Hormonal imbalance is defined as chemical messengers that regulate our body's systems and that are no longer functioning properly. This dysfunction can result in either an overproduction or an underproduction of specific hormones. The primary hormone that drives these changes is estrogen, which creates a distortion of balance in our system. This dominance of estrogen happens most commonly at puberty, menopause, or andropause, and during pregnancy
Remember the nightmare of puberty?
The bursts of anger and the fits of crying. During menopause and andropause, these symptoms come back again, and we experience a kind of reverse puberty. Now, just like when we were so young, our bodies begin to react to the cascade of chemicals released by our endocrine system. With age, we greatly decrease the production of the hormones needed for reproduction, like estrogen and testosterone.
So how do we become estrogen-dominant?
- Our food chain is laced with toxic pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, etc.—a sea of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body.
- If we are overweight, our body’s store of excess fat is often converted into estrogen.
- Insulin resistance also leads to estrogen dominance.
- Then there is estrogen found in ERT, HRT, and birth control pills.
The late John R. Lee, M.D., author of numerous books on women's hormones, coined the phrase "estrogen dominance." The theory of Estrogen Dominance defines a condition in which a man or woman can have deficient, normal, or excessive estrogen but have little or no progesterone to balance its effects in the body. Even those with low estrogen levels can have estrogen dominance symptoms if they do not have sufficient amounts of progesterone. Estrogen dominance reflects hormones that have gone out of balance. Out-of-balance hormones can affect women from 14 to 94.
Men are Also Victims of Estrogen Dominance
Don’t be confused by my saying that estrogen dominance also happens with men. As men age, estrogen gradually rises, while salivary levels of progesterone and testosterone gradually fall. We often find men of fifty having higher salivary estrogen levels than women of fifty! One sign of estrogen dominance in men is the tendency for some to develop larger breasts or (man boobs.)
Estrogen Dominance Can Be Serious
It is important to know that Estrogen dominance is not just a passing emotional phase. It can result in hormone-related health problems, such as:
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endometriosis, |
PMS, |
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infertility, |
uterine fibroids, |
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weight gain, |
post-partum depression, |
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thyroid dysfunction |
increased blood clotting, |
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breast cancer in men and women, |
uterine cancer |
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prostate cancer. |
prostate problems |
Estrogen Dominance was detected with a Salivary test.
This simple test can accurately reveal hormone levels. Men can also take this simple, at-home test to determine if their hormones are out of balance. A saliva test evaluation will either motivate you to bring your hormones into balance on your own or cause you to sit back and reflect on your good hormone health. If you are over 50, you should take an annual saliva test to keep track of their hormone levels.
Problem solved with Safe Natural Alternatives to Drugs
Hormone imbalance can cause you to feel out of sorts, but bringing balance to your hormones is often a key to your wellbeing. There are safe natural alternatives available to drug therapies for both Men and Women. It is vitally important to become more informed about hormone health.