8 Causes of Estrogen Dominance
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is part two of a three-part series on ESTROGEN DOMINANCE, a pattern commonly seen in my practice. Not only is estrogen dominance associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, and endometriosis - it is also associated with an increased risk of breast or cancer
Estrogen dominance is a common pattern in women, where estrogen levels are high in comparison to progesterone levels.
(see my previous blog if you’ve never heard of it!)
Our hormones respond to so many aspects of our physiology that it can take some detective work to figure out the root cause of estrogen dominance.
Here are 8 causes of estrogen dominance I commonly see in my practice:
1️⃣ Excess Body Fat
Our fat cells contain an enzyme called aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen. That means the more fat cells in the body, the more estrogen is produced.
2️⃣ Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance (when cells do not properly respond to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar) increases aromatase activity, leading to increased estrogen levels. (stay tuned…I’ll be focusing more on insulin resistance next month)
3️⃣ Liver Problems
The liver is the main site of estrogen metabolism. If the liver is not functioning well, estrogen will be metabolized (and therefore eliminated from the body) more slowly.
4️⃣ Poor Gut Health
There’s an enzyme in the gut called beta-glucuronidase that causes estrogen to recirculate into the body. Overgrowth of certain unfriendly gut bacteria boosts levels of this enzyme, contributing to estrogen dominance.
5️⃣ Low Thyroid Function
Estrogen and thyroid hormones have an intimate relationship. High estrogen blocks the conversion of T4 to T3, and low thyroid function slows the elimination of estrogen from the body. This can create a vicious cycle and worsen estrogen dominance!
6️⃣ Alcohol
Alcohol increases the activity of the aromatase enzyme in the liver, contributing to higher estrogen levels.
7️⃣ Stress
Here’s a big one. Did you know that progesterone and the stress hormone cortisol are made from the same precursor hormone? That means that with more stress, we produce more cortisol and less progesterone—leaving estrogen unchecked 😮
8️⃣ Xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens are synthetic chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body. They can be found in plastic water bottles, grocery store receipts, cleaning products, shampoos, and lotions, to name a few.
Stay tuned for upcoming blogs reviewing lifestyle factors and nutritional supplements to reduce estrogen dominance.
Identifying and treating estrogen dominance is not a one-size-fits-all approach. I personalize treatment plans for each patient after evaluating which factors are most at play in their hormone imbalance. Are you interested in learning more about your hormonal health? Subscribe to my email list and schedule an appointment!