Many woman today have an estrogen dominant environment and don’t even know it. Women need healthy levels of estrogen for female characteristics and function but too much of it can create many problems for you including weight gain. If you have been getting heavy menstruation cycles, lots of cramping, PMS, fibroids, hot flashes and night sweats then chances are you have an estrogen dominant environment that needs balancing.
Estrogen 101
Estrogen is a hormone created mainly by your ovaries, also your adrenal glands and fat cells. Estrogen is necessary for the health of the female reproductive system as well as feminine characteristics like breasts, pubic region and the higher toned feminine voice. Estrogen really should be called estrogens because it refers to three hormones that make up this group. The hormones in the estrogen group are: estrone, estradiol and estriol.
One of the key things to note is that estrogen is a hormone and hormones are like tiny little chemical messengers that send out important messages to receptor sites. The example of this would be a speaker and a listener. Estrogen can communicate with or effect certain parts of the body like:
- Your Uterus
- Your Breast
- Menstrual Cycle
- Your DNA
- Your Shape
- The Brain
- The Thyroid
Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen can cause problems in the above listed areas for example too much estrogen can cause endometriosis. Too much estrogen can cause cysts in the breasts or other parts of the body. Too much estrogen can cause no periods(Amenorrhea), heavy periods, long periods or some kind of disruption of your menstrual cycle. Too much estrogen can cause alterations of your DNA creating fibroids. Too much estrogen can change the way you look giving you extra layers of fat around your hips and thighs. Too much estrogen can cause major headaches. Last but not least on the list and probably one of the biggest problems is too much estrogen can block your thyroid function as it has similar receptors on the thyroid that are not vacant for the thyroid hormones to get in.
Why Does This Happen
There could be many reasons for estrogen dominance to occur in your body you could have too little progesterone production which is almost an opposing hormone to estrogen; this can be linked to weak ovaries or stress. You could have not recovered from high estrogen levels during pregnancy. Estrogen levels naturally increase during pregnancy and at times due to poor health have difficulty returning to normal. You could be on the birth control pill which is a regular dose of estrogen that can disrupt your estrogen levels. You might be consuming a diet rich in pesticide laden foods infused with a form of manufactured estrogen used to kill bugs. You may be consuming unfermented soy products that also mimic estrogen taking on the same roles in the body.
Xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens also known as endocrine disruptors mimic the role of estrogen in the body. This has become a big nuisance as you can find these in everyday items like skin care, plastic bottles, food preservatives and dyes, building supplies and of course pesticides and insecticides. It’s best to use natural and organic products and cook with or use cast iron, stainless steel and glass whenever possible.
Adrenal Glands and Estrogen
Hot flashes and night sweats are most uncomfortable. What most people don’t realize is that the adrenal glands are the back up glands for the ovaries. When you are going into menopause it is vital to have healthy adrenal glands as you are still producing estrogen but the estrogen is coming from your adrenals instead of your ovaries. If the adrenals are unhealthy you will have hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy is not necessary if you support the adrenals and the overall health of the body you can eliminate these symptoms.
Cancer and Estrogen
One of the big reasons why people decide to get medical mainstream solutions like a hysterectomy are the fear of getting cancer. If you have dealt with the symptoms of estrogen dominance without relief, in particular when you are experiencing multiple fibroids. (DNA disruption from high estrogen.) You will be strongly advised by your doctor to consider a hysterectomy or you may develop cancer. This will understandably create much fear in you and there is a possibility that you can develop cancer if you do nothing about it however it is not too late to adopt a natural healing protocol and restore your hormonal balance.
What To Do
Okay so here is what you need to do if you find you have estrogen dominance:
- Stop consuming all soy products.
- Consume only organic fruits, vegetables and meats.
- Consume cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, arugula.
- Stop using any environmental products that are linked to xenoestrogens.
- Stop taking the birth control pill find alternative birth control methods.
- Support your liver as a healthy liver can help to get rid of excess estrogen.
- You can also take a isoflavanoid supplement from clover leaf to help balance out your hormones.
- You can also take sea kelp to help balance out your estrogen.
Conclusion
Hope these tips help you to eliminate estrogen dominance and restore your hormonal health. If you do something about this now then you can avoid all the problems, symptoms and complications in the future. You should also seek the support of a Holistic Health practitioner. You will want to know your options to naturally heal your body as well as suggestions from your medical doctor. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
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