ESTROGEN

Estrogen dominance is found in PMS (premenstrual syndrome), menopause and most yeast infections. Estrogen is a hormone that is stored in the ovaries, adrenals, and fat cells. The breasts, uterus, ovaries, cervix, prostate, testes, and bones are examples of estrogen responsive tissues. There are three types of estrogen. After menopause estrone is the most common estrogen found in the body. During pregnancy estriol is the major estrogen in the body. Estradiol is the third estrogen. It is 12x as powerful as estrone and 80x as powerful as estriol. It is used in HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Both estrone and estradiol can be carcinogenic. Excess estradiol is the biggest risk factor for breast disease and cancer. The ratio of estrogen to progesterone is the major factor in the development of estrogen dominance. Consequently, declining levels of the hormone progesterone are a major factor in estrogen dominance.

Thirty to 50% of all women suffer pain or discomfort during menstruation. This is often referred to as PMS (premenstrual syndrome). PMS is likely caused by declines in progesterone levels. Tightening of the uterine muscles can cause viselike cramping in the area. Excess estrogen can worsen the symptoms because it increases salt and fluid retention.

Menopause is defined as having no period for a year. Perimenopause is the preceding period. Menopause and perimenopause can exaggerate PMS symptoms.

Menopausal symptoms are caused by erratic estrogen dominance. Ovarian estrogen gradually decreases until it fades away, except for estrone.

Menopause, however, is not the result of estrogen deficiency. The most important factor is that estrogen levels fall by about 40%, but progesterone levels drop by up to 90% from pre-menopausal levels. This loss is the primary cause of estrogen dominance symptoms. Around age 35 the corpus luteum, the primary source of progesterone, begins to fail. The luteal phase of the menstrual cycle begins to malfunction. Progesterone loss begins and estrogen dominance follows.

Then the adrenal glands and the hormone DHEA take up the slack for the ovaries as an estradiol precursor, but without progesterone. As the body’s supply of progesterone declines, and hormonal output alternately starts and stops many women suffer from an assortment of symptoms listed below.

Possible physical symptoms:

1. new onset of migraine headaches
2. low-grade fatigue without apparent cause
3. chronic fatigue
4. symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
5. symptoms of osteoarthritis
6. symptoms of fibromyalgia
7. heart palpitations
8. restless leg
9. atypical angina (severe angina, positive EKG changes with exercise but normal coronary arteries)
10. a change in skin sensitivity to fabrics or another person’s touch
11. diminished sexual desire (libido)
12. vaginal dryness
13. vaginal itchiness
14. hot flashes/sensations of heat with sweating (take BCSO)
15. irritability
16. mood swings and depression
17. water retention, bloating and weight gain
18. irregular and painful menstrual cycles
19. food cravings
20. breast tenderness
21. memory loss
22. increased susceptibility to to yeast and bacterial infections
23. fibrocystic breasts
24. breast cancer
25. uterine fibroids
26. endometriosis
27. hot flashes
28. night sweats
29. cramping
30. increased risk of blood clotting
31. gall bladder disease
32. high blood pressure
33. nausea
34. spotting or irregular bleeding
35. benign liver tumors
36. deficiencies of vitamins C and B-complex, magnesium and zinc
37. homocysteine poisoning that may cause depression and carpal tunnel syndrome
38. osteoporosis
39. adrenal and thyroid deficiencies
40. dry skin

Estrogen dominance can be due to a number of factors. Dietarily; sugar, excess fat, low fiber, alcohol, smoking, coffee and tea consumption can trigger estrogen dominance. When high stress levels are not managed they also contribute. Birth control pills and patches are a major cause, as is HRT. Meat and dairy products may also be a factor if they are not organic. That is because farm animals are often fed growth hormones that are passed on to us when we eat. Xenoestrogens are chemically manufactured estrogens found in pesticides, drugs, fuels and plastics. They bind to estrogen receptors just as the body’s estrogen would.

