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Estrogen Dominance Main

Estrogen Dominance - Hormonal imbalance of our time

 

What is this?

An imbalance of estrogen over PROGESTERONE in women (or TESTOSTERONE in men) is having an overall estrogenic effect.   The most well-known repercussion of this is to cause overproliferation of cells resulting in reproductive organ cancers (e.g. breast, endometrial, ovarian and prostate), and issues, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic changes in the breast and benign prostate hyperplasia.

The term "Estrogen Dominance" was coined by Dr. John R. Lee.    An author, expert and pioneer in the study and use of PROGESTERONE and androgen supplementation to restore hormonal balance.

Estrogen dominance encompasses several unpleasant symptoms and health problems

Estrogen Dominance is causing a myriad of health problems / symptoms in both women and men

▪ Adrenal exhaustion ▪ High blood pressure
▪ Agitation / Anxiety / Panic disorders /Anger (unexplained) ▪  Hypermenorrhea (heavy bleeding)
▪ Aging accelerated ▪ Hypoglycemia
▪ Allergy symptoms (Asthma, hives, rashes, sinus congestion) ▪ Increased blood clotting (risk of strokes)
▪ Amenorrhea (skipped periods) ▪ Infertility
▪ Autoimmune disorders (increased risk) e.g. lupus erythematosis, thyroiditis, Grave's disease, possibly Sjogren's disease ▪ Irregular /heavy bleeding
▪ Bloating (water retention) ▪ Irritability
▪ Blood clotting excess (stroke) ▪ Insomnia / Restless sleep
▪ Blood clotting in lungs (i.e. pulmonary embolism) ▪ Lethargy / Loss of esteem
▪ Blood sugar irregularities ▪ Magnesium deficiency
▪ Breast cancer (hormone-sensitive type)* ▪ Miscarriage (early)
▪ Breast cancer in men (6000/yr in U.S.) ▪ Mood swings
▪ Breast tenderness / swelling ▪ Obesity
▪ BPH (Benign prostate hypertrophy) (Enlarged prostate) ▪ Osteoporosis (reduced osteoblast bone-building function)
▪ Copper retention/excess ▪ Ovarian cancer (hormone-sensitive)
▪ Cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells) ▪ Oxygen reduction to cells
▪ Chronic fatigue ▪ Pain in joints / muscles
▪ Cold hands and feet (as thyroid dysfunction) ▪ Panic attacks
▪ Cyclical headaches / Migraine ▪ PMS
▪ Decreased sex drive / libido ▪ Polycystic ovaries (PCOS)
▪ Depression with anxiety or agitation ▪  Premenopausal bone loss
▪ Dry eyes ▪ Prostate cancer**
▪ Dry or coarse skin ▪ Pulmonary embolism
▪ Early onset of menstruation ▪ Restlessness
▪ Early maturation in girls (breasts, pubic hair) ▪ Sluggish metabolism / thyroid hormone activity interference
▪ Endometriosis ▪ Slurred or slow speech
▪  Endometrial cancer risk increased

▪ Sperm count reduced (up to 50%)

▪ Erectile dysfunction / Impotency ▪ Sweet craving
▪ Fat gain, usually around abdomen, hips, thighs ▪ Testicular tumors
▪ Fatigue / low energy ▪ Thyroid dysfunction mimicking hypothyroidism - makes thyroid receptor less sensitive to thyroid hormone.
▪ Fibrocystic breast changes (FCC) ▪ Uterine cancer (hormone-sensitive)*
▪ Fibromyalgia ▪ Uterine lining thickening
▪ Fluid retention ▪ Uterine cramping
▪ Foggy thinking / decreased cognitive ability •  Uterine fibroids / fibroid tumors
▪ Gallbladder disease ▪ Vascular tone reduced
▪ Gynecomastia(Enlarged breasts in men) ▪ Vertigo
▪ Hair loss / poor condition / Male pattern baldness ▪ Weight gain (without explanation)
▪ Headaches / migraine ▪ Zinc deficiency / loss (negatively affects immune system, soft tissue repair)
▪ Heart disease (heart attack, stroke, blood vessel spasms, HBP, lowers blood-oxygen carrying capacity) ▪ Weight gain (without explanation)
▪ Heart disease (heart attack, stroke, blood vessel spasms, HBP, lowers blood-oxygen carrying capacity) ▪ Zinc deficiency / loss (negatively affects immune system, soft tissue repair)

Note:   A woman suffering from high estrogen levels during menopause will usually have an estrogen reading of 200+ pg/ml.  

*    Increased risk of breast and uterine cancer.   Estrogen is thought to stimulate growth of those cells containing estrogen receptors by causing an increase in stimulatory growth factors (TGF-α) and a decrease in inhibitory growth factors (TGF-β). Dickson RB, Lippman ME, Estrogenic regulation of growth and polypeptide growth factor secretion in human breast carcinoma. Endocr Rev. 1987.

