Estrogen dominance is a term originally developed by Dr. John Lee, an extensive researcher of the relationships between estrogen and progesterone. The term estrogen dominance describes the condition that occurs in a woman’s body when estrogen is the dominate hormone in relationship to its natural counter balance with progesterone.

Many people are unaware that women can experience estrogen dominance even with deficient or normal levels of estrogen present in the body. Estrogen dominance in and of itself does not necessarily mean a condition of excessive estrogen. What it does mean is that estrogen is the dominate hormone in its relation to the level of progesterone in the body. So, the overall level of the body’s estrogen can be at a normal level, or it can even be at a deficient level, however, if the level of progesterone is also deficient and at levels not sufficient to counterbalance the effects of estrogen, then there will exist the circumstance of estrogen dominance.

Estrogen dominance can have a number of causes, especially considering the excessive estrogen (or “estrogen-like” chemical compounds) that are now present in our everyday environment. These include products and substances we’re constantly exposed to such as pesticide residue, plastics, meat products, an even furniture.

Symptoms of estrogen dominance make for a long list. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

Allergies, including asthma, hives, rashes, sinus congestion
Early onset of menstruation
Endometrial (uterine) cancer
Autoimmune disorders (lupus, thyroiditis)
Anxiety
Depression
Breast cancer
Breast tenderness
Cervical dysplasia
Decreased sex drive
Breast cysts
Foggy thinking
Infertility
Uterine Fibroids
Increased fat gain (especially abdomen, hips and thighs)
Fatigue
Mood swings
Bone loss
Ovarian cysts
Hair Loss
PMS
Headaches
Hypoglycemia
Increased blood clotting (increasing risk of strokes)
Uterine cancer
Irregular menstrual periods
Irritability
Insomnia
Magnesium deficiency
Memory loss
Water retention
Osteoporosis
Sluggish metabolism
Thyroid dysfunction

It may be difficult for a woman to determine that she may have a condition of estrogen dominance from any one of these symptoms when considered individually. However, if you are experiencing several or a number of these symptoms in conjunction with one another, then there is reason to suspect that your body is operating in a state of estrogen dominance. As soon as you suspect that this may be a possibility, you should visit your medical practitioner and be tested to confirm the condition.

If it is discovered that you are indeed experiencing estrogen dominance, it will be to your benefit to carefully explore and consider all of the options available to you, then select the course of treatment that you and your medical practitioner deem most appropriate to your situation.