Today we are talking about estrogens, where they come from, and how they cause absolute mayhem to our hormones.
“I had terrible estrogen dominance and was totally miserable! Moody, teary, irritable, puffy all over, adult acne all the time. I thought that was just normal, but after doing a wellness program, I know that was my body telling me it needed help STAT!”
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If you are suffering with any of these symptoms, then read on!
- bloating or fluid retention
- weight gain especially around the hips, bum and lower belly
- swelling and tenderness in your breasts
- fibrocystic lumps in your breasts
- decreased sex drive
- irregular menstrual periods increased symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- mood swings
- headaches
Hormone imbalance can be caused by many things, and understanding the causes of hormone imbalance is the the first step to healing and living a balanced, happy life. A large focus for every patient we see is cleaning up exposure to toxins and aiding detoxification.
Hormone balance is connected to the food we eat, the exercise we get, the toxins we absorb, the weight we carry, and the stress levels we put up with. Our body makes these hormones, but we also get copy-cat hormones from the environment that wreak havoc with our balance.
If you are overburdened by estrogens, it is likely that you will struggle with fluid retention and extra weight that won’t budge due to the effects of this on the rest of our delicate hormone system.
Where our body makes estrogen
Estrogen is a group of hormones produced by a woman’s ovaries and, to a lesser degree, by the adrenal glands, fat tissues, and a man’s testes. In menopause, the adrenal glands take a larger role in balancing estrogen, and entering this time of life with stressed adrenals leads to much more severe symptoms.
Thyroid and estrogen
The role of estrogen in hypothyroidism is well researched. Estrogen directly affects the thyroid by down regulating its ability to produce thyroid hormones.
Xenoestrogens – how big a deal is it?
Xenoestrogens are man-made imposters that mimic the effects of the real hormone estrogen. They tend to accumulate in body fat such as breast tissue and they mimic the actions of estrogens by barging in and knocking naturally occurring estrogens right off the receptor sites of the cell. This is not good at all! The xenoestrogens are ten to a hundred times more potent than occurring estrogen in the body. And once xenoestrogens settle into the tissues, they are not easily removed.
Pop into your bathroom and have look at the ingredient list on your personal products – I think you’ll be shocked! Even check your toothpaste!
The chemicals we hate
You can’t trust marketing claims and eco-advocating slogans alone when it comes to buying products, you also need to get savvy with your purchases and learn to identify nasty chemicals that are wreaking havoc on your hormones!
- Nail polish and sunscreen are common sources of xenoestrogens, including phthalates, benzophenone-3, homosalate, 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC), octyl-methoxycinnamate and octyl-dimethyl-PABA.
- Body lotions, toothpastes, soaps, gels, hairsprays, and more may contain xenoestrogens in the form of parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, and other compounds.
- Plastics, especially soft plastics, contain many compounds that are considered to be xenoestrogens. Phthalates, a type of plasticiser used to make plastics soft and flexible, are an especially common offender. These compounds can leach out or volatize over time or in response to heat or other stimuli. Phthalates are used in products from food storage containers and packaging to children’s toys. Take away coffee cups and the lining inside tinned goods are other common sources.
More sources:
- Meat and dairy products – feedlots that use growth hormones result in saturation in the fats of the meat or dairy.
- Cleaning products – house and work.
- Plastics, oils, paints and adhesives.
- Many perfumes, deodorisers, air fresheners have artificial scents and contain phthalates.
How to reduce xenoestrogen exposure:
- Choose hormone-free, meat, dairy and wild caught fish vs. farmed varieties
- Avoid produce that has been sprayed with pesticides
- Use glass rather than plastic containers for food. Be sure not to heat or microwave food in plastic bags or containers
- Avoid herbicides and insecticides
- Avoid bleached paper such as coffee filters, tissue paper, napkins, bleached tea bags, etc.
- Avoid the use of household chlorine containing bleach or use disposable gloves and open all the windows if working with chemicals
- Switch to organic sanitary napkins and tampons
- Reduce use of nail polish, nail polish remover, etc.
- Use high quality essential oils instead of perfumes.
- Source truely organic and chemical free cleaning products or learn how to make your own.
The science behind our method
First step is an initial consultation to figure out exactly what needs to be tested.
Functional Pathology dives into the sub-optimal imbalances in the hormones, allowing us to see where the body needs support, and guides the correct treatment process. It uses different mediums to test the most sensitive markers, and discover the root imbalance to your symptoms.
If you suspect an estrogen imbalance, then we recommend saliva testing, as this is the more accurate way to test these hormones. Test all three estrogens – E1, E2 and E3, you must test Progesterone to see the balance. If menstruating, aim for day 21 of your cycle. Other hormones to fill in the picture may be required as well depending on your health picture – testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, melatonin, nutritional factors, thyroid hormones and adrenal function. Inflammatory marker are usually needed to help create a more individidualised treatment plan as well as food intolerances. Rather than guess what you need tested, we review you history and have a long consult to prescribe appropriate testing and subsequent treatment.
Most of our patients reach their health goals in 12 weeks! The most common goals include:
- Weight loss
- More energy
- Less pain
- No more brain fog
- Better motivation and vitality
↘ ↘ ↘ Patient Review ↙ ↙ ↙
“Just wanted to pass on to all of the team, YOU SAVED MY LIFE!I really thought I was beyond repair, but I feel AMAZING! In fact, I can’t ever remember feeling this good!!It’s taken time for my body to repair itself, but after sticking to what I’ve learned through the Clinic – my health has improved beyond all expectations. Everyone asks what I I’ve been doing to look so good – so I make sure to tell them all about how the Clinic has helped me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Dayna
