Estrogen and Progesterone Dominance

Estrogen Dominance is a hormonal imbalance where estrogen levels are relatively higher than progesterone levels which causes the following symptoms:

• Swollen, tender breasts
• Impatience and irritability
• Irregular periods
• Decreased libido and sex drive
• Fluid Retention
• Stomach cramps before the onset of menses
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Hypoglycemia
• Mood swings
• Depression

Prolonged elevated estrogen levels throughout the years may cause:

• Fibrocystic breast disease
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS)
• Endometriosis
• Endometrial polyps
• Premenstrual Syndrome(PMS)
• Uterine fibroids
• Breast cancer

As you age you approach the premenopausal years which may occur up to 15 years before you actually enter menopause. During this premenopausal time, your progesterone production declines, while estrogen production remains the same or increases. Due to this fact, estrogen becomes a predominant hormone in the body, and without proper counterbalancing of progesterone may cause a variety of symptoms.

Prolonged elevated estrogen levels throughout the years could result in:

• Fibrocystic breast disease
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS)
• Endometriosis
• Endometrial polyps
• Premenstrual Syndrome(PMS)
• Uterine fibroids
• Breast cancer

In recent years, estrogen dominance is also being documented in the younger female population during their early teenage years. This is not menopause; their progesterone production is still normal.

Unfortunately, other external factors also contribute to estrogen dominance. Recent studies note that estrogen dominance may also develop from exposure of the body to external chemicals called Xenoestrogens.

Avoid Xenoestrogens (artificial estrogen-like chemicals, which enter the body and mimic estrogen by blocking or binding themselves to estrogen receptor sites, ultimately causing an imbalance of estrogen)

Xenoestrogens are found in food, skincare products, household chemicals, and plastic products.

Treatment of Estrogen Dominance involves supplementing with herbal products, Bio-identical Hormone therapy, or a combination of both to reestablish hormonal balance.

Dietary and lifestyle modifications will include starting a high fiber diet, a regular exercise routine, and maintaining healthy body weight.