Hormones play a crucial role in regulating various bodily processes, and any imbalance can have significant effects. Estrogen, produced by the ovaries, adipose tissue, liver, and adrenals, is necessary for curves, mood, and fertility.
In normal cycles, estrogen is the dominant hormone in the first half of the menstrual cycle until ovulation. After ovulation, progesterone rises while estrogen falls. Progesterone then decreases and menstruation occurs. The ratio of these two hormones is therefore critical. When you hear “estrogen dominance,” it means you have too much estrogen relative to the level of progesterone throughout the cycle. It could also mean having normal estrogen, but too little progesterone. Either way, the imbalance creates the same problems.
Unfortunately, estrogen dominance can pose problems for both men and women. It can occur due to excessive production or inadequate detoxification in the liver. Studies suggest that approximately 50% of women over 35 are estrogen dominant.
Estrogen dominance is associated with several health issues such as endometriosis, PMS symptoms, uterine fibroids, and even breast cancer. High levels of estrogen are also linked to early puberty in females.
Symptoms of estrogen dominance in women include:
- Premenstrual mood changes
- Painful/lumpy breasts
- Premenstrual headaches/migraines
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Infertility
- Unexplained weight gain, especially around the middle.
In men, high estrogen levels can lead to enlarged breasts/nipples (gynecomastia), difficulty with erections, infertility, and depression.
Various factors contribute to hormone imbalances such as poor diet and nutrition, being overweight, poor liver detoxification, gut dysbiosis, and chronic stress and inflammation. Chronic infections, which drive up inflammation or cytokines, can also contribute. This could include infections such as Lyme disease and COVID and gut infections such as C.Diff and E. Coli. Endocrine disrupters, such as mycotoxins (mold is a big issue in a warm climate like Texas), BPA, phthalates, PFOA, pesticides and herbicides (especially glycophosphate known as RoundUp).
Hormonal replacement or birth control, can also contribute.
Maintaining healthy detoxification pathways is crucial for hormone balance. Phase 3 detoxification plays a significant role in eliminating neutralized estrogen from the body. It requires a healthy gallbladder, robust bile production, and regular bowel movements and urination. Staying hydrated by drinking at least 1/2 your body weight in oz of water per day is one big important step for promoting healthy detoxification pathways.
Thyroid hormone is also vitally important for healthy bile production. This is due to the influence thyroid hormone has on the sphincter of Odi, a muscular valve that surrounds the exit of the bile duct and pancreatic duct into the small bowel. It controls the release of bile into the small intestine and contains receptor sites for thyroid hormones. It relaxes in response to the thyroxine (thyroid hormone), allowing bile release into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). When thyroxine is lacking (hypothyroid) the sphincter of Oddi may remain contracted. This would result in insufficient release of bile which is vital to healthy detoxification.
So what should you do if you suspect estrogen dominance?? The following should be considered:
- Have your thyroid tested in a full panel (not just TSH and T4) by a practitioner you trust. Poor thyroid function may equal poor detox and lead to estrogen dominance.
- Consider a saliva test. High levels of estrone in saliva can indicate estrogen dominance. Elevated beta glucuronidase on a stool test can also indicate estrogen dominance. If you live in Texas, schedule an appointment with us and we can evaluate the above.
- Eat organic and eliminate plastics from your household as much as possible. Avoid bottled water from plastic bottles.
- Make sure your cleaning products and personal care products are as pure as possible to avoid xenoestrogens. The Environmental Working Group ranks cleaning and beauty products according to safety.
- Periodic detox regimes can help your body clear any toxins it may be struggling to eliminate. We like the Designs for Health Cleanse as it contains detailed instructions on a clean diet to follow along with supplements for 14 days. We have seen some amazing results with this program! It is always best to check with your personal doctor before doing any new supplemental program.
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