 

**   Certain estrogen metabolites are involved in prostate cancer.   2010 study found that The relative amounts of the 15 estrogens and estrogen metabolites in the urine of prostate cancer cases were similar to that of non-cancer patients with the exception of the estrogen metabolite 4-OHE1. Interestingly, it was also found that the estrogen metabolites considered harmful in breast cancer (16-KE2 and 17-epiE3) are secreted in higher amounts among those without prostate cancer and in lower amounts in those with prostate cancer. It was suggested that these metabolites may have a protective role in prostate cancer, which should be further explored. Ourania Kosti et al, Urinary estrogen metabolites and prostate cancer risk: A pilot study. The Prostate April 2011 Volume 71,Issue 5,pages 507-516 Wiley Online

Estrogen and PROGESTERONE -  A "Yin / Yang" relationship

PROGESTERONE is essentially the "antidote" to estrogen.   Men generate less estrogen than women, and so generally do not need as much of the PROGESTERONE "antidote".

ESTRADIOL is: PROGESTERONE is:
▪  Inflammatory ▪  Anti-inflammatory
▪  Stimulates tissue growth ▪  Sloughs off tissue
▪  Neurostimulating ▪  Calming
▪  Immuno-supporting ▪ Immuno-suppressive

If estrogen levels stay unopposed by PROGESTERONE, any of several health disorders may develop. In particular, women experience many unpleasant symptoms when estrogen levels are high compared to PROGESTERONE, during menopause or the monthly menstrual cycle.

A healthy PROGESTERONE / ESTRADIOL (E2) ratio for a woman.  Is~ 200-300 to 1.  Breast or uterine cancer most often occurs in women with a PROGESTERONE / E2 ratio of less than 200 to 1.

A tragic illustration of the effects of estrogen without sufficient PROGESTERONE.   The synthetic estrogen drug Premarin was prescribed for years to women without any accompanying PROGESTERONE, resulting in an epidemic of uterine cancer. This led to estrogen and PROGESTERONE (albeit synthetic versions with unpleasant side-effects) being prescribed in combination.

Comparison between Effects of Estrogen and PROGESTERONE

Estrogen Effects PROGESTERONE Effects
▪ Causes the womb lining to thicken ▪ Causes the endometrium to shed
▪ Increases body fat deposits ▪ Burns body fat for energy
▪ Triggers depression, anxiety, headaches ▪ Acts as an anti-depressant
▪ Stimulates breast tissue / Sore breasts ▪ Protects breast tissue (e.g. against fibrocystic breast changes (FCC) )
▪ Decreased libido (also with a deficiency of estrogen) ▪ Optimizes libido/Restores normal sexy feelings
▪ Causes salt, sugar and fluid retention ▪ Acts as a natural diuretic
▪ Causes breast and prostate cancer; Increases risk of endometrial/uterine cancer ** ▪ Helps prevent breast, endometrial, uterine cancer
▪ Counteracts thyroid hormone action *** ▪ Aids thyroid hormone action
▪ Causes copper levels to increase/zinc to decrease ▪ Helps to balance copper and zinc levels
▪ Reduces oxygen supply to all cells - Estrogen shifts cells away from oxidative energy production (âž”  cancer) ▪ Corrects oxygen supply to cells
▪ Increases risk of blood clotting ▪ Normalizes risk of blood clots
▪ Prolongs monthly bleed time ▪ Normalizesperiod length
▪ Acts as an abortive ▪ Initiates/Sustains baby's survival throughout pregnancy
▪ High corticosterone ▪ Precursor of corticosterone production
▪ Slows breaking down of bone by its rate-limiting effect on osteoclast function ▪ Stimulates bone building by stimulating osteoblasts
▪ Stimulates nervous system ▪ Calms nervous system
▪ Reduces blood vessel tone/ability to constrict or dilate  
▪ Impairs blood sugar control ▪ Normalizes blood sugar control

** ESTRADIOL excess causes breast and prostate cancer.    Newer studies show beyond debate that unopposed ESTRADIOL actually causes, not just increases the risk for breast cancer and prostate cancer.

*** Estrogen Dominance slows down metabolism causing hypothyroid symptoms, such as fat gain - The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 enter every cell in the body to stimulate protein synthesis and provide energy by utilizing calories; estrogen stores calories as fat. A surplus of estrogen triggers the liver to produce thyroid-binding globulin, which binds and neutralizes T3 and T4 in the blood. While the thyroid is producing sufficient amounts of hormone (tests are usually normal or just below normal) an insufficient amount of thyroid hormones is making it to the cells, such that an estrogen dominant person looks hypothyroid. E.g. thinning hair, low temperature, and increased fat on the hips and belly..

After 4-6 months of getting rid of xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens, and taking PROGESTERONE, the thyroid hormones are usually "back in business"

Why has estrogen dominance become so prevalent?

