ESTROGEN DOMINANCE

"Estrogen - no women should take extra. We have over 100 mimics in our Environment as it is. Men also experience ESTROGEN DOMINANCE symptoms

Estrogen Dominance, often referred to as the 'monster' and it certainly is! It is a term used often to describe the adverse symptoms often encountered by men and women if they have a naturally high level of estrogen or, in the case of women, have been on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and Contraceptives for any length of time and therefore have low progesterone levels.

Initially progesterone has a stimulatory effect. This is because progesterone activates the estrogen receptors so making estrogen the dominant hormone which makes many men and women feel worse.

With progesterone therapy, progesterone gradually becomes the dominant hormone and symptoms begin to ease. Some women never experience estrogen dominance, in others it can take several days, whilst in others it can last longer. Much depends on the amount of excess estrogen that is present.

Men can also experience estrogen dominance when first using progesterone.

It is essential to use enough progesterone when first using progesterone, about 200-400mg/day or 6-12ml /day to overcome the excess estrogen. The biggest mistake one can make is to use too little, some women think by using 20-40mg/day will work, this is incorrect and merely means that progesterone is always in the stimulation mode leaving them in a permanent state of estrogen dominance. If symptoms are severe, for instance heavy continual bleeding or debilitating hot flushes, up to 400mg/day will be needed. Nothing less than 100mg/3ml of progesterone should be used. Remember to use progesterone a minimum of twice a day as progesterone levels start to drop after 13 hours.

Normally men will benefit by using 10-20mg/day progesterone, but if a higher than normal amount of estrogen is present, it's advisable to use up to 100mg/day.

It is easy enough to reduce the amount of progesterone to a level that suits you and your symptoms once your symptoms have improved and you feel stable enough to do so. The reduction should always be done slowly over several weeks. Please refer to First Time Users on how to reduce correctly.

If you have any questions about Natpro Progesterone Cream

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Please bear in mind that stress drops progesterone levels sharply, so symptoms can come back. Should this happen, increase the amount of cream until you are over the stressful time, then slowly reduce back down again. Large meals also drop progesterone levels, due to an increased clearance rate of the hormone.

Dark, gloomy days and winter reduce progesterone levels, because of a reduction in vitamin D3. Please have a vitamin D3 test done as low levels reduce the benefits of progesterone, this is vital!

Supplemental estrogen can initially make us feel better. The reason for this is estrogen activates the progesterone receptors so making progesterone the dominant hormone, but it wears off as estrogen becomes the dominant hormone. This is one of the reasons so many women keep changing their HRT script. There are some women who do not suffer any adverse effects, but the risks of using HRT or the contraceptive pill for any length of time are not worth it. Please read HRT and Contraceptives.

Estrogen dominance is characterized by any of the following symptoms. These symptoms can also occur in women when first using progesterone. In men too, aside from the obvious women's problems...

  • aches and pains
  • anger
  • anxiety
  • bleeding which comes either earlier or later than usual
  • bloating/weight gain due to water retention
  • breast tenderness
  • bruising
  • constipation
  • dizziness
  • headaches
  • foggy brain
  • heart palpitations/racing heart - see here.
  • chest pains/tight chest
  • hot flushes
  • hypoglycaemia
  • dry eyes/sjogren's syndrome 
  • increased appetite/cravings
  • irritation
  • itchiness
  • migraines
  • mild depression
  • mood swings
  • muscle weakness
  • nausea
  • skin problems/acne/melasma
  • spotting
  • tiredness/chronic fatigue
  • weight gain/water retention

If you experience any of these symptoms then your choice is to either...

  • increase the dose and persevere with the symptoms, or
  • reduce the dose considerably to begin with and then gradually increase it over a month or two. This will understandably take longer to resolve symptoms

The Pill and HRT contain estrogen and synthetic progesterone, which is commonly called 'progestin'. Progestins are synthetic and cause natural progesterone levels to drop, leading to many of the above symptoms.

If you are on either HRT or a contraceptive pill and you wish to come off it, it's far gentler on the body to do this gradually in conjunction with progesterone.

Avoid...

  • large meals (due to the increased metabolic clearance rate of progesterone)
  • all forms of estrogen
  • oxidised fats, (ie margarine, refined oils, and fried foods, in particular fried animal protein)
  • pasteurised, homogenised milk
  • tap water, which is now contaminated with prescription drugs, including estrogen from the Pill and HRT, plus the estrogen mimics generated by industry. Drink only filtered water

If you are considering having your estrogen level tested please ask them to test all 3 levels if possible. Many doctors and labs tend to only focus on the E2 which strictly speaking is incorrect. 

  • E1 - Estrone
  • E2 - Estradiol
  • E3 - Estriol

E2 is the most important of the 3 estrogens and is the one used in the contraceptive pill and HRT. Environmental toxins also contribute to our high levels of E2. E2 is also low when going through peri-menopause and menopause. It is also a good idea to have your progesterone level tested too, that way you can get a true understanding about your hormones. It has been reported that some pathologists have not heard of E1 and E3 for testing. Please insist as they are two important hormones which also need testing. Some pathologists don't even have it on their chart for testing. Please insist! 

The best form of testing is by hair analysis which is rather costly, saliva testing is very good and then blood tests.

The function of the 3 Estrogens

 Estrone (E1) - also spelled oestrone, is a serioid, a weak estrogen, and a minor female sex hormone. It is one of three major endogenous estrogens, the others being estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3). Estrone, as well as the other estrogens, are synthesized from cholesterol and secreted mainly from the gonads, though they can also be formed from adrenal androgens in adipose tissue. Relative to estradiol, both estrone and estriol have far weaker activity as estrogens. Previously, estrone was available as an injected estrogen for medical use, but it is now no longer marketed. This should be tested when in menopause, it rarely is.

Estradiol (E2) - also spelled oestradiol, is a steroid, an estrogen, and the primary female sex hormone. It is named for and is important in the regulation of the estrous and menstrual female reproductive cycles. Estradiol is essential for the development and maintenance of female reproductive tissues such as the breasts, uterus, and vagina during puberty, adulthood, and pregnancy, but it also has important effects in many other tissues, including bone, fat, skin, liver, and the brain. While estrogen levels in men are lower compared to those in women, estrogens have essential functions in men, as well. It is found in most vertebrates and crustaceans, insects, fish, and other animal species.

Estradiol is produced especially within the follicles of the female ovaries, but also in other endocrine (i.e., hormone-producing) and nonendocrine tissues (e.g., including fat, liver, adrenal, breast, and neural tissues). Estradiol is biosynthesized from cholesterol through a series of chemical intermediates. One principal pathway involves the generation of androstenedione, which is converted into estrone by aromatase and then by 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase into estradiol. Alternatively, androstenedione can be converted into testosterone, an androgen and the primary male sex hormone, which in turn can be aromatized into estradiol. Estradiol in a menopausal woman is low, it should be low! It's the pre-menopause estrogen, only made by the ovaries. Once these stop functioning, estradiol diminishes. But, and it's a big but, our fat cells continue making estrone till we die, this is never tested for. It's the menopause estrogen, and it as potent a mitogen as estradiol. Make sure to test Estrone when in peri-menopause and menopause. 

Estriol (E3) - also spelled oestriol, is a steroid, a weak estrogen, and a minor female sex hormone. It is one of three major endogenous estrogens, the others being estradiol and estrone. Levels of estriol in women who are not pregnant are almost undetectable. However, during pregnancy, estriol is synthesized in very high quantities by the placenta and is the most produced estrogen in the body by far, although circulating levels of estriol are similar to those of other estrogens due to a relatively high rate of metabolism and excretion. Relative to estradiol, both estriol and estrone have far weaker activity as estrogens. Although it is less commonly used than other estrogens, estriol is available for medical use throughout the world in a variety of formulations, including for oral and vaginal administration.

How to wean off HRT, Estrogen, Progestin, and Testosterone Drugs

It is safe to come off the HRT cold turkey, unlike many drugs, but symptoms can come back.  It is far gentler on the body is to reduce HRT etc slowly, always using Natpro Progesterone Cream whilst doing so. Progesterone normally counteracts any withdrawal symptoms if this route is followed. It’s best to use progesterone cream for at least one month before attempting to reduce the HRT dose. Between 100mg/3ml and 200mg/6ml of the Natpro per day, use it continuously, there’s no need for a break. A higher dose might be needed if HRT has been used for many years. If symptoms come back while reducing, increase the amount of progesterone and slow down the HRT reduction.

Follow the instructions below when reducing your dose of HRT, Estrogen or Progestin

  • Miss 1 day
  • Take 7 days
  • Miss 1 day
  • Take 6 days
  • Miss 1 day
  • Take 5 days
  • Miss 1 day
  • Take 4 days
  • Miss 1 day
  • Take 3 days
  • Miss 1 day
  • Take 2 days
  • Miss 1 day
  • Take 1 day

You have now reduced the dose to 50% over 34 days. Continue missing alternate days until you feel stable, then work back up the list above.
i.e.

Miss 2 days
Take 1 day
Miss 3 days
Take 1 day etc

This could take about three months. If no symptoms have returned and you feel stable, discontinue the HRT etc.

VITAMIN D3 - I can't stress enough it's importance! Please have your vitamin D3 level tested and visit the vitamin D page for more information. Amongst so many other health issues, it helps with depression, insomnia, MS, cancer, infertility - the list is endless.

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