What is estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance refers to a condition where a woman has relatively higher levels of estrogen compared to progesterone. This may happen when:
- Estrogen levels are truly elevated
- Progesterone levels are low (common with chronic stress)
- The body's estrogen receptors are overly sensitive
Some key signs include:
- Irregular periods
- PMS symptoms
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention
- Fibrocystic breasts
What causes estrogen dominance?
There are a few potential causes:
- Exogenous hormones from medications or environment
- Chronic stress raising cortisol
- Poor liver function preventing clearing of used hormones
- Advancing age causing hormonal shifts
Is it common?
Some experts believe estrogen dominance affects a large number of women to some degree. However, it's challenging to determine exact rates given difficulties defining and diagnosing it.
What are the risks?
Over time, estrogen dominance may increase the chance of issues like:
- Infertility
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Certain types of cancers
However, more research is still needed on specific risk levels.
What can help address it?
Options that may help rebalance hormones include:
- Stress management
- Diet and lifestyle changes
- Bioidentical progesterone therapy
- Botanicals and supplements
As always, it's wise to discuss personalized options with a healthcare professional.
I aimed to provide an overview of this complex topic. Please comment if you have any other questions!