Estrogen is a vital hormone needed by the body to sustain processes that keep it alive and well. However, too much estrogen relative to progesterone, its balancing hormone, can cause chaos, eventually causing reproductive and metabolic problems which we want to avoid as much as possible. This is where naturopathy comes in! One of the goals of naturopathic medicine is to help your body balance hormone levels in the body efficiently with the help of the healing power of nature, preventing the consequences of estrogen dominance to your health!
The Estrogen Irony
Hormones play a major role in making our bodies actually work. Among them, estrogen is present and equally essential in both sexes for survival. This hormone is important in maintaining healthy blood glucose levels, strong bones, fertility, and offers protection against heart disease. However, estrogen, ironically, can become the center of health problems, from infections and immune dysfunction, to degenerative diseases, when too much or too little of it is present in the body. This is why elderly females often experience bone degeneration after menopause, because the body is not able to produce adequate levels of estrogen anymore.
Specifically, too much estrogen or low levels of progesterone in comparison to estrogen can lead to a phenomenon termed “estrogen dominance.”1 This excess can overstimulate estrogen receptors in the body responsible for driving cell regulation and action, eventually causing harm to organs that require estrogen to function (e.g. almost every organ in the body). As such, estrogen is essential in preventing inflammation, but it can also be the reason behind inflammation.1 This may put you at risk of having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility problems, or breast enlargement or increased density.1 Hence, taking care of your hormones is as essential as taking care of each organ system in the body, because your organs need hormones to drive them. Signs and Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance
The clinical manifestations of estrogen dominance can be compared to what you may experience when you have hormonal imbalance. Physically, you may have severe menstrual cramps, headaches, bloating, or breast pain. Emotionally, you may feel anxious or irritable, and even have problems focusing on a certain task! These bothersome signs and symptoms are your body’s way of saying that it needs your help because it is experiencing problems balancing out your hormones!
Causes of Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen is filtered out by the liver and metabolized through the gut. Hence, estrogen dominance can be caused by problems within these essential organs. As such, liver problems caused by exposure to toxins, unhealthy diet, and improper use of medications can affect the liver’s optimal functioning, thereby preventing its efficiency in filtering out estrogen. On the other hand, estrogen metabolism through the gut is primarily driven by estrobolome, which is innately present in the gut microbiota to deconjugate and reactivate this essential hormone, thereby affecting its circulating levels in the body.2 This means that an imbalance in the population of your gut microbiota can significantly impact estrogen levels and increase your risk of developing estrogen-related disease conditions, when not properly addressed!
Another intriguing (and commonly man-made) cause of estrogen imbalance are xenoestrogens, which are chemicals that can be found in plastic containers, laundry detergents, and even your favorite skincare product! Xenoestrogens are estrogen mimics, in that they act similarly to estrogen to cause damage and destruction! These chemicals are especially dangerous because they are easily able to enter and accumulate within the body, triggering the development of life-threatening diseases such as cancer.3 The Naturopathic Approach
The role of estrogen in maintaining your body’s internal homeostasis cannot be understated, which is why maintaining healthy levels of this vital hormone is essential to prevent diseases caused by too much or too little estrogen. Through dietary and lifestyle changes, personalized herbal formulations, and conservative use of specialized hormone testing, you can reverse estrogen dominance and rebalance hormone levels.
At Natural Path to Wellness, your team of naturopathic medicine advisors will guide you through understanding and avoiding estrogen dominance, helping to nurture adequate hormone levels for your optimal health. Whether you are still starting your health and wellness journey or want to explore what nature has to offer, we are here to help. Talk to us today! This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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