Estrogen dominance

What is estrogen dominance?

Estrogen dominance refers to a condition where a woman has excess estrogen in relation to progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can cause various symptoms like weight gain, irregular periods, mood swings, and reduced libido.

Some key things to know about estrogen dominance:

• It often develops due to chronic stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and environmental toxins that disrupt hormonal balance.


• Birth control pills can contribute to estrogen dominance because they supply synthetic estrogen and lower natural progesterone levels.


• Perimenopause and menopause bring shifting hormone levels that can lead to estrogen dominance symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.


• Getting tested for hormone levels can help diagnose estrogen dominance. Saliva or blood tests check estradiol and progesterone levels.


• Treatments aim to rebalance hormones, often by increasing progesterone levels naturally through diet, supplements, or bioidentical hormones.

Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance

Some key symptoms of estrogen dominance include:

• Weight gain - excess estrogen signals the body to store more fat tissue


• Heavy, painful, or irregular periods


• Fibrocystic breasts


• Migraines and headaches


• Mood swings, anxiety, irritability


• Fatigue - estrogen surges and drops can disrupt sleep

Estrogen dominance can also contribute to some reproductive issues like infertility, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis.

Thyroid dysfunction often accompanies estrogen dominance as well. Estrogen interferes with T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, slowing metabolism.

Achieving Hormonal Balance

Rebalancing hormones and resolving estrogen dominance takes time and commitment. Lifestyle measures are foundational, while bioidentical hormones, nutrients, and supplements offer additional support.

Lifestyle Tips

• Reduce stress through meditation, yoga, journaling


• Follow an anti-inflammatory diet high in produce and healthy fats


• Exercise regularly - aim for 30-60 min daily


• Support liver detoxification pathways

Hormonal Interventions

• Progesterone cream - applies natural progesterone directly to skin


• Pregnenolone - progesterone precursor that helps relieve stress


• DIM - aids estrogen metabolism to less potent forms

Hormone Wellness Institute specializes in customized bioidentical hormone therapy. Our practitioners help identify your unique hormonal imbalances and craft integrative treatment plans to resolve symptoms. Reach out today to start balancing your hormones with our evidence-based solutions!

I hope this overview on estrogen dominance was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.