What is Estrogen Dominance?

What is Estrogen Dominance?

When talking about estrogen dominance, we are talking about its balance in relationship to progesterone. Ultimately, it is caused by high estrogen relative to progesterone. You may have high estrogen levels or relatively high levels. This means that your estrogen can be within normal limits but you can have symptoms due to low progesterone!

What Causes Estrogen Dominance?

Estrogen dominance can be caused by many different factors such as hormonal imbalance, hormonal contraceptive use, and anovulatory cycles. Remember, you only make progesterone if you ovulate which is shut down by hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, stress, and malnutrition. Did you know that your gut can be contributing to high estrogen? Some of the sweet lil buggies in your gut produce an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. If you have imbalances in your gut flora you may make too much of this enzyme which leads to reassembling and reabsorbing estrogen that your liver just worked so hard to get rid of.

Signs of Estrogen Dominance

• Heavy periods

• Painful periods with intense cramping

• Fibrocystic breasts (aka lumpy and bumpy)

• Mood swings - especially before your period (helloooo PMS and PMDD)

• Menstrual clots

• Breast swelling and tenderness before your period

• Headaches & Migraines

• Hormonal acne

• Weight gain, bloating & puffiness

• Decreased sex drive

What to do

• Focus on liver loving foods like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, artichoke, broccoli sprouts, and beet greens

• Eat more bitters like dandelion greens, endive, and cranberry

• Support your liver with herbal friends like milk thistle, dandelion, and schisandra berry

• Supplement with Indole-3-carboinol and DIM. I3C is a compound found in cruciferous veggies that aids the liver to metabolize excess estrogen and to reduce its effects on the body

• Reduce stress and prioritize self care

Questions about estrogen dominance? Leave them in the comments below! 👇🏽