Signs, Symptoms and Natural Progesterone Solutions
Estrogen dominance is a hormonal imbalance that essentially entails having too much estrogen compared to the rest of your hormones. When estrogen levels are too low, women can suffer from side effects, but too much estrogen also takes a toll on both women and men, with dangers ranging from fatigue to breast cancer.
This concept, coined by Dr. John Lee, highlights how elevated estrogen levels, either naturally or through hormone replacement therapies (HRT), can contribute to adverse symptoms and increase the risk of conditions such as breast cancer. Read on to find out more about estrogen dominance and how to temper it naturally.
The Importance of Estrogen
In women especially, the hormone estrogen is crucial to overall health, wellness, and functioning. Estrogen regulates menstruation, insulin sensitivity, hunger and satiety, cholesterol metabolism, bone density, and beyond. Without sufficient estrogen, women have symptoms like moodiness, hot flashes, brain fog, painful urination, and irregular periods. It’s important that estrogen not be too low, but high estrogen levels are an issue as well.
The Balance of Estrogen
Estrogen dominance is not solely a concern for women. Just as women also have low levels of testosterone in their bodies, men too have estrogen levels that need to stay in balance. In a woman, estrogen dominance might manifest as consistently heavy periods, whereas a man might have a more womanly shape (fuller breasts and hips) due to an imbalance of estrogen. When estrogen outweighs testosterone levels in men and progesterone levels in women, estrogen dominance can become an issue.
The Impact of Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen is often prescribed to women during menopause to address symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and low energy. However, estrogen, particularly in synthetic forms, can have serious side effects if not balanced by progesterone.
Several studies have shown a link between high estrogen levels and an increased risk of breast cancer.
For instance, women with elevated estrogen levels tend to develop breast cancer more frequently than those with balanced levels. Additionally, breast cancer survivors with higher estrogen levels are more likely to experience cancer recurrence. This is because one of estrogen’s roles in the body is to promote cell growth, which, if unchecked, can lead to abnormal cell proliferation and cancer.
Types of Estrogen
There are three main types of estrogen:
- Estrone (E1)
- Estradiol (E2)
- Estriol (E3)
Estriol, the weakest form, is often preferred for HRT because it is less likely to contribute to cancer. It has even been used to treat breast cancer by occupying estrogen receptor sites and blocking stronger forms of estrogen.
History of Estrogen Dominance
Dr. John Lee first introduced the term “estrogen dominance” to explain the symptoms women experience when they have too much estrogen relative to progesterone. Over time, it became clear that synthetic forms of estrogen, such as those found in contraceptive pills or HRT, could exacerbate this imbalance, leading to conditions like fatigue, fibroids, abnormal menstruation, and breast cancer.
In the 2000s, further studies highlighted the dangers of synthetic estrogen, particularly in drugs like Premarin, which contains high levels of estrone. This drug was found to increase the risk of invasive breast cancer by 41% in postmenopausal women.
Estrogen Dominance Symptoms
An imbalance of progesterone (or testosterone) and estrogen, with the balance tilting way too much in favor of estrogen can result in the following symptoms in women:
- Insomnia
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
- Brain fog
- Weight gain (especially in thigh, hips, and midsection)
- Mood swings
- Fibrocystic breasts (lumpiness in breasts due to benign cysts)
- Breast tenderness
- Fibroids
- Bloating
- Endometriosis
- Anxiety
- Abnormal menstrual cycle
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Reduced sex drive
Men suffering from estrogen dominance are likely to experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Infertility
- Enlarged breasts (gynecomastia)
- Sexual dysfunction
The Importance of Progesterone
While estrogen can have benefits, it must be countered with adequate levels of progesterone to prevent estrogen dominance. Progesterone plays a vital role in balancing estrogen by stimulating the P53 gene, which encourages apoptosis (cell death) in abnormal cells, effectively countering the cell growth promoted by estrogen
What is Progesterone?
Progesterone is sometimes thought of as the miracle hormone. It has a calming effect on both the mind and the body. Depleted amounts can cause mood swings and increased anxiety and/or depression. Progesterone is also classified as a neuro-steroid which means that it stimulates normal brain processes and helps the nervous system to function properly.
Fertility and menstruation are largely controlled by hormones, and one of these hormones is progesterone. Progesterone is a steroid hormone belonging to a class of hormones called progestogens. It is secreted by the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine gland that the female body produces after ovulation during the second half of the menstrual cycle.
What Does Progesterone Do For The Body?
Benefits of taking natural progesterone may include and support the following symptoms:
- Supports eliminating hot flashes.
- Protecting the endometrium (lining of the uterus).
- Preventing uterine cancer.
- Maintaining HDL cholesterol levels (also known as the “good” cholesterol).
- Eases anxiety.
- Promotes memory.
- Helps with symptoms of PMS.
- Increases ability to handle stress.
- Helps to lower triglycerides.
- Essential for bone growth.
- Reducing adverse side effects of synthetic hormones.
- Helps prevent fibrocystic disease and ovarian cysts.
- Assists in the proper function of the thyroid gland.
- Assists in preventing plaque from forming on arterial walls.
- Reducing symptoms associated with menopause, like mood swings.
- Helps the metabolism by contributing to the use of fat for energy.
- Helps to prevent overgrowth of cells of the endometrial lining and prevent endometriosis from forming.
- Helps to prevent overgrowth of certain types of cells, which can help protect against some cancers including those of the breast or the uterus.
Estrogen Metabolism and Cancer Risk
Estrogen can be metabolized through different pathways in the body, with some pathways being more carcinogenic than others. The “bad” pathway produces 16-hydroxyestrone, which is linked to cancer risk, while the “good” pathways produce 2-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestradiol, which are more protective against cancer. Monitoring estrogen metabolism through urine tests can help determine the balance between these pathways.
Conclusion
Estrogen dominance is a significant concern, particularly when synthetic estrogens are used without balancing them with progesterone. While estrogen can provide relief from menopausal symptoms, it should be used cautiously, preferably in its weakest form, estriol, and always balanced with sufficient progesterone to prevent the adverse effects of estrogen dominance.
The Nutra Relief Wellness Team is pleased to assist you with information about our Registered and Trademarked, Certified Liposomal LDT Topical Creams. Please know we are not licensed medical professionals and therefore cannot provide you with any medical advice or information. If you require medical advice or information please contact a medical or health care professional. Please remember the information contained in this blog post is for informational purposes only. The statements in this email have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Progesterone Informational PDF: https://nutrarelief.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PROBALANCE-COMBO-compressed.pdf
References:
- John R. Lee. M.D., “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause” / “Natural Progesterone: The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone”.
- John R. Lee. M.D., “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause” / “Natural Progesterone: The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone”.
- https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/progesterone
- https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-progesterone#pros-and-cons
- John R. Lee. M.D., “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause” / “Natural Progesterone: The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone”
