Estrogen Dominance Symptoms

The symptoms listed below, as well as many others, often arise when estrogen over- stimulates both the brain and body. 

• Decreased sex drive

• Irregular or otherwise abnormal menstrual periods

• Bloating (water retention)

• Breast swelling and tenderness

• Fibrocystic breasts

• Headaches (especially pre-menstrually)

• Mood swings (most often irritability and depression)

• Anxiety or Panic Attacks

• Weight and/or fat gain (particularly around the abdomen and hips)

• Unable to lose weight

• Cold hands and feet (a symptom of thyroid dysfunction)

• Hair loss

• Thyroid dysfunction

• Sluggish metabolism

• Foggy thinking, memory loss

• Fatigue

• Trouble sleeping/insomnia

• PMS

Estrogen dominance has also been linked to allergies, autoimmune disorders, breast cancer, uterine cancer, infertility, ovarian cysts, and increased blood clotting, and is also associated with acceleration of the aging process.

In the United States, causes of estrogen dominance includes:

Excess body fat (greater than 28%),

Too much stress, resulting in excess amounts of cortisol, insulin, and norepinephrine, which can lead to adrenal exhaustion and can also adversely affect overall hormonal balance,

A low-fiber diet with excess refined carbohydrates and deficient in nutrients and high quality fats.

Impaired immune function,

Birth control.