Estrogen Dominance Symptoms
Estrogen dominance symptoms are wide and varied since estrogen side effects work on the entire body. Estrogen dominance refers to the syndrome where there is too much estrogen in the body, relative to progesterone or testosterone, but mainly progesterone.
Estrogen dominance symptoms include PMS symptoms such as headaches, irritability, breast tenderness, bloating, menstrual cramps, high blood pressure, water retention, fibroids, blood clots, stroke, endometriosis, increased fat deposition, breast tumor formation, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and many more. Estrogen side effects include cancer growth, especially ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer as well as low thyroid function.
Estrogen hormones bind to the Thyroid hormone receptor sites on the cells, blocking T3 thyroid hormone from being able to gain entry into the cells, causing a functional hypothyroidism which will slow down the metabolism, lower body temperature, and and can cause growth and developmental retardation in growing children.
Estrogen side effects also include anxiety, insomnia and depression due to its ability to block the formation of GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) in the brain. GABA is the most powerful calming and tranquilizing neurotransmitter that the brain produces and if its levels are too low in proportion to Glutamic acid, can result in seizures and epilepsy.
Environmental Estrogen
Since the 1940's pharmaceutical companies have been manufacturing synthetic estrogen compounds and selling them to women as a form of birth control or also in HRT (hormone replacement therapy). These compounds of Estradiol and Estrone forms of estrogen have been excreted into the environment through our plumbing system as these synthetic compounds do not breakdown.
Along with the gross prolific use of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy for the past 70 years, other synthetic compounds such as pesticides, perfumes, plastic bottles, PCB's, detergents, paints, nail polish, and all derivatives of plastic manufacturing and petrochemical refineries give off estrogen-mimicking compounds into the environment which are called "Xeno-estrogens". Industrial farming practices which feed our livestock pesticide laden grain along with estrogen-like growth hormone injections is directly putting these "Xeno-estrogens" into our food supply and going directly into our bodies each time we eat.
These Xeno-estrogens are found in the water, the soil, its in the food we eat, the water we drink and even many household products give off these estrogen mimicking compounds and is partly the reason why Cancer has become so widespread among modern societies.
Our entire planet is being polluted with known carcinogens and it has been for the past 70 years. Birds are hatching prematurely because the egg shells are too thin and brittle, due to an Estrogen dominance. Male alligators in Florida now are exhibiting testosterone levels so low that they are sexually impotent.
In order to reduce the amount of exogenous "Xeno-estrogen" exposure, it is best to eat all organic meat and produce, avoid the use of plastic water bottles, use only "No-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, stains and varnishes which you can find at eco-friendly home improvement stores. Use a reverse-osmosis water filter for drinking water and avoid using perfumes and makeup which contain petroleum products. Use only all natural shampoo, conditioner, and facial cleansers such as "Aubrey Organics" and "Weleda" personal care products, available at most health food stores.
Estrogen Effects
Estrogen is secreted by the ovaries in order to cause a variety of growth processes to occur. Estrogen is responsible for the development of secondary female sex characteristics such as the widening of the hips and the development of the breasts. Estrogen is also responsible for helping with the growth and development of the follicle in the ovary as well as thickening the endometrial lining of the uterus so that an egg, once fertilized by a sperm, can implant into the wall of the uterus and grow a placenta. Estrogen levels then continue to rise during pregnancy along with rising levels of progesterone to help the fetus to grow and to increase the vascular system of arteries and veins to and from the fetus. If there is too much estrogen to progesterone, this can cause a miscarriage.
In the same way that Estrogen is able to increase the blood flow and development of new arteries to the growing fetus, Excess estrogen can also help aid the growth and development of cancer cells and tumors, helping them to grow larger and larger, such as fibroid tumors.
Estrogen causes the receptors for Aldosterone in the Kidneys to become overstimulated. This will increase the physiological processes associated with Aldosterone function, such as increased water retention, increased Sodium retention, and increased Copper retention, along with excess elimination of Magnesium, Zinc, and Potassium through the urine.
This increase of Water retention can raise blood pressure, cause swelling and edema, increase cyst formation such as fibrocystic breast disease or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Excess water retention can effect the fluid levels in the inner ear and can cause Meniere's syndrome with symptoms such as vertigo, dizzinus, ringing in the ears, and nausea.
Aromatase Increases Estrogen
Aromatase is an enzyme in the body that converts other hormones such as Testosterone into Estradiol, a form of Estrogen. Estradiol is the form of Estrogen that is responsible for most types of estrogen dependent Cancers such as Breast Cancer and Uterine Cancer.
Herbicides and pesticides have been shown to increase Aromatase activity in frogs and humans alike, which can reduce testosterone levels while increasing estrogen production in the body. The herbicide Atrazine has been found to transform male frogs into complete hermaphroditic and even completely change the sex of the frogs to females capable of laying eggs.
Testicular cancers are found in much higher incidences in the farm workers who work in close contact with Atrazine on a daily basis. By supporting the Liver function, Glutathione can help to bind to these toxic herbicides to reduce their Aromatase stimulating activity which raises Estrogen in the body to a toxic level.
Other chemicals that mimic Estrogen and cause Estrogen dominance symptoms are Petroleum derived plastic chemicals such as BPA (bisphenol-A) phthalates, dioxin, PBC's, perfumes (aromatic-ring compounds) nail polish, paints, plastic bags, hair spray, and many of the fumes that are off-gassed from vinyl and other plastic based textiles, fabrics, carpets, and upholstery fabrics.
ESTROGEN DOMINANCE TREATMENT
In order to help balance Estrogen, Progesterone and testosterone levels in the body, the Liver organ must also be supported with a Nutritional balancing program, Liver cleansing herbs and by avoiding toxins found in our water and foods. That means you should only eat Organic meats and vegetables, and try to avoid all fast food or Corporate foods found in most grocery stores.
I would strongly recommend getting a Hair Mineral Analysis which will be able to accurately diagnose your metabolic rate, adrenal function, Thyroid activity and also your Liver's ability to breakdown toxic estrogen and other toxins such as heavy metals. Copper values in the Hair analysis can provide insight into your Liver's metabolism of Estrogen.
Adrenal stress hormones such as Cortisol and Aldosterone are also made from Progesterone, so when there is too much stress being put on the Adrenal glands, by either too much work, dysfunctional relationships, or toxins inside the body, then Progesterone levels will decline in relation to Estrogen.
The Hair Mineral Analysis can accurately depict your Cortisol and Aldosterone production, and reveal your ability to handle stress. Reducing Adrenal Stress reactions will help to preserve Progesterone so that the ratio between Estrogen and Progesterone become more balanced.
However, helping the body to eliminate all kinds of toxic chemicals and heavy metals will improve your Liver's ability to regulate Estrogen if this sex hormone becomes dominant in the soft tissues. Helping your Liver's metabolism of estrogen requires your Thyroid hormone T3 to function properly on the Liver cells, where many key liver enzymes are stimulated by the Thyroid hormone. These enzymes are responsible for the "Glucoronidation pathway" and "Trans-Sulfurration pathway" which are two main methods of binding to estrogen-mimicking chemicals or by making them water-soluble and therefore easier to eliminate.
The Thyroid hormone T3 also helps the Liver to convert cholesterol in Bile salts, which is the main way that the liver can actually excrete these estrogen compounds out of the body.