What is Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen dominance refers to a condition where a woman has excess estrogen in relation to progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can lead to various symptoms like:
- Irregular periods or spotting
- Bloating and water retention
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings and irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Low libido
- Weight gain, especially around the hips and thighs
What causes estrogen dominance?
There are a few potential causes:
- Perimenopause - As women approach menopause, progesterone levels start to decline faster than estrogen levels. This leads to estrogen becoming more dominant.
- Stress - Chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balance and tilt it towards estrogen dominance.
- Obesity - Fat cells produce estrogen, so excess body fat can contribute to high estrogen.
- Pregnancy - The placenta produces a lot of estrogen, so pregnancy is a common cause. Levels usually return to normal after giving birth.
- Exposure to xenoestrogens - Substances that mimic estrogen in the body can also lead to estrogen dominance. These include compounds in plastics and pesticides.
How is estrogen dominance treated?
Treatment focuses on rebalancing hormones by:
- Reducing estrogen levels
- Increasing progesterone levels
- Improving estrogen detoxification
- Reducing exposure to xenoestrogens
Strategies like improving the diet, exercising more, reducing stress, and taking targeted supplements can help achieve hormonal balance. In severe cases, bioidentical progesterone medication may be prescribed under medical supervision at Revive HRT.