The Link Between Estrogen Dominance and Your Weight - Part 1

      There has been much scientific research that has proven a direct link between hormonal imbalance and abdominal weight gain. The average woman gains about 2lbs of abdominal fat every year after 35years. And when this weight gain is associated with a hormonal imbalance, it is very difficult if not impossible to lose. Because this weight gain is... noticed most significantly by those in the peri-menopausal years, estrogen levels are often blamed for the added abdominal weight, but it may be more closely associated with an estrogen/progesterone imbalance that leads to a condition of estrogen dominance.

       These two hormones have very specific roles. To put it very basic, estrogen is responsible for maintaining the things that make women feminine: development of breasts and pubic hair, maintain the menstrual cycle and growth of the uterus, and it also stimulates cell growth (this is important). Progesterone, on the other hand, serves to maintain a pregnancy, stimulates bone growth, operates as a natural antidepressant and provides a sense of well being, promotes regular sleep patterns, and has a function in maintaining a libido. Progesterone also opposes the effects of estrogen on cell growth.

So what happens when there is an imbalance between these two hormones........ESTROGEN DOMINANCE.

Estrogen dominance can then lead to many metabolic issues, including

1. Increased body fat - higher levels of estrogen cause an increased amount of body fat. The irony is that the fat in our bodies is then converted into even more estrogen, thus perpetuating an increase in body fat
2.  Higher estrogen levels make it more difficult for the body to use fat for energy, thus exercising is less effective.
3. High estrogen/low progesterone increase storage of fat in the abdomen specifically.
4. And to further explain the risks of unchecked Estrogen Dominance:

• Estrogen related belly fat is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and Metabolic Syndrome.
• Estrogen increases cell growth and if left untreated can be a precursor for cancer (breast and uterine) as well as increase the risk for development of endometriosis and uterine fibroids.

These are all very serious and unfortunately very common conditions seen in the gynecology office everyday. There is also a myriad of common complaints made by women that are definite indicators of an underlying hormonal imbalance. The problem is that if any treatment at all is offered to her, it is most likely hormone replacement therapy in the form of synthetic estrogen. And if the woman is already estrogen dominant, adding a synthetic estrogen replacement can do more damage and lead to further health care risks and metabolic derangement.

 

So you might be wondering how to determine if you are estrogen dominant and most likely progesterone deficient, and how to treat and correct the condition. In the next three parts of this discussion, I will review the symptoms, the test that can be performed for evaluation, and how your diet can be used to optimized to support a balanced hormone profile.

 

I will end by saying that the information that I discuss is not intended to replace the evaluation and treatment by your physician. These discussions are meant to provide a little bit of education so that women can better understand their bodies and hopefully use that information to optimize their health.