Estrogen
ESTROGEN:
Estrogen is actually made up of three different hormones: estriol, estrone and estradol. It is produced in the adrenal glands, fat cells, ovaries and during pregnancy in the placenta. Both men and women have estrogen. It is the hormone which gives women with higher levels of estrogen their female characteristics affecting breasts, body hair and fat distribution. Estrogen regulates menstruation, fertility and menopause. It is responsible for the development of female reproductive tissues and it keeps the breasts, urinary tract, uterus and blood vessels toned and flexible.
At about 40 years of age, hormone levels begin to fluctuate and decline. This can be alleviated by replacing diminishing hormones with bioidentical hormones to restore balance, reducing one’s exposure to xenoestrogens, plus a good diet and exercise. Women can either have too little estrogen or suffer from symptoms of estrogen dominance.
Symptoms of estrogen dominance can include: depression, weight gain, anxiety, breast tenderness, headaches, migraines, digestive issues, fuzzy thinking, and irregular periods. However, these symptoms can also indicate the opposite condition of estrogen deficiency. The problem during perimenopause (the time before menopause) is also related to declining levels of progesterone. This situation can be caused by exposure to xenoestrogen toxins in our environment which then lead to estrogen dominance.
Xenoestrogens come from pesticides, plastics, chemicals and in our food in the form of growth hormones in livestock and poultry. Xenoestrogens damage our immune system and create hormonal imbalance. These in turn cause low sperm counts in men, infertility and early onset of puberty in children. Xenoestrogens act like estrogens in the body by disrupting the endocrine system and affects not only women but also men and children.
You can also read our separate articles on perimenopause by clicking here and menopause by clicking here.
