What is estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance refers to a condition where a woman has high or unopposed levels of estrogen in relation to progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can develop for various reasons:
- Excess body fat - Fat cells produce estrogen, so excess weight can tilt hormones
- Chronic stress - Leads to increased cortisol and inflammation which impacts hormones
- Poor liver function - The liver helps filter excess estrogen so problems here allow levels to rise
- Environmental estrogens - Chemicals that mimic estrogen from plastics, beauty products, etc
- Perimenopause - Estrogen levels fluctuate and drop during the transition to menopause
Some signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance include:
- Weight gain - Particularly around the hips and thighs
- Bloating or water retention
- Heavy, painful, or irregular periods
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Hair loss/thinning hair
- Foggy thinking and memory lapses
- Headaches and migraines
- Mood disturbances like depression, anxiety or irritability
If you're experiencing any of these, see your doctor or healthcare provider. They can test your hormone levels via blood or saliva and see if prescription progesterone or botanical supplements like Vitex or DIM might help restore balance.
At Elite Hormone Therapy we also offer comprehensive hormone testing and personalized treatment plans to help women address estrogen dominance through lifestyle changes, nutrition, stress management and bioidentical hormone replacement if needed. Our holistic approaches promote true wellness so you can feel your best at every age! Contact us today for a consultation.
To summarize:
- Estrogen dominance is characterized by high estrogen in relation to progesterone
- It often develops due to excess weight, chronic stress, poor liver function, environmental toxins and/or perimenopause
- Signs involve weight gain, painful/irregular cycles, fibrocystic breasts and other issues
- See your provider for testing - they can determine if progesterone or herbs may help
- Lifestyle changes, stress management and personalized care lead to the best results
I aimed to clearly define estrogen dominance, highlight key characteristics and symptoms using bolding for emphasis, provide an overview of treatment, and advertise Elite Hormone Therapy's services for further support. Please let me know if you would like me to elaborate on or modify anything in this draft Quora answer.