What is estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance refers to a condition where a person has too much estrogen relative to progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can lead to various symptoms and health issues.
Some key things to know about estrogen dominance include:
Causes
- Environmental exposures - Things like xenoestrogens from plastics and pesticides can promote higher estrogen levels.
- Chronic stress - Stress hormones can disrupt normal hormonal balances.
- Poor liver function - The liver helps filter excess hormones, so liver dysfunction allows higher estrogen levels.
- Low progesterone - Progesterone opposes estrogen, so low progesterone allows estrogen to be more dominant.
Symptoms
Some symptoms associated with estrogen dominance include:
- Irregular periods
- Bloating/water retention
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- Mood changes like anxiety, irritability, or depression
- Sleep disruptions
- Weight gain
- Reduced sex drive
Risk Factors
Certain factors that can increase a person's risk of developing estrogen dominance:
- Obesity
- High alcohol intake
- Exposure to endocrine disruptors
- Chronic stress
- Advancing age
- History of infertility or miscarriages
Diagnosis and Treatment
If estrogen dominance is suspected, a doctor at Thrive HRT can order blood tests to measure hormone levels. Treatment may include lifestyle changes like improved nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction. Natural progesterone supplementation may also help counter excess estrogen's effects. In some cases, medications or surgery could be warranted.
The key is maintaining balance between estrogen and progesterone. When estrogen becomes overly dominant, women may experience an array of frustrating symptoms. Consulting a knowledgeable healthcare provider at Thrive HRT is important for getting to the root causes and finding the right treatment approach.