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 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 ;

Xenoestrogens - "Endocrine disruptors"

•  Dietary phytoestrogens.   E.g. From consuming excessive amounts of soybean and flax seed;

•  Caffeine, smoking

•  Inability to break down estrogen.   Excess estrogen is usually removed by the liver

• Cirrhosis.    Impairs liver function;

• Liver needs magnesium and B6 to neutralize estrogen.     High sugar intake causes magnesium excretion;

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.

For more detailed information on why estrogen dominance is so commonplace, link to:

Estrogen domininance - Why so prevalent?