical exposure, poor diet and so on, the liver is sometimes at or past its capacity to do its job, or under functioning because it lacks the nutrients from a healthy diet to work properly. Toxins that cannot be completely processed end up being stored in fat cells, including toxic estrogen. Estrogen that is only partially degraded and stored in fat cells can be recycled and has a higher growth-promoting potential than regular estrogen. This creates a combined effect: more fat cells storing more toxins which can potentially make even more estrogen.
So what can we do?
By improving diet and liver function, we can help remove toxic or excessive estrogen.
1. Stop eating processed foods with chemicals.
2. Eat more vegetables and fruits, along with hormone/antibiotic-free protein.
3. Eat at least one serving of cruciferous vegetable a day. A specific sulfur phytochemical in these vegetables enhances the livers capability of degrading estrogen.
4. Reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens.
5. Find a detox protocol that works for you.
6. Find support and learn ways to decrease your stress.
Amazingly, almost all women see improvement in estrogen dominance symptoms when adhering to a healthier diet– decreased hot flashes, improved sleep, lighter periods, easier premenstrual week, and they feel calmer and at ease. There is hope, and many women are finally finding safe and effective treatment for their complaints.
Lynn Mikel’s experience and education help her formulate individualized treatment approaches, including diet assessment, education for your specific symptoms and underlying causes. She graduated from Bastyr University with a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine in 2002 and has an extensive background in the medical sciences, psychology, and counseling. For more information, visit drlynnmikel.com.