  • Estrogen dominance can be caused either by excessive intake or production of estrogen or insufficient intake or production of other hormones, such as TESTOSTERONE and PROGESTERONE.    It is important to grasp the concept that it is not so much the actual levels of hormones in the body, so much as their levels relative to other hormones present.
  • Estrogen dominance is commonly seen in women as they progress through menopause and beyond.   Since PROGESTERONE levels drop more drastically than estrogen levels, creating a relative imbalance favoring estrogen. Also, a vicious cycle presents, whereby estrogen dominance promotes fat storage, and fat cells produce more estrogen.
  • In aging men, estrogen levels increase as TESTOSTERONE and PROGESTERONE  levels decrease.   This occurs because TESTOSTERONE levels generally decline with age, and because the often increasing number of fat cells convert TESTOSTERONE to estrogen.  Also weak testes produce less PROGESTERONE

  • Without ovulation, there is no ovarian corpus luteum to produce PROGESTERONE , and a PROGESTERONE deficiency ensues.    Any estrogen present remains unopposed, yielding several unwantedside effects. Unfortunately, maladies such as water retention, weight gain, fatigue and depression are sometimes diagnosed as separate problems and treated individually, when actually, they are symptoms of a person with too much estrogen relative to other hormones.  Today, research is showing that many women in their 30s and even younger are sometimes not ovulating during their menstrual cycle.  Lee,  1993

  • Those of us living in the developed world are "bathed in a continuous sea" of estrogen and are likely facing hormonal imbalances resulting in estrogen dominance.    A few of the reasons why estrogen dominance is becoming so commonplace in both women and men are listed below, but for more detailed information:
  • Too much Dietary / Supplementary Estrogen
  • Overproduction of estrogen (ESTRADIOL or ESTRONE)
  • Estrogen-Mimicking /stimulating xenoestrogens pervade modern day life
  • Decreased PROGESTERONE production in the body
  • Stress
  • Non-ovulatory cycles
  • Impaired Liver Function
  • Iodine deficiency
  • Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease, Digestive Problems, Insulin resistance

(1) Too much Dietary / Supplementary estrogen

Excessive intake of plant estrogens.  Any additional estrogen by prescription or supplemented, will increase estrogen levels and must be properly balanced with natural PROGESTERONE - Typical sources of prescription estrogen are birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy.

Estrogen-mimicking phytoestrogens.

  • Over-consumption of phytoestrogens, especially soy or flaxseed adds to estrogenic load.     Certain plants contain plant estrogens, which have an estrogenic effect when eaten to excess. Soybeans, soy products and flaxseed contain high levels of phytoestrogens. According to a report in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition a small number of studies have shown that high levels of soy can increase menstrual cycle length, decrease FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and decrease LH (leutinizing hormone), affecting the reproductive cycle.

▪ High levels of soy generating anti-estrogeniceffect are equivalent to drinking three 12-ounce glasses of soy milk /dayfor a month - three 12oz glasses is 60g soy protein (equivalent to 45 mg of isoflavones);

▪ Excessive soybean consumption inhibits the thyroid and is widely associated with hypothyroidism - Asia has endemic hypothyroidism (China has 100,000,000 cretins).

  • Moderate phytoestrogen intake actually has an anti-estrogenic effect - phytoestrogens "dock onto" estrogen receptors and have a weak estrogenic effect, preventing xenoestrogens and other estrogens from "docking" and having a stronger effect.  Women with diets containing moderate amounts of phytoestrogens excrete more estrogens into their urine and have lower blood estrogen levels.  Liver must be able to eliminate unused excess estrogens - low / moderate intake of weak plant estrogens may replace our own more potent estrogens for receptor sites, but if the liver is incapable of eliminating them, then our own estrogens will still act if there are receptors to act upon.

It is now well-established that many phytoestrogens and hormone-disrupting chemicals exhibit an inverted-U "Dose to inhibitory response" curve

Phytoestrogens and hormone-disrupting chemicals disrupt/inhibit hormones at low doses but not at high doses - What seems to happen is that the hormone system becomes overwhelmed and stops responding, so at high doses there is no observable effect. Traditional toxicological testing at high doses may miss important effects that only occur at lower doses.   

The Inverted "U  Dose to inhibitory response curve.  Initially, as a dose rises, the inhibitory response rises. However, at some point as the dose continues to rise the response stops rising, then begins to diminish and falls back toward zero.

Examples of the Inverted U Dose-response curve:

  • Xenoestrogenic BPA.   A study of BPA found that low doses of BPA produced a greater inhibitory biological effect than higher doses. (EHP Vol. 109, Jul. 2001, pgs. 675-680.).
  • Phytoestrogens - EHP-published study demonstrates that:  (1) Phytoestrogens at low doses inhibit the production of estrogen and (2) At higher doses the inhibitory effect disappears and the phytoestrogens behave like estrogen itself, adding to the effect of the body's own natural estrogen - the authors say this may explain why low doses of phytoestrogens protect against breast cancer. EHP Vol. 110, Aug. 2002, pgs. 743-748.
  • Estrogenic pesticides.    A study of adult male guppy fish, exposed to certain pesticides in their food (vinclozolin and DDE - both known to disrupt male sex hormones) exhibited shrunken testes, a significant reduction in numbers of sperm, and "a severe disruption in male courtship behavior." Some of the measured effects were greater at a lower dose, demonstrating an inverted-U dose-response curve [EHP Vol. 109, Oct. 2001, pgs. 1063-1070]. The authors of the guppy study did a literature search and found over 100 published papers reporting an inverted-U dose-response curve.

