Estrogen Dominance and Xenoestrogens

Today we are talking about the complications of estrogen hormone imbalances, and how they effect our other hormones, mood and weight.

bloating or fluid retention
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

If you are suffering with any of these symptoms, then read on!

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.

Then there are the toxins we absorb, and today the spot light is on xenoestrogens.

If you are overburdened by xenoestrogens, 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.

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 – feed lots 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, and 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 truly 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 based on your presenting symptoms and medical history.

If you have signs of estrogen dominance, then we would want to test all 3 major estrogens – E1, E2, E3, and other hormone markers to figure out where the estrogen is being driven – for example, it may be adrenal hormone related, or it may be toxin based. Testing can tell us the why and how behind your symptoms.

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.

Most of our patients reach their health goals in 12 weeks! The most common goals include: