Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen Dominance is essentially a condition of hormonal imbalance that is found across men and women. Among women, it can quickly progress into a serious health problem that can induce serious problems like infertility. Among men, this condition rarely leads to serious health deterrents apart from affecting their bone health to a certain extent and occasionally causing gynecomastia.

Understanding Estrogen Dominance in Detail
Estrogen Dominance refers to state of imbalanced ratio between estrogen and progesterone—the primary female hormones. The balance between these two hormonal entities plays a critical role in deciding the overall health of a woman, including her psychological, physical, sexual and reproductive health. Estrogen Dominance is established when the ratio between Estrogen and Progesterone is compromised, in favor of Estrogen. This can occur in two forms:

• Estrogen levels rise abnormally
• Progesterone levels decline significantly

Among these, the more common form of Estrogen Dominance is found among menopausal women where the progesterone levels start falling alarmingly and estrogen levels rise gradually. This is why menopausal women with normal estrogen readings too can be diagnosed with Estrogen Dominance, i.e. their progesterone levels are so low that Estrogen Dominance is established.

Common Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance Include:

• Higher vulnerability to breast cancer
• Thyroid related problems
• Decreased libido
• Extreme mood swings—including depression and anxiety
• Dryness of vagina
• Disturbed menstruation cycles
• Abdominal and lower body fat gain
• Unexplained fatigue
• Loss of hair or hair thinning
• Inability to conceive
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Bone softening or Osteoporosis
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Uterine fibroids

Causes of Estrogen Dominance
There are many instances when a slight form of Estrogen Dominance is seen. This often happens during and after the menstrual cycle. However, this kind of temporary estrogen escalation is not a cause of worry. Serious issues arise among women whose estrogen levels tend to remain chronically elevated. Primary causes of this condition include:

• Onset of Menopause-Menopause is a common occurrence among all women (after the age of 45) and this often leads to a severe dip in the progesterone levels.
• Fiber-Deficient Diets-Excess estrogen is secreted via the body’s toxin-removal chambers, i.e. the bowels. With lower fiber diets, the individual is more prone to being constipated. This allows estrogen-carrying feces to be stored in the bowels from where they are often leached into the bloodstream, raising estrogen levels.
• Taking HRT—Hormonal Replacement Therapies, often undertaken by women to treat their infertility can lead to severe hormonal imbalances, can cause estrogen levels to rise sharply.

Estrogen Dominance & Environment
One of the lesser understood causes of abnormally high levels of estrogen are reactions induced by environmental factors including toxins found in industrial waste. Please note that estrogen is produced internally as a part of the body’s natural hormonal mechanism. However, it can also be produced in response to external factors like potent chemicals. This can lead to abnormally high levels of estrogen. This kind of estrogen is not metabolized quickly and is not eliminated comprehensively which can fasten the rate at which Estrogen Dominance develops.

Estrogen Dominance & Alcohol
The harmful effects of alcohol are underlined by cases of men diagnosed with gynecomastia. This is a condition of unusually enlarged breast development among men that occurs due to Estrogen Dominance. Alcohol tends to impair the liver function. Estrogen metabolism involves elimination of excessive estrogen and this requires robust functioning of the liver. This is why alcoholic men have a greater vulnerability to developing gynecomastia.