(2) Overproduction of Estrogen (ESTRADIOL or ESTRONE)

TESTOSTERONE converts to ESTRADIOL via the aromatase enyme produced by fat cells;

  • Ovarian cysts or tumors.   Can lead to excess estrogen production;
  • Obesity.    All body fat has an enzyme which converts adrenal steroids to estrogen, so the more fat you have, the more estrogen is produced; this peripheral production of estrogen is the most common cause of excess estrogen. Murray RK et al, 1993

Caffeine / Coffee / Alcohol  / Nicotine.   One study (Fertility and Sterility 2001;76:723-729) finds that drinking more than two cups of coffee daily may boost estrogen levels in women and could exacerbate conditions such as endometriosis and breast pain. The study included nearly 500 women aged 36 to 45 who were not pregnant, breast-feeding or takinghormones. All women answered questions about their diets, smoking habits, height and weight. Researchers measured the women's hormone levels during days 1 to 5 of their menstrual cycle.

  • Women who consumed the most cholesterol and alcohol, and those who consumed more than one cup of coffee a day had significantly higher levels of estrogen - during the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle, according to the report in the October issue of "Fertility and Sterility".

Caffeine intake from all sources was linked with higher Estrogen levels.   Regardless of age, body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking, and alcohol and cholesterol intake.Women who consumed at least 500 mg of caffeine daily (E.g. 4 - 5 cups of coffee), had nearly 70% more estrogen during the early follicular phase than women consuming no more than 100 mg of caffeine daily (< 1 cup of coffee).

Smoking / Nicotine.    Women aged 40 and older and those who smoked had higher levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which corresponds with fewer eggs remaining in a woman's ovaries. FSH tends to increase withage. Thus, the observation that smokers have higher FSH levels suggests that their ovaries are ``older'' than their chronological age.

(3) Estrogen-Mimicking / stimulating xenoestrogens (also called Endocrine Disruptors) pervade modern day life

Xenoestrogens (The Greek word xeno means foreign) are industrially made compounds with a molecular structure so similar to estrogen that they have estrogenic effects (i.e. stimulate estrogen receptors) in the body.     xenoestrogens are having significant and serious effects on our health. Many endocrine-disrupting contaminants, even if less potent than the natural products, are present in living tissue at concentrations millions of times higher than the natural hormones. They are being blamed for increasing rates in hormone-sensitive breast, prostate and reproductive cancers, fibroids, cysts, reduced infertility, menopausal problems, PMS and early puberty in children.These endocrine disruptors create imbalances, especially in the reproductive, thyroid and adrenal systems. They can increase growth of the endometrium and disrupt the reproductive cycle. In the U.S., more than a quarter of all women are now having hysterectomies by the age of 60. Even men are not exempt from their effects, with many being diagnosed with BPH and complaining of declining sexual performance.

Xenoestrogens are strong and long-lasting.   These chemicals bind permanently to receptor sites, accumulate in fat tissues, and disrupt nearly every biological process. Small daily doses build up, leading to an unbalanced endocrine system. Obesity and adrenal exhaustion (chronic fatigue/"stress") follow.

The environmental background of xenoestrogens provides a continuous estrogenic exposure.    Unfortunately these modern day "Estrogen look-alikes"are nearly impossible to avoid since they are ubiquitously present in our lives, in meat and dairy, food preservatives, personal care products, household goods, herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, plastics, and more.However, it is possible to reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens if you know where to find them, so brace yourself for a depressing revelation as these sources are revealed:

X-rated xenoestrogens - Endocrine Disruptors

(4) Decreased PROGESTERONE production in the body

PROGESTERONE is necessary to counterbalance estrogen and TESTOSTERONE

Women who do not ovulate during their cycle will not produce any PROGESTERONE that cycle.    This is a common occurrence and worsens the already disturbed PROGESTERONE / estrogen balance;

PROGESTERONE production is reduced in menopause.    Only the adrenal gland is producing it, because a woman is no longer ovulating.

Symptoms of PROGESTERONE Deficiency
• Recurrent early miscarriage • No period • Not ovulating
• Endometriosis • PCOS • PMS
• Cramps during menses • Blood Clotting • Swollen Breasts
• Fibrocystic breasts

Lack of available cholesterol for PROGESTERONE synthesis.     The corpus luteum depends almost exclusively on peripheral low-density-lipoprotein-carried cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol)for making steroids. Gwynne JT.; Strauss JF, 1982

  • High doses of vitamin E (>600IU) may be luteolytic (degrade corpus luteum), probably by lowering LDL-cholesterol.   Suggests data from recent studies. Although a daily dose of 150 IU vitamin E raised mid-luteal serum PROGESTERONE levels by 50% (luteotrophic effect), 300 and 600 IU daily doses were associated with lower PROGESTERONE levels than control levels. London RS et al, 1984

Although such decreases in PROGESTERONE levels were not significant, it is likely that dosage of vitamin E greater than 600 IU will result in greater PROGESTERONE suppression. This may explain why PMT-A (most common type of premenstrual tension) symptoms worsened with 600 IU of vitamin E whereas 150 IU showed an improvement of PMT-A symptoms. London RS et al, 1983

