Estrogen Dominance: Part 2

 Part 1 describes how to find the real causes of Estrogen Dominance through PTSD model. Here I am going to discuss the possible Reasons for Estrogen Dominance or excess circulating estrogens. 

Reasons for Estrogen Dominance 

1. Hormone Pills 
2. Hyperinsulinemia  
3. Dysbiosis  
4. Stress 
5. Toxins 
6. Obesity
7. Excessive meat or protein consumption  

1. Hormonal pills

They are a direct source of exogenous estrogens. Physicians prescribe hormonal pills for regulating periods in young women, to control heavy bleeding & as a contraceptive pill.  The use of hormonal pills for various purposed leads to excess estrogen and hence estrogen dominance.

2. HyperInsulinema (Excess Insulin)

It is known as excess circulating insulin due to excessive consumption of sugar or refined carbohydrate. Higher insulin levels over prolonged time lead to Insulin Resistance. Higher sugar/insulin levels increases aromatase enzyme activity which up-regulates estrogen production causing free circulating estrogens.

3. Dysbiosis

It is an imbalance between beneficial and harmful microbes in the digestive tract. Many drugs, processed foods, sugar, and/or due to the presence of pathogenic bacteria or yeast in the digestive tract cause Dysbiosis. The overgrowth of bad bacteria overpowers healthy microbes in the digestive tract. These healthy microbes aids in detoxification and excretion of hormonal metabolites. Dietary fibre supports the excretion of these metabolites which if not excreted are circulated back into the system causing excess estrogens. [Study]

4. Stress

Pregnenolone is a precursor to cortisol as well as progesterone. Pregnenolone has the fate of converting to both. But when you are under stress, the pathway shift more towards cortisol production. This is known as Cortisol Steal. So less progesterone is available to balance the estrogen causing estrogen dominant condition. [Study]

5. Toxins

Certain chemical and toxins disrupt hormonal signalling. Toxins like phthalates, parabens, dioxins, PCB’s and glyphosate are present in the food, water, plastics, topical products and cosmetics which we use on daily basis. They behave like estrogens in the body and serve similar actions to estrogens. That’s why they are known as Xenoestrogens.

6. Obesity

Excess fat accumulation is inflammatory in nature. Fat cells up-regulate aromatase activity by increasing aromatase enzyme which converts other androgens into estrogen.

7. High Protein (Meat and Poultry)

Excessive protein intake lower SHBG levels rendering more free circulating estrogens in women. Men need lower SHBG levels to increase free testosterone while its opposite for women. Women need to have a balance between progesterone and estrogen levels. They need to have higher levels of SHBG in comparison to men for optimal hormonal balance.

Read Part 1 and Part 3 here