Are you experiencing symptoms of estrogen dominance? There is an equilibrium of hormones in your body. But sometimes, the scales tip.
You're working hard in the gym and taking all the weight loss supplements on the market. And even after all the celebrity workouts, you're still not losing weight.
It's time to look within yourself. Your hormone balance—or imbalance—might hint at why your new pants don't fit anymore.
This article focuses on estrogen dominance and what it could mean for women.
RELATED: Key Health Benefits of Diindolylmethane – Estrogen Detoxification
YOUR EXISTING AD GOES HERE
Estrogen Dominance | Symptoms & Solutions
Click here to jump to the instructographic.
What is Estrogen Dominance?
Your body maintains a balance between estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen is a hormone that gives you your feminine figure, regulates your menstrual cycle, and brings about puberty. It also plays a role in controlling cholesterol and bone, heart, skin, and brain health.
Men also carry estrogen, but in smaller amounts.
Progesterone plays a more significant part during pregnancy. It prepares your body for pregnancy and, later on, your breasts for milk production.
But when your body maintains or produces too much estrogen or not enough progesterone, this could lead to estrogen dominance. Women with estrogen dominance may have abnormal levels of estrogen.
YOUR EXISTING AD GOES HERE
Estrogen Dominance Symptoms
In women, symptoms to watch out for include:
- weight gain around your thighs, hips, and waist
- heavy bleeding on your period
- light bleeding on your period
- worsen premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- fibrocystic breasts
- fatigue
- drop in libido
- depression
- anxiety
In men, you may experience:
- larger breasts
- increase body fat
- poor erections
- infertility
- insulin resistant
- increased risk of Osteoporosis
- declined lean muscle
- lowered thyroid function
What Causes Estrogen Dominance and Its Symptoms?
Poor liver function may contribute to estrogen dominance. If your liver can't get rid of the excess estrogen in your body, it may recirculate and lead to a jump in estrogen levels.
Contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also cause a spike in estrogen levels.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) manipulate your hormonal balance or influence how your body uses them. For example, some chemicals mimic estrogen, affect how your body metabolizes estrogen, or throw off your estrogen levels.
Unfortunately, many of them are in the environment. For example, EDCs could leak into your food and spread as household dust from affected materials. They may also be present in the items you have at home daily.
- processed foods
- cosmetics
- household chemicals
- pesticide
- plastics (BPA)
Estrogen Dominance Treatments
1. Eat Veggies
One way to help lower your estrogen levels is to get them out of your system. And the only way your body detox is through your liver.
Vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fiber-rich foods may help your liver flush out waste, including estrogen your body no longer needs.
Five sulfur-containing compounds could promote liver detoxification. These are:
- glutathione (parsley, beetroot, avocado)
- α-lipoic acid (broccoli, tomatoes)
- taurine (eggs, milk)
- alliin (garlic)
- sulforaphane (broccoli)
A healthy, fully functioning liver may help restore balance to your hormones. There are many ways to detox your liver, allowing it to operate at optimal levels. Lucky we come prepared. Learn more about how to detox your liver here.
2. Probiotics to Improve Gut Health
The gut has a hand in releasing and distributing hormones in the body. So an unhealthy gut may cause a hormonal imbalance like estrogen dominance.
Probiotics are good bacteria that may promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Some delicious examples may include:
- yogurt
- kimchi
- miso
- kefir
- sauerkraut
- tempeh
- some cheeses
Yogurt is packed with nutrients and makes a delicious breakfast and mid-day snack. Kimchi is a Korean side dish that pairs well with savory meals.
3. Go Greek
The Mediterranean diet involves a meal plan rich in healthy fats from plant sources. While it allows animal products, it places more interest in plant foods than animal sources.
A study found that women who enjoy a Mediterranean diet have 40% lower estrogen levels.
If your meals comprise primarily animal fats and proteins, it may be time to switch.
Greek yogurt and table olives are fermented foods that may help promote a healthy gut and get healthy fats.
And as it cuts back on animal sources, a Mediterranean diet may also check the fourth box.
4. Cut Back on Pro-Inflammatory Foods
Inflammation may activate an enzyme called aromatase. This enzyme converts androgen into estrogen, driving up your estrogen levels.
Cut back on pro-inflammatory foods, which may include:
- red meat, processed meats
- added sugar
- refined carbs
- alcohol
- trans fats
- omega-6 (canola oil, corn oil, mayonnaise)
Instead, chow down on anti-inflammatory and body-protective foods such as:
- plant sources (veggies, fruits, whole grains, legumes)
- antioxidants (fruits, veggies, leafy greens, green tea)
- omega-3 (tuna, salmon, mackerel)
If this sounds like a Mediterranean diet, then you're correct.
5. Detox Your Lymphatic System
Some believe that dry skin brushing can help with lymphatic drainage, which can detox your way out of estrogen dominance. But this claim is poorly investigated.
But if you're interested in lymphatic drainage, work out your muscles. Moving them could be effective in getting your lymph moving.
Until your endocrinologist recommends this, stick to a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
So I Show Some Signs of Estrogen Dominance, Am I at Risk?
Because estrogen plays a pivotal role in body functions, too much or too little of it could put you at risk.
High estrogen levels for an extended period could lead to more serious conditions like thyroid disease and some cancers.
How Soon Do I Go to My Doctor Once I Show Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance?
If you're worried, you may visit your doctor as soon as possible.
It's normal for hormone levels to fluctuate. And the symptoms stated may not always point to too much estrogen. But it pays to visit a doctor whenever your experience unusual symptoms.
Because there are many possible causes of estrogen dominance and your symptoms, your doctor must pinpoint the cause. Understanding the cause could get the proper treatment you need.
Here’s an instructographic guide. Don’t forget to download, save, or share this handy instructographic for reference: Check out this video to learn more about estrogen dominance:
The complications of estrogen dominance can be scary. Fortunately, there are easy ways to resolve it.
A healthy diet and a chemical- and plastic-free diet may help improve your hormonal imbalance. Even better, it could boost your overall health.
When was the last time you did a check-in with your body? Is there anything else you would like us to discuss? Let us know in the comments section below.
You Might Also Like:
Trending
Winter Reflection Tips: Why This Season Is Your Reset Button
Mighty Goodness
Inflammation In the Body & How It Ages You
David Stamos
Get Updates
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER TODAY
Inflammation In the Body & How It Ages You
David Stamos
10 Healthy Carbs To Add To Your Diet
Robert Woods
11 Essential Oils For High Blood Pressure
Elizabeth Walsh
Related
Related
Inflammation In the Body & How It Ages You
David Stamos
10 Healthy Carbs To Add To Your Diet
Robert Woods
How Bicycling Can Relieve Arthritis Pain
David Stamos
How To Build Your Endurance And Stamina
David Stamos
How to Last Longer in Bed and Enjoy Better Sex!
David Stamos