Estrogen dominance may not mean your estrogen is too high - it may mean estrogen is high relative to progesterone. This imbalance can be incredibly common and overlooked.
What Is Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen dominance can occur when:
- Estrogen is elevated
- Progesterone is too low
- Or both
The ratio between these hormones may matter as much as the absolute levels.
Symptoms Estrogen Dominance Can Cause
- Heavy or painful periods
- PMS and mood swings
- Breast tenderness
- Weight gain (especially hips/thighs)
- Bloating and water retention
- Headaches, especially premenstrual
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Anxiety and irritability
What Can Cause It?
- Anovulatory cycles (no ovulation can mean no progesterone)
- Perimenopause
- Chronic stress (cortisol may "steal" progesterone)
- Environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens)
- Poor estrogen metabolism
- Excess body fat (can produce estrogen)
Testing for Estrogen Dominance
Key Hormones
- Estradiol
- Progesterone
- Estrogen/Progesterone ratio
When to Test
- Days 19-21 of your cycle (luteal phase)
- When progesterone can be at its peak
Supporting Tests
- Cortisol (stress can affect progesterone)
- Thyroid panel (thyroid can affect hormone balance)
- Liver function (liver metabolizes estrogen)
References
- Prior, J. C. (1998). Perimenopause: the complex endocrinology of the menopausal transition. Endocrine Reviews, 19(4), 397-428. PMID 9715373
- Santoro, N., et al. (2004). Body size and ethnicity are associated with menstrual cycle alterations in women in the early menopausal transition: The Study of Women's Health across the Nation (SWAN) Daily Hormone Study. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 89(6), 2622-2631. PMID 15181033
- Patisaul, H. B., & Jefferson, W. (2010). The pros and cons of phytoestrogens. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 31(4), 400-419. PMID 20347861
