Part 1
Article summary:
- The role of progesterone
- The role of estrogen
- what is estrogen dominance
- causes of estrogen dominance
- symptoms of estrogen dominance
- risks of estrogen dominance
- A brief explanation of estrogen detoxification
Progesterone
We often think of progesterone as the pregnancy hormone.But is also has other functions such as:
- plays a role in bone formation
- maintains fat tissue
- stimulates weight gain and appetite
- maintains optimal Central nervous system
- maintains kidney function
- regulates behaviour
- regulates immune and heart health
- is involved in brain function and neurotransmitters
Estrogen
Estrogen also has many other functions besides reproductive purposes, such as:
- maintains cholesterol levels
- helps maintain blood sugar levels
- maintain bone and muscle mass
- involved in circulation and blood flow
- helps from collagen
- helps to keep the moisture in skin
- is involved in brain function and neurotransmitters
Estrogen dominance
During the initial stages of perimenopause, progesterone begins to drop first, followed by Estrogen. If progesterone drops at a faster rate than estrogen however, it can result in estrogen dominance. Meaning the balance between progesterone and estrogen is out.
This can happen in 4 ways:
- There is too much estrogen and not enough progesterone to balance it out
- The body is making too much estrogen
- Your body is having trouble breaking down estrogen and excreting it.
- Your body is not making enough progesterone.
Causes of estrogen dominance
- Estrogen is stored in fat cells. The more fat cells you have, the more estrogen you will have. Therefore estrogen dominance can be caused by excess body fat.
- Certain medications increase estrogen such as birth control and HRT
- Xenoestrogens (these are synthetic compounds that mimic real estrogen. the body does not know how to tell the difference)
- liver detoxification genetic issues
- gut dysbiosis (part of estrogen detoxification happens in the gut, so if your gut health is bad, it will cause estrogens to recirculate)
- lack of ovulation
- stress
Symptoms of Estrogen dominance
- irregular cycles
- heavy or painful periods
- weight gain especially around the tummy, hips and thighs
- loss of libido
- fatigue
- moods swings, depression, anxiety
- breast tenderness
- fibrocystic breasts
- uterine fibroids
- poor sleep (insomnia)
- headaches
- hair loss or thinning
- brain fog, poor memory
Estrogen detoxification
Estrogen is detoxified in three phases.
The first phase is in the liver, the second phase is in the gut and the third phase is through excretion by stools.
One study (PMID:3628202) showed that women who ate a high fiber diet excreted 3x more estrogen in poop and had 15-20% lower estrogen levels compared to women who were on the Standard American diet.
When you are constipated (not having one regular bowel movement a day), estrogen is reabsorbed and recirculates where it creates estrogen dominance.
Why is this bad? >>
When there is a buildup of estrogen, it can lead to breast, uterine and ovarian cancer, endometriosis, PCOS, blood clots and thyroid dysfunction as well as affects brain health.
Risks of estrogen dominance
In Perimenopause, although estrogen declines naturally, remember that you can still experience estrogen dominance. This is caused by an imbalance of progesterone to estrogen, poor liver detoxification (genetics), poor gut health (diet and lifestyle factors contribute)and exposure to xenoestrogens as well as being overweight.
Be sure to come back for PART 2: how estrogen is detoxified>>