Oestrogen dominance is a common hormonal disturbance of too much oestrogen compared to progesterone in the later part of your cycle, leading you to feel moody, bloated, PMSy and have heavier periods. It can also be a cause of fibroids, cervical dysplasia, and contribute to endometriosis.
It can be caused by a number of things such as stress, lack of ovulation, issues with the way the liver processes hormones such as oestrogen and sluggish digestion to name the main causes.
Please do take some comfort that whilst this is common, it is something you can help with nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
Oestrogen Dominance Could Mean That:
• Oestrogen levels are normal, but your progesterone is too low.
• Oestrogen levels are low and progesterone levels are even lower.
• Oestrogen levels are high and progesterone levels are normal or low.
How Do I Know If I Have Oestrogen Dominance?
There are tests that can be done for the progesterone:E2 ratio that will tell you this, but if you are in the UK, you are likely to have to pay for this to be done privately. Some private providers include DUTCH for dried urine testing or Canary Club for salivary testing.
However, there are some clear signs that this is happening to you that doesn’t require testing is:
• Bloating around your period
• Dark, heavy periods
• Long periods (more than 5 days)
• Spotting around ovulation
• Short luteal phase (less than 12 days in particular)
• PMS
• Mood-swings around your period
• Eventually, long periods of time in-between your periods
• Fibroids
• Cysts
• Breast swelling
• Endometriosis
What Can I Do About Oestrogen Dominance?
If you are reading this and thinking “this is me”, then here are a few tips to get your started on getting your oestrogen levels in check.
1. Get Your Stress Levels Sorted
Stress, particularly chronic long term stress, delays and prevents ovulation. It is the first step to getting your hormones under control. Most women know what is causing them to feel stressed, it is the doing something about it that poses the biggest challenge.
2. Start Eating Plenty of Dark Green Leafy Veggies
Particularly cruciferous vegetables. Most people need around 3 portions a day (one cupful) in order to maintain good health. But if you aren’t eating this much regularly, this can cause a lot of gas until your gut catches up, so increase your intake gradually.
There are lots of ways to get your greens. I know many people do green smoothies which is great. I prefer them cooked and if you have any thyroid conditions or suspect you do, you must cook them first as this lowers the goitrogen content.
3. Up Your Fibre Intake
All plant based food: vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds and fruits contain fibre which is important for making us regular. With oestrogen, we should be using it once and then excreting it out. If you aren’t going to the toilet around 3 times a day, the chances are you are re-absorbing the oestrogen leading to oestrogen dominance. Eating enough fibre and water will help with excreting and eliminating this oestrogen. Again, if you aren’t eating that much currently, you need to increase this gradually.
4. Drink Plenty Of Water
This is essential for helping you pass stools as you need lubrication to pass them easily and effectively. I can really help with the oestrogen detox.
5. Reduce Your Xeno-Oestrogen Load
Xeno-oestrogens are oestrogen like chemicals in our environment that our body can’t tell are not real oestrogen. These can include glyphosate, which is a weedkiller sprayed on genetically modified crops, plastics, particularly those containing bisphenol A (think plastic food containers), and fake fragrances used in personal care and scened products (think scented candles and body wash.
It can be so easy to stress yourself out over exposure to a lot of these things but there are so many that we can avoid such as plastic bags, till receipts, scented candles without too much difficulty and start with those to see if your symptoms improve.
If you want more help with your oestrogen dominance, periods or hormones, you can book in with me for a one to one session.
