Updated April 15, 2024
Estrogen Dominance and PMS: Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome
For some of us PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, might be the day before the period starts and for others the whole preceding week. And we know the symptoms…
Most women know when their period is coming because things change; breasts get tender, the temperature outside fluctuates constantly, family becomes more annoying, our feet swell, we may feel a bit grouchy, thinking becomes cloudy but emotions are front and center. These are but a few of the many PMS symptoms that can occur. A more extensive list of symptoms include tiredness, bloating, stomach pain, skin breakouts, greasy hair, trouble sleeping, headaches…you get the picture.
Then, there are those of us who are already menopausal and have some of the same issues almost incessantly. Plus, we have the added benefit of skin losing its luster and tone, slower reflexes, and the uncanny ability to keep an extra 5 – 10 pounds no matter what we eat or how much we exercise. What? I thought PMS was over in menopause?
What is going on? Why is this happening?
Hormones Need to be in Balance
Basically, when the level of progesterone takes a nosedive, leaving the estrogen unopposed this causes estrogen dominance. Estrogen is generally a stimulant and presents as anxiety, agitation, muscle tension, increased cell division in female organs (e.g., uterine fibroids, breast cysts etc.) Conversely, progesterone has a calming effect such as sedation, slowed cell division etc. An imbalance which favors a predominance of the estrogenic effect evidenced by either excessive estrogen or insufficient progesterone is called estrogen dominance.When this ratio stays, estrogen dominance can become an unfortunate way of life.
Balancing the hormones is a key strategy to restoring women’s health. Balancing the estrogen and progesterone levels is only one step. Proper evaluation of the thyroid, adrenals and female/male hormones must be done as the adrenal, thyroid, and pancreatic hormones must become part of the equation. In general, stress hurts the adrenals, especially chronic stress. The adrenals and thyroid must work in concert to produce energy. It is rare for the endocrine system to act as separate entities. It is a choreographed dance in which each player must do the right move or everyone is thrown off.
There are many ways to balance hormones and integrative doctors like to take a whole-body approach to treatment. To provide the body with proper support to address estrogen dominance and/or hormonal imbalance, treatment may include bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), tonifying/balancing herbs, detoxification, avoidance of estrogenic chemicals in the environment, dietary changes (less sugar and caffeine, more healthy fats) and stress management. Treatment using prescription, or natural hormone therapy or bioidentical hormone replacement along with supplements and perhaps lifestyle changes is essential to address the root cause of the problem, restore physiologic balance, and restore normal healthy hormone function.
When was the last time you had your hormones checked?
