Estrogen - A History of Dominance

Since the beginning of time, there has been much confusion and mystery surrounding not only the nature of a woman, but also her reproductive cycle. Men often related the fluctuation of moods associated with hormones to hysteria. In 1913, Webster’s dictionary defined Hysteria as; “A nervous affection, occurring almost exclusively in women, in which the emotional and reflex excitability is exaggerated, and the will power correspondingly diminished, so that the patient loses control over the emotions, becomes the victim of imaginary sensations, and often falls into paroxysm or fits”. Even earlier in the 1700’s, menstruation was attributed to a release of impurities that had built up in the body. Once a woman reached menopause and she no longer bled, it was assumed that these impurities remained in her body, began to stagnate and to form clots. This was remedied by the application of leeches to the woman’s genitalia.

All of this may sound rather barbaric, however, our logic with regards to the female reproductive system is still shrouded in mystery and confusion. One specific misconception is the notion of estrogen and hormone replacement therapy. As early as 1925 doctors had begun collecting urine samples from pregnant women and giving them to pharmaceutical companies who began developing synthetic estrogen which was prescribed for just about every female complaint. By 1938 the pharmaceutical companies had come out with Diethylstilbestrol, or DES, which was a synthetic form of estrogen. Initially DES was prescribed to women who were at a higher risk of miscarriage or to enable a woman to carry a child to full term. Approximately 90% of female children born to women who had been prescribed DES were either infertile or had marked abnormalities to their sex organs. The mothers also had a 40% greater risk of breast cancer than those who had not been on the drug. Despite the overwhelming side effects attributed to DES it remained on the market until 1971.

By the 1960’s women where beginning to receive estrogen replacement to counteract the symptoms of menopause. The theory was that because estrogen decreases as a women approaches menopause, replacing it with a synthetic estrogen would balance out the hormones and eliminate the symptoms associated with menopause. However, in the 1970’s studies began to surface, which indicated that estrogen replacement increased the risk of uterine cancer. The pharmaceutical companies rebounded by offering estrogen and progesterone combined as a new and improved form of hormone replacement. In 1997 a major study including 16,000 women got underway to determine what effect hormone replacement therapy or HRT had on heart disease. Because of the devastating results, which surfaced early on, the government abruptly ended the study in 2002.

Today, more and more doctors are beginning to realize that it is not that a woman’s body is lacking estrogen; it is that a large percentage of women actually have too much estrogen. Estrogen and Progesterone are the two primary female sex hormones. Estrogen is manufactured in the ovaries, the adrenal glands and fat in fat cells. During the first half of a woman’s menstrual cycle estrogen is more dominate and as it tapers off near the second half, progesterone levels begin to rise. Estrogen is responsible for tissue growth and progesterone opposes it to slow growth.

So the question becomes, how do we end up with excess estrogen. Normally the body excretes any excess estrogen not used by the body, however, if we are not eliminating properly estrogen will recycle back into our blood stream. Additionally, we have in our environment molecules called xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens mimic natural estrogen and disrupt the endocrine system. Because xenoestrogens are stronger than natural estrogens once they begin to fill receptor sites on cells that are normally reserved for the weaker natural estrogens levels increase and an imbalance occurs. Many xenoestrogens are known carcinogens. Most xenoestrogens are chemicals, which man has created and that have become a part of our everyday lives. Xenoestrogens are found in our water, soap, detergents, pharmaceuticals, clothes, and in our food in the form of pesticides and preservatives. Synthetic estrogens are given to animals to promote growth and profit. A chicken that has been given synthetic estrogens will mature in four to six weeks as opposed to a normal chicken that will mature in four months. Keep in mind that estrogen promotes growth. If estrogen will do that to a chicken, imagine what it is doing to humans. Endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts, uterine fibroids, and breast cancer are all associated with abnormal growth.

Symptoms Associated with Estrogen Dominance:

v Accelerated Aging

v Allergies

v Autoimmune Diseases

v Blood Clots

v Breast Cancer

v Breast tenderness

v Cervical dysplasia

v Decreased libido

v Depression and anxiety

v Early onset of menstruation

v Endometriosis

v Fatigue

v Fibrocystic breasts

v Gallbladder disease

v Hair Loss

v Headaches

v Hypoglycemia

v Increased risk of strokes

v Impaired or foggy thinking

v Infertility

v Irregular menstrual periods

v Irritability

v Insomnia

v Memory loss

v Metabolism (slowed)

v Mood swings

v Osteoporosis

v Polycystic ovaries

v PMS

v Symptoms which mimic hypothyroidism

v Uterine cancer

v Water retention

Now that we are aware of the repercussions associated with estrogen dominance we will consider some of the ways to help the body eliminate excess estrogen and restore balance.

v Fiber: One of the first things to consider is increasing fiber in your diet. Estrogens will bind with the fiber and be eliminated through normal channels.

v Phytoestrogens: Plants contain substances called phytoestrogens, which also mimic estrogen. However, these estrogens are weaker than xenoestrogens and derive from a natural source. Since these estrogens are weaker they will replace the more dominant estrogens and thus reduce the level of estrogen stored in the body. Phytoestrogens can be found in soybeans, alfalfa, spinach, fruits, beans, yams and lettuce.

v The Liver: The liver is responsible for breaking down hormones, and filtering out toxins. If the liver is not functioning properly or is impaired, estrogens will not be efficiently removed from the body.

v Eliminate Toxins: Eat a healthy diet, which consists of organic foods. Foods certified organic are not sprayed with pesticides, which contain xenoestrogens. Also, use natural household products, which are free of chemicals that also create xenoestrogens.

v Herbs: Some herbs, which can help reduce the symptoms associated with estrogen dominance, are black cohosh, chamomile, dong quai, evening primrose oil, false unicorn, st. john’s wort, vitex, and wild yam.

v Progesterone: Since progesterone slows tissue growth and helps calm the body, a natural progesterone cream can be applied to counterbalance the increased estrogen.

This article has primarily focused on women; however, men are not immune to estrogen dominance either. They are exposed to the same estrogens and xenoestrogens that women are. If they do not eliminate the sources they can suffer from some of the same symptoms, which are not exclusive to the female reproductive system. Men who are estrogen dominant may grow breast, have an increased risk of breast cancer, have reduced sperm count, and have a greater risk of prostate cancer.

To summarize, an excess of estrogen can wreak havoc on the body. Estrogens are abundant in the environment and if not eliminated can create an imbalance in the entire endocrine system. However, certain lifestyle changes along with herbs and other resources can once again bring the body back into balance.

Reference:

estrogendominance.asp

Lee, J., Hanley, J., and Hopkins, V. ( 1999). What your doctor may not tell you about premenopause. (Eds), Some of the differences between natural and synthetic hormones. Warner books. “Available”, http://www.johnleemd.com/store/estrogen_dom.html

Dr. Eldred Taylor, Estrogen Overload- The Dangers Every Woman Should Know. (2004), Wasatch Research Institute

Gladstar, R (1993) Herbal Healing for Women. NewYork – Fireside

(DES Update: Health Care Providers). (Center for Disease Control). “Available”,

http://www.cdc.gov/des/nurses/history.html

(Menopause – Myths & Medicine). (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). “Available”,

http://www.abc.net.au/science/menopause/history.htm