Estrogen Dominance… An Unnatural Ebb and Flow of Hormones

Estrogen dominance is one of the more common hormone imbalances in women from 30-50.  As we age through our 30’s into 40’s and later, it is very important that estrogen and progesterone be in balance.  Most people think of estrogen as the hormone that needs replacing  before the menses stop, but progesterone is actually the hormone that is usually deficient.  Most doctors look at a progesterone to estrogen ratio to determine what the balance is between estrogen and progesterone.  Possibly more important are the medical ramifications of estrogen dominance.  Women with estrogen dominance are more likely to have fibrocystic breasts and possibly even breast cancer, fibroid tumors, endometriosis and problems with heavy bleeding with their cycles.  Many women would be able to avoid hysterectomies just balancing estrogen and progesterone.  Additionally progesterone is our calming hormone and when progesterone is deficient women feel more stressed out.  Many women I speak to feel like they are hamsters on a wheel and are totally overwhelmed.  Progesterone gives women a calmer, less stressed outlook.  Also, because it is calming, it also helps with a full night’s sleep. A proper balance between estrogen and progesterone is essential to a healthy mind and body throughout the 30’s and 40’s and sometimes into the 50’s and even 60’s as well.

Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance:

(List adapted from energeticnutrition.com)

Mild

• Premenstrual breast tenderness

• Premenstrual fluid retention, weight gain

• Premenstrual headaches

• Premenstrual mood swings

• Menstrual cramps from PMS

Moderate

• Adrenal fatigue

• Decreased libido

• Depression

• Dry eyes

• Fatigue

• Hair loss

• Headaches and/or migraines

• Heavy periods with clotting

• Restless sleep and insomnia

• Irregular menstruation

• Joint and muscle pain

• Severe menstrual cramps

• Thyroid disorder

• Weight gain

Severe

• Accelerated aging

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Auto-immune disorders

• Breast tumors

• Endometriosis

• Fibrocystic breasts

• Fibromyalgia

• Infertility

• Miscarriage

• Polycystic ovary syndrome

• Thickened uterine lining

• Uterine fibroid tumors

The goal is to strike a balance between the two hormones to maintain a healthy mind and body throughout perimenopause, menopause and possibly beyond.  Start by getting your hormone levels tested – testing is quick and easy and armed with that information you can begin the journey to hormonal balance and get a handle on your menopause symptoms.

In health,

BodyLogicMD

www.bodylogicmd.com