About Estrogen and Estrogen Dominance.htm

[Guest guest]

back

About Estrogen and Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen is not a single hormone. It is a class of hormones and hormone like compounds that have estrogenic properties. There are human estrogens, animal estrogens, synthetic estrogens, phytoestrogens, and xenoestrogens. The three human estrogens are estradiol, estrone, and estriol, and belong to the steroid hormone family.

"Estrogen dominance" is a term coined by Dr. R. Lee. It describes a condition where a woman can have deficient, normal, or excessive estrogen but the body has little or no progesterone to balance its effects. Signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance include:

Speeds up the aging process Allergies Autoimmune disorders

Breast cancer Breast tenderness Cold hands and feet as a symptom of thyroid dysfunction Decreased sex drive Depression

Dry eyes Early onset of menstruation Uterine cancer Fat gain in abdomen, hips, and thighs Fatigue Fibrocystic breasts Foggy thinking Hair loss Headaches Hypoglycemia Increased blood clotting

Infertility Irregular menstrual periods Insomnia Memory loss Mood swings

PMS Ovarian cysts Pre-menopausal bone loss Prostate cancer Sluggish metabolism Thyroid dysfunction

Uterine cancer

Uterine fibroids Water retention and bloating

In industrialized countries such as the United States, diets rich in animal fats, sugar, refined starches, and processed foods can lead to estrogen levels in women twice that of women of third-world countries. We are constantly exposed to xenobiotics (petrochemicals), xenohormone-laden meats and dairy products, forms of pollution, and prescriptions for synthetic hormones (such as the 'The Pill' and Premarin). It isn't too surprising that estrogen dominance has become an epidemic in industrialized countries. Over exposure to these potentially dangerous substances has significant consequences, one of which is passing on reproductive abnormalities to offspring.

Estrogen "deficiency" that is quite often used as an explanation of menopausal symptoms or health problems is not supported by sound research. When a woman's menstrual cycle is functioning normally, estrogen is the dominant hormone for the first two weeks and is balanced by progesterone, which is the dominant hormone for the latter two weeks. After menopause, estrogen is still present and continues to be manufactured in fat cells. Most menopausal women have too little estrogen to support pregnancy, but sufficient amounts for other normal body functions. Few women are truly deficient in estrogen; most become progesterone deficient. If estrogen becomes the dominant hormone and progesterone is deficient, excess estrogen becomes toxic to the body. Progesterone has a balancing effect on estrogen.

Supplemental estrogen, even in the slightest amounts, in a woman who doesn't need it, or who has no progesterone to balance it, can lead to many serious side effects. When a woman complains of even the slightest menopausal type symptoms, conventional medical doctors will recommend a prescription of estrogen. It is irresponsible and dangerous for doctors to be routinely prescribing estrogen for any type of pre-menopausal or menopausal symptom, and this practice can have tragic consequences. Progesterone should be the first choice. For severe menopausal symptoms not controlled by progesterone supplementation alone, natural phytoestrogens can be added. Please read our additional information regarding Natural Progesterone Cream and Estro-All cream, a safer form of supplemental estrogen.

The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Copyright Progesterone Advocates Network. All rights reserved.

Products Available | Contact UsHave More Questions? | Find a Doctor

Webscape byALLBUSNET.COMan aerial dynamics company