Oestrogen Dominance

Oestrogen dominance is becoming more and more well known, and whilst many people are quick to diagnose themselves with this condition, you may be left wondering if a) you have it and b) what you can do about it.

The first answer is easy. A blood test can tell you, but you probably shouldn't be drawing blood and testing for every condition under the sun, so it's worth having a check list. If you think most of these symptoms apply to you, then it might be worth ordering a test.

Symptoms of Oestrogen Dominance

• Weight gain particularly around your mid section and hips

• Extreme PMS symptoms (swollen, tender breasts, mood swings, fever, headaches or migraines)

• Abnormal or irregular periods

• Fatigue/tiredness

• Brain Fog

• Low sex drive

• Thinning hair

• Thyroid dysfunction

• Insomnia

Of course, these symptoms can have other causes, but if you suffer with the majority of them, with no other known cause or explanation, then it is worth getting a test.

I'm Oestrogen Dominant. What now?

There are simple steps you can take to help balance your hormones, or to prevent them becoming out of line in the first place.

The first step is to get rid of any fake oestrogens in your life. These are sometimes called 'xenoestrogens' and they're chemicals mimic oestrogen in your body. You may also hear them called 'parabens', 'xenobiotics' or 'endocrine disruptors' and they wreak havoc on your hormones.

The one that most people will recognise is BPA - hence why you can buy BPA free plastics. Parabens is also common and you'll see 'paraben free' written on good quality shampoos etc... The birth control pill should be an obvious one, but you'd be surprised how many women don't think about it. Soy products can also be fairly damaging to the endocrine system.

Step two is eliminating the oestrogen that's already in your body. This should be as simple as going to the toilet, but unfortunately constipation is another symptom of oestrogen dominance, and you can actually end up reabsorbing some of the hormones your body was attempting to eliminate. Make sure that you are having at least one bowel movement a day by:

• drinking plenty of water

• having at least half your plate made of vegetables at each meal

• eating probiotics like sauerkraut and kimchi

• Taking Terrazyme supplement* when necessary

Step three is supporting your liver in eliminating excess oestrogen. Your liver does an amazing job of breaking oestrogen down into water soluble components so that you can excrete it, but it slows down if it doesn't have the correct nutrients it needs or is overburdened by other environmental toxins.

You can support your liver by

• Drinking plenty of filtered water

• Eating a real food diet, with no processed junk

• Avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs

• Getting plenty of sleep

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