In the world of women’s health, estrogen deficiency, or estrogen deficiency disease, tends to get much of the spotlight especially as women approach menopause. However, what’s actually much more common (even in men) is estrogen dominance — and according to most experts, issues caused by estrogen dominance can begin in your thirties. 

 

Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance

If you’ve never heard of estrogen dominance or are trying to better understand what happens when you are estrogen dominant, below is a list of the most common symptoms for women:

 

  • Irregular or abnormal menstrual cycles
  • Lowered sex drive
  • Infertility
  • Increased water retention or uncomfortable bloating
  • Weight gain or increased fat deposits around the hips and abdomen
  • Decreased metabolism
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Sensitive breasts, including swelling and tenderness
  • Headaches
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Increased feelings of depression and irritability
  • Loss of hair
  • Noticeable fatigue
  • Premature signs of aging
  • Decreased memory and/or increased mental fogginess

 

According to other research, estrogen dominance can also lead to a variety of autoimmune disorders and allergies. Additionally, being estrogen dominant has been linked to uterine cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cysts, and blood clots. 

 

Causes of Estrogen Dominance: Xenoestrogen 

There are several causes of estrogen dominance, including menstrual cycles during perimenopause that don’t have an egg released, which can cause estrogen to increase in the body unchecked. But, estrogen dominance is believed to be primarily caused by xenoestrogens, which is why so many men are currently struggling as well.

 

Xenoestrogens are chemicals that replicate the behavior of natural estrogens and, because they are prevalent in our modern-life, they are difficult to avoid. Some of the most common places to find xenoestrogens are:

 

  • Food
  • Water
  • Furniture
  • Personal products
  • Clothes

 

Xenoestrogens disrupt endocrines in our body and cause many of the symptoms we now believe to just be a “natural part” of modern life. And if trying to avoid xenoestrogens was difficult enough, estrogen dominance is also caused by having too much body fat, too much stress, and a poor diet — things that most modern Americans already struggle with. 

 

Decreasing Estrogen Dominance Naturally

Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to start decreasing estrogen dominance so that you can begin naturally decreasing the symptoms you might be experiencing. Some of the best ways to counter estrogen dominance in your daily life include:

 

  • Taking proper high potency multivitamins and minerals every day
  • Consume enough protein, healthy fat, and plenty of fresh fruits and veggies daily
  • Decrease stool left in your bowels by eating enough fiber or regularly doing enemas or colonics 
  • Exercise regularly to help lose excess body fat and build muscle
  • Take care of your liver by detoxifying it and eliminating toxins like alcohol, drugs, and caffeine completely (or reducing your intake of them as much as possible)

 

And, most of all, find ways to decrease the amount of stress you have in your life. The more you can start enjoying your life, rather than stressing yourself, the better you will feel (and the less estrogen you’ll create in your body because of it).