Inhibition of PROGESTERONE synthesis by the prostaglandin PGF2a.    PGF2a is luteolytic (Degrades corpus luteum) in women.  Dennefors BL et al, 1982

  • The precursor of PGF2a is arachidonic acid (AA), present in animal fats, thus excess consumption of animal fats may cause luteal deficiency - Luteal deficiency is a high risk factor for breast cancer, and may be the mechanism whereby increased intake of animal fats predisposes to breast cancer.  Cowan LD et al, 1981;  Wynder EL et al, 1979

 

Dr. Guy Abraham's thoughts on effects of Vitamin E on PGF2a
The luteotropic effect (stimulating formation of corpus luteum of small doses of vitamin E (150 IU or less) could be due to the inhibitory effect of vitamin E on the release of AA from storage pool, in this manner decreasing the availability of PGF2a precursors. The net effect of vitamin E on PROGESTERONE synthesis would depend on the response of LDL-cholesterol and arachidonate release from storage pools to various dosages of vitamin E. It is possible that blockage of arachidonate release is more sensitive to vitamin E than suppression of LDL-cholesterol, such that low dose of vitamin E would decrease precursor availability for PGF2a synthesis (a luteotropic effect) and high dose of vitamin E would suppress LDL cholesterol (a luteolytic effect).

(5) Stress

Stress reduces PROGESTERONE function - when under stress, the adrenals pump out CORTISOL, which blocks some PROGESTERONE receptors and thus prevents PROGESTERONE function.

Chronic stress uses up our available PROGESTERONE.     Chronic stress will cause adrenal fatigue, prompting the body to go to "Plan B"and use available PROGESTERONE to make CORTISOL. However, in this scenario, there is not enough PROGESTERONE to make the needed TESTOSTERONE for a woman's sexual response, never mind to oppose rising levels of estrogen. No wonder a woman feels lethargic and disinterested in sex when stressed!

(6) Non-ovulatory cycles

It is not uncommon for women to experience menstrual cycles without ovulating as many as 10 years before menopause.   In those cycles enough estrogen is made to create menstruation, but not enough PROGESTERONE to balance it. Even after menopause, the estrogen ESTRONE, ccontinues to be produced in the fat cells, while PROGESTERONE production is greatly diminished, since the ovaries are no longer producing and the job is left to the adrenal glands.

(7) Impaired Liver Function

A healthier liver takes up, degrades and excretes excess estrogen, xenoestrogens and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in bile or urine.   A weak liver that fails to eliminate these surpluses in the body is often responsible for hormonal abnormalities.

Excessive alcohol consumption.   Blocks the liver enzyme that breaks down estrogen. Overindulging raises estrogen levels in both men and women;

Diseases of the liver.    Cirrhosis (lesions in the liver) or decreased enzyme activity can lead to increased estrogen levels;

 

Vitamin B6, magnesium, zinc and / or B2 deficiency.    B6 is an important cofactor for enzymes necessary for the liver to conjugate estrogens from the blood.   A B6 deficiency affects the liver's estrogen clearance, keeping blood estrogen levels high.   MS and Biskind, GR, 1942;  Biskind, M.S, 1943; Biskind;   MS and Biskind, GR, 1945;   Biskind et al, 1944

  • The liver is primarily responsible for the conversion (by phosphorylation) of dietaryB6 (pyridoxine) to its active form PLP (pyridoxal-5'-phosphate).    Such activation is dependent on magnesium, zinc and B2.    In a self-supporting role, B6 stimulates cell membrane transfer and utilization of magnesiumAbraham, GE et al, 1981
  • Increased sugar intake will excrete magnesium.   Interfering with its role in providing PLP for metabolizing estrogen;

Magnesium also has a direct role in estrogen conjugation.     By increasing the activity of an enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) involved in the liver's glucuronidation of estrogens.   Abraham GE, 1984

 

Aging and Certain Drugs.    Impair liver function;

(8) Iodine Deficiency

Iodine deficiency causes estrogen imbalance.   Iodine directly controls how much estrogen is produced by the body and in some cases the lack of iodine might cause a surge in the production of the estrogen;

Iodine supports natural cell death in the breasts and ovaries in a woman's monthly reproductive cycle - In preparation for pregnancy each month, there is a build up of cells in the breasts and uterus. When conception does not occur, the body rids itself of these then unneeded cells by a natural monthly "programmed cell death", called apoptosis.Not having appropriate monthly apoptosis can lead to fibrocystic breasts, polycystic ovarian syndrome or endometriosis.

Some studies supporting anti-Estrogenic effect of iodine

  • Study examining the geographic differences of some femalecancer rates.    Found that a low dietary iodine intake may produce a state of increased effective gonadotrophin stimulation, which in turn may produce a hyper-estrogenic state characterised by relatively high production of ESTRONE + ESTRADIOL and a relatively low (anti-carcinogenic) ratio of ESTRIOL / ESTRONE + ESTRADIOL. Stadel BV, 1976;
  • Study examining the effect of iodine on breast cancer found that iodine deficiency has an estrogenic effect.     By causing a functional increase in breast estrogen receptor activities.  Stoddard FR etal, 2008

(9) Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease, Digestive Problems, Insulin resistance

Typically seen in a diet heavy in artificial ingredients and refined sugar and flour

High fat, carbohydrate rich diet and resultant weight gain raises estrogen levels.    An enzyme in fat cells converts adrenal hormones to Estrogens.

