For years, women have been warned about the dangers of “estrogen dominance,” a term that has been widely misunderstood and misrepresented. Many assume that estrogen dominance means high estrogen levels, leading to weight gain, breast cancer, and other health issues. But what if I told you that estrogen dominance isn’t actually about high estrogen at all? The real issue is not excess estrogen, but rather an imbalance in the ratio of progesterone to estrogen and the presence of endocrine disruptors—chemicals that mimic estrogen and interfere with the endocrine system. The treatment of estrogen dominance is not toå suppress estrogen, but rather to optimize estradiol and progesterone levels to protect the body from harmful chemical exposure.
The Truth About Estrogen Dominance
Many believe that estrogen dominance means too much estrogen, but in reality, it refers to a condition where estrogen receptors are left unoccupied, making them vulnerable to binding with harmful environmental toxins known as xenoestrogens. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals — found in plastics, pesticides, phthalates, and personal care products mimic estrogen and hijack estrogen receptors, leading to hormonal deficiencies.
When natural estrogen levels are low, these chemicals have more room to bind, disrupting normal hormonal function. However, when estradiol levels are optimized, there is competition for the receptor, reducing the likelihood that these harmful compounds can attach.
Why Low Progesterone, Not High Estrogen, is the Real Issue
One of the biggest misconceptions about estrogen dominance is that estrogen is too high, when in reality, progesterone is often too low. During perimenopause, progesterone levels drop dramatically—often much more significantly than estradiol. This leads to an altered ratio between estrogen and progesterone, creating symptoms that are mistakenly blamed on estrogen excess, when in fact, it is a lack of progesterone that is the real problem.
Symptoms often attributed to estrogen dominance—are really just the same symptoms of perimenopause, menopause and low hormones: bloating, anxiety, depression, weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, brain fog, food insensitivity, etc. These symptoms can be frequently relieved with bioidentical progesterone and estradiol therapy, rather than estrogen suppression.
Why Estrogen is the Part of the Treatment for Estrogen Dominance
If estrogen dominance were truly caused by excess estrogen, reducing estrogen levels would solve the problem. But this approach is misguided. Women rarely feel better, and often are left feeling worse after estrogen suppression therapy. The real treatment of estrogen dominance is to maintain optimal estradiol levels to compete against xenoestrogens and restore progesterone levels to their proper balance. Suppressing estrogen only leaves receptors open for chemical disruptors to bind, worsening the very symptoms women are trying to fix.
Additionally, estradiol plays a crucial role in bone density, brain function, cardiovascular health, and metabolic regulation. Suppressing it unnecessarily can accelerate aging and increase the risk of osteoporosis, dementia, and heart disease. Proper estrogen and progesterone therapy protects against these risks and restores hormonal harmony.
Key Strategies for Hormonal Balance
- Optimize Estradiol Levels: Bioidentical estradiol therapy ensures that estrogen receptors are occupied by natural estrogen, preventing xenoestrogens from binding.
- Optimize Progesterone Levels: Micronized progesterone therapy helps restore the progesterone-to-estrogen ratio, alleviating symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings.
- Avoid Endocrine Disruptors: Minimize exposure to plastics, pesticides, and hormone-disrupting chemicals in personal care products.
- Focus on Detoxification: The liver plays a key role in clearing xenoestrogens, plastics, and other harmful chemicals like pesticides. Supporting liver function through diet and lifestyle can help with symptoms as well.
What are Endocrine Disruptor Examples?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that can interfere with the body’s hormonal systems. Common EDCs include bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and certain pesticides. These chemicals are found in various consumer products, such as plastics, personal care items, and household goods. They can mimic or block natural hormones, leading to potential health issues. For instance, BPA is widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are present in items like water bottles and food containers. Phthalates are commonly used as plasticizers in products like vinyl flooring, personal care products, and medical devices. .
Conclusion: Reframing the Conversation Around Estrogen Dominance
The idea that estrogen is the enemy is outdated and scientifically incorrect. Estrogen dominance is not about having too much estrogen—it’s about having too little progesterone and too many open estrogen receptors vulnerable to endocrine disruptors. The best approach to hormone balance is not to suppress estrogen, but to optimize it alongside progesterone. At Inner Balance, we focus on restoring hormonal equilibrium using bioidentical estradiol and progesterone, ensuring women feel vibrant, healthy, and protected from environmental toxins.
