Estrogen is a sex hormone and is usually found in higher concentration in women than in men. It helps maintain sexual and reproductive health and fluctuates throughout puberty, ovulation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Having a balanced amount of estrogen is needed for the body as it regulates not only reproductive organs but also the skeletal, cardiovascular, and central nervous system. However, too much or even too little can cause serious health problems that may require the attention of a health professional.
What Causes High Levels of Estrogen?
There are many factors that can contribute to high estrogen levels. However, there are non-natural factors that can increase the levels of estrogen in any stage.
- Medications – Birth control pills and other oral contraceptives can increase estrogen levels.
- Fat tissue – Body fat secretes estrogen, and the more weight added, the higher the estrogen dominance.
- Stress – When the body is stressed, it produces cortisol. High amounts of cortisol reduce the progesterone hormone, making estrogen work overtime.
- Alcohol – Too much alcohol prohibits the breakdown of estrogen, leading it to increase.
- Processed foods – Red meats, sugar, refined grains, and other types of processed ingredients all increase estrogen levels if consumed often.
- Chemicals that mimic estrogen – Also known as synthetic xenoestrogens, are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that affects hormone function. They are found in many everyday items like plastics, personal skincare products, pesticides, and preservatives. These chemicals affect estrogen metabolism and increase it.
The Health Risk of Estrogen Dominance
There are many health risks associated with high estrogen levels. Some of the most common ones include breast and ovarian cancer, non-tumorous fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, and premenstrual syndrome. Although estrogen doesn’t cause these health conditions, it can amplify the risk or worsen symptoms.
Having a balanced amount of estrogen is needed for the body as it regulates not only reproductive organs but also the skeletal, cardiovascular, and central nervous system.
How Can I Reduce Estrogen?
It’s best to receive testing from a health professional to get an accurate analysis of the levels of estrogen that are present in your body. But there are lifestyle changes and practices you can adopt to keep your estrogen levels balanced.
- Decrease body fat – Exercising and changing your diet can help decrease body fat and decrease the levels of estrogen in the body.
- Eat healthy – Limiting processed foods and eating more of a high fiber planet-based diet can decrease estrogen. A study found that women who switched to a high fiber, plant-based mediterranean diet experienced a 40% decrease in estrogen compared to women who did not.
- Reduce stress – Reducing stress will help keep estrogen levels balanced. Try yoga, journaling, going for a walk, or a new hobby to reduce stress.
- Limit alcohol – Limiting or removing the intake of alcohol will allow your body to remove excess estrogen.
- Avoid xenoestrogens – Avoiding synthetic xenoestrogens is nearly impossible, especially in the United States. However, you can limit your exposure by replacing plastic containers with glass, using organic skincare, and cleaning products, and choosing all-natural organic foods that do not contain pesticides or other harmful preservatives.
Estrogen plays an important role by regulating a woman’s reproductive years before, during, and after. Keeping this hormone well-balanced is crucial for the best quality of life.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22353-estrogen
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22363-high-estrogen
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-to-lower-estrogen
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17474873/
https://www.rupahealth.com/post/what-are-xenoestrogens-and-how-you-can-avoid-them