The female menstrual cycle ranges from Day 1 - 28. On day 1 menses begins and lasts from 3-7 days, 5 on average.
On day 15 females ovulate which means an egg is produced in anticipation of it being fertilized to produce a baby.
Within the days of 1-28 hormone levels change, but for some women they may not and this is when there can be an imbalance.
Oestrogen and Progesterone Ratio
On day 1, there would normally be a slight rise in oestrogen and it peaks at around day 13-15 (ovulation). After ovulation, under normal circumstances there would be a drop in oestrogen and progesterone levels rise.
Progesterone, a key female hormone is a balancing and calming hormone. If for some reason there is oestrogen dominance then the oestrogen levels stay high after ovulation and there is no rise in Progesterone.
This causes an array of symptoms including the following:
- water retention
- heavy or irregular periods
- fatigue
- breast tenderness
- weight gain
- mood swings
- low thyroid symptoms
- nervousness and anxiety
- facial flushing
What Causes Oestrogen Dominance?
Xenoestrogens may be one cause of oestrogen dominance and these are chemicals found in the environment. These are often seen in chemicals, sprays, cleaning fluid and plastics, make-up and shampoos etc. There has even been xenoestrogens found in foods such as commercial chicken.
These chemicals mimic the body's own oestrogen and therefore upset the balance between it and progesterone.
- Increased Testosterone seen in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome also causes an increase in oestrogen.
- Obesity associated with a poor diet can increase insulin sensitivity and therefore increase oestrogen levels.
- Stress can cause changes in the adrenal glands which responds with increased cortisol which then results in oestrogen levels rising.
- Ovarian dysfunction may cause a decrease in progesterone which results in increased oestrogen.
These are just some of the causes of oestrogen dominance, prescription pills such as the contraceptive pill may cause it too as some people are very sensitive to synthetic hormones.
How Do You Know If You Are Oestrogen Dominant?
If you suffer from some of the symptoms mentioned above, then you may well have oestrogen dominance.
You can also have your levels tested with a Salivary Hormone Analysis. Levels tested in saliva are the bio-available hormones. Taking a blood test, may show normal levels due to the timing of the blood test taken and the fact that blood only measures the hormone bound to protein and not the available amount of hormone.
Oestrogen dominance testing must take place in the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle which is between days 15-28.
Salivary Hormone Test Kits may be available through your Complementary Health Practitioner.
Oestrogen Dominance is treatable through natural hormone replacement and herbal medicine. You may also want to change your lifestyle to avoid some of the causing factors such as chemical exposure and stress.
