Estrogen Dominance: Symptoms, Causes, and Natural Treatments
A Functional Medicine Guide to Recognizing and
Treating Estrogen Dominance
Killer PMS symptoms? Unpredictable cycles? Heavy periods? Incapacitating anxiety?
Unlike what you’ve probably been told, you don’t just need to live with or try and mask these symptoms of your monthly cycle! These symptoms could be because the hormones in your body are seriously all over the place, and you may be experiencing estrogen dominance.
Keep reading to learn more about estrogen dominance and get a functional medicine guide on how to approach treatment.
What is estrogen?
Estrogen is a hormone primarily known for its essential role in developing and regulating the female reproductive system. (1) Estrogen is produced mainly by the ovaries. Still, estrogen receptors are found all over the body, including in the breast tissue, brain, bones, and immune system.
Estrogen is much more than just a reproductive hormone. In fact, the body produces three main types of estrogen: (2)
Estradiol (E1): This is the most potent form of estrogen and is produced primarily by the ovaries. It is responsible for developing and maintaining female reproductive organs and plays a role in bone health and brain function.
Estrone (E2): This estrogen is produced primarily in fat cells, adrenal glands, and ovaries. It is the dominant form of estrogen in postmenopausal women.
Estirol (E3): This form of estrogen is produced in large quantities during pregnancy, mainly by the placenta. It is thought to play a role in the development of the fetus and may also have a protective effect on the mother’s body during pregnancy.
Each of these forms of estrogen has slightly different effects on the body, and their levels can vary depending on factors such as age, pregnancy, and menopause.
What does estrogen do for your body?
Estrogen is so much more than a reproductive hormone. It plays many vital roles throughout our body. Here are just some of the functions of estrogen in women’s health and well-being: (3)
Influences the development of female body shape and characteristics
Regulates the menstrual cycle
Supports reproductive health
Maintains bone health
Maintains lean muscle mass
Supports cardiovascular health
Maintains healthy blood sugar levels
Impacts mood and cognitive function
Helps produce neurotransmitters like serotonin
Assists in the production of melatonin, our sleep hormone
Helps regulate our stress response
Keep inflammation controlled
Predictable fluctuations in estrogen over our life are responsible for common symptoms. And knowing how estrogen impacts our body, it likely won’t surprise you that estrogen levels that are too high and too low are associated with numerous hormonally-related symptoms, such as bloating, breast tenderness, or PMS.
What is estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance is a hormonal imbalance characterized by elevated estrogen levels relative to other hormones in the body, particularly progesterone. (4) Because estrogen dominance describes a hormonal imbalance, there may be various underlying causes or a combination thereof:
overproduction of estrogen
impaired ability to detox estrogen
increased exposure to toxic estrogen-mimicking compounds (xenoestrogens)
other sex hormones that are too low
These can result in an elevated estrogen-progesterone ratio.
Elevated estrogen levels can cause negative effects, ranging from headaches and mood swings to heavy periods and fertility problems.
Symptoms, Causes, and Natural Treatments for Estrogen Dominance
Our hormone levels typically fluctuate throughout our menstrual cycles; experiencing mild signs of this is normal. But if you have estrogen dominance or higher than normal estrogen levels, these symptoms can intensify, sometimes impacting your ability to function throughout your cycle.
Estrogen Dominance Symptoms
Symptoms of estrogen dominance can vary from person to person and can depend on the severity of the hormonal imbalance. If your estrogen levels are too high, some of the symptoms you might experience include: (5)
Shorter periods or irregular cycles. During a normal menstrual cycle, estrogen levels rise in the first half of the cycle, which helps to thicken the uterine lining in preparation for a potential pregnancy. If estrogen levels are too high relative to progesterone, the uterine lining can become overgrown, leading to shorter or irregular cycles.
