Oestrogen Dominance - How to Lower Excess Oestrogen
Do you dread that time of month as your menstrual cycle approaches? Perhaps, it’s the wild roller-coaster of emotions you experience in the lead up to your bleed, the debilitating pain or the ultra-heavy flow. What about that stubborn weight that is super hard to shift (no matter what you do) or the nausea and headaches that you have become accustomed to. These can all be related to an imbalance with your oestrogen levels.
Benefits of Oestrogen
Oestrogen can have an amazing and beautiful effect on female bodies and is an essential hormone. If kept in harmony it can nourish and protect your skin, brain, bones, muscle, heart, sex drive and metabolism.
Oestrogen has anti-ageing collagen boosting properties that keep our skin plump, hydrated and supple. It keeps our bones strong and prevents the loss of the mineral calcium from our bones. It is the reason we have a healthy libido, have breasts that can nourish a babe and even helps support the heart in regulating healthy cholesterol levels. Oestrogen is responsible for supporting brain health by preventing Alzheimer’s, reducing depression and also schizophrenia).
So, whilst we don’t want to have low levels of oestrogen, having an excess of oestrogen can manifest as many unwanted symptoms. This is often called oestrogen dominance or oestrogen excess.
Symptoms of Oestrogen Dominance
Fatigue
Mood swings - depression or anxiety
PMS – bloating, breast swelling or tenderness
Abnormal Menstrual problems (heavy bleeding or light bleeding)
Weight gain (usually in the hips/thighs/abdomen)
Obesity (sluggish metabolism)
Sore, swollen, or fibrocystic breasts
Uterine Fibroids
Loss of libido (sex drive)
Poor concentration
Hair loss
Disturbed sleep
Thyroid dysfunction
Causes of Oestrogen Dominance
We are exposed to chemicals on a daily basis and our environment can contribute to oestrogen dominance through xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are hormone disrupting chemicals that mimic oestrogen in our bodies. These chemicals can be found in perfumes, body care products (moisturisers, soaps, makeup, hair care, and deodorant), plastics, pharmaceuticals and non-organic meat and foods sprayed with pesticides.
Oestrogen is metabolized through in the liver. However, if you If these pathways are blocked or your liver needs some support to detoxify the borage of chemicals, additives, toxins, alcohol, coffee and basically anything that we eat, breathe, drink or apply to our skin it’s no wonder that we might need some support keeping our hormones in check.
How to Reduce Oestrogen Dominance
Stress, poor sleep, obesity, metabolic dysfunction and the lead up to menopause (peri-menopause) all contribute to high levels of oestrogen. The health of your liver and strength of your digestive capabilit is one of the most important factors in maintaining optimal levels of oestrogen.
Exercise to maintain a healthy weight (adipose/fat tissue is kin to an oestrogen manufacturing plant so less fat = less oestrogen)
Avoid exposure to xenoestrogens: read the labels on all you beauty, body care products, household cleaning products, swap plastic for glass, ceramic or bamboo, buy organic and drink filtered water.
Love your liver - eat to support the liver: greens, cruciferous vegetables, sprouted grains and legumes, healthy fats, and organic sources of protein.
Reduce inflammatory foods like cow’s dairy, conventional meats and sugar.
Avoid Alcohol - limit your consumption of alcohol
Reduce Stress - incorporate more ways to decrease your stress: meditation, grounding in the forest, and limiting EMF exposure
Healthy Microbiome - Maintain healthy gut bacteria- avoid antibiotics and eat in a way the supports your microbiome – think fermented sauerkraut, kefir, kvass and coconut yoghurt.
Supplements for Lowering Excess Oestrogen:
Calcium d-glucarate – helps your oestrogen levels by binding to oestrogen in the liver and deactivating it and also by preventing the recirculation and reabsorption of oestrogen so that it can safely be eliminated from the body.
Iodine – is essential for your thyroid and optimum oestrogen levels. It has an anti-oestrogenic effect and can help reduce excess levels of oestrogen.
Liver herbs – St Mary’s Thistle, Dandelion, Burdock (these all help support your liver in processing toxins and supporting your hormonal balance)
B6 - Vitamin B6 is used by the liver to metabolise and break down Oestrogen as well as working to boost progesterone.
References
Dr. Northrup. What are the symptoms of estrogen dominance? https://www.drnorthrup.com/estrogen-dominance/ Accessed March 8, 2018
I can help you experience abundant health and vitality and regain balance to your life. Together we will delve into the healing and nurturing practices that will make your life more rich and fertile. To see how we can work together book a free discovery call at my women’s health natural fertility clinic. Click here to book an appointment
I am a naturopath, clinical nutritionist, mother, nature lover and yoga enthusiast – just to name a few of my passions. I’m a degree-qualified naturopath, studying Ayurveda and Feminine Form Medicine and my mission is to help women have more rich and fertile lives. I have a passion for helping women restore balance to their hormones, connect with their fertility and lead abundant, healthy, vibrant lives. Learn more about how you can work with me here.