Estrogen is an amazing hormone however it can be a fat storing hormone in both men and women when out of balance as estrogen and fat are related. Estrogen is produced in large quantities by women just as testosterone is in men. The receptors for this hormone is on the hips and thighs of women and of course fat is deposited in these areas when excess estrogen is present.

What Is Estrogen?
Estrogen (also known as Oestrogen), is a steroid compound that is essential to the proper development & functioning of the female body. Cholesterol is the primary molecule that begins the synthesis of estrogen. A females ovaries produce 90% of estrogen with other organs (including the adrenal glands, kidneys and liver) producing the rest.

What Does Estrogen Do?
Estrogen is found in both women and men, however women have much higher levels of estrogen. The male “counter-part” to estrogen would be testosterone. The primary function of estrogen is to aid in the development of female sexual characteristics. This would include the regulation of the menstrual cycle, breasts and endometrium. In men, estrogen helps to maintain a healthy libido and the healthy maturation of sperm. Estrogen also burns off body fat and also reduces muscle mass. It is also responsible for the stimulation of growth of the inner lining within the uterus during the menstrual cycle, and:

1. Increases Uterine Growth
2. Improves Vaginal Lubrication
3. Thickens The Vaginal Wall
4. Increases Blood Vessels To The Skin

Secondary sexual characteristics, such as pubic and armpit hair also begin to grow when estrogen levels rise. Many organ systems, including the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems and the brain are affected by estrogen as well.

What Happens To Estrogen As Women Go Through Menopause?
Throughout a woman’s life, the body will produce estrogen, from when she starts puberty until menopause. After menopause, the body’s natural estrogen levels greatly decrease, and in some instances cease all together.

What Increases This Hormone?
Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and is released by the follicles on the ovaries. They are also secreted from the corpus luteum after the egg is released from the placenta and the follicles. The anterior gland is responsible for releasing a Luteinizing Hormone (LH) that will stimulate the secretion of estrogen. Estrogen can also be produced by other tissues in the body, including the breasts, liver and adrenal glands.

Factors that increase estrogen is poor diet, hormone dysfunction, chronic stress, overusing alcohol, excess inflammation, plant estrogens (soy), prescription drug use, birth control pills, HRT, obesity and liver congestion.

Another is chemicals in the environment which mimic estrogen when absorbed into the body. They are referred to as ‘xenoestrogens’ or ‘obesogens’ and are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s).

All xenohormones or obesogens should be considered toxic; the majority of them have estrogenic effects on both male and female bodies. As mentioned, these chemicals have an uncanny ability to mimic natural estrogen. Acting as endocrine disruptors, these chemicals interfere with our hormones to upset growth, reproductive capabilities, behaviours, intelligence and development.

For women, this increases her estrogen levels there by becoming estrogen dominant. A hormone imbalance  occurs between estrogen and progesterone causing symptoms of perimenopause.

Fat cells are also a source of estrogen, which is why overweight (and underweight) women are at risk of infertility. It is important to have balanced estrogen levels for a woman’s body to remain fertile.

What Stops The Secretion Of Estrogen?
The best and most effective way to decrease your natural levels of estrogen is to adapt a healthy diet. Certain foods are estrogenic, and a diet that avoids these foods may help stop the over-production of estrogen. A diet high in fibre will also help sweep excess estrogen from the body through the bowel, so proper bowel function is imperative. Green tea is rich in Polyphenols which lower estrogen levels.

To help decrease excess estrogen in the body it is highly recommended that liver function is addressed as estrogen can accumulate in the liver and be reabsorbed. A naturopath can prescribe herbs that can assist in the treatment of excess estrogen.

Symptoms Of Too Much Estrogen
The effects of too much estrogen can manifest itself both mentally and physically. Weight gain is a leading symptom in women with high estrogen levels. Women with estrogen dominance have increased alpha androgenic receptors – fat storage receptors that block the release of fat. Beta androgenic receptors are fat burning receptors that increase the release of fat. High estrogen levels will also lead to an increased risk of breast cancer and infertility. Also, high levels of estrogen have also been linked to:

1. Decrease In Sexual Desire
2. Depression
3. Cellulite
4. Constipation
5. Headaches and migraines
6. Breast Tenderness
7. Heavy Menstruation
8. Fibroids
9. Endometriosis
10. Stroke and Heart Disease
11. Mood Swings
12. Anxiety
13. Memory Loss
14. Fatigue

Effects Of Too Little Estrogen
Low estrogen levels in women have been reported to cause feelings of depression and anxiety. When estrogen decreases, it also effects other hormones, which could result in a reduction of serotonin and other mood balancing chemicals/hormones. Women with low estrogen levels have sometimes reported having panic attacks, along with low self esteem, poor memory, and sporadic difficulty in concentration. Frequently experienced symptoms include: Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Loss of Libido and vaginal dryness.

How to balance estrogen naturally

• Reduce meat unless hormone free grass fed organic source
• Brassica vegs (be mindful of thyroid)
• Reduce alcohol, caffeine, diary, sugar (alcohol increases circulation oestrogen by 200%)
• Whole food diet
• More fibre to remove excess estrogen
• Increase good fats, omega 3 (UDOS)
• Fermented soy, tempeh, miso (be mindful of thyroid)
• Vitex (chaste tree)
• Wake up between midnight and 3am generally have liver overload
• Rhemania, Boswellia, vitex, broccoli supplement
• ‘O Lift’ Metagenics
• Mg, iron, calcium, Vit C, B, greens powders
• High Estrogen and Testosterone supplement with DIM

Lifestyle

• Reduce stress, this is a huge factor in hormonal imbalance
• Resistance training
• Quality sleep bed before 11 at least 6 hours 7-8 ideally
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Nature, grounding
• Reduce xenoestrogens
• Reduce weight if overweight
• Improve bowel function especially if constipated

Notes

If progesterone low check cortisol as body will prioritise cortisol production. Do not supplement without professional advice.