Re: EStrogen dominance, don't assume this is your problem be tested to confirm

[Guest guest]

Hi ladies, haven't posted in a long time.

Estrogen dominance is a real condition but not all women have this

highly publizied condition, many have POD, (premature ovarian

decline--LOSS OF ESTROGEN) that can be caused by stress, poor

nutrition, toxins, genetics.

Don't assume you're " estrogen dominant " have serum blood tests on

days 1,2, or 3 day 14 and 20,21 or 22 of your cycle, three times in

the month taking NO hormones. you need to be hormone free in order

to get your baseline readings.

I've read several books on hormones since I have hormone problems

and my LOW estrogen as a young woman has made my health worse.

Estrogen levels must be otimal to fight off infection and to boost

the immune system. Estrogen is also a natural pain modulator. Many

studies show that LOW estrogen is common in women with FMS and CFS.

it's not the cause but makes the condition more miserable with

insomnia, depression, dry skin, loss of libido and achiness that

comes with low estrodial. Also, low estrogen in ratio to high

progesterone can cause pms too, it's not only the low P to high T.

Also, to low of testosterone can cause fatigue, and low libido and

dry skin.

Hormone conditions should not be taken for granted, be tested before

assuming what you have.

By far the best books I've read on this issue are " It's My Ovaries,

Stupid " by Vliet,MD, " The Hormone Solution " by

Schwartz, MD and most of all " Natural Hormone Balance for Women " by

Uzzi Reiss, MD.

I've also read clinical studies.

Again, I'm not saying ED is not real, it's just over generalized.

I went into POD soon after 25 due to illness.

In , Tricia Trish <glory2glory1401@...>

wrote:

>

> Just to make sure you all don't miss this important discussion!

At least scroll down to the discussion of the causes of estrogen

dominance:

>

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Estrogen_Dominance.cfm#6

> Estrogen Dominance

> Estrogen and progesterone work in synchronization with each

other as checks and balances to achieve hormonal harmony in both

sexes. It is not the absolute deficiency of estrogen or

progesterone but rather the relative dominance of estrogen and

relative deficiency of progesterone that is main cause of health

problems when they are off balance.

>

> While sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone decline with

age gradually, there is a drastic change in the rate of decline

during the perimenopausal and menopausal years for the women in

these two hormones as mentioned earlier.

> From age 35 to 50, there is a 75% reduction in production of

progesterone in the body. Estrogen, during the same period, only

declines about 35%. By menopause, the total amount of progesterone

made is extremely low, while estrogen is still present in the body

at about half its pre-menopausal level.

>

> With the gradual drop in estrogen but severe drop in progesterone,

there is insufficient progesterone to counteract the amount of

estrogen in our body. This state is called estrogen dominance. Many

women in their mid-thirties, most women during peri-menopause (mid-

forties), and essentially all women during menopause (age 50 and

beyond) are overloaded with estrogen and at the same time suffering

from progesterone deficiency because of the severe drop in

physiological production during this period. The end result -

excessive estrogen relative to progesterone, a condition we called

estrogen dominance.

> According to Dr. Lee, the world's authority on natural

hormone therapy, the key to hormonal balance is the modulation of

progesterone to estrogen ratio. For optimum health, the progesterone

to estrogen ratio should be between 200 and 300 to 1.

>

>

> What is so bad about estrogen dominance? It is the root cause

of a myriad of illnesses. Conditions associated with this include

fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, uterine fibroids, breast cancer,

endometriosis, infertility problem, endometrial polyps, PCOS, auto-

immune disorders, low blood sugar problems, and menstrual pain,

among many others.

> Questions? Ask me.

>

> Estrogen Dominance in Pre-menopausal Women

>

> There are two periods in a women's life that her progesterone

level is low - at puberty and again at peri-menopause ( the few

years right before menopause). Between puberty and peri-menopause,

the production of progesterone can go astray, leading to estrogen

dominance as mentioned earlier. Between this period, estrogen

dominance can also be the result of excessive external estrogen

intake (from diet and environment) or internal estrogen production (

from obesity, birth control pills, or ovarian tumor).

>

> Two common causes are:

>

> A. Anovulation (lack of ovulation). Ovulation is the time of the

month where an ovarian follicle releases an ovum (egg). Under normal

condition, the released egg makes it way from the ovary to the

uterus in preparation for fertilization. This usually happens from

day 12 to day 14 of the menstrual cycle. After the egg is released,

the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum. This is the main

factory where the production of progesterone takes place.

>

> When the follicles become dysfunctional, no eggs are released.

This is called anovulation. If a woman is not ovulating, there would

not be a corpus luteum and therefore no increased progesterone

production. Laboratory measurement would show both a low estrogen

and a low progesterone level. Many still have a seemingly normal

menstrual cycle even if there is no ovulation. The lack of

progesterone, however, leads to relative estrogen dominance and

symptoms like PMS, mood swings, cramps, and tender breast.

Anovulation is commonly caused by exposure of female embryos to

environmental estrogen (also called xenobiotic or xenoestrogen) such

as pesticides, plastic, and pollution. It is often related to a poor

diet and stress.

>

> B. Luteal insufficiency. More frequent than anovulation, the egg

is produced but the corpus luteum malfunctions. It just does not

make enough progesterone. Laboratory measurements would show a high

estrogen but low progesterone, and typical symptoms of estrogen

dominance would arise. Without adequate progesterone, the chance of

achieving pregnancy is reduced. Don't forget that progesterone is

what keeps the womb going and it nourishes the fetus.

>

>

> Estrogen Dominance in Menopausal Women

>

> The predominant reason why menopausal women developed estrogen

dominance is because they are being prescribed unopposed estrogen

such as Premarin as part of their hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

program. Despite decades of research clearly showing that HRT

significantly increased breast cancer, millions of women worldwide

are on unopposed estrogen for treatment of menopausal symptoms.

>

> Obesity is another cause. During menopause, the amount of estrogen

produced from the ovaries decreases, but not as drastic when it

comes to another hormone that the ovaries produce called

androstenedione (a male hormone). Fat cells can convert

androstenedione into estrogen. The amount of conversion in some

people is enough to maintain a reasonable estrogen level in the body

well into the 70s. The result of excessive estrogen and absolute

deficiency in progesterone is clear - estrogen dominance.

>

> We mentioned above our body is essentially soaked in a sea of

estrogen. Where does the estrogen comes from? Let us take a closer

look.

>

> Causes of Estrogen Dominance

>

> Our body normally functions in perfect homeostasis. With the

advent of society and industrial state in the past 70 years, our

body has been subjected to unprecedented insults from environmental

estrogen-like hormones. In less than one hundred years, we have

managed to turn our diet from whole fruits and whole food to fast

and processed food. In the past, cattle were raised on grass and

natural organic feed and chickens were allowed to run free. This is

in stark contrast to the commercialization of cattle and poultry

farms of today where animals are in cages most of the time. Worse

yet, feeds laced with pesticides and hormones, both of which have

estrogen-like activities, are routinely given to animals, which in

turn is passed to humans.

>

> Women in non-industrialized cultures whose diets are whole food

based and are untainted with modern processed foods and pesticides

seldom suffer a deficiency in progesterone and the signs of estrogen

dominance manifested as menopausal symptoms.

>

> 12 of the most common reasons:

>

> 1. Commercially raised cattle and poultry. These animals are fed

estrogen-like hormones as well as growth hormone that are passed

onto humans. It takes 60 pounds of grain, feed, and hay to produce

one pound of edible beef. On the other hand, it only takes one pound

of feed to produce one pound of edible fish. Deep-sea fish such as

halibut, sardines, cod, and mackerel are good to consume. Young ones

are often less contaminated than older fish, and smaller fish are

better shielded from contamination than larger fish like sharks and

swordfish. Avoid all coastal fish and shellfish, which are high in

contaminants. Fish are far superior to beef or chicken in terms of

hormone load. It is interesting to note that one-half of all

antibiotics in the United States are used in livestock - 25 million

pounds a year. These antibiotics can contribute to hormone disruptor

exposure. The use of antibiotics is especially prevalent in poultry

farms. It only takes 6 weeks now to grow a chicken

> to full size (down from four months in 1940). Up to 80,000 birds

may be packed into one warehouse. Feeds used contain a myriad of

hormone-disrupting toxins including pesticides, antibiotics, and

drugs to combat disease when so many animals are packed closely

together.

>

> 2. Commercially grown fruits and vegetables containing pesticides.

If you eat in any developed countries, you are taking in pesticides

from fruits and vegetables, many of which are known hormone

disruptors. Approximately 5 billion pounds of pesticides,

herbicides, fungicides, and other biocides are being added to the

world each year. In the past 100 years, several hundred billions

pounds of pesticides have been released into the environment.

Pesticides that are banned in the US, such as DDT, are being used in

some other countries freely. Illegal pesticides are being used on

crops that we eat everyday. It is estimated that a person eats

illegal pesticides 75 times a year just by following USDA's

recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day if

these are purchased in regular supermarkets. Vegetables grown in

developing foreign countries such as South America and Africa find

their way back to our dinner table in this global community.

Pesticide residues have

> chemical structures that are similar to estrogen. These are

eventually passed onto humans. Produce with the most pesticides

reported in A Shopper's Guide to Pesticdes in Produce include

strawberries (contain vinclozolin, a known endocrine disruptor),

bell peppers, peaches, apples, apricots, and spinach. Foods with the

least amount of pesticides include avocados, corn, onions, sweet

potatoes, bananas, green onions, broccoli, and cauliflower. If you

are eating non-organic fruits and vegetables, peel and wash them

well with diluted vinegar. This will help to reduce pesticides on

the surface. Needless to say, this will not help to rid of the

pesticides inside. Discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables, and

trim fat from meat and skin from poultry and fish that tend to

collect residues.

>

> 3. Exposure to xenoestrogen. When a female embryo develops in

the womb, 500,000 to 800,000 follicles are created in the embryo,

each enclosing an immature ovum. These fragile ovarian follicles are

extremely sensitive to the toxicity of environmental pollutants.

When the mother is exposed to toxic chemicals that resemble estrogen

in its molecular structure, she may experience no apparent damage

outwardly. However the baby is more vulnerable to these toxins that

may damage its ovarian follicles and make them dysfunctional. This

will not be apparent until the baby reaches puberty some 10 to 15

years later, when symptoms of incomplete ovulation or insufficient

progesterone production can be noted.

>

> Petrochemical compounds found in general consumer products such as

creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfume, hair spray and room

deodorizers. Such compounds often have chemical structures similar

to estrogen and indeed act like estrogen. Other sources of

xenoestrogen include car exhaust, petrochemically derived

pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides; solvents and adhesives such

as that those found in nail polish, paint removers, and glues; dry-

cleaning chemicals; practically all plastics, industrial waste such

as PCBs and dioxins, synthetic estrogens from urine of women taking

HRT and birth control pills that is flushed down the toilet and

eventually found its way into the food chain and back into the body.

They are fat soluble and non-biodegradable.

>

> 4. Industrial solvents. A common source of industrial

xenoestrogens often overlooked is a family of chemicals called

solvents. These chemicals enter the body through the skin, and

accumulated quickly in the lipid-rich tissues such as myelin (nerve

sheath) and adipose (fat). Some common organic solvents include

alcohol like methanol, aldehydes like acetaldehyde, glycol like

ethylene glycol, and ketones like acetone. They are commonly found

in cosmetics, fingernail polish and fingernail polish remover,

glues, paints, varnishes, and other types of finishes, cleaning

products, carpet, fiberboard, and other processed woods. Pesticides

and herbicides such as lawn and garden sprays, indoor insect sprays

are also sources of minute amounts of xenoestrogens. While the

amount may be small in each, the additive effect from years of

chronic exposure can lead to estrogen dominance.

>

> 5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT with estrogen alone

without sufficient opposing progesterone such as the drug Premarin

should be banned. This increases the level of estrogen in the body.

Premarin, a estrogen only drug commonly used in the past 40 years,

is the mainstay of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). It is a

patented, chemicalized hormonal substitute that is not the same as

what you have in your body. It contains 48% estrone and only a small

amount of progesterone which is insufficient to have an opposing

effect. The indiscriminate and over-prescription of Premarin to many

who may not need it is the problem. Symptoms include water

retention, breast swelling, fibrocysts in the breast, depression,

headache, gallbladder problems, and heavy period. The excessive

estrogen from ERT also lead to increased chances of DNA damage,

setting a stage for endometrial and breast cancer.

>

> 6. Over production of estrogen. Excessive estrogen can arise from

ovarian cysts or tumors.

>

> 7. Stress. Stress causes adrenal gland exhaustion and reduced

progesterone output. This tilts the estrogen to progesterone ratios

in favor of estrogen. Excessive estrogen in turn causes insomnia and

anxiety, which further taxes the adrenal gland. This leads to a

further reduction in progesterone output and even more estrogen

dominance. After a few years in this type of vicious cycle, the

adrenal glands become exhausted. This dysfunction leads to blood

sugar imbalance, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue.

>

> 8. Obesity. Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal steroids to

estrogen. The higher the fat intake, the higher the conversion of

fat to estrogen. Overeating is the norm in developed countries. A

population from such countries, especially in the Western hemisphere

where a large part of the dietary calorie is derived from fat, has a

much higher incidence of menopausal symptoms. Studies have shown

that estrogen and progesterone levels fell in women who switched

from a typical high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to a low-fat,

high-fiber and plant-based diet even though they did not adjust

their total calorie intake. Plants contain over 5,000 known sterols

that have progestogenic effects. People who eat more wholesome foods

have a far lower incidence of menopausal symptoms because their pre-

and post-menopause levels of estrogen do not drop as significantly.

>

> 9. Liver diseases. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis from excessive

alcohol intake reduce the breakdown of estrogen. Taking drugs that

can impair liver function may also contribute to a higher level of

estrogen.

>

> 10. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Both of these are

necessary for the neutralization of estrogen in the liver. Too much

estrogen also tends to create deficiency of zinc, magnesium and the

B vitamins. These are all important constituents of hormonal balance.

>

> 11. Increased sugar, fast food and processed food. Intake of these

leads to a depletion of magnesium.

>

> 12. Increase in coffee consumption. Caffeine intake from all

sources was linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of age,

body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking, alcohol, and

cholesterol intake. Studies have shown that women who consumed at

least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of four or

five cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the early

follicular phase than women who consume no more than 100 mg of

caffeine daily, or less than one cup of coffee. Tea is not much

better as it contains about half the amount of caffeine as compared

to coffee. The exception is herbal tea like chamomile which contains

no caffeine.

>

> In absolute terms, those who live in the developed world are

bathed in a continuous sea of estrogen and do not know it. Yes, we

all have hormonal imbalances, and specifically - estrogen dominance.

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

You're welcome Patty.

I want to clarify that blood testing BEFORE starting progesterone or

estorgen should be three times (beginning cycle, days 1,2 OR three

(choose one), day 14 and day 20,21 OR 22 (pick one) estrogen,

progesterone, LH, fsh should be checked too so you can see the

activity of your hormones--three times before deciding what is up

with your hormones.a doctor can't tell with one tests because our

hormones go up and down with our cycle, it's not too many time to

tests before you decide to get on hormones.

I have high normal progesterone and I'm ovulating but low normal

estrogen. my doctor is going to try me on a small dose of

bioidentical estrogen and progesterone, giving me more estrogen

because i have less of that then the progesterone.

Something set off an illness in me after I had implants and the

explant.I've been under terrible stress too .

i also wanted to warn all you ladies the over the counter hormone

creams are not the way to go, get a perscription from a doctor who

is affiliated with a reputable compounding pharmacy.

KRONOS Compounding Pharmacy in Las Vegas

1-800-723-7455

Women's International Pharmacy

1-800-279-5708

www.womensinternational.com

> >

> > Just to make sure you all don't miss this important discussion!

