I3C (Indole 3 Carbinol) has given me my life back!

[Bloomsburygirl]

This is a long post but if I can help just one person feel better I will be delighted. I want to tell people about my experience with I3C (DIM), as few people seem aware of it. I am 48 years old and have suffered from dreadful hormonal symptoms since my second DS was born 10 years ago, including anxiety, fatigue, lack of motivation, insomnia, moodiness, and PMS. Seven years ago my doctor prescribed anti-depressants for anxiety and I have gone from 50mg to 100mg as it got better for a few years and then got worse again. I tried HRT and a herbal estrogen supplement and both made me aggressive and angry. In the last six months my day to day life became pretty intolerable - constantly falling behind at work due to being tired and unmotivated, needing a nap every day and then needing to go to bed at 8pm, horrible bloating, awake between 2am and 5am every night and terribly moody and anxious. A friend recommended the book Hormone Hacks which contains a small paragraph on DIM (known as I3C in the UK) and estrogen dominance. I read through the symptoms and most of them applied to me so I ordered some I3C and prayed it would help.

Three weeks in and my life has changed beyond recognition! I have steady energy all day. My anxiety is gone, as have the bloating, insomnia, and mood swings, and I feel more motivated and alive than I have in years. Plus, my mental clarity is through the roof! My period arrived today with no horrible PMS proceeding it. If I had not stumbled across that small paragraph, I probably would have gone to my GP who would have simply tweaked my anti-depressants and/or HRT because it seems like these are the only tools they have available. However, just because you have a hammer does not mean everything is a nail.

I3C is a bioactive phytochemical abundant in cruciferous vegetables, which helps regulate estrogen. If you, like me, have been feeling like rubbish for years and HRT, and anti-depressants are not helping, do some research around I3C. I don't know if it will help as I can only go from my own experience, but it has completely changed my life to the point I am excited about what I am able to do/achieve now that I feel so much better!

Thank you, never heard of this but just ordered some! Fingers crossed it helps me too, have very similar symptoms. I have oestrogen gel and I’ve learnt through trial and error that even one pump a day can be too much for me, it varies through the month, so I roughly use one pump every other day now. If I put on too much I turn into a raging wild animal!

Oh my goodness - I yelled at the postman when I was on HRT (which I would never, ever do in an ordinary life). I am crossing my fingers for you xx

I should also say, please do some research and make sure you are happy. The trials are still fairly new and most have been done on mice. I definitely did not post to promote I3C, only to share my experience and alert people to the supplement that may help. Good luck! xx

I wonder if you could get the same effect from broccoli micro greens (I've not got the best kidneys and need to be careful about supplements but know I've an issue w oestrogen dominance).

I am not sure but it is definitely worth looking into. From my own research I read that you would need to eat around two pounds of cruciferous vegetables per day to get a similar effect to taking a supplement. However, increasing your intake can only help. Good luck xx

Can you link to any research on this? A quick google just throws up some papers on using it for cancer. Nothing with menopause.

It does indeed seem to have a negative effect on estrogen.

The premise of estrogen dominance is not one that has credibility in the UK amongst menopause specialists. It did come from some doctors in the US a few decades back who were selling transdermal progesterone (it was a scam as it can't be absorbed through the skin.)

Most women have meno symptoms due to loss of estrogen.

I'm pleased you are being helped, but it appears to be the antithesis of what HRT does.

My body is definitely weird! HRT made me so aggressive and I put that down to the increase in estrogen. I also tried a herbal supplement which also elevated my estrogen and it did the same thing (although the postman was safe). I3C has completely changed my life as I was so miserable. Thank you for your comment x

Try searching for DIM. Here is one article I found useful - DIM Supplement Benefits For Women - Dr. Jolene Brighten (drbrighten.com)

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Thanks for this. Just ordered some!

Here is another link that refers to clinical studies for cancer but also talks about how it can help with wayward hormones - The Side Effects of Diindolylmethane Supplement | livestrong. I hope this helps with your research xx

@Bloomsburygirl Thanks for those links but they aren't scientific papers. The first one is from the US and from a nutritionist (where there is still the belief amongst alternative practitioners that estrogen dominance exists.) The second is a journalist pulling together a few summaries of some evidence.

The theory that cruciferous vegetables may play a role in preventing cancer has been around for a long time. It's not established yet as mainstream treatment or prevention but everyone should eat these veg anyway as part of a healthy diet.

I'd be cautious of taking supplements that may block the role of estrogen because they could affect bone density and lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis.

Estrogen-blocking drugs used in cancer treatments are always used alongside other drugs to maintain bone density.

Be careful.

As stated in the second link

Harvard Health says that although there are a lot of promising studies on DIM, you should talk to your doctor and proceed with caution before taking this supplement, especially if you are of reproductive age or pregnant.
^^
Because of the way DIM blocks estrogen, it could affect your breast and bone health, and it can affect the way your oral contraceptives work. They point out that postmenopausal women could be at increased risk of osteoporosis, because it could reduce the estrogen in the body that helps maintain bone density.

@JinglingSpringbells thanks so much, you are 100% right. This is why I have urged anyone who is interested to do their own research. I am exercising (running and weights) to promote my bone density, plus I have quit drinking alcohol, and I am researching what else I can do. But at the end of the day, I am prepared to take the risk as I could not go on feeling as bad as I was xx

In the long term, the supplements won't help your bones if the are blocking estrogen. Running etc does help but it won't replace estrogen.

I am wondering how many types and doses of HRT you tried? At 48 your own levels of estrogen are probably fluctuating quite a lot and medical advice would be you try at least 3 types and doses of HRT before deciding it wasn't working.

For me, the true test of all of these alternative products is whether private menopause consultants favour them. They have access to everything (unlike the NHS) and can suggest all kinds of things if there is evidence they work.

Obviously you need to make your own choices but please be careful.

Hi @Bloomsburygirl. I kept your post and was wondering how you were getting on with the DIM supplements? I’m keen to try them but am concerned about side affects (of which I’m hoping you say that there aren’t any!) Thanks

Hi @Bloomsburygirl, how you are getting on now the DIM supplement? After your positive experience at the start can you please share how it's going for you now? I have just started taking it.
I am 34 years old and I believe I also have estrogen dominance. I have done so much research and came across DIM, so I thought to give it a try.