According to the conventional view, the estrogen levels in a female body decline at the onset of the perimenopause stage. However, the real situation is not as simple because the hormones work in cooperation with each other.
In this case, the two hormones responsible for maintaining the balance are estrogen and progesterone. Moreover, it is not the lower levels of estrogen that causes the uncomfortable symptoms in the female body at the menopause stage but the real culprit is the declining progesterone[i] level.
Estrogen–Progesterone Ratio
The normal ratio for estrogen and progesterone is 10:1. When the progesterone level decreases, this balance is disturbed, even if the estrogen level remains constant. Both the hormones should counterbalance each other[ii] but in the absence of progesterone, estrogen goes on unchecked, resulting in the disturbing symptoms of a medical condition called estrogen dominance.
Misdiagnosis of Estrogen Dominance
Unfortunately, most physicians stick to the conventional theory and prescribe treatments directed at increasing the estrogen levels. As a result, more often than not, the slightly uncomfortable symptoms worsen to cause more discomfort. In order for you to understand estrogen dominance, you must be able to recognize its symptoms. Following are the characteristic symptoms of estrogen dominance:
- Decreased sex drive
- Bloating
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Bloating (water retention)
- Tenderness and swelling of breasts
- Mood swings (irritability and depression)
- Weight gain (around the hips and abdomen)
- Cold hands and feet
- Premenstrual headaches
Stress hormones and high level of insulin are also responsible for exacerbating estrogen dominance. Owing to the overlapping symptoms of various hormonal imbalances, antidepressants are sometimes prescribed to women with estrogen dominance. This worsens their condition further. With a careful examination, some changes in diet, usage of supplements, and hormone balancing, the problem can be addressed.
Estrogen Dominance and the Thyroid Hormone
It is a common practice to focus only on the ovaries when it comes to the medical conditions that arise at the time of menopause. However, the changes occurring in the body of a woman during menopause, involve the complete endocrine system. Many studies have confirmed the presence of thyroid problems during and after the menopausal stage[iii].
While in most of the women, there are no significant symptoms to back the thyroid problems, others show a variety of menopausal symptoms such as weight gain, depression, low energy levels, sleep disturbances, and mental confusions that are related to the problems of thyroid[iv].
According to John R. Lee, M.D., hypothyroidism is intertwined with menopausal symptoms as well. In fact, when estrogen is not counterbalanced properly, it can mask the effect of the thyroid hormone as well, leading to the symptoms of hypothyroidism[v]. However, the laboratory tests fail to diagnose this since the thyroid hormone levels are shown to be normal[vi].
The answer to this medical problem is to check the menopausal women for estrogen dominance when the relevant symptoms are present. Let me help you in finding out the underlying cause of your health condition and resolve it in a drug free way. Visit LifeCraftllc to book a free 10-minute consultation on phone or Skype.
[i] Sellman, S. Important Myths and Truths about Hormones.
[ii] Lee, J. R. (1994). Slowing the Aging Process with Natural Progesterone.
[iii] Park, H. T., Cho, G. J., Ahn, K. H., Shin, J. H., Hong, S. C., Kim, T., … & Kim, S. H. (2009). Thyroid stimulating hormone is associated with metabolic syndrome in euthyroid postmenopausal women. Maturitas, 62(3), 301-305.
[iv] Sowers, M., Luborsky, J., Perdue, C., Araujo, K. L., Goldman, M. B., & Harlow, S. D. (2003). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations and menopausal status in women at the mid‐life: SWAN. Clinical endocrinology, 58(3), 340-347.
[v] Lee, J. R., & Hopkins, V. (1996). What your doctor may not tell you about menopause: the breakthrough book on natural progesterone. Warner Books.
[vi] Kharrazian, D. (2010). Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?: When My Lab Tests are Normal. Morgan James Pub..