Estrogen Dominance - What Is It and Why You Should Care!
I asked a group of women if they knew what estrogen dominance was, and some said “out of control moods”, others said PMS and one said “being too sensitive”. I wasn’t surprised that a lot of the information was missing or they weren’t sure exactly what it was. Before taking symptomatology in school I rarely heard about it, and I didn’t think it applied to me. I was wrong like very wrong, and I felt I needed to know more about my body.
My first question was, what was it?
Estrogen dominance is when a woman has a level of estrogen that is not balanced out by progesterone. It looks different for everyone - for example, it could be a deficiency, normal level or excessive amount of estrogen but the point is there is a little amount or no progesterone to balance the estrogen.
Wait… what’s progesterone again?
Progesterone plays a role in preparing for pregnancy, maintaining pregnancy, helps control your period, and has a role with preparing breasts to create milk. Progesterone is our relaxed, happy and calming hormone.
Progesterone also is the primary building block for producing cortisol, the stress hormone made by the adrenal glands. When they’re overworked and chronically stressed out the body will divert progesterone to the adrenals to support cortisol production. Too much cortisol will block progesterone receptors, furthering its contribution to low progesterone. In other words – stress can imbalance you, leading to estrogen dominance. So you need a balance.
What could this look like in my body?
Estrogen Dominance Symptoms
PMS
Headaches
Heavy periods
Acne
Anxiety
Hot flashes
Cold hands and feet
Hair Loss
Insomnia
Foggy thinking
Memory loss
Even exposures to xenoestrogens, and chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body can increase estrogen levels. These are common items we have in our homes too! These are different then phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are natural and safe estrogen like compounds and actually benefit estrogen dominance and estrogen driven cancers since they are a weaker, natural estrogen. Xenoestrogens are artificial and man made and very powerful resulting in the increased estrogen levels.
Common sources of xenoestrogens are:
Pesticides
Dryer sheets
Herbicides
Car exhaust
Nail polish
Glue
Dry cleaning chemicals
Meat from hormone-fed animals
Plastics
Fire retardants found in carpet, furniture and clothing
How can you start helping yourself?
Reading labels, and educating yourself as to what’s in your products, eating whole foods, and eliminating some items from the pantry and cabinets within your home.
I made a list of foods (below) to add to your next run when you head to the grocery stores. Did you notice there’s chocolate in there? Go check it out – you may be eating some of these yummy foods already.
Try these food to support estrogen balance:
Ground Flax
Oranges
Shrimp
Turmeric
Berries
Organic Tofu
Dark Chocolate Alex’s favorite brands are Chocosol and Giddy YoYo!
Dandelion Root Tea - Alex’s favorite is Traditional Medicinals
Coconut Yogurt - Alex’s Favorite is Health Spirit Nutrition
Ginger
Wild Salmon
Broccoli sprouts
Try these lifestyle practices to support estrogen balance:
Adequate sleep and rest
Balance diet filled with whole foods
Hydrate with filtered water
Avoid refined and processed foods
Daily movement
Mindset
Meditation
Eliminate or avoid usage of heavy chemicals in products
Engage in creative or hobbies that make you smile
Avoid plastics, switch to glass products
Manage stress
I know it’s a lot of information, but knowing more about our bodies is crucial because then we know what’s working and not. I can educate my daughter now, and help the women around me that may be silently suffering. Please consult your healthcare provider, if you have these symptoms, you’re not alone - there is support.
