The symptoms of estrogen dominance are closely tied to premenstrual syndrome and pms is a disorder defined by when you get the symptoms. Which means, when these symptoms appear and disappear, not what the symptoms are or do to you physically.
Dr. Katharina Dalton of the Uk says "pms" is known by its presence of symptoms before menstruation with a complete absence of symptoms after menstruation.
The most common symptoms of estrogen dominance and pms are bloating, headaches, severe grouchiness, backaches, loss of libido, fatigue, breast tenderness, cramping and depression. These are the most common out of about 150 symptoms that have been classified as symptoms of estrogen dominance and pms by doctors.
A woman that has normal levels of hormones typically has very little or no pms symptoms. Their menstrual cycle sneaks up on them with possibly a little bloating or water retention as a reminder that that time is coming. They do not have all the other symptoms of estrogen dominance that can go along with pms.
Those that do have the many pms symptoms have estrogen dominance and are at risk of having recurrent yeast infections and breast cancer. This was established in 1999 by Paul L. Fidel Jr., Jessica Cutright, and Chad Steele of Louisiana State University, and published in the
American Society of Microbiology in 2000. They found that progesterone has no effect on vaginal candida in mice but excess estrogen promoted its growth. They also found that excess estrogen reduced the ability of skin cells to prevent colonization of candida on the vaginal walls.
Excess estrogen literally feeds yeast by raising vaginal sugar levels every month around ovulation. This is why women taking birth control pills and undergoing hormone replacement therapy are at a greater risk for vaginal thrush. In most cases the vaginal thrush arrives around the 21st day and disappears shortly after menstruation after the sugar levels drop. The candida is still there, its just that its food supply has been cut off so it is not producing spores anymore. It is instead just under the outer layer of skin using the blood sugar for food to survive.
Excess estrogen also reduces immune function by blocking the function of the
Thymic gland. The Thymic gland is responsible for the maturation of the t-cells in the body. T-cells are grown in the bone marrow then migrate to the Thymic gland where they mature. Upon maturity the t-cells are released and they spread throughout the body to defend it. T-cells are absolutely critical to defend the body from vaginal thrush, cancer, or any illness.
The medical community also knows for a fact that the estrogens known as 16-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy estrones are carcinogens. Studies show that women with elevated levels of 16-hydroxy estrone have a high rate of breast cancer. Another good reason to get excess estrogen under control.
Other Problems That Can Contribute to Estrogen Dominance
Adrenal exhaustion can be part of the problem. The adrenal's contribute to about 35% of premenopausal hormones and compromised adrenal function affects those levels. A compromised adrenal gland does not produce enough cortisol. Cortisol is used by the body during times of stress, a condition all to common these days.
The body in response will divert progesterone to the adrenal's during high periods of stress to make cortisol. Because progesterone also counter acts estrogen, estrogen levels rise and vaginal yeast can be the result.
Excessive cortisol also blocks progesterone receptors in the body, which further reduces progesterone levels. It is a viscous cycle that feeds on itself. Stress also can reduce immune function by 50%. So, you need to get a handle on any stress in your life if possible.
Some symptoms of adrenal fatigue are extreme fatigue or CFS, irritability, inability to concentrate, frustration, insomnia, addictions to either sweet or salty foods, allergies, nervousness, depression, anxiety, PMS, sensitivity to cold, diabetes and headaches. Chronic low blood pressure can be a key symptom of adrenal exhaustion.
Adrenal exhaustion can also lead to hypothyroidism or a low performing thyroid. The most common symptoms are weight gain, low energy, depression, cold intolerance, thinning hair, fatigue, can't sleep, mood swings and a low sex drive.
Amazon sells an Adrenal saliva test kit that you can use at home. The samples are sent to a lab and within 10 days you will get back detailed results with recommended treatment options.
Excess estrogen also blocks thyroid function and in the book; "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" by Dr. John Lee, most of his women patients with high estrogen levels also had to be put on thyroid supplements for low thyroid function. Because, when estrogen levels are not counter balanced with progesterone, the levels rise and block thyroid function.
If you suffer from symptoms of estrogen dominance and pms? You can test your thyroid yourself to get a better idea if you have to much estrogen or not. What you do is first thing in the morning before you get out of bed is to take your temperature every day for seven days. If the average is under 97.5 your thyroid is under performing and it could be because of to much estrogen. You can also do the iodine thyroid test as well. Simply get some liquid iodine from any pharmacy and paint a spot on your stomach about the size of a half dollar. If the spot disappears within 24 hours you are iodine deficient, easily solved by taking a pharmaceutical grade iodine supplement.
Another problem, although rare these days, is not enough cholesterol. Cholesterol is used by the body to make all the sex hormones so if you don't have enough then you obviously cannot produce these hormones.
The best way to determine reproductive hormone levels is by saliva testing. The test should be done on the 19th to 21st day of your cycle and estradiol and progesterone should be measured along with cortisol. If the test result reveals a low progesterone - estradiol ratio, then you are estrogen dominant.
If the test shows low cortisol as well then your adrenal's are exhausted and this must be corrected before you can balance all other hormones.
Excess mercury also blocks thyroid and adrenal function while contributing to excess yeast. Matter of fact, mercury is a hormone disruptor and can block the function of all the hormones. The easiest way to determine if you have high mercury levels is by a Home Hair Test. If any mercury is detected with this test, you have a mercury problem that needs to be addressed.
Xenoestrogens and Estrogen Dominance
Most of the chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis interact with the body to create
xenoestrogens. These man made chemicals mimic the function of estrogen in the body and contribute to its affect. The easiest way to avoid their affects is to simply don't use them. Here is a list of the most common xenoestrogens in use today:
* 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) (sunscreen lotions)
* butylated hydroxyanisole / BHA (food preservative)
* atrazine (weedkiller)
* bisphenol A (monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin; antioxidant in plasticizers)
* dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (one of the breakdown products of DDT)
* dieldrin (insecticide)
* DDT (insecticide)
* endosulfan (insecticide)
* erythrosine / FD&C Red No. 3
* ethinylestradiol (combined oral contraceptive pill) (released into the environment as a xenoestrogen)
* heptachlor (insecticide)
* lindane / hexachlorocyclohexane (insecticide)
* metalloestrogens (a class of inorganic xenoestrogens)
* methoxychlor (insecticide)
* nonylphenol and derivatives (industrial surfactants; emulsifier's for emulsion polymerization; laboratory detergents; pesticides)
* polychlorinated biphenyls / PCB's (in electrical oils, lubricants, adhesives, paints)
* parabens (lotions)
* phenosulfothiazine (a red dye)
* phthalates (plasticizer's)
* DEHP (plasticizer for PVC)
If you look at the list the most common thing that women are exposed to is the parabens found in lotions and moisturizers. The 4-MBC found in sunscreen's is probably an issue too. The next would be those found in birth control pills and red dyes in food. I suggest you use all natural skincare products on your face for starters.
Not only will you be combating vaginal thrush and breast cancer, but your also going to have much more beautiful and healthy looking skin.
Other ways to get high estrogen levels under control coming soon.
Treating Vaginal Candida Yeast