Likely causes of estrogen dominance in women

(1) Too little PROGESTERONE.  Occurs when PROGESTERONE production ceases or is suppressed.  This creates a situation of estrogen dominance, and is the most common reason for miscarriage. Factors influencing lower PROGESTERONE levels include:

  • Anovulatory cycles (no ovulation).   If a woman doesn't ovulate during a menstrual cycle, her ovaries will not produce any PROGESTERONE in that cycle;
  • No ovaries.   Possibly removed during a hysterectomy;
  • Stress.   Uses up PROGESTERONE to create stress hormones;
  • Weak ovaries.   Due to low thyroid function;
  • Dietary antagonists

(2) Too much estrogen.  Much of today's increase in estrogen levels in women is due to:

  • Obesity.   Fat cells produce the enzyme aromatase that converts adrenal androgens to estrogen;
  • Ovarian cysts / tumors.     Secrete estrogen; PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) increases estrogen;
  • Stress.     Increases estrogen production;
  • Estrogen-containing prescription drugs.     Usually in birth control pills, and Hormone Replacement supplements, which should be simultaneously balanced with PROGESTERONE supplementation;
  • Exposure to xenoestrogens - "Endocrine disruptors" that mimic estrogen.   These are now overwhelmingly present in today's world in foods, water, common household cleaners, toiletries, make-up and more, and are upsetting the delicate, natural balance between estrogen and PROGESTERONE;
  • Dietary phytoestrogens.   E.g. From consuming excessive amounts of soybean and flax seed;
  • Caffeine, smoking
  • Inability to break downestrogen.   Excess estrogen is usually removed by the liver
  • Cirrhosis.    Impairs liver function;
  • Liver needs magnesium and B6 to neutralizeestrogen.     High sugar intake causes magnesium excretion;

(3) In aging and menopause PROGESTERONE levels fall faster than estrogen.   Estrogen levels in women whose ovaries are no longer functioning will remain at approximately 40% of their former concentration levels. This is because most women continue to produce estrogen by conversion of androgens (derived from the adrenal gland) into estrogen in the fat cells. PROGESTERONE concentration levels, however, drop to almost zero (1/120 of the former levels). Doing the math, this means that the ratio between estrogen and PROGESTERONE has increased by a factor of 50.

Likely causes of estrogen dominance in men

(1) Too little TESTOSTERONE

  • TESTOSTERONE levels generally decline with age
  • TESTOSTERONE transforms into estrogen.    Via the "aromatase reaction", whereby the aromatase enzyme (produced by fat cells) converts TESTOSTERONE to ESTRADIOL;

(2) Too much estrogen.   Most commonly caused by factors such as:

  • Obesity.    Fat cells produce aromatase enzyme, which converts TESTOSTERONE to ESTRADIOL;
  • Alcohol.    Causes the body to produce more estrogen and also interferes with the liver's ability to remove excessive estrogen from the body;
  • Exposure to Xenoestrogens - Endocrine Disruptors.     Endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen,now overwhelmingly present in the Western world;
  • Pituitary diseases and testicular tumors.   Also other serious medical problems;

(3) Too little PROGESTERONE

  • Weak thyroid.    A weak thyroid causes testes to make insufficient PROGESTERONE to prevent a man's TESTOSTERONE from changing into DHT and estrogens. DHT is involved in the development of an enlarged prostate gland (BPH) and prostate cancer.

BPH

Prostate cancer

Understanding the changingestrogenand TESTOSTERONE levels in men

  • Estrogen is present in men and its levels change throughout life.   As children, males have an almost equal balance of estrogen and TESTOSTERONE, however, during puberty TESTOSTERONE increases while estrogen decreases, causing an increase in muscle mass, deepening of the voice, loss of "baby fat", and of course, the inevitable increase in libido and sperm production.
  • Estrogen begins to outbalance TESTOSTERONE in a man's 50's - The balance of high TESTOSTERONE and low estrogen persists through a man's forties, at which time estrogen levels begin to increase as TESTOSTERONE levels decrease: This leads to a new balance of high estrogen levels and low TESTOSTERONE levels causing several hallmark symptoms of aging in men: loss of muscle mass, reduced libido, and weight gain, particularly around the belly. To add insult to injury, fat cells produce estrogen.

Symptoms of HIGH or LOW Estrogen Levels

LOW Estrogen Levels?

Do you have an estrogen deficiency? - Any woman still having monthly periods has plenty of estrogen. On the other hand, vaginal dryness , vaginal mucosal atrophy night sweats, hot flashes, and emotional rollercoaster rides are clear signs of estrogen deficiency. Lacking these signs, the most accurate and reliable test today is the saliva hormone assay.

