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What is oestrogen dominance?

Oestrogen (or estrogen) dominance happens when we have too much oestrogen in the body, or too little progesterone to balance it out.

Oestrogen, in its own right, is a fabulous hormone. When at healthy levels, it helps regulate your metabolism, and helps prepare the uterus for an egg. It helps stimulate all the bodily changes that come with puberty, and when we’re older, its sudden disappearance is behind many of the negative symptoms of menopause. However, in recent times many people suffer from the opposite problem – oestrogen dominance. This is because, in the modern world xenoestrogens abound in processed foods, skincare products, and plastic.

Common symptoms of oestrogen dominance

Oestrogen dominance can occur in both men and women. For both sexes, weight gain, reduced sex drive and getting larger in the breast region are key symptoms. Many of the symptoms that show up for women specifically relate to the menstrual cycle. This is because oestrogen plays a key role in menstrual health and regularity. For women, common symptoms include worse PMS, abnormal menstruation, bloating, breast tenderness and mood swings. Oestrogen dominance can also have an impact on women’s mental health. It can increase brain fog and insomnia as well as depression and anxiety.

Check it out

In the case of many of the above symptoms, other factors can be at play and they don’t always mean your oestrogen levels are out of balance. This means that it is important that you get your oestrogen levels checked with one of Diagnost’s home testing kits before you get worried!

Remember: it might be that your oestrogen levels are totally normal and there is nothing to worry about. However, if like many people, you find that oestrogen dominance is what is making you feel bad, follow these 5 simple steps to help reduce your oestrogen levels naturally!

How to reverse oestrogen dominance 

1. Change your contraception

Contraception is a wonderful, empowering thing. However, it is also one of the main reasons behind the recent rise in oestrogen dominance. For example, the popular oral contraceptive pill is packed with oestrogen. It also inhibits your body’s production of natural progesterone, which balances the effects of oestrogen dominance. As anyone who has ever taken the morning after pill knows, that thing can also throw your hormones majorly out of balance. 

Other types of contraception such as the marina coil still use hormones, but only a fraction of the quantities found in oral contraceptives and the implant. The reason for this is that oral contraceptives work by sending oestrogen to your whole body in order to get them to your womb. Whereas, because the coil releases them straight into your womb it doesn’t need to blast the whole body with oestrogen.

Want contraception that is entirely hormone free? Why not try the copper coil? Make sure you book a consultation with your doctor before changing contraceptive methods.

2. Go organic

Whether the food you eat comes from plants or animals, it has an effect on your oestrogen levels. Pesticides are significant xenoestrogens. Glyphosate, the most common herbicide in the world has been shown to have the power to induce breast cancer cell growth via estrogen receptors.

Making sure that your food comes from organic farms can go a long way in reducing the amount of oestrogen you consume. And while you’re at it, why not make sure you’re getting some good veggies in your food basket? Cruciferous veg (cabbage, cauliflower, watercress, kale, rocket, Brussels sprouts) really help your liver with detoxification. As excess oestrogen is often handled in the liver, eating organic greens will help your body in more ways than one.

Healthy fats from organic seeds like flax, chia, hemp, pumpkin, and sesame also help to regulate oestrogen levels. These super seeds are packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

Why not work an organic green smoothie into your day? Get inspired by some of these healthy recipes and sprinkle some seeds in! Who said that reducing oestrogen naturally can’t be delicious too?

3. Filter your water

Water is the liquid of life. It keeps you hydrated and healthy. Drink as much water as you can to help with overall detoxification. However, when it comes to oestrogen, make sure to filter your water.

Tap water has been found to be full of oestrogen. This varies depending on where you live, so why not contact your local water supplier and try to find out more about what is in your tap water. If you’re living in the city, there are higher chances of contamination from xenoestrogens like plastic (see below).

A water filter is one of the best investments you can make in order to make sure that this vital liquid is at the top quality it can be. Filter jugs are one the cheapest and most effective ways to filter your water. Want to take filtering to the next level? Why not look into a house filter?

4. Cut back the plastic

As plastic gets old it starts to release chemicals. The BPA in plastics and tin can linings harm both your body and the environment. This study shows that hormone-mimics in plastic water bottles act as functional oestrogens. This means that the rise of oestrogen dominance is connected to the abundance of plastic in use in our societies. 

Replace that plastic bottle with an aluminium reusable bottle and save your body excess oestrogen whilst saving the environment at the same time!

5. De-stress

I know it might be stressful to hear this — but stress is one of the worst things for keeping your hormones balanced!

The good news is that this gives you the excuse to take de-stressing seriously. That message is not an indulgence – it is a medical imperative and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

Stress elevates cortisol and lowers progesterone. So, for the sake of your hormonal balance take a meditation class, do some yoga, get to bed before 1am. These might sound like small steps but they make the world of difference.

Aromatherapy is one of the most powerful and enjoyable ways to de-stress. And you can do it from the comfort of your own home! Invest in a diffuser and some relaxing essential oils like lavender. Then turn the lights down low, play some relaxing music, sit back and just let the stress melt away.

Part of the reason why we are constantly wired is that we are quite literally always connected. So, be sure to turn your phone off once in a while, take some time out and go for a walk in nature. Luckily, de-stressing simply involves enjoying yourself, like having a laugh with an old friend – trust us, it’s important.

Get your oestrogen levels under control

In this article, we’ve discussed some of the key reasons why oestrogen levels run high in today’s world, and some ways to reduce your levels of oestrogen naturally. You now have all the tools you need to need to start getting your oestrogen levels under control. Want to see some tangible results? Take one of Diagnost’s home tests before and after trying these techniques and see the improvements for yourself.

Happy oestrogen reducing!