Estrogens are considered the main female hormones, and it is wrong to use this word in the singular. We can say that they make a woman, her attractiveness, height, weight, smoothness and youthfulness of the skin, splendor of hair, female figure, voice, mood and sexual activity depend on them. At the slightest deviation, the body reacts instantly, changing the appearance and internal state of a woman.
There are about 30 types of hormones, but the most important for the body are 3:
- E1 - estrone;
- E2 - estradiol;
- E3 - estriol.
If we represent the ratio of the level of estrogen in women, the hormones will be located in the following order: E1:E2:E3=1:100:7. The most active is estradiol.
Who's in charge?
Estrogen production occurs in the ovarian follicles and a small percentage is produced in the liver. Their synthesis is regulated by the hormone FSH inthe pituitary gland, which stimulates the follicles.
With the onset of menopause, the ovaries stop working, and estrogen in this case is produced by adipose tissue. But they are wrong and of no use.
There is no separate hormone "estrogen". They have a general formula in general, but they affect the body in different ways. Their bioactivity is in the following proportion: 7:100:1. The main and most significant in the triad is estradiol. It is determined in blood tests. It is he who provides all the external attractiveness of a woman of reproductive age.
Estrogen receptors
To read the hormonal information of the ovaries, nature has created estrogen receptors. Thanks to their work, the organs perceive information and obey it.
Receptors are present almost everywhere, since estrogens determine the work of the whole organism: in the brain, lungs, vascular system, myocytes, osteocytes, intestines and bladder, liver and myocardium, uterus and its appendages, vagina, mammary glands, in dermis and even in the eyes. They vary in number in different systems, which is why the clinic of estrogen disorders is so diverse and complex.
E1 - "bad" estrogen
He dominates menopause. It can be synthesized by adipose tissue, even if the reproductive system is no longer fully functional. In the premenopausal ovaries, the body uses it to create estradiol.
In menopause, this process is sharply reduced. In overweight women, it provokes the development of oncology of the breast and cervix inaged 30 to 40.
Functions of estradiol
The main functions include:
- Active participation in the formation of a female figure.
- Direct influence on the formation of secondary sexual characteristics.
- Acts on the pigmentation processes of the genitals and areolas.
- Responsible for sex drive.
- Stimulates bone growth.
- Participates in the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles and ovulation.
- Promotes the growth of the uterus and the creation of a network of vessels here for the development of the fetus during pregnancy.
- Increases blood clotting during menstruation and childbirth.
- Promotes the development of edema by retaining sodium in the body.
- Affects the mood of pregnant women.
Estriol (EZ)
This is the most inactive hormone, synthesized in minimal quantities. During pregnancy, it is produced by the placenta and liver of the fetus. Improves blood supply to the genitals and helps prepare the breasts for lactation.
Estrogens and the female body
Hormon levels fluctuate throughout life.
Estrogen levels:
- regulates the entire sexual function completely;
- ensures the normal flow of MC;
- always increases during puberty, during pregnancy (outside of these periods it is in balance with another female hormone - progesterone);
- ensures the development of secondary sexual characteristics;
- protects blood vessels fromatherosclerosis;
- regulates the state of blood vessels, adjusts the work of all cells in the desired mode;
- regulates metabolism, preventing obesity;
- affects bones and subcutaneous tissue;
- prevents increased activity of the sebaceous glands.
Under the influence of some unfavorable moments, it begins to be produced not only in the ovaries, but also in the liver, skin cells, muscles, adrenal glands and even in the brain. Doctors call such high levels of estrogen in women with a predominance of progesterone estrogen dominance.
What are the reasons for the increase?
After the age of 35, increased estrogen occurs in every second woman. There are 3 main factors that cause such dominance:
- Hyperactivity of estrogen receptors - this can occur when they are irritated by certain estrogen-like substances. These include phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens.
- Excess production of these hormones within the body.
- Low progesterone in the body.
Etiology of increased estrogen production
Excess estrogen is not uncommon. It can also rise due to its excessive intake from outside. This happens with poor diet, endocrine disruptors, GMO foods, high pesticides, phytoestrogen foods.
Among the reasons for the increase in estrogen are:
- early puberty(at about age 7);
- receipt OK;
- prolonged stress;
- smoking and alcohol;
- vitamin and mineral deficiency;
- hypo- and hyperdynamia;
- hypertension;
- endocrinopathy and obesity.
Diseases in which estrogen is elevated
The main pathologies leading to an increase in estrogen include the following:
- pituitary adenoma;
- ovarian tumors;
- hormone-dependent tumors (mastopathy);
- adrenal disease;
- chronic inflammation of the genital area.
Other reasons for the increase
In some cases, the causes and symptoms of excess estrogen in women are caused by a combination of several factors. Weight gain even in 5-7 kg increases the level of estrogen due to the conversion of androgens into them. This happens through aromatization, a process only needed at menopause when the body is trying to maintain estrogen levels in the body.
This transformation creates a vicious circle in the body of a lady: weight gain leads to an increase in androgens, which subsequently increases the amount of estrogen. The latter, in turn, leads to weight gain, etc.
Achieving weight loss in such cases is not easy, because excess estrogen affects other hormones, such as leptin and thyroxine, which cause steady weight gain.
The impact of xenoestrogens is also important. These are chemicals found in foods, cosmetics, householdchemistry. They mimic estrogen and interact with estrogen receptors.
When inhaled, harmful vapors increase the level of the hormone in the blood. These toxins also cause weight gain.
Hypothyroidism can affect estrogen levels. The thyroid hormones help maintain the balance of progesterone and estrogen. In hypothyroidism, progesterone decreases and estrogen begins to rise.
It is clear that the causes of high estrogen in women and the symptoms of the disease are closely related.
Manifestation of increased estrogen
Elevation symptoms are expressed as follows:
- Sudden uncontrollable weight gain. It occurs even with the most rational nutrition or diet, physical activity. This is one of the main signs of high estrogen in women. Such a woman can lose weight only when the hormonal levels are aligned.
- Violation of the MC. In 80% of cases, hormonal failure becomes the culprit, or rather, signs of an increased level of estrogen in a woman. That is why, if the regularity of the cycle has been disturbed, the periods have become too plentiful, be sure to check the hormones.
- Hypersensitivity of mammary glands, their swelling. These are also signs of increased estrogen in women. If the breasts become rounded without objective reasons, estrogen dominance can be suspected.
- Pain in the mammary glands. If it occurs against the background of low progesterone levels in women, this is a clear sign of increased estrogen. The condition is very negative for the mammary glands, because they not only suddenlyincrease, the pain occurs at rest (on the sides of the chest and on top) or may be sharp at the slightest touch to the chest. These are symptoms of excess female hormones.
- Increased emotionality. Often during menstruation, a woman becomes too nervous, whiny and irritable. These are symptoms of an excess of the female hormone estrogen. A similar state becomes permanent with the dominance of the hormone.
- Frequent headaches. Despite hundreds of causes of headaches, if they become permanent, these are signs of increased estrogen in a woman. It is likely that this will cause progesterone to be low.
- Profuse hair loss. This is one of the signs and symptoms of high estrogen levels in women. Although it is believed that baldness threatens men 2 times more, a girl also runs the risk of losing the splendor of her hair in the prime of her life. Of course, she will not be bald, but her hair will become sparse.
- Memory disturbance is another sign of hormonal imbalance. A woman begins to forget important dates, keys, handbag, etc. It is possible that all this is the effect of excess estrogen in women.
- Insomnia. It is due to the fact that increased estrogen blocks the production of melatonin (sleep hormone). And if progesterone (the hormone of calmness) is also lowered, you will definitely not sleep at night.
- Signs of increased estrogen in women include the emerging manner of not stopping in conversation, work, sports, etc. A woman simply does not succeed.
- Exhaustion of the body - constant lack of sleep leads to exhaustion and accumulation of allproblems associated with it.
Possible consequences
Elevated hormone levels always mean danger. An excess of estrogen in women can cause a malfunction of the thyroid gland, which will lead to weight gain and osteoporosis.
Prolonged estrogen dominance causes:
- high blood pressure;
- breast cancer;
- endometriosis;
- uterine tumors;
- increased blood clotting and blood clots;
- leg cramps;
- infertility;
- violations of the MC;
- disorders of the central nervous system and psyche.
Principles of treatment
For successful treatment, the cause of the imbalance must be identified. If the aromatization process is increased, zinc preparations, selenium, aromatase inhibitors, vitamin C are prescribed.
Arimidex, Aromasin, Fazlodex, Tamoxifen, Clomiphene, Femara, Mastodinone and other herbal remedies are taken for treatment, all of them reduce estrogen.
Also reduces estradiol in the blood "Zoladex", "Lupron", "Goserelin", etc. Some women are afraid to take hormones, but their competent selection will not give side effects. But the refusal of HRT will lead to complications.
In special cases, surgery is necessary: removal of the ovaries or their radiation if the woman has menopause.
Change in diet
Proper diet is the first step to recovery. The use of organic (natural) products is recommended: more cruciferous (varioustypes of cabbage, radish, radish); up to 30 g of fiber daily. Fiber-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, whole grains) eliminate excess fat and cholesterol and lower estrogen.
Dietary supplements
Some of them can increase metabolism or reduce the symptoms of high estrogen. These compounds include DIM, maca root, zinc, calcium-D-glucarate, and ashwagandha.
Physical activity
Extremely good effect on estrogen strength training. They lower testosterone and estrogen.
Stress management
Elimination of emotional experiences is important for the normalization of both estrogen and progesterone. A stressful situation promotes the production of sex hormones and cortisol, which increases estrogen.
Xenoestrogens
Synthetic hormones should preferably be avoided. Oral contraceptives should also be abandoned. This is necessary because synthetic drugs are not bioidentical and disrupt the normal metabolism of hormones, can block or slow down their synthesis in the body.
Prevention, or How to return estrogen levels back to normal
Prevention measures are as follows:
- Limit your alcohol intake - it disrupts the liver and all estrogen metabolism happens here.
- Eat organic food.
- Eat more fiber.
- Eat foods with probiotics - these include fermented milk products and kvass, sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi andtofu cheese. You can also take probiotic supplements.
- Eat a balanced diet with enough vitamins (B6, C, E, D, etc.) and minerals (zinc, selenium and magnesium). A lot of vitamin B6 is found in beef liver, sea fish, nuts and beans; zinc - in pork and lamb, buckwheat and oatmeal, and magnesium - in almonds, seaweed, peas and barley groats.
- Take rosemary essential oil - a powerful antioxidant, normalizes estrogen levels, immunity and thyroid gland. Fights signs of high estradiol.
- Avoid exposure to xenoestrogens by limiting exposure.
- Control your stress. It suppresses progesterone and increases estrogen.
Increase in estrogen can indicate various diseases, which can be identified by correct diagnosis. It is not worth delaying treatment, because the more advanced the pathology, the more difficult it is to treat.
