Estrogen dominance
HIGH ESTRADIOL in pre-menopausal women is usually caused by excessive production of androgens (testosterone and DHEA) by the ovaries and adrenal glands, which are converted to estrogens by the "aromatase" enzyme found in adipose (fat) tissue, or by estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).
When estrogen levels are high in post-menopausal women, this is usually due to insufficient progesterone (either from waning ovarian production at menopause, or from estrogen supplementation) necessary to counterbalance the cellular growth-promoting actions of the estrogens.
Excess estrogen levels lead to the symptoms of "estrogen dominance," including: mood swings, irritability, anxiety, water retention, fibrocystic breasts, weight gain in the hips, bleeding changes (due to overgrowth of the uterine lining and uterine fibroids) and thyroid deficiency. Estradiol, even at normal ranges (1.5 Ð 3 pg/ml), can cause estrogen excess if not balanced by adequate progesterone.
Diet, exercise, nutritional supplements, cruciferous vegetable extracts, herbs and foods that are natural aromatase inhibitors (e.g. soyfoods), and natural progesterone can help to reduce the estrogen burden naturally.