Integrative medical doctors in Atlanta are leading the charge in personalized care to drive down the risk factors associated with estrogen dominance, a key player in the progression of women’s health issues, including endometriosis, PCOS, and breast cancer risk. This detailed guide will help women communicate with their integrative or functional medicine doctors to assess estrogen metabolism, recognize the signs of dominance, and take actionable steps to mitigate the significant risk.

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Understanding Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen dominance refers to a condition where the levels of estrogen in the body—relative to progesterone levels—are too high. This imbalance of excess estrogen can have far-reaching implications for a woman's health, with one of the most significant concerns being breast cancer (1).

Estrogen dominance is also linked to increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, infertility, and miscarriage (3).

Excess estrogen in relation to progesterone can also worsen the symptoms of certain reproductive disorders in women, including PCOS and endometriosis.

Normal, healthy estrogen levels are essential for numerous bodily functions, so exceedingly low levels are not the desired outcome either. Rather, an optimal balance for your individual chemistry.

Assessing Estrogen Dominance

Before taking action to reduce estrogen dominance, it's crucial to work with an integrative medical doctor to assess your current levels of estrogen and understand your individual risk factors.

Some possible methods for evaluating estrogen levels include blood tests, saliva tests, and urine analysis. An integrative doctor may also consider family history, lifestyle factors, and other health conditions in determining your risk.

Comprehensive Hormone Panels: Testing not only estrogen levels but also its metabolites can provide a more accurate picture of breast cancer risk.
Genetic and Lifestyle Analysis: Understanding your genetics in combination with your lifestyle habits can help tailor an individualized plan.
Microbiome and Detox Pathways: The health of your gut microbiome and detox pathways can significantly impact estrogen metabolism.
Assessing Methylation Status: Methylation is a crucial process in the body that helps regulate estrogen levels & detoxification, and testing it can identify potential additional areas of needed support.

Shop: At-Home Hormone Testing with One-Day Hormone Check

Understanding Your Risk

If you have a history of any of the following conditions or symptoms, you may benefit from speaking with your integrative provider about testing for estrogen dominance:

Ovarian cysts
Uterine fibroids
Fibrocystic breast disease
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) including moderate cramping, mood swings, migraines, or other symptoms occurring just prior to a period
Hormonal migraines
IVF use
Long history of oral contraceptive use

Estrogen Dominance & Breast Cancer Risk

Research continues to demonstrate a clear link between estrogen dominance and increased risk of breast cancer (2). Researchers estimate that nearly a third of breast cancer cases could be attributed to estrogen issues.

By addressing this hormonal imbalance, women can actively decrease the likelihood of developing this potentially life-threatening disease.

Estrogen Dominance & Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain and inflammation. Estrogen dominance has been found to exacerbate the symptoms of endometriosis in women.

Integrative medical doctors work with patients to manage estrogen levels through lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and hormone balancing therapies. By addressing estrogen dominance, women with endometriosis may experience a reduction in symptoms such as pain and menstrual irregularities.

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Estrogen Dominance & Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

PCOS is a condition characterized by hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and cysts on the ovaries. Estrogen dominance, secondary to ovulatory dysfunction, is common in individuals with PCOS. This can further disrupt hormone levels in women, leading to increased risk of complications such as infertility, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Integrative doctors may advise lifestyle changes to manage estrogen levels in women with PCOS, along with targeted supplementation and possible medication.

Read:PCOS vs. Endometriosis: The Difference & Whether It’s Possible to Have Both

Lifestyle Factors That Exacerbate Estrogen Issues

High levels of estrogen are not solely influenced by genetics. Lifestyle choices, dietary patterns, and environmental exposures all play a role, often revealing opportunities for prevention.

Hormonal Medications: While extremely beneficial for their intended purposes, long-term use of hormonal contraceptives or fertility treatments can disrupt the body’s natural hormone levels (4).
Nutrition Deficiencies: A diet lacking in essential nutrients can lead to impaired estrogen metabolism, causing levels to rise.
Stress and Cortisol: Chronic stress can lead to consistent high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can interfere with estrogen and progesterone balance.
Dietary Influences: Certain food groups and eating habits, such as high sugar or high-fat diets, or alcohol consumption have been linked to increased estrogen levels and breast cancer risk (5).
Environmental Xenoestrogens: Everyday exposure to plastics, pesticides, and other endocrine disrupting chemicals introduces xenoestrogens into our systems, contributing to estrogen dominance (6).
Poor Gut Health: The collection of good bacteria in the gut, known as the estrobolome, help break down and eliminate excess estrogen in the digestive system.

Generally, there’s more than one of the above factors at play when the body is in a state of estrogen excess.

Learn more: Treating Hormone Imbalance with Holistic Medicine

Engaging with Your Integrative Medical Doctor

A collaborative partnership with an integrative doctor can be incredibly empowering and is a substantial step toward personalized hormonal health in Atlanta. Functional medicine providers at CentreSpringMD blend traditional medicine with evidence-based complementary treatments, focusing on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Partnering for Prevention:

The Importance of Collaboration: No two patients are the same, and successful treatment of estrogen dominance requires a customized plan. Collaborate with your doctor to tailor an approach that works for your unique circumstances.
Key Steps in the Process: From thorough assessments to personalized interventions, your integrative doctor can guide you through every step aimed at reducing the risk of disease associated with estrogen dominance.

Reducing Estrogen Dominance with Integrative Medicine

Once high estrogen levels or impaired estrogen metabolism are identified as an issue, a personalized treatment plan can be created to address the imbalance. Here are some potential strategies that may be recommended by an integrative doctor:

Lifestyle Changes: Implementing regular exercise, stress-reduction techniques, and a healthy diet with reduced alcohol intake can help balance estrogen levels.
Nutritional Supplements: Specific vitamins and minerals, like calcium d-glucarate, DIM, or magnesium, can support healthy estrogen detoxification pathways.
Herbal Medicines: Certain herbs exhibit estrogen-modulating effects and can be beneficial for healthy estrogen levels.
Mind-Body Therapies: Practices such as meditation, acupuncture, or biofeedback can help manage stress and, in turn, balance hormone levels.
Estrogen Detox Diet: A specific dietary plan that supports estrogen detox pathways in the gut and liver includes fiber, cruciferous vegetables, and sulfur-containing foods such as garlic and onion (7).

You may also like: The Integrative Guide to Perimenopause

Monitoring Progress and Making Adjustments:

Ongoing assessments are crucial to monitor the effectiveness of your prevention plan and make necessary adjustments.
Regular Check-Ups and Screenings: While prevention is key, regular medical screenings are essential to catch any potential estrogen-related issues early. Consider breast cancer screenings like a thermogram.

Next Steps: Take Control of Your Hormone Health

By understanding the link between estrogen dominance and your genetics and lifestyle, you have taken the first step in protecting your health.

Optimal hormonal wellbeing is a multi-faceted endeavor, and working with an integrative doctor will provide you with a proactive and innovative approach that’s suited your needs as an individual. Empower yourself with knowledge, seek out integrative medical professionals, and take actionable steps to ensure a healthier, estrogen-balanced life.

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Work with Your Integrative Doctor to Identify & Heal Estrogen Dominance