How to Know the Signs of Estrogen Dominance or Deficiency?

Hormones are key players in a woman's health. In particular, estrogen is the driving energy behind a balanced mood, a regular period, and even sustaining a pregnancy. At times, it can be hard to determine if you have high or low estrogen levels because the symptoms can be similar. This article will look at how to know the signs of estrogen dominance or deficiency and how to find hormonal balance.

Signs of Estrogen Dominance

Your hormones are a seesaw. On one side is estrogen, and the other is progesterone (another crucial female sex hormone). If you have low progesterone levels, your body compensates by having higher levels of estrogen, resulting in estrogen dominance. Other causes of estrogen dominance include: (1)

• Specific medications
• Hormonal contraceptives
• Estrogen hormone therapy
• Certain antibiotics
• Health problems (obesity, ovarian tumors, liver disease)

Regardless of the cause, women may experience varying symptoms, including:

• Menstrual issues (spotting, heavy bleeding, irregular periods)
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Low sex drive
• Moodiness
• Cold feet and hands
• Difficulty sleeping
• Cognitive impairment
• Swollen or tender breasts

Men can experience estrogen dominance, as well. Symptoms may include erectile dysfunction, low sexual energy, infertility, and enlarged breasts.

Treating Estrogen Dominance

There are natural ways to lower estrogen levels naturally. You can try an estrogen balancing diet that includes lots of healthy cruciferous vegetables and high in fiber. You can find ways to counteract stress and improve relaxation. Another option is to take certain supplements to lower estrogen levels, including: (2)

• B-complex vitamins (B6, B12, Folate)
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• DIM (or diindolylmethane)
• Magnesium

Signs of Estrogen Deficiency

Estrogen deficiency is most commonly associated with menopause. Menopause marks the end of a woman's fertile years and the start of the estrogen dive. While hormone levels for men taper as they become older, the change is life-changing in its suddenness for women. (3)

There are always varying amounts of estrogen in the body, but this is part of a woman’s monthly cycle. During menopause, it’s not a small shift, but rather a drastic change that results in adverse effects. Some of the signs of an estrogen deficiency include one or more of the following:

• Vaginal atrophy (dryness)
• Night sweats
• Insomnia (trouble falling asleep or waking up mid-cycle
• Low sex drive
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Poor memory
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Depression

Some women also discover they have weak bones or their bones break easily. The reason for this occurence is that estrogen plays a role in vitamin D assimilation.