{"id":13160,"date":"2013-08-08T14:52:29","date_gmt":"2013-08-08T18:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/living-well\/2013\/08\/post-8.html"},"modified":"2019-09-12T15:07:29","modified_gmt":"2019-09-12T19:07:29","slug":"post-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/living-well\/2013\/08\/post-8\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Estrogen Dominance & Why Should I Care?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sarah A LoBisco, ND<\/p>\n

A relative estrogen dominant pattern is very common in women and even men today. This
\ndoesn’t necessarily indicate that absolute levels of estrogen is too high. It simply means that the
\nratio of estrogen is too high in comparison to progesterone to provide adequate hormonal feedback.<\/b> This can be due to a variety of
\nreasons, not just excessive estrogen replacement.<\/p>\n

What are some factors that can contribute
\nto estrogen dominance?<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

1. Exposure to
\nenvironmental estrogens<\/b>, such as those found in pesticides and plastics<\/p>\n

2. Genetically modified
\nfoods, such as conventional meats and dairy<\/b> that contain growth hormones,
\nor excess soy products that are high in phytoestrogens.<\/p>\n

3. Blood sugar imbalances<\/b>
\nthat can cause a down-regulation of progesterone and increase insulin, adrenaline, and cortisol.<\/p>\n

This can also cause imbalanced androgen production, such as increasing
\ntestosterone metabolites and leading to hair in unhappy places.<\/p>\n

4. Nutrient deficiencies<\/b> or poor diet which contributes to inefficient metabolism and production of hormones<\/p>\n

5. Imbalanced flora <\/b>in
\nthe gut causing estrogens to not be effectively processed out of the body<\/p>\n

6. Poor liver breakdown<\/b>
\nof estrogen<\/p>\n

7. Genetic
\npredispositions<\/b> that decrease hormonal detoxification of certain enzyme
\npathways<\/p>\n

8. Stress<\/b> which
\ndown regulates progesterone to cortisol<\/p>\n

9. Excess weight<\/b><\/p>\n

10. History of birth
\ncontrol or hormone replacement<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The
\nHormonal Dance<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Across the spectrum of women’s health, pre-menses,
\nperi-menopause, and menopause exhibit the most pronounced relative decline in progesterone. Achieving
\nhormonal balance is important because chronic
\nover production of estrogen can increase a women’s risk of certain cancers. Furthermore, it can
\ncause a lot of uncomfortable symptoms and create other hormonal imbalances,
\nsuch as with thyroid hormone.<\/b><\/p>\n

Dr. Northrup
\nexplains:<\/p>\n

The ovaries are the
\norgans that we focus on most commonly at menopause, but the physical foundation
\nof a woman’s menopausal experience actually rests on the health of all her
\nendocrine (hormone-producing) organs. Thyroid problems are very common during
\nthe perimenopausal and postmenopausal years. While many women with these
\nproblems are completely asymptomatic, others may have a wide variety of
\nsymptoms. Among the most common symptoms are mood disturbances (most often seen
\nin the form of depression and irritability), low energy level, weight gain,
\nmental confusion, and sleep disturbances. (See chart above for similarities.)<\/p>\n

Thyroid problems are
\nintimately intertwined with menopause. According to the late John R. Lee, M.D.,
\na noted clinician and author, there appears to be a cause-and-effect
\nrelationship between hypothyroidism, in which there are inadequate levels of
\nthyroid hormone, and estrogen dominance. When estrogen is not properly
\ncounterbalanced with progesterone, it can block the action of the thyroid
\nhormone, so even when the thyroid is producing normal levels of the hormone,
\nthe hormone is rendered ineffective and the symptoms of hypothyroidism appear.
\nIn this case, laboratory tests may show normal thyroid hormone levels in a
\nwoman’s system, because the thyroid gland itself is not malfunctioning.<\/p>\n

What
\nto Consider to Correct High Estrogen Ratios<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

The
\nsolution is not just supplementing with progesterone or precursor
\nhormones. The root cause should be addressed. For example, what if a women has
\nso much stress that the progesterone she is rubbing on eventually converts to more cortisol
\nand even more problems! <\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

This is why supporting the ovaries backup organ, the
\nadrenals is important<\/b>. This can be accomplished with proper diet, therapeutic and individualized nutrition or herbals,
\nand stress modulation. Furthermore,
\na practitioner who can help you decode all the contributing factors and help you interpret various lab methods for optimal hormonal health.<\/p>\n

Next week, I’ll be exploring more into the pros and cons of lab
\nassessment and hormonal replacement therapy risk on my homepage of my blog, When Should a Woman Consider Hormone
\nReplacement? What is the REAL Risk? PART I<\/i><\/b>. I hope you join me there as well! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

References:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Northrup, C. Estrogen Dominance: A True Balancing
\nAct.<\/a> Dr. Northrup’s Blog. July 22, 2013.<\/p>\n

Fildei, M. “Estrogen Dominance” Means That Women
\nRule the World… Right?!<\/a> Dr. Amen’s Blog. July 22, 2013.<\/p>\n

Brown, E. Study Upholds Breast Cancer Mortality For
\nHormone Replacement. Los Angeles Times (latimes.com). March 30, 2013.<\/p>\n

National Cancer Institute. Oral Contraceptives and
\nCancer Risk.<\/a> NCI. 4\/22\/13 accessed.<\/p>\n

National Cancer Institute. Hormone Replacement
\nTherapy and Breast Cancer Relaps<\/a>e. NCI.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Sarah A LoBisco, ND A relative estrogen dominant pattern is very common in women and even men today. This doesn't necessarily indicate that absolute levels of estrogen is too high. 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