Know Everything About High Estrogen Levels
Women must keep their hormonal system in balance, and it should be no surprise that their well-being depends on it. Estrogen plays a crucial role in reproductive health, bone health, cardiovascular health, mood, and many other functions. Out of the dozens of hormones produced by the body, estrogen stands out. What happens when estrogen goes too high? High estrogen levels, or estrogen dominance, can cause several health problems that need to be dealt with.
This guide focuses on high estrogen levels, delving deep into causes, symptoms, health issues related to it, and ways to lower it. If you’re struggling with hormonal problems this guide is for you.
What is Estrogen?
Estrogen is one of the most important hormones that women produce in their ovaries and both sexes produce in small quantities in adrenal glands and fat tissues. Although people often refer to this hormone as a ‘female hormone’, it is produced by both genders, albeit with different functions. However, women’s reproductive health does depend heavily on this hormone.
Types of Estrogen
Estradiol, estriol, and estrone are the 3 main types, each with its own set of specific functions:
- Estradiol E2: The most common form during the reproductive years, aids in menstruation, and fertility.
- Estriol E3: The weakest form, usually the dominant form during pregnancies, assists in fetal growth.
- Estrone (E1): It is produced by fat cells and happens to be present post the menopause stage.
The different forms of estrogens combined serve to keep various systems working in the body such as managing the menstrual cycle and safeguarding bones.
What is High Estrogen?
An increase in the estrogen hormone is known as hyperestrogenism and it happens to occur when estrogen surpasses the other hormones such as progesterone. However, it is still important to note having higher estrogen levels does not necessarily mean there is a hormonal imbalance, it all depends on the ratios between hormones in your system. As an example, someone with an elevated amount of estrogen while having a low concentration of progesterone is bound to have estrogen superiority.
High Estrogen vs. Hormonal Imbalance
In the case of hyperestrogenism, one has high concentration of just one hormone but in a state of hormonal imbalance, it is possible to have multiple hormones shifted out of proportion. These two cases could result in similar symptoms and issues with your health.
Common Causes of Estrogen Dominance
- Environmental Estrogens (Xenoestrogens): Use of artificial materials such as cosmetics, pesticides, and even plastics can increase estrogen concentration in the body.
- Diet: Increased intake of refined sugar, processed foods or even soy products can cause an imbalance in estrogen levels.
- Stress: Increased stress leads to higher levels of cortisol which has the ability to lower the amount of progesterone produced leading towards estrogen superiority.
- Obesity: Increasing body fats can lead to excessive production of estrogen since adipose tissue also produces estrogen.
- Hormonal Medications: Estrogen levels can be elevated by the use of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies.
If you aren’t already aware of the symptoms, this condition can go undetected for long periods of time, which is why I will summarize them below.
Signs and Symptoms of High Estrogen
if you experience any of the below symptoms of high estrogen, there is a possibility of having raised estrogen levels, but bear in mind that everyone’s experiences are different:
Physical Symptoms
- Tender and swollen breasts
- Heavy, prolonged, or irregular menstrual cycles
- Increased weight, especially around the thighs and hips
- Water weight or belly fat
- Balding or decreased body hair
- Extreme tiredness
- Cysts filled with fibrous tissue in the breast
- Uterine fibroids
Emotional Symptoms
- Unexplained mood changes
- Feeling Restless
- Feeling of heaviness
- Increased agitation or anger
- Forgetfulness or difficulty to focus
In case left unchecked, high estrogen can be detrimental to your long-term wellbeing.
The Impact of High Estrogen on Health
Apart from causing discomfort, high estrogen levels can pose more serious health problem. Here are some of them:
Fertility:
Too much estrogen can affect ovulation by blocking its normal process. It may also prevent fertilized eggs from implanting or even cause endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Weight Management:
Dominance of the Estrogen hormone is linked with weight gain, especially in the midsection, hips and thighs. This makes it significantly more difficult to lose weight, regardless of dieting or exercising.
Mental Health:
Estrogen can also cause chronic anxiety, depression or extreme mood swings due to a change in brain chemistry and the influence of stress related hormones.
Cancer Risk:
Having high estrogen levels for long periods of time can lead to an increased risk of hormone-related cancers like breast and ovarian cancer.
These are just some of the potential risks that come from high estrogen levels and the imbalance of hormones.
How to Diagnose High Estrogen
To diagnose estrogen dominance, it is recommended to talk to a health practitioner. Here are some steps that may be taken by the doctor:
Blood Tests:
A blood sample is an easy way to check the concentration of estrogen, progesterone and other important hormones to uncover any existing imbalance.
Saliva Tests:
Saliva analysis can be carried out more frequently as it captures the active estrogen levels in a person’s body over a period of time.
Urine Tests:
Urine samples can provide further information regarding the metabolism and removal of estrogen from the body.
Once a diagnosis is made, mitigation measures can be suggested by the doctor to regain equilibrium in the system.
Strategies for Balancing Estrogen Levels
The good news is that managing estrogen dominance is possible. Here with some lifestyle changes, you can achieve better balance in hormone communication.
Adjust Your Diet
- Favor consuming natural unprocessed foods: these include dark green leaves, broccoli and kale, lean meat, and health fats.
- Cut back on processed foods: this includes reducing sugar, alcohol intake, and refined carbs.
- Increase the consumption of fibers: fibers helps detox the body, especially excess estrogen, through excretion.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise increases metabolism and assists in weight loss which further aids in reducing estrogen. It is recommended to combine aerobic exercise with strengthening exercise and stretching exercises such as yoga.
Manage Stress
Stress is a major disruptor of hormonal function. Effective stress management strategies include relaxation meditation, breathing exercises, and getting plenty of sleep.
Detoxify Your Environment
Minimize the use of xenoestrogens by reducing the usage of plastic, opting for natural cosmetic products, and consuming organic foods when available.
Medical Treatments for High Estrogen
If lifestyle changes are insufficient, medical intervention might become necessary. These interventions may include the following options:
Hormone Therapy
For lower levels of progesterone, doctors might recommend taking progesterone in order to regain balance.
Over-the-Counter Medicine
Inhibitors of aromatase or selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) may be prescribed for additional control over estrogen and for protection against related illness.
Supplements
Some women decide to take DIM (diindolylmethane) or chaste berry, but these require a professional’s supervision for proper usage.
A doctor must be consulted to determine the safest and most effective option tailored specifically for your circumstance, alleviating any concern you may have over the problem.
Hormonal Balance Is Key to Long-Term Health
The importance of hormonal health as a building bloc for a person’s well-being stems from the fact that solving estrogen dominance does much more than remove an inconvenience. It can improve a person’s fertile capabilities, mental health, physical vitality, and increase their lifespan by decreasing the chances of developing further illnesses.
Never hesitate to seek professional help when combating high estrogen levels. Remember that balanced hormones are achievable with the right knowledge and support.
Embark on Your Journey Toward Improved Balance Awareness Today.
At this stage, if any of the previously mentioned symptoms and risks sound familiar to you, talking to an expert can be transformational for your life. Start feeling your best through hormonal health revitalization via lifestyle changes and/or customized treatment plans.
