What Happens When You Are Estrogen Dominant?
Causes and Consequences of Estrogen Dominance for Men and Women
Estrogen is typically considered a female hormone. However, even men have a small amount of estrogen in their bodies. Estrogen is normally responsible for the functions of the female reproductive system. Estrogen also impacts brain health and function, bone health, and the cardiovascular system in women. For men, estrogen, in the form of estradiol, affects sex drive, erectile function, and sperm production.
When estrogen levels are elevated or out of balance with other hormone levels, a condition called estrogen dominance might occur. Let’s discuss what might cause estrogen dominance and the symptoms you might experience.
Types of estrogen
There are three types of estrogen in your body.
- Estrone. After menopause, this is the primary estrogen in females. It should be the primary type of estrogen in males.
- Estradiol. This is the most potent form of estrogen, usually highest in women of childbearing age.
- Estriol. The weakest form of estrogen is primarily present during pregnancy.
It’s essential that you have the right amount of estrogen and that the forms of estrogen are in the right proportion.
What could cause estrogen dominance in men?
Men can experience levels of estrogen that are high or a disproportionate ratio of estrogen to testosterone. Some things that might cause estrogen dominance in a man include:
- Some medications
- Herbal supplements
- Stress
- Weight gain or obesity
- Liver disease
- Hormone imbalance like low testosterone
- Alcohol consumption
Consequences of estrogen dominance in men
High estrogen levels in men can cause:
- High estrogen slows the production and health of sperm.
- Development of excessive breast tissue.
- Erectile dysfunction. High estrogen can impact the ability to get and keep an erection.
- Slowed growth. High estrogen can stunt growth and delay puberty.
- Decreased sex drive
- Fatigue
- Widespread hair loss
- Decreased muscle mass
- Decreased growth of the penis and testicles
- Reduced bone density or osteoporosis
- Hot flashes
- Problems with attention or focus
What could cause estrogen dominance in women?
Just like in men, women can make too much estrogen, or estrogen can be out of balance in relation to other hormones like progesterone.
- Certain medications
- Stress
- Obesity
- Alcohol consumption
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Consequences of estrogen dominance in women
High estrogen levels in women can cause:
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Decreased sex drive
- Irregular periods
- Increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Cold hands or feet
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
Treating estrogen dominance
Determining the underlying cause of estrogen dominance will help guide the treatment options. The first step in uncovering a problem with estrogen dominance is having laboratory tests done to check your hormone levels. Our specialists at Vitality Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine will look at the total levels of your hormones and their relationships to each other and then recommend a personalized treatment plan.
Other efforts to improve estrogen dominance include:
- Consuming foods that decrease inflammation
- Vegetarian diets
- Increasing foods like soy, flaxseed, vegetables like broccoli and kale
- Exercise and weight loss
- Stress reduction
- Limit or stop alcohol intake
- Avoid BPA in plastics
- Avoid natural or herbal products that increase estrogen
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
- Green tea polyphenol
If you believe you may have symptoms of estrogen dominance, call today for an evaluation with one of our specialists at Vitality Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine.