80% of Women Experience Hormone Imbalances

Would you believe me if I said that 80% of women experience hormone imbalances? 

I am about to spill the (hormonal) tea on estrogen dominance and hormone imbalances, which seems to be a topic popping up more and more lately. I thought it would be super helpful to dive into this and talk about what it means for us women and our health!

So, what exactly is estrogen dominance? Simply put, it happens when our estrogen levels are too high or when our progesterone levels are low. Estrogen is a primary sex hormone in females that is responsible for many reproductive processes, but when it's out of balance, things can get a little off track. 

 There are 3 main types of estrogen: 

• Estrone (E1): produced primarily before menopause

• Estradiol (E2): most active form, produced in the ovaries

• Estriol (E3): the least potent form of estrogen

Even if our estrogen levels seem fine, if our progesterone levels are low we can still experience estrogen dominance. It's a little like estrogen is running the show while progesterone takes the backseat.

 Not sure if you might be dealing with estrogen dominance? Here are some common symptoms to watch out for:

• unexplained or rapid weight gain

• PMS

• hair loss

• acne

• digestive issues

• brain fog

• migraines

• breast tenderness

• cycle irregularities

What causes estrogen dominance? Some factors include:

• Excess body weight: Fat tissue can release estrogen, so a higher body fat percentage means higher estrogen levels.

• High blood sugar: Consuming too much sugar can lead to fat storage, which increases estrogen.

• Stress: Chronic stress leads to increased cortisol levels, which can deplete progesterone. Stressors like skipping meals or working out on an empty stomach can contribute.

But don’t worry, there are ways to manage and reduce estrogen dominance! Here are a few tips:

• Lower your stress: Keep progesterone levels balanced by not skipping meals, getting some sunlight in the morning, and finding ways to relax.

• Support your liver: Your liver is crucial for detoxing excess hormones.

• Improve gut health: Limit refined sugars and alcohol (they're not great for your hormones), and aim to get 25-35g of fiber daily.

• Limit toxins: Things like makeup, skincare, and cleaning products can contain xenoestrogens, which act like estrogen in the body. Opt for glassware instead of plastic and stainless steel instead of non-stick pans!

• Focus on variety in your diet: The more variety, the better!

If you're curious to find out if you have estrogen dominance, there are tests that can help:

• HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis): This test can identify mineral imbalances and heavy metals, which might be the root cause of hormonal imbalances.

• Stool test: A stool test helps assess your gut microbiome, which plays a direct role in hormone health.

I hope this info helps! Your hormone health matters, and I'm here to help!