How
do we become estrogen dominant? Our food chain is laced with toxic
pesticides, herbicides and growth hormones - a sea of
endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body. If we
are overweight, our body's store of excess fat can be converted into
estrogen. Insulin resistance also leads to estrogen dominance. Then
there is estrogen found in ERT, HRT and Birth Control Pills.
Estrogen Dominance is a term coined by the late John R. Lee, M.D.,
author of a number of books on the topic of women's hormones. The
theory of Estrogen Dominance describes a condition where a woman can
have deficient, normal or excessive estrogen but has little or no
progesterone to balance its effects in the body. Even a woman with low
estrogen levels can have estrogen dominance symptoms if she doesn't
have any progesterone. Basically estrogen dominance reflects hormones
that have gone out of balance. Out of balance hormones can affect women
from 14 to 94.
Estrogen dominance also occurs in men. As men age, estrogen gradually
rises, while saliva levels of progesterone and testosterone gradually
fall. We often find men of fifty having higher saliva estrogen levels
than women of fifty! A sign of estrogen dominance in men is the
tendency for some to develop breasts.
An imbalance of hormones in our bodies results in hormone-related
health problems such as PMS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids,
infertility, post-partum depression, weight gain, increased blood
clotting, thyroid dysfunction, even breast and uterine cancer in women
and in men breast cancer, prostate problems and prostate cancer.
Estrogen Dominance can be detected by taking a saliva 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 move a man or woman to take action
to bring balance to their own hormones or cause them to sit back and
reflect on their good hormone health. Those over 50 can take an annual
saliva test to keep track of their hormone levels.
Men and women who experience hormone imbalance feel unwell - bringing
balance to their hormones is often a key to their wellness. There are
safe natural alternatives available to drug therapies. Women and men
must become more informed about their own hormone health.
