We all know that hormonal imbalance may be really unpleasant and even harmful for our body.
In the majority of cases women face with this problem, when going through menopause. At the middle age levels of female reproductive hormones decline significantly, leading to cease of menstruation and ovulation.
Estrogen and progesterone are two main sex hormones, which control woman’s menstrual cycle and ability to get pregnant. Furthermore, these chemicals play a great role in regulation of the bone density, mental function, mood and skin appearance.
That’s why women in menopause often experience such unpleasant symptoms as hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats and wrinkles.
But do you know that not only deficiency, but also surplus of reproductive hormones may disturb your well-being?
So-called estrogen dominance may occur naturally in those, who suffer from obesity, diabetes and poor-controlled hypertension.
Frequently woman’s body contains excess of estrogen because of inappropriate dosage of birth control pills or hormone replacement medications, which have become so popular in our modern society.
Several researches show that long-term consumption of corticosteroids, phenothiazines and certain groups of antibiotics may also lead to excessive synthesis of estrogen.
Sometimes ovarian or adrenal tumor may be recognized as a main culprit of increased estrogen levels.
Knowing signs of estrogen dominance usually helps catch the problem on the early stage. It’s really important, as raised level of estrogen is associated with high risks of breast and endometrial cancers.
Here are the most common signs and symptoms of too-much-of-estrogen-problem:
#1 Weight gain – sounds unpleasant, isn’t it? Women in menopause are more likely to accumulate fat on the waist, while those with excess of estrogen usually store it around their hips.
#2 New lumps in the breast – we have good news for you: most of the breast lumps are noncancerous. Too much of estrogen often leads to fibrocystic changes in the breasts.
#3 Irregular menses – hormonal imbalance is the most common reason for prolonged or absent periods, heavy or scanty menstrual bleeding.
#4 Headaches – many of us are familiar with premenstrual headaches, related to fluctuations of the hormones. Elevated levels of estrogen can make your headaches more severe and increase their frequency.
#5 Tenderness of the breasts – have you noticed that your breasts become swollen and sensitive several days before periods? It’s about increase of estrogen, which occur at this period. If having constantly-high levels of this hormone, breast tenderness may last for a long time.
#6 Blood clots – close link was found between excess of estrogen and increased blood clotting (the main culprit of thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombosis).
#7 Depression – having abnormally high estrogen levels may contribute to mood swings, nervousness and depression.
#8 Abdominal bloating – uncomfortable swelling, tightness of the belly, burping and belching may be caused by development of estrogen dominance.
#9 Low libido – surplus of estrogen, as well as its deficiency, may be a culprit of your vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive.
#10 Changes in PMS symptoms – you may feel that your premenstrual symptoms become worse. Be aware that it may be a sign of excessive estrogen production.
Have you recognized any of these symptoms in yourself? Now you may be interested, what to do with this problem.
First of all, ask your doctor to correct dosage of your regular estrogen-contained medications.
Try to maintain healthy weight, as adipose (fatty) tissue is able to produce certain amount of estrogen.
And don’t forget to keep under the control your blood pressure to decrease risks of numerous harmful consequences, including excessive estrogen synthesis.
