Symptoms of Estrogen Imbalance

Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle; however, when they remain too high or too low for extended periods, it can lead to symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), too little estrogen denotes a yin deficiency. Once a woman approaches her 40-50s, and the body enters the perimenopausal phase, the production of estrogen decreases. Low estrogen levels can also occur because of excessive exercise and eating disorders, among other reasons.

Too little estrogen can lead to symptoms such as:

• Lack of vaginal lubrication
• Irregular or absent periods (also known as amenorrhea)
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Headaches and migraines
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Weakened bones

Consuming foods containing phytoestrogens may help boost estrogen levels. These include soybeans, flax seeds, garlic, and tofu. In addition, healthy fats found in avocado and coconut oil, and omega-3s found in fatty fish and chia seeds, also help promote balanced hormones.

Estrogen dominance is a hormonal imbalance marked by higher levels of estrogen than progesterone. When there is too much estrogen in the body, it leads to estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance can occur because of exposure to environmental estrogens, overproduction of estrogen, and the underproduction of progesterone. Or it can be caused by the body’s inability to flush out excess estrogen due to blockages in the liver, kidneys, and poor gut health, causing excess estrogen symptoms.

The symptoms of estrogen dominance include:

• Breast tenderness and swelling
• Mood swings and anxiety
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Low libido
• Slowed metabolism
• Clotty menstrual blood
• Bloating and water retention
• Weight gain
• Heightened PMS symptoms
• Trouble sleeping/staying asleep

Excess estrogen in the body can increase the risk of developing uterine fibroid, ovarian cysts, including endometriosis, and breast cancer.

How to Flush Out Excess Estrogen

The best way to ensure the body is flushing out excess estrogen is through maintaining a healthy lifestyle, adopting an estrogen dominant diet, and paying particular attention to liver and digestive health.

The liver is responsible for clearing and flushing out toxins such as excess estrogen. From a TCM perspective, when the Qi in the liver becomes stagnant, it can’t flow freely, and the liver is unable to clear toxins efficiently. Support your liver through a diet high in antioxidants by consuming foods like berries, grapefruit, and nuts. Dandelion can be consumed as tea and is shown to promote good liver health.

The liver is responsible for clearing out the toxins found in alcohol and caffeine. When overconsumed, caffeine and alcohol can lead to a build-up of toxins in the liver. By limiting the consumption of these beverages, the liver doesn’t get backed up and has more resources to flush out other toxins such as estrogen.

Additionally, alcohol triggers stress responses in the adrenal gland. These stress responses lead to an overproduction of cortisol which contributes to lowered progesterone. Lower progesterone levels lead to estrogen dominance.

Fiber helps eliminate excess estrogen in the body. An estrogen detox diet can include brussels sprouts, mustard greens, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables. They are high in fiber and promote healthy digestion. Estrogen detox foods like whole grains, chickpeas, lentils, most legumes, nuts, and seeds also provide high amounts of fiber and help move waste and toxins through the body more effortlessly.

Estrogen is not only produced in our bodies synthetic versions of it can be found in our environment. The most common example of synthetic estrogen is found in birth control pills. Conventional meat and dairy may also contain estrogen, among other hormones. If consuming meat or dairy, it’s best to choose products originating from pasture-raised and grass-fed animals.

Estrogen and chemicals resembling estrogen can also be found in make-up, fragrances, and plastics. Therefore, avoiding BPA-containing plastic products, especially in the kitchen, can reduce exposure to xenoestrogens.

Polyphenols found in Green Tea are powerful antioxidants and beneficial in aiding hormone balance. One study found that frequent consumption of green tea reduced urinary concentration of estrogen thus, reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.

Herbal supplements to get rid of excess estrogens such as milk thistle, ginseng, turmeric, and ginger are also known to promote liver function and cleansing.

Dandelion is recommended as a herb to reduce estrogen in females. It does not directly limit the production of estrogen, but it works by supporting the liver to break down and flush out estrogen and progesterone byproducts.

Additionally, Vitamin B-6 and Magnesium have been shown to help balance hormone functionality and improve symptoms of PMS.

Probiotics help support a healthy gut microbiome and promote the flushing of estrogen from the body.

Maintaining a healthy weight is a critical factor for good health. Studies have shown that obesity is a risk factor for developing postmenopausal breast cancer. Reducing body fat can help reduce the production of estrogen, therefore reducing the risk of breast cancer. Exercise lowers estrogen levels so, not only is it an effective way to reduce body fat, but it also aids in flushing out excess estrogen.

Too much stress leads to the overproduction of cortisol and insulin. An excess of insulin can lead to insulin resistance and overproduction of insulin in the pancreas, causing diseases such as diabetes. Cortisol lowers progesterone production, and when the body isn’t producing enough progesterone, it can halt ovulation. Stress can be managed through mindfulness techniques such as meditation and breathing techniques, lifestyle changes, and coping skills.

An estrogen imbalance can wreak havoc on the body, making it difficult to conceive and leading to higher risks of disease. Addressing a hormonal imbalance begins by making lifestyle changes that promote good health and overall wellbeing. This includes getting enough sleep, exercising, avoiding external toxins, and eating a healthy diet that promotes gut, liver, and kidney health.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.