3 ways to test hormone Levels

Symptoms of LOW Estrogen Levels

(particularly in menopausal women)

▪ Severe depression/Anger

▪ Difficulty concentrating

▪ Hot Flashes

▪ Joint / muscle Pain

▪ Night Sweats

▪ Vaginal Dryness and Vaginal/bladder infections

▪ Memory Lapses

▪ Dry skin / Skin aging

▪ Heart palpitations

▪ Dizziness

▪ Fatigue

▪ Loss of breast tone

The most common long-term symptom / side effect of LOW estrogen levels is osteoporosis - thought to be present in 20% of post menopausal women.   Estrogen deficiency makes osteoclasts more sensitive to the hormone that causes bone resorption:

  • Estrogen helps the bones to absorb calcium and vitamin D - without which bones become weak and risk of fracture is increased
  • Bone density decreases faster around menopause - a woman suffering from low estrogen levels during menopause will usually have an estrogen reading of 10 - 20 pg/ml. 1.5 years before to 1.5 years after menopause, spinal bone mineral density (BMD) decreases by 2.5% per year, compared with a premenopausal loss rate of 0.13% per year
  • In postmenopause, the positive effects of estrogen on growth factors, CALCITONIN, vitamin D metabolism, and calcium absorption are diminished

  • Osteoporosis cannot be explained by circulating estrogen levels alone - E.g. men have plasma ESTRADIOL levels in the postmenopausal range throughout their adult years, but rarely develop osteoporosis until very late in life. We need to better understand extragonadal sites producing estrogen from steroid precursors.

Circulating levels of estrogen

 

HIGH estrogen Levels?

Symptoms of High Estrogen Levels in Women

Physical Psychological
▪ Headaches ▪ Mood Swings
▪ Weight Gain ▪ Anxiety
▪ Breast tenderness ▪Depression
▪ Irregular periods ▪ Loss of Libido
▪ Water retention / Bloating ▪ Insomnia
▪ Hypoglycemia  
▪ Gallbladder problems  

More serious effects of high estrogen levels

(typically together with low TESTOSTERONE levels in men and low PROGESTERONE levels in women.  A woman suffering from high estrogen levels during menopause will usually have an estrogen reading of 200+ pg/ml)

Stimulates cell growth

  • Increased risk of breast and uterine cancer.   Estrogen is thought to stimulate growth of those cells containing estrogen receptors by causing an increase in stimulatory growth factors (TGF-α) and a decrease in inhibitory growth factors (TGF-β). Dickson RB, Lippman ME, 1987

Certain estrogen metabolites involved in prostate cancer.   2010 study found that the relative amounts of the 15 estrogens and estrogen metabolites in the urine of prostate cancer cases were similar to that of non-cancer patients with the exception of the estrogen metabolite 4-OHE1. Interestingly, it was also found that the estrogen metabolites considered harmful in breast cancer (16-KE2 and 17-epiE3) are secreted in higher amounts among those without prostate cancer and in lower amounts in those with prostate cancer. It was suggested that these metabolites may have a protective role in prostate cancer, which should be further explored. Ourania Kosti et al, 2011

Ourania Kosti et al, Urinary estrogen metabolites and prostate cancer risk: A pilot study. The Prostate April 2011 Volume 71,Issue 5,pages 507-516 Wiley Online

Increase risk of cardiovascular disease

  • Heart attack or stroke
  • Contributes to blood vessel spasms
  • Elevates blood pressure
  • Lowers blood-oxygen carrying capacity

Promotes blood clots in the lungs (i.e. pulmonary embolism)

Implicated as a cause of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)

Depletes body's zinc - negatively affecting:

  • Soft tissue repair
  • Immune system

How to treat estrogen dominance 1-2-3-4

The treatment objective is NOT to RESTORE your hormone levels to those of a person in their 20s or 30s (E.g. A menopausal woman no longer needs the higher hormone levels required for reproduction).  The goal is to correct  a hormonal imbalance in the main sex hormones that may be wreaking havoc with many of the body's systems and causing serious health problems.    Specifically, the treatment corrects an imbalance of:

  • Too much estrogen relative to progesterone in women
  • Too much estrogen relative to TESTOSTERONE, DHT and other androgens  in men.

Benefits of correcting this imbalance can:

  • Shrink ovarian cysts;
  • Stop endometriosis;
  • Shrink an enlarged prostate (BPH);
  • Reverse cancer of reproductive organs
  • Protect nerves / Aid repair
  • Reduce facial hair
  • Much more . . .

Who may need treatment for estrogen dominance?

Treatment for estrogen dominance involves 3 steps.

(1) Use available tactics to reduce bodys excessive estrogen levels

The first approach to an estrogen dominance over PROGESTERONE (in women) or TESTOSTERONE (in men) is to reduce estrogen levels in the body:

Reduce estrogen levels

(2) Use natural methods to boost body's PROGESTERONE levels

Help adrenal glands increase their PROGESTERONE production.   The innermost layer of the adrenal glands produces small amounts of the sex hormones (Androgens, estrogensand PROGESTERONE)

  • Excessive  vitamin E (>600IU) intake reduces LDL-Cholesterol - a precursor for producing PROGESTERONE
  • High intake of animal fats and elevated estrogen levels decrease PROGESTERONE synthesis
  • Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin B5 promote PROGESTERONE synthesis  (according to Dr. Ray Peat) Raymond F. Peat, 1995
  • PROGESTERONE-boosting Foods.   These include: avocado, raw nuts and seeds, olives, salmon and tuna;
  • Hormone balancing herbs.   Dong Quai, Wild yams, Macafem, Licorice, Vitex

