Estrogen is actually made up of three different hormones: estriol, estrone and estradol. It is produced in the adrenal glands, fat cells, ovaries and, during pregnancy, in the placenta. Women’s levels of estrogen are higher than men’s and, yes, men also have low levels of the hormone estrogen.
It is the hormone which gives women their female characteristics of breasts, body hair and fat distribution. Estrogen regulates menstruation, fertility and menopause. It is responsible for the development of female reproductive tissues and it keeps the breasts, urinary tract, uterus and blood vessels toned and flexible.
From the late 30s to 40 years of age, hormone levels begin to fluctuate and decline. This can be alleviated by replacing diminishing hormones to restore balance with bioidentical hormones, reducing one’s exposure to xenoestrogens, a good diet and exercise. Women can either have too little estrogen or suffer from too much estrogen, a condition known as estrogen dominance.
Symptoms of estrogen dominance can include: depression, weight gain, anxiety, breast tenderness, headaches, migraines, digestive issues, fuzzy thinking, and irregular periods. However, the same symptoms can also indicate low estrogen. The problem during perimenopause (the time before menopause) is also related to declining levels of progesterone. This situation can be caused by exposure to xenoestrogen – toxins in our environment which then lead to estrogen dominance.
If you are experiencing estrogen dominance symptoms, you will feel overly emotional, bloated and depressed. Estrogen dominance can lead to serious health problems because too much estrogen will lead to the development of cancerous cell growth.
Low estrogen levels can also lead to health problems and leave you feeling mentally slow and depressed. It also leads to weight gain around the waist as the body struggles to hang onto estrogen by generating it in the fat cells. Balancing your hormones in perimenopause and menopause is vital to your health and wellbeing both as a man or a woman. Working closely with a doctor who has the knowledge and can prescribe bioidentical hormones will help you to achieve this balance. Based on the way you feel physically and mentally and blood or saliva tests to measure hormone levels in your body is the way this is achieved. Estrogen supplementation must be accompanied by bioidentical progesterone supplementation. A compounding pharmacy will make up the correct prescriptions for you. To find a compounding pharmacy, go to our page for compounding pharmacies at PureAgeless.com.
Excess estrogen causes B vitamins, zinc and magnesium deficiencies , supplements that are necessary for hormonal balance.
Problems associated with estrogen dominance include:
o Acceleration of the rate of aging
o Allergies: including asthma, hives, rashes, congestion
o Autoimmune disorders: lupus erythematosis, thyroiditis
o Breast cancer
o Breast tenderness: fibrocystic breasts
o Cervical dysplasia
o Cold hands & feet
o Copper excess
o Low sex drive
o Depression, anxiety, mood swings
o Dry eyes
o Early menstruation
o Endometrial cancer
o Fat gain especially around the stomach & waist
o Fatigue
o Foggy thinking
o Gallbladder disease
o Hair loss
o Headaches
o Hypoglycemia
o Increased blood clotting leading to higher risk of strokes
o Infertility
o Irregular menstrual periods
o Irritability
o Insomnia
o Magnesium deficiency
o Memory loss
o Osteoporosis
o PMS
o Polycystic ovaries
o Premenopausal bone loss
o Prostate cancer
o Slow metabolism
o Thyroid dysfunction leading to hypothyroidism
o Uterine cancer
o Uterine fibroids
o Water retention, bloating
o Zinc deficiency.
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