The human body functions best when it is balanced in every area. When one area is out of balance the entire body is effected. Women’s hormones are delicate and can be thrown off balance by almost anything, including stress, illness, vitamin deficiencies and overload of negative outside factors.
Estrogen and progesterone, the two primary female hormones, are closely interrelated and work in synergy. The key is knowing when estrogen becomes the dominant hormone and progesterone is deficient. There are very few women that are deficient in estrogen. Most are deficient in progesterone.
How Estrogen and Progesterone Balance Each Other
The following are examples of how estrogen and progesterone work together to maintain a healthy balance. Estrogen causes breast stimulation - progesterone protects. Estrogen increases body fat - progesterone uses fat for energy. Estrogen causes fluid retention - progesterone is a natural diuretic. Estrogen increases blood clotting - progesterone normalizes it. Estrogen decreases sex drive - progesterone restores it. Estrogen increases risks of breast cancer - progesterone helps prevents it.
Estrogen Dominance
There is an epidemic of estrogen dominance creating imbalance. The excess estrogen can come from xenoestrogens (chemical estrogens), from the estrogen doctors prescribe, from dietary antagonists, and from ovaries that may not be making the right amount of progesterone. Estrogen dominance occurs when your body has either higher levels of estrogen than normal compared to the progesterone in your body.
More than 50% of women over 35 years of age have symptoms of high estrogen overload. During menopause estrogen decreases by 40-60% whereas progesterone decreases by 90%.
Studies show that the average woman has more than the amount of estrogen needed to maintain the critical balance with progesterone throughout their lives. The fact is, you don’t need more estrogen, you need more progesterone to restore a healthy balance.
Signs of Estrogen and Progesterone Imbalance
Fibrocystic breasts, loss of libido, depression, low thyroid, facial hair, hot flashes, foggy thinking, insomnia, heart palpitations, bone loss, water retention, blood sugar irregularities, PMS, mood swings, fatigue, irritable, uterine fibroids, weight gain, irregular menses, headaches, cramps, allergies, thinning hair, high blood pressure, menopause symptoms, infertility, increased risk of cancer.
The following are helpful tip to work towards keeping a healthy balance between estrogen and progesterone levels.
- Avoid exposure to xenoestrogens. These foreign estrogens are in our food supply, personal care and household products, pharmaceuticals, plastics, pesticides, insecticides, HRT, birth control pills etc.
- Natural progesterone balances the side effects of unopposed estrogen. A properly formulated natural progesterone cream is the natural safe choice over synthetic progesterone (progestins).
- Avoid hormone-fed animal foods, high sugars and fats, highly refined, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, food additives, preservatives and colours.
- Increase fibre, choose natural or organic whole foods, hormone-free animal products, foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3, liver supporting foods, plenty of water.
- Phytoestrogens are natural plant based foods/herbs that mimic estrogen. Generally weak estrogens with protective properties, however if experiencing estrogen dominance, phytoestrogens can only contribute and should be limited. Soy, flaxseed, red clover, black cohosh, chaste berry, dong quai.
- Supplements to support liver detoxification, immune support, omega-3, multi vitamin/mineral.
- Weight loss, stress control and quitting smoking are solutions to lower estrogen.
- Exercise reduces estrogen production and stress and also reduces stagnation.
- Get hormone levels checked and discuss proper estrogen metabolism with your healthcare practioner.
Our bodies are remarkably resilient and capable of maintaining balance in all areas if the proper tools are provided. Hormone balance is no different. Women have it well within their power to find safe, natural and effective ways to heal themselves and to live with health and vitality.
Linda Beadle - Linda Beadle currently practices in Canada as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. She became interested in knowing everything she could ...
