Estrogen Dominance

Hormone

“Estrogen Dominance”
is not the name of a female football team…


The topic is Estrogen Dominance.  Many of the symptoms caused by an
Estrogen imbalance easily can resemble a thyroid disorder, or any combination of hormonal imbalances, so proper and thorough testing is critical.
 
For those of you who work out like maniacs, have healthy, whole food and balanced diets yet fail to see any results of your efforts, maybe it’s time to take a closer look at your hormone levels. Are you constantly fatigued, depressed, sick all the time, or suffering from odd or chronic allergies?  Instead of cutting more calories or adding another million minutes of cardio maybe it’s something else?
 
Estrogen Dominance is a term coined by Dr. John Lee in his first revolutionary book on natural progesterone. The terminology- Estrogen Dominance, is used to describe a condition where a woman (and men too!) can have deficient, excessive, or even normal levels of estrogen but have too little or no progesterone to balance its effects in the body.  Even a woman with low estrogen levels can have estrogen dominance symptoms if there is not sufficient progesterone present.  See www.johnleemd.com for even more information.


WHAT CAUSES ESTROGEN DOMINANCE?:

Maybe the better question is – what will NOT cause this situation. Unfortunately we live in a world of XENOhormones. That means we are constantly adding hormones to our own, from environmental toxins and chemicals – including our personal care products like shampoo and lipstick. The chemicals in carpeting, new furniture, care exhaust, & Pesticides also contribute to altering our hormonal balance. Excess estrogens are also leeched through using plastics (especially when microwaving them), the hormones used in our meat supply and the multitude of antibiotics and hormones used by the dairy industry.

This chronic OVER exposure can lead to host of unpleasant symptoms and has been linked to cancer. As you can imagine then, this affects men, women and children.

Have you noticed teenage girls today looking bustier and unusually heavy in the abdomen?  Most girls/women (should) carry more body fat below the belt, rather than in the middle where men tend to carry their extra weight. Why is this happening? These days we have a whole generation of girls affected by pesticides and hormones in our foods. These girls are also menstruating much earlier and are at risk for many more diseases due to exogenous hormones.

Some Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance: (check the John Lee  MD Web Site for the complete list) 

•    Allergies, including asthma, hives, rashes, sinus congestion

•    Autoimmune disorders such as lupus

•    Breast cancer

•    Breast tenderness

•    Decreased sex drive

•    Depression with anxiety or agitation

•    Dry eyes

•    Early onset of menstruation

•    Fat gain, especially around the abdomen, hips and thighs

•    Fatigue

•    Fibrocystic breasts

•    Gallbladder disease

•    Hair Loss

•    Headaches

•    Hypoglycemia

•    Infertility

•    Irregular menstrual periods

•    Insomnia

•    Memory loss

•    Mood swings

•    Osteoporosis

•    Polycystic ovaries

•    PMS

•    Sluggish metabolism

•    Uterine cancer

•    Uterine fibroids

•    Water retention, bloating

What Can I Do to AVOID or Limit Estrogen Dominance?

•    Buy organic food whenever possible.

•    Avoid Mineral Oil and Petroleum Products in your skin care and makeup.

•    Use Glass over Plastics.

•    Think twice about using common household items like dryer sheets and harsh cleaning products.

•    Keep your weight down, estrogen feeds off of fat cells, so it is sort of a cyclical problem when it comes to weight control.

If you suspect a hormonal imbalance, or want to get a baseline of your levels, your doctor can easily perform the appropriate blood tests. I would get a full panel as was previously outlined in Hormones Part I, but most significant to Estrogen Dominance would be the Estrogen – Progesterone ratio.  Certainly having all hormones tested is prudent.

Bio-Identical hormones – not HRT may be prescribed if you are indeed imbalanced. HRT is what is commonly known as “hormone replacement therapy” which is the use of SYNTHETIC hormone replacement which is I would urge women to avoid at all costs. Introducing foreign hormones (like that from pregnant mare urine= PREMARIN) has been studied and proven to be detrimental.
How to find a good doctor?
 
First, let me define what I consider to be a good doctor. A good doctor LISTENS to you. They do not push anti-depressants the moment you start listing your symptoms.
Anti- depressants and birth control are commonly prescribed band aids that eventually can cause additional hormone imbalances.  I would also beware of any doctor eager to do hysterectomy. For anyone to tell you do not need your uterus is lying to you, and profiting on your surgery. Research!  Do the research and get second and third opinions.  Keep you body parts. Ok, so enough ranting.
 
 
One really good way to find a doctor- contact the local pharmacies in your area- not the CVS or Walgreens, but real (compounding) pharmacies. Your telephone book or the internet will have listings. Talk to the pharmacist and ask what doctors (using their pharmacy) prescribe Bio- Identical Hormones. They will gladly list Doctors in whatever town/city you ask about.
 
Call the doctors office and ask a few questions. Some tips:

•    Let them know you suspect a hormone imbalance (s).

•    Verify this physician tests and treat with bio-identical hormones.

•    Check the insurance situation. Many of these specialists may not be fully covered by your insurance.

•    Make an appointment and meet this doctor.

•    I would suggest perhaps setting up 2-3 appointments to ensure you find the right fit.

Remember, the doctor works with you and for you. You are paying for a service, either directly or through your insurance.
 
Another option is to go on the website of the Women’s International Pharmacy. They have an option where you can request all kinds of information, including doctors by state, who have used their compounding services. This would indicate doctors who use bio-identical hormones. http://www.womensinternational.com/
 
Also check out Dr. John Lee’s page for locating a physician:
http://www.johnleemd.com/store/resource_finding.html
  
Keep in mind you may already have a primary care physician or gynecologist who is an expert with bio-identical hormones. That is possible. In my case, even in Massachusetts, where health care is pretty cutting edge, it took me 8 doctors to land in the right place.
I have certainly lamented about the wasted time and money, but I learned a lot (because I had to) and I can safely say I am on my way to OPTIMAL health.
 
 
In Summary:
The purpose of these articles is to help empower people, women especially, to take control of their health. Undiagnosed and ignored hormone imbalances can lead to many serious and life threatening conditions like heart disease and cancer.

1. Get testing and get copies of every test.

2. Get a doctor who listens and will take you seriously.

3. Do not settle for a low quality of life. PRIORITIZE yourself!

If you have “normal” test results, but still feel bad, there is something more to be seen and it is your responsibility to seek, expect, and follow through on receiving thorough health care. 

4. Avoid Synthetic hormones, and make an effort to rid your home of toxic chemicals.

5. Do not feel bad if a doctor is not helpful or tries to belittle you. I had a client see her doctor for testing, and when she asked for her testosterone levels to be tested (in addition to all the others) he laughed and said “Why would I test that? Women don’t have testosterone…”  She called me crying form the parking lot.

Women do have testosterone, and too much or too little can be devastating. I add that here so you will be well prepared for your journey.

Next week:
PCOS- Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
Otherwise known as Stein-Leventhal Disease.
  
Bonnie Lefrak is an NSCA-CPT and WNBF Pro Bodybuilder. She and her husband Douglas Nix own Punch Gym in Worcester, MA.  Please feel free to contact her with any questions including how to get started with PUNCH Nutrition.Email bonnie@punchgym.com