Do you have too much estrogen in your body? Let's talk about this!

Do you sometimes feel something strange or uncomfortable in your body, but you can't seem to figure out the exact reason? Maybe your menstrual cycle is skipping days, or do you feel something different in your breasts? One reason for these things could be that your body has more estrogen than necessary. So, today we will talk in detail and very simply about this increase in estrogen, its possible effects, causes and remedies.

What is estrogen? Why is it important to us?

Simply put, estrogen is a hormone that is essential for the functioning of our body, especially the female reproductive system. But it is not only needed by women, but also by men in some amount. This hormone is secreted in varying levels throughout our lives. Imagine, estrogen is the main factor that helps in the sexual development that occurs from childhood to adulthood, especially when a girl reaches puberty. Also, along with another important hormone called progesterone, estrogen also plays a major role in preparing the body for pregnancy.

So, estrogen is a hormone that plays a very important role in our body. But, like anything else, it needs to be in balance in the body.

What is High Estrogen?

"Estrogen elevation" or "high estrogen" means that your body's estrogen hormone levels are higher than normal. It's like the accelerator of a car. When you step on it, it starts to move, but if you step on it too much, it becomes difficult to control.

Sometimes, the body may lack the hormone progesterone, which is supposed to balance estrogen. Then, only estrogen's effects are seen. In medicine, this condition is sometimes called "unopposed estrogen" or "estrogen dominance." To be precise, when progesterone loses its control, estrogen starts to work more than it should inside the body. This can cause cells to grow uncontrollably in places like the walls of the uterus, and can even cause tumors.

How does increased estrogen affect women's bodies?

It's rare for a woman's estrogen levels to increase just because of the estrogen she produces. It's more likely to be due to a medication you're taking. For example, if you're feeling less sexual, it could be due to increased estrogen. But it's more likely to be due to something like birth control pills you're taking, not the estrogen your body produces.

If estrogen levels increase without medication, it is most likely due to a condition called PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) before menopause. After menopause, if body weight, i.e. obesity, is high, estrogen levels are more likely to increase.

What happens if estrogen increases in men?

Men also need a certain amount of estrogen for their sexual and reproductive health. However, too much of it can cause some problems.

• Infertility.
• Erectile dysfunction.
• A condition called Gynecomastia . This is enlargement of the breasts in men.

If you have any concerns about your estrogen levels, it's best to consult an endocrinologist or functional medicine specialist.

What are the symptoms of increased estrogen?

The main symptoms that can be seen when estrogen levels increase are:

• Irregular menstruation: This means irregular periods, possibly very light bleeding, or heavy bleeding.
• Dense breast tissue: Breasts that feel thicker and firmer than usual when touched.

In addition to this, some people may experience frequent mood swings, bloating, and weight gain. But be especially aware of these two main symptoms.

Why do estrogen levels increase in our bodies? What are the reasons?

There are three main ways to increase estrogen levels:

1. Your body may be producing too much estrogen.

2. The medication you are taking may be causing your body to receive too much estrogen.

3. Your body may not be able to properly break down and eliminate estrogen.

There are several other specific reasons that affect this. Let's look at those too:

• Medications: Hormone therapy, which is used to treat low estrogen levels, can initially cause estrogen levels to rise too high. It can take some time to find the right dose. High-dose oral contraceptives/birth control pills can also be a cause.
• Body fat: Estrogen is secreted by the fatty tissue in our body (adipose tissue). So, a person with more body fat may also have higher estrogen levels.
• Stress: When we are stressed, our bodies produce a hormone called cortisol. When we are constantly under high stress, this cortisol can be produced in excess and the body's ability to produce the hormone progesterone can be reduced. Then, estrogen loses the control that progesterone has over estrogen.
• Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can increase your estrogen levels and decrease your body's ability to metabolize estrogen.
• Liver problems: Our liver is the one that breaks down estrogen and removes it from the body. So, if the liver is not working properly, estrogen can build up in the body. Insufficient digestive enzymes, an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut (dysbiosis), low magnesium levels, and a lack of fiber in the diet can also make it difficult for the liver to remove excess estrogen.
• Synthetic xenoestrogens: These are chemicals found in the environment. When they enter the body, they act like estrogen. Therefore, our estrogen levels can increase. Examples are chemicals called BPA (Bisphenol A) and Phthalates . Both of these are used to make various types of plastics. Xenoestrogens can also be found in pesticides, household cleaners, and some soaps and shampoos.