Phytoestrogens are plant products that are able to balance the high estrogen levels of PMS, or the erratic levels of menopause. They bind to estrogen receptor sites, but have only a weak estrogen effect. By binding to these receptor sites they inhibit estrogen production in the body, and help block xenoestrogens. The use of probiotics helps to increase the effectiveness of phytoestrogens. Approximately 300 foods contain phytoestrogens. These include flaxseed, oats, barley, whole wheat, sesame seed oil, tofu, cabbage, alfalfa, fennel, dong quai, black cohosh, wild yam root, red clover, red raspberry, and chaste tree vitex.

Among the positive effects of phytoestrogens are to stop bone loss, diminish hot flashes, night sweats, decreased libido, dryness, mood swings, depression, low energy, and osteoporosis.

Bioidentical progesterone creams also diminish the effects of estrogen dominance. Birth control pills and patches are a major factor in low progesterone levels. Birth control pills and patches cause increased progestin binding to the progesterone sites. This can result in diminished thyroid and adrenal function leading to a whole range of symptoms. These may include irritability, weight gain, headaches, fatigue, dry skin. Because progesterone helps to balance the estrogen in the system, a bioidentical progesterone cream can help to eliminate any of the symptoms on the above list.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue from the uterine lining grows where it shouldn’t. The pelvic area is especially implicated in this condition. This includes the bowels, bladder, ovaries, or on the outside of the uterus. It is due to estrogen dominance and is often associated with yeast infection. Symptoms include painful periods, pain during intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, cramping during the menstrual cycle, pain with bowel movements and urination, fatigue, infertility, GI upset, IBS and nausea.

Saliva testing should be performed to diagnose estrogen dominant conditions. Diet and exercise are important factors in overcoming the effects of estrogen dominance. Progesterone cream from day 8-26 of the menstrual cycle may be recommended. No supplementation should be started without first consulting a physician.

PMS symptoms may respond to detoxification and probiotics use. I recommend Total Female for the phytoestrogens, zinc is helpful if acne is present, progesterone cream to balance the estrogen, increase exercise, decrease dairy and other saturated fats, and increase consumption of yams, fish and vegetables. Again, no supplementation, or other program, should be started without first consulting a physician.

Soy is a conundrum. It supplies the body with phytoestrogens, but the isoflavone content may increase estrogen content in the body.

Natural change is useful for menopause, hysterectomy, PMS, menstrual problems, low libido, osteoporosis, poor skin, and aging. Side effects may include rare temporary spotting and increased thyroid function. The dose is normally ¼-1/2 tsp per dose and 1-2x/day for 3 weeks. Then stop for a week, then repeat the cycle. If having periods and PMS, then start at day 14. Days 14-18 ¼ tsp/1x/day; day 18-23 ¼ tsp 2x/day with a gradual increase so that on day 23 you are taking ½ tsp/ 2x/day.

For Yeast infections take enzymes between meals. Hydrochloric acid is often necessary. Fish, flax and borage oils with lipase help the immune system gain strength. L-glutamine is recommended for gut repair.

Lacto-fermented foods such as kim chi, sauerkraut, pickles, borscht, miso, tempeh, fish sauces shoyu, sourdough, yogurt, kefir, sour cream and butter milk help normalize stomach acidity. They also help with digestion, activation of the pancreas, detoxification, and inhibition of growth of toxic substances.

Yeast does not feed on yeast, natural sugars and starches that are in whole foods. So these foods will not instigate yeast overgrowth. Candida may be due to HRT, antibiotics, chemo, , birth control meds, poor nutrition, allergies, stress, or toxicity.

Symptoms include fatigue, headache, skin problems. Depression, moodiness, hyperactivity, joint and muscle pain, hypoglycemia, weight gain, food cravings, poor memory, numbness and tingling, kidney and bladder infections, hives, hormone imbalance, menstrual irregularities, low libido, sinusitis, asthma, earaches, vaginal infection, heartburn, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and fibromyalgia. Yeast infections may mimic MS, RA, CFS. There will be severe immune system depression. Your gut bacteria are supposed to keep yeast in check.

Treatment may consist of essential fatty acids, total yeast, green foods, enzymes, probiotics, cultured foods. A restrictive diet is not necessary except to avoid refined foods, dairy, alcohol, dried fruits, melons, and peanuts. Boric acid powder in a capsule iserted in the vagina each morning and evening helps kill the yeast. Use 3-7 days for an acute infection and 14-30 days for a chronic infection.