Intense PMS and heavy menstrual bleeding. Estrogen plays a key role in regulating our menstrual cycles, so any unpleasant symptoms typically associated with PMS, such as heavy periods, bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, and mood swings, can all be exacerbated by estrogen dominance. In addition, an excess buildup of the uterine lining due to estrogen dominance can cause heavy bleeding during menstruation.
Uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus for unknown reasons. But we know that estrogen dominance can cause the uterine lining to become overgrown, leading to the development of uterine fibroids or stimulating the growth of existing fibroids.
Anxiety and depression. Estrogen affects the production and activity of neurotransmitters that regulate mood, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Estrogen dominance can disrupt these neurotransmitters, leading to changes in mood and emotions. In addition, estrogen dominance can cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and weight gain, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Estrogen affects the production and activity of neurotransmitters that help regulate our sleep and wake cycles. Estrogen dominance can obstruct the production and balance of these neurotransmitters, leading to changes in sleep patterns and fatigue during the day.
Weight gain. Estrogen helps regulate metabolism and fat storage in our bodies, in addition to the production and activity of hormones that regulate appetite, including leptin and ghrelin, which can contribute to weight gain. In addition, estrogen dominance can cause insulin resistance, making it difficult for the body to effectively use glucose for energy and contributing to weight gain.
Hormonal migraines or headaches. Estrogen plays a complex role in regulating the blood vessels in the brain and the production and activity of neurotransmitters that regulate pain leading to changes in pain perception and sensitivity. Migraines and headaches associated with estrogen dominance are often menstrual-related, meaning they occur just before or during menstruation when estrogen levels are at their lowest. However, some women may experience migraines and headaches throughout their menstrual cycle.
The side effects of estrogen are broad and far-reaching in the body. But because estrogen receptors are located all over the body, we can feel the impacts of high estrogen just about everywhere.
What causes estrogen dominance?
There are many contributing factors to the root cause of estrogen dominance. And unfortunately, estrogen dominance doesn’t form a simple list. For most women, estrogen dominance involves several overlapping factors.
Here are some of the common root causes of estrogen dominance:
Environmental toxins: Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment and our food, such as pesticides, herbicides, household cleaning and personal hygiene products, plastics, aluminum cans, toxic cookware, synthetic hormones, and various medications can disrupt the natural balance of hormones in the body.
Chronic Stress: Chronic stress can cause an increase in the production of cortisol, which can disrupt the balance of hormones in the body.
Poor Diet: A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy seed oils can lead to insulin resistance and inflammation, which can disrupt the balance of hormones in the body.
Hormonal birth control: Some forms of hormonal birth control can contain synthetic hormones that disrupt the natural balance of hormones in the body and contribute to estrogen dominance.
Gut health: Gut health plays a critical role in hormone regulation as the primary regulator of circulating estrogen. A disruption in estrogen metabolism occurs when there is an overgrowth of harmful bacteria or a lack of beneficial bacteria.
Obesity: Excess body fat can cause inflammation, which can disrupt the balance of hormones in the body, leading to an increase in estrogen production.
Poor Detoxification: Overburdened detox pathways can reduce the ability to detox estrogen.
Genetics: SNPs (mutations) on MTHFR and COMT genes can downregulate detoxification pathways for estrogen
Nutrient deficiencies: Essential nutrients required for healthy hormone balance
Conditions Associated with High Estrogen
If high levels of estrogen are left untreated for too long, it can put you at risk for other long-term health issues, including:
Endometrial cancer
Ovarian cancer
Fibroids
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
As you can see, there are many compelling reasons to get high levels of estrogen under control. But the key to reducing elevated estrogen is addressing the root cause that’s making your estrogen high in the first place.
Testing for the Root Cause of Estrogen Dominance
Testing for the root cause of estrogen dominance typically involves a comprehensive evaluation of hormone levels and other factors contributing to the imbalance. Some of the tests used to evaluate estrogen levels and related factors include:
Comprehensive hormone panel
Thyroid function tests
Adrenal function tests
Blood sugar and insulin tests
Liver function tests
Genetic tests for COMT and MTHFR
Nutrient panel
Toxic elements
In addition to lab testing, a comprehensive evaluation of diet, lifestyle, and other factors may also be necessary to identify the root cause of your imbalance.
