Estrogen Dominance

[MicheLLEL75]

I’d really like to hear from people who have or is currently suffering from issues caused by estrogen dominance.

I started getting perimenopausal symptoms about 4 years ago and I was put on estrogen, without any prior tests to determine what my hormone levels were.

Rather than dealing with these symptoms, over the last couple of years, in particular, they became worse which has subsequently had a huge impact on my quality of life and mental health. I won’t list everything, but here are a few of the issues I’ve experienced:

• insomnia
• significant weight gain
• hypoglycaemia
• fatigue
• bloating to the extent people think I’m pregnant
• Anxiety to the point I cannot leave the house (I never suffered from anxiety prior to this!)

The issues with hypoglycaemia are having a significant impact on me as I am scared to leave the house in fear that I’ll have a blood sugar crash. It’s also caused significant weight gain as I always feel like I have to eat to stop my blood sugar from dropping.

it’s been a lonely experience as friends and family just felt it was an issue with anxiety and the doctor suggested I go on antidepressants, It was also clear that there is a lack of understanding from the surgery about the fact a hormone imbalance could be causing this.

A couple of months ago I took a hormone test which showed that I am estrogen dominant with estrogen levels being well beyond normal levels.

I have since completely stopped taking estrogen altogether. I have continued taking progesterone, which I started taking earlier in the year to help with my blood sugar.

I appreciate that it will take time but 4 weeks on my hormones feel all over the place with no signs of improvement. I am drinking lots of water and taking greens such as broccoli and cauliflower as I understand that can help reduce estrogen levels.

I really don’t want to lose another year of my life to this so i would welcome any advice from anyone who has gone through a similar experience with estrogen dominance and how you managed to effectively balance your hormone levels and get back to a normal life

Thank you!

Michelle

Are you in the UK @MicheLLEL75 ?
The treatment you have had isn't recognised here, as far as I know, except perhaps by very 'alternative' practices.

Not too sure what you were/ are using but HRT is always estrogen+progestogen unless you have had a hysterectomy then it can be just estrogen.

The idea of estrogen dominance came about in the US by a manufacturer of progesterone cream (which is not licensed in the UK) .

In peri, estrogen levels swing up and down all the time.
Ovulation doesn't happen every months but the ovaries work overtime stimulated by FSH to try to produce eggs, but no progesterone is produced unless ovulation happens.

So most women in peri will always have more estrogen than progesterone.

Where are you getting your treatment from?

ps
How do you know your blood sugar crashes?

Have you had tests from a GP for this and for diabetes?

As I understand it, “estrogen dominance” is a fiction.
Ask for standard HRT.

Thanks everyone for your replies.
yes JinglingSpringbells, I am in the UK.
I was on Oestrogel and oral progesterone. I had a private blood test which showed my oestrogen levels were off the charts high and my progesterone was low so I immediately came of the oestrogel as the results worried me so much.
I had a range of blood tests some time ago with the NHS and my blood sugar was showing as the low end of normal, but I’d had a crash just before the test so had eaten some gummy sweets just before the test, which would’ve brought my levels back up. I then bought a continuous glucose monitor, which confirmed that I was having very fast blood sugar dips.
i have another appointment with my GP next week as I’ve done a lot of research and it’s all saying that high oestrogen causes hypoglycaemia. If he can’t help I’m going to a private doctor who can prescribe bio identical hormones to see if they work any better for me.

I had a Granulosa Cell Tumour on my left ovary, which was making oestrogen. It would be worth you asking for a scan of your ovaries.

That’s interesting Robotalkingrubbish. I had a scan about four years ago before starting HRT because my periods were so heavy. That pitched up an ovarian cyst but the doctor explained it didn’t need treatment. I think you’re right about asking for another scan. Thanks for your reply

@MicheLLEL75 Blood tests- especially one single test- are not accurate (my highly experienced consultant has told me this several times.) The range of estrogen can vary hugely over a day depending on the time of day, absorption, etc.

Your symptoms in your first post sound like the usual peri meno ones so you may in fact need more estrogen not less.

How many pumps were you on? 2 is the average to start and 4 the highest.

Also, 'bio- identical' hrt isn't licensed, for good reason. This is because it's based on false science, using saliva samples and blood tests, that are not accurate.
Gel and Utrogestan are body identical and are safe and effective.

To be honest, maybe you are making connections between estrogen and blood sugar which don't exist? If you have very low- abnormally low- blood sugar, that could be Diabetes type 1 which needs proper investigations nothing to do with peri meno.

The CA-125 test doesn’t detect a Granulosa Cell Tumour.

@MicheLLEL75 when you say your blood glucose 'crashes' what happens?
I've used a BGM before and when blood glucose falls in a steep line after eating something that sends it higher, that's actually healthy.

It's when a higher level stays high for hours that shows the body isn't efficient at dealing with glucose and may be the start of metabolic syndrome.

Normal BG levels should be around 4 in the morning (can be as low as 3) before eating and can rise up to 10 after eating/drinking something sweet/ refined carbs. Were yours a long way out of this range? If you bought a monitor, you'll probably know this anyway as the ranges are on the instructions.