Oestrogen excess, also known as, oestrogen dominance
Excess oestrogen or ‘dominance’ does not actually have to mean that the body’s oestrogen levels are high. It can also mean that there is not enough progesterone to oppose the levels in the body. Like everything in the body there is a balancing act that keeps us in a balanced state – or – homeostasis.
Oestrogen is proliferative and stimulates growth of any tissue that is responsive to it. Actual Oestrogen excess is usually a problem with availability and clearance of the body’s oestrogen
Symptoms of oestrogen excess can include
- Heavier or longer than usual menstruation
- PMS/irritability/mood swings
- Headaches, memory loss or hair loss
- Weight gain (around the abdomen, hips and thighs) or water retention and bloating
- Insomnia or depression and fatigue
- Low libido or yeast infections
Oestrogen excess has also been associated with
- Increased menorrhagia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Breast and endometrial cancer
- Thyroid dysfunction mimicking hypothyroidism
- Bone loss and excess aging
- Excess levels of blood clotting
Unopposed Oestrogen
Oestrogen needs to work in harmony with progesterone. Unopposed oestrogen is more likely explained by a drop in progesterone, or the variance of the ratio between oestrogen to progesterone. Progesterone job is to keep oestrogen in check and to facilitate good shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) during menstruation, which helps protect against endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth) and cancer.
Without good levels of progesterone there is also increased risk of oestrogen related conditions such as
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Breast and uterine cancer
Newer hormone replacement therapies (HRT) for women not only contain oestrogen, but now contain progesterone to protect the endometrium from symptomology of excess oestrogen. Although the CDC has recently announced that any contraceptive pill or HRT is now known as a class one carcinogen.
Know your risk factors
Increased risk factors for excess growth (including cancers) include
- Diet containing high carbohydrates (CHO) leading to insulin resistance
- Low levels of fibre in the diet
- High saturated fats in the diet
Saturated fats encourage the growth of intestinal bacteria which produces an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. This enzyme converts oestrogen, enabling it to be re-absorbed from the bowel back into the body into different forms of oestrogen which are more volatile.
Women who eat more fat will have higher blood levels of oestrogen, which can be good or bad depending on your body’s situation. Obesity can disrupt the menstrual cycle by interfering with normal ovulatory function and is associated with elevated oestrogen levels.
Extra fat stores on the body leads to greater conversion of androgens into oestrogens in the fat tissue, which can lead to the risks mentioned above. Women with high upper body fat (high waist measurement) tend to have lower levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and therefore, higher free oestrogen.
Can I reduce my oestrogen excess?
Dietary fibre reduces oestrogen levels in blood and urine, and eating foods low in fat reduces broken down volatile oestrogen re-entering the bloodstream.
Soluble fibre including psyllium, pectins, lignans (linseeds), help lower cholesterol, reduce elevated sugar, make more bile, and promote healthy gut bacteria.
Lignans (from flaxseeds) have an oestrogenic effect when converted by gut bacteria (protective against proliferation). Always eat flaxseeds freshly crushed prior to consuming.
Lactobacillus acidophilus (good quality yoghurt) reduces the beta-glucuronidase enzyme and can help lower the breast cancer risk of high oestrogen. Supplementation is ideal.
Indoles from the cabbage family compete with oestrogen, and include broccoli, Brussel sprouts and radicchio lettuce. Indoles block the oestrogen pathways to help remove excess.
Capsella bursa-pastoris is a medicinal herb which is used for abnormal uterine bleeding. See your local natural health provider for dosing and availability if this is a symptom you are experiencing.
Protein is required for metabolism of oestrogen in the liver. Adding protein to your diet as grains, legumes, lean meat, fish, organic chicken and eggs will assist with metabolism of oestrogen. 60grams of protein per day is recommended. A protein chart is available at the bottom of this article to download to help you see how much protein you need to reach 60g.
Vitamin B6 has indirect effects on oestrogen. A B6 deficiency may lead to the breast and uterine tissue having increased susceptibility to the stimulating effects of oestrogen. B6 deficiency also can be associated with poorer survival rate for breast cancer patients.
Bitter herbs can assist liver clearance of oestrogen. Bitters also increase the clearance of bile salts and cholesterol. Bitters are cooling and are prescribed for symptoms which indicate a heat excess such as
- Irritability
- Acid regurgitation
- Headaches
- Excessive bright red menstrual flow
- Dry stool
- Facial acne
Foods that are high in methionine help with methylation of oestrogen from oestradiol, to the less potent volatile oestriol. Methionine foods include beans, onions, and garlic.
Healthy daily exercise also helps clear oestrogen and can lead to lighter and less frequent periods.
Supporting the reduction of stress levels can help balance your hormones. Cortisol is your stress hormone and elevates during times of stress. Chronic stress leads to the hormone pathways in your body, switching to the production of more cortisol. Imagine if you were being chased by a bear, you definitely wouldn’t want to be making babies. Yes, cortisol and sex hormones share the same pathway. Your situation chooses which pathway to use.
If you are experiencing menstrual issues or any issues touched on above, please talk to your health provider. These symptoms are not normal, and can be managed by using the techniques above.
Menopause also leads to the reduction of progesterone. This is spoken about more in depth in another post. Look for the ‘Menopause’ article on the News page.