Functional Medicine Treatment for Estrogen Dominance
Functional medicine treatment for estrogen dominance typically involves a comprehensive approach that focuses on restoring healthy estrogen levels by addressing the underlying factors. Some strategies that may help restore healthy estrogen levels include:
Eat for Healthy Estrogen Levels
Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help prevent elevated estrogen levels and support your body’s elimination of excess estrogen. Here are some dietary tips to help you support a healthy estrogen balance:
Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients that can help support estrogen metabolism and reduce inflammation.
Include healthy fats: Healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, seeds, avocados, fatty fish, grass-fed/finished meat and butter, and coconut oil, can help support hormone balance and reduce inflammation.
Choose quality protein sources: Protein is important for building and repairing tissues in the body, but it’s important to choose sources such as organic pasture-raised chicken, wild-caught fish, grass-fed/finished meat, and legumes.
Include fermented foods: Fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi contain probiotics that help support gut health.
Reduce Your Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Hormones
Reducing exposure to EDCs can support healthy hormone balance, including healthy estrogen levels. You can find ECS in cosmetics, cleaning products, food storage containers, and likely in foods you eat.
To help minimize your exposure to EDCs, try these tips:
Choose organic, especially produce
Avoid plastic containers, bottles, and food packaging
Use natural cleaning products
Avoid synthetic fragrances
Choose hormone-free grass fed/finished meat and dairy (raw if possible)
Filter your water with a high-quality water filter (e.g., Clearly Filtered or reverse osmosis)
Clean up your personal care products
Air out your house daily
Even though we can’t entirely avoid EDCs, even small changes can help reduce your load of toxic exposure.
Boost Your Gut Health
Nourishing your gut is critical for supporting healthy estrogen levels. Give your gut health a boost with these tips:
Eat a fiber-rich diet to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria
Include probiotic-rich foods in your diet
Consider adding a high-quality probiotic supplement to your routine
Practice stress management techniques
Drink plenty of water to support healthy digestion and bowel movements
Eat slowly in a relaxed state and chew your food
Eat 2-3 meals per day and stop snacking or grazing between meals
Incorporate Estrogen-Clearing Herbs and Nutrients
Incorporating estrogen-clearing herbs and nutrients into your diet can help support healthy estrogen levels. A few herbs and nutrients that can be beneficial after proper evaluation of lab data for estrogen-clearing include:
DIM: DIM is thought to support healthy estrogen metabolism and balance by promoting the conversion of estrogen into its beneficial metabolites for safe elimination from the body. (Caution: you must know that you are methylating and able to clear estrogen before using DIM)
Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds are rich in lignans, which can help support healthy estrogen metabolism and clearance.
Milk thistle: Milk thistle contains silymarin, which can help support healthy liver function and estrogen metabolism.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is involved in forming glutathione, a major player in estrogen detoxification, and can help support healthy estrogen levels.
Vitamin B9 and B12: In the form of methyltetrahydrofolate acid (B9) and methyl cyanocobalamin (B12) are two essential nutrients for facilitating methylation, which is required for estrogen detoxification
Magnesium: Magnesium can help support healthy estrogen levels by supporting liver function, reducing inflammation, and blood sugar control.
Get Back On Track With Targeted Estrogen Treatment
The symptoms of estrogen dominance can be overwhelming, but at Denver Holistic Medicine, we can help you get back on track with targeted testing and strategic lifestyle adjustments.
By combining advanced functional lab testing, functional medicine, acupuncture, lifestyle, and nutritional counseling, we can facilitate changes and enhance the results that will help you achieve optimal health.
Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine offers in-person and telemedicine consultations. To get started, schedule a free consultation today.
Resources
1. NCBI
2. PubMed
3. PubMed