Estrogen Dominance : What is it & How to Fix It
Estrogen is the hormone commonly associated with women, and it is completely normal to have. However, what happens when estrogen begins to take over? Estrogen dominance is something many individuals are dealing with without even knowing. Learn if you are dealing with estrogen-related health issues and how you can fix them.
Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance
All of these symptoms can point back to a problem with too much estrogen in the body:
- Weight gain
- Edema or swelling
- Trouble conceiving
- Varicose veins
- Mood swings and depression related to your cycle
- Skipped cycles
- Vaginal dryness or itchiness
- Too much or too little bleeding during periods
- Cyclic insomnia, night sweats or fatigue
- Breast cancer, benign breast disease, and pre-cancerous conditions
Causes of Excess Estrogen
The body disposes of excess estrogen naturally through the liver. However, if the liver is not as healthy as it should be, then excess estrogen can store in the body. Many times the liver is not doing its job due to protein or other mineral deficiency.
Another cause of estrogen dominance is low progesterone. Progesterone and estrogen are supposed to balance each other out, yet a poor diet or chronic stress can lower healthy levels of progesterone. This allows the estrogen to take over, undefeated.
Finally, birth control leads to excessive and unnatural forms of estrogen to reign in the body. One the other side of the spectrum, estrogen levels tend to increase with aging, as pregnenolone and progesterone levels decline.
Prevent Estrogen Dominance
If you suspect that your estrogen levels are too high, you can take care of the problem naturally.
- Boost your metabolism: It is time to start eating real food and stop sabotaging your metabolism. You make your metabolism less effective by skipping meals or through low-fat dieting. Instead focus on foods that support your metabolism and hormones, such as protein and healthy fats.
- Help your hormones: One way you can help your hormones to thrive and be healthy is to cut out unsaturated fats, excess iron (such as in a meat-heavy diet), and ultraviolet light. Taking a bath in Epsom salts is a great way to help release stress and heal your hormones. Start with one cup of Epsom salt and slowly increase the amount with each bath. Do this right before bed for amazing sleep.
- Reduce stresses: There are so many causes of stress, that we may not be aware of all of them. Things like, lack of sleep, vigorous exercise, and even everyday toxins, such as cleaning products, can activate our stress levels.
Hormones are more important than they are given credit for. Aim to get your hormones healthy, and you will see improvements in other areas of your health.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Robert Couse-Baker