What other medical conditions can be associated with increased estrogen?

Increased estrogen levels can be associated with various medical conditions. This does not mean that estrogen alone causes the disease. However, any medical condition or symptom you already have may be made worse by increased estrogen.

Such situations are:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Endometriosis pain
• Insulin resistance
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Uterine cancer (endometrial cancer)
• Tumors of the ovaries and adrenal glands

Important: If you have these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor for advice without panicking.

How do I know exactly what my estrogen level is?

There are three types of estrogen that our bodies produce. An estrogen test can measure all three: Estrone (E1) , Estradiol (E2) , and Estriol (E3) . Your doctor can take a simple blood sample and send it to a lab to test it.

• Estrone (E1): This is the hormone produced primarily by the body during and after menopause. It is a slightly weaker form of estrogen than estradiol (E2).
• Estradiol (E2): This is the hormone that is mainly produced by your body during your reproductive years, that is, during menstruation.
• Estriol (E3): This is the hormone primarily produced by the body during pregnancy.

What treatments can be done when estrogen levels increase?

Your doctor will prescribe treatment based on the cause of your high estrogen levels. Sometimes, it can be controlled with simple lifestyle changes. However, if your high estrogen levels are causing you to develop cancer, or if an existing cancer is getting worse, your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatment.

There are very few medications that directly lower estrogen levels. The usual approach is to find the underlying cause and treat that first.

Lifestyle changes

Making certain lifestyle changes can help lower your estrogen levels. Your doctor may recommend things like:

• Reduce body fat: By reducing body fat, you can reduce the amount of estrogen your fat cells produce. Ask your doctor or nutritionist for advice on how to safely reduce body fat while still getting the nutrients you need.
• Reduce stress: Reducing the amount of stress hormones your body produces helps balance estrogen and progesterone levels.
• Eat a healthy diet: Eating a diet that is low in fat, high in fiber, and very low in artificial sugars makes it easier for your liver to break down estrogen.
• Limit alcohol: Cutting out alcohol completely or limiting it greatly can help your liver break down estrogen.
• Reduce your exposure to synthetic xenoestrogens: While these cannot be completely avoided, you can limit your exposure. Avoid pesticides that contain xenoestrogens, eat organic foods and hormone-free meats whenever possible. Use glass or steel containers instead of plastic whenever possible.

Medicines

If your hormone therapy is causing your estrogen levels to rise, your doctor may be able to adjust your dose. If your cancer is spreading due to exposure to estrogen, you may need medication.

Such medications are:

• Aromatase inhibitors: These are used to treat breast cancer. They stop your fat cells from making estrogen. Examples: Anastrozole (Arimidex) , Exemestane (Aromasin) , Letrozole (Femara) .
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists: These stop your ovaries from releasing estrogen.

Does an increase in estrogen mean pregnancy?

That's not true. The only way to know for sure if you're pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. Estrogen levels change during pregnancy, but just because estrogen levels are high doesn't mean you're pregnant.

Finally, things to remember

Estrogen is a hormone that is very important for the health of our cardiovascular system, reproductive system, and bones. However, if estrogen levels become too high, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms. If that happens, the best thing to do is to see a doctor. Once your doctor finds out what is causing your estrogen levels to rise, he or she can recommend appropriate treatments to control your symptoms.

So, if you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Don't worry, there are remedies for most of these things.

` Estrogen, High Estrogen, Hormone Imbalance, Progesterone, PCOS, Gynecomastia, Xenoestrogens