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10 Signs You Might Be Estrogen Dominant

Estrogen plays a vital role in essential body processes such as sexual development and reproduction, however when it becomes out of balance in relation to your other sex hormones it can wreak havoc on your body! 

Woman Hands Holding Flower

Your Body Makes 3 Different Types of Estrogen:

  1. Estradiol
  2. Estriol
  3. Estrone

Most commonly, women (and men too!) who are estrogen dominant are producing too much estradiol in relation to their other sex hormones. Estradiol is produced by the ovaries in women and from testosterone in men and levels start naturally waning in your 30’s. Many women in my practice start to notice moderate to severe symptoms of estrogen dominance as they approach perimenopause. 

10 Signs That You Might Be Estrogen Dominant:

  1. Irregular menses and heavy bleeding
  2. Weight gain, especially in your hips thighs and mid-section
  3. Fibroids/Endometriosis
  4. Fibrocystic Breasts and Gynecomastia in men
  5. Insomnia
  6. Depression/Anxiety/Irritability
  7. Low Libido
  8. Fatigue 
  9. Breast cancer
  10. Infertility/PCOS

I see many people in my functional medicine practice whose hormone levels look beautiful on paper, but they are still experiencing symptoms of estrogen dominance. Conventional medicine typically prescribes patients with hormonal birth control to “solve” the issue, but unfortunately, this can lead to many long-term health problems. 

I love practicing Functional Medicine because it gives me an opportunity to put on my detective skills and figure out why my patients are feeling crummy even though their labs look “normal”. 

Our symptoms don’t appear overnight! Often, we’ve been curating dis-ease for years with triggers that we might ignore. These triggers can be things like chronic stress, prescription medications, nutrient depletions, psychological trauma, hormonal imbalance, or toxin exposure. To make sustainable change in our physiology, it takes time and constant support (from yours truly) to unravel these influences. 

So what causes estrogen dominance?

Possible Causes of Estrogen Dominance are:

  • Obesity
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Stress
  • Birth Control
  • Heavy metals
  • BPA and other plastics
  • Personal care products 

How can estrogen dominance be corrected?

6 things you can do today to start treating your estrogen dominance:

  1. Consider using non-hormonal birth control 
  2. Use non-toxic beauty products 
  3. Meditate (quiet meditation can help lower stress cortisol which can imbalance other hormones)
  4. Exercise (aerobic exercise helps your body eliminate estrogens safely)
  5. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet (I3C found in cruciferous veggies can help in estrogen balance)
  6. Maintain a healthy weight (high adipose tissue causes dysregulation of estrogen)

Enroll in Online DIY Course Hormone Help!

If you suspect you might be struggling with estrogen dominance, book a complimentary 20-minute strategy session with me and I can help guide you through actionable next steps! Or enroll in my online learning course, Hormone Help to start getting better today in the comfort of your own home! 

Curious about the results that patients get from working with me? Here’s some of the things my savvy VIP patients are saying:  

“My metabolism is so much better. If I do get off track with my eating, I don’t gain weight as easily and whenever I do, it comes off much faster!”

“4 months ago, all I could do when I got up every morning was dream about when I could go back to bed. Now I’m a completely different person with lots of energy!”

“I feel like I’m learning new things right along!  I’ve been able to manage my body better as I watch my daughter progress through your guidance.”

About the Author

Dr Lara Salyer Blog Author Photo

Dr. Lara Salyer

I am a Functional Medicine Physician, Speaker, Author and Mentor located in Monroe, WI.

Color Outside The Lines!