Try and reduce stress.    Stress uses up PROGESTERONE.  When under stress, most of the PROGESTERONE produced by the body is converted into the corticosteroid hormones to deal with emotional stress or fight or flight situations. This creates an estrogen dominance situation leading to insomnia and anxiety, which further taxes the adrenals, and a vicious cycle continues as PROGESTERONE is used to make stress hormones. Weakened adrenal glands will never allow the hormones to find proper equilibrium

Balance Adrenal "Stress Management"Glands

(3) Supplement with bio-identical PROGESTERONE

But only AFTER using above tactics to reduce estrogen and naturally increase PROGESTERONE

PROGESTERONE supplementation may be beneficial when you are living today's 'Typical' lifestyle.    It helps to counter-balance an excess estrogen presence. However, decreasing the body's estrogen levels should always be the first approach.

How does PROGESTERONE counter estrogen?

  •  PROGESTERONE inhibits the transcription of the aromatase enzyme gene required for estrogen production;
  •  PROGESTERONE desensitizes the estrogen receptors;

How to supplement PROGESTERONE 

(4) Boost thyroid function using iodine supplementation

Estrogen reduces thyroid function by increasing thyroid binding globulin (TBG), which binds thyroid hormone making it inactive.   This provides an explanation for why hypothyroid symptoms are similar to estrogen dominance symptoms

Iodine - The Universal Medicine

References

http://www.johnleemd.com/store/resource_hormonetest.html

The Estrogen Alternative: A guide to Natural Hormone Balance

Interview with Dr. Lee http://www.keepsmilin.com/transcriptdrlee.htm

Abraham, G.E.; Schwartz, U.D.; Libran, M.M.: Effect of vitamin B-6 on plasma and red blood cell magnesium levels in premenopausal women. Ann. clin. Lab. Sci. 11: 333 (1981).

  Abraham GE. Nutrition and the premenstrual tension syndromes, J Appl Nutr, 1984; 19:57-63

Biskind, M.S.: Nutritional deficiency in the etiology of menorrhagia, cystic mastitis and premenstrual tension. Treatment with vitamin B complex. J. clin. Endocr. Metab. 3: 227-234 (1943).

Biskind, M.S.; Biskind, G.R.: Effect of vitamin B complex deficiency on inactivation of ESTRONE in the liver. Endocrinology 31: 109-114 (1942).

Biskind, M.S.; Biskind, G.R.: Inactivation of TESTOSTERONE propionate in the liver during vitamin B complex deficiency. Alteration of the estrogen-androgen equilibrium. Endocrinology 32: 97-102 (1945).

Biskind, MS.; Biskind, GR.: Biskind, L.H.: Nutritional deficiency in the etiology of menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, cystic mastitis, and premenstrual tension. Surgery Gynec. Obstet. 78: 49-57 (1944)

Cowan LD et al. Breast cancer incidence in women with a history of PROGESTERONE deficiency. Am. J. Epidem. 114: 209 (1981).

Dennefors BL et al. PROGESTERONE and adenosine 3', 5'- monophosphate formation by isolated human corpora lutea of different ages. Influence of human chronic gonadotropin and prostaglandins. J. clin. Endocr. Metab. 55: 102 (1982)

Dickson RB, Lippman ME, Estrogenic regulation of growth and polypeptide growth factor secretion in human breast carcinoma.Endocr Rev.1987

Gwynne, J.T.; Strauss, J.F., III: The role of lipoproteins in steroidogenesis and cholesterol metabolism in steroidogenic glands. Endocr. Rev. 3: 299 (1982).

 Lee, John R., M.D. (1993) Natural PROGESTERONE : The Multiple Role of a Remarkable Hormone, BLL Publishing, California, USA p.29.1

London, R.S.; Sundaram, G.S.; Murphy, L.; et al.: The effect of alpha-tocopherol on premenstrual symptomatology. A double-blind study. J. Am. Coil. Nutr. 2: 115 (1983)

London RS et al.: The effect of alpha-tocopherol on premenstrual symptomatology. A double-blind study. H. Endocrin correlates. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 3: 351 (1984)

Murray RK et al. Harper's Biochemistry. 23rd ed. Norwalk CN:Appleton & Lange; 1993

Ourania Kosti et al, Urinary estrogen metabolites and prostate cancer risk: A pilot study. The Prostate April 2011 Volume 71,Issue 5,pages 507-516 Wiley Online

Raymond F. Peat (Jul 1995) Estrogen: Simply Dangerous, Ray Peat's newsletter

Stadel BV, Dietary iodina and risk of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer, Lancet,1976;

Stoddard FR et al, Iodine Alters Gene Expression in the MCF7 Breast Cancer Cell Line: Evidence for an Anti-Estrogen Effect of Iodine, 2008

Wynder EL et al. Nutrition and the etiology and prevention of breast cancer; in Strax, Control of breast cancer through mass screening, pp. 89-100 (Littleton, Colorado 1979)


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