> At least scroll down to the discussion of the causes of estrogen

> dominance:

> >

>

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Estrogen_Dominance.cfm#6

> > Estrogen Dominance

> > Estrogen and progesterone work in synchronization with each

> other as checks and balances to achieve hormonal harmony in both

> sexes. It is not the absolute deficiency of estrogen or

> progesterone but rather the relative dominance of estrogen and

> relative deficiency of progesterone that is main cause of health

> problems when they are off balance.

> >

> > While sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone decline

with

> age gradually, there is a drastic change in the rate of decline

> during the perimenopausal and menopausal years for the women in

> these two hormones as mentioned earlier.

> > From age 35 to 50, there is a 75% reduction in production of

> progesterone in the body. Estrogen, during the same period, only

> declines about 35%. By menopause, the total amount of progesterone

> made is extremely low, while estrogen is still present in the body

> at about half its pre-menopausal level.

> >

> > With the gradual drop in estrogen but severe drop in

progesterone,

> there is insufficient progesterone to counteract the amount of

> estrogen in our body. This state is called estrogen dominance.

Many

> women in their mid-thirties, most women during peri-menopause (mid-

> forties), and essentially all women during menopause (age 50 and

> beyond) are overloaded with estrogen and at the same time

suffering

> from progesterone deficiency because of the severe drop in

> physiological production during this period. The end result -

> excessive estrogen relative to progesterone, a condition we called

> estrogen dominance.

> > According to Dr. Lee, the world's authority on natural

> hormone therapy, the key to hormonal balance is the modulation of

> progesterone to estrogen ratio. For optimum health, the

progesterone

> to estrogen ratio should be between 200 and 300 to 1.

> >

> >

> > What is so bad about estrogen dominance? It is the root cause

> of a myriad of illnesses. Conditions associated with this include

> fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, uterine fibroids, breast cancer,

> endometriosis, infertility problem, endometrial polyps, PCOS, auto-

> immune disorders, low blood sugar problems, and menstrual pain,

> among many others.

> > Questions? Ask me.

> >

> > Estrogen Dominance in Pre-menopausal Women

> >

> > There are two periods in a women's life that her progesterone

> level is low - at puberty and again at peri-menopause ( the few

> years right before menopause). Between puberty and peri-menopause,

> the production of progesterone can go astray, leading to estrogen

> dominance as mentioned earlier. Between this period, estrogen

> dominance can also be the result of excessive external estrogen

> intake (from diet and environment) or internal estrogen production

(

> from obesity, birth control pills, or ovarian tumor).

> >

> > Two common causes are:

> >

> > A. Anovulation (lack of ovulation). Ovulation is the time of the

> month where an ovarian follicle releases an ovum (egg). Under

normal

> condition, the released egg makes it way from the ovary to the

> uterus in preparation for fertilization. This usually happens from

> day 12 to day 14 of the menstrual cycle. After the egg is

released,

> the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum. This is the main

> factory where the production of progesterone takes place.

> >

> > When the follicles become dysfunctional, no eggs are released.

> This is called anovulation. If a woman is not ovulating, there

would

> not be a corpus luteum and therefore no increased progesterone

> production. Laboratory measurement would show both a low estrogen

> and a low progesterone level. Many still have a seemingly normal

> menstrual cycle even if there is no ovulation. The lack of

> progesterone, however, leads to relative estrogen dominance and

> symptoms like PMS, mood swings, cramps, and tender breast.

> Anovulation is commonly caused by exposure of female embryos to

> environmental estrogen (also called xenobiotic or xenoestrogen)

such

> as pesticides, plastic, and pollution. It is often related to a

poor

> diet and stress.

> >

> > B. Luteal insufficiency. More frequent than anovulation, the egg

> is produced but the corpus luteum malfunctions. It just does not

> make enough progesterone. Laboratory measurements would show a

high

> estrogen but low progesterone, and typical symptoms of estrogen

> dominance would arise. Without adequate progesterone, the chance

of

> achieving pregnancy is reduced. Don't forget that progesterone is

> what keeps the womb going and it nourishes the fetus.

> >

> >

> > Estrogen Dominance in Menopausal Women

> >

> > The predominant reason why menopausal women developed estrogen

> dominance is because they are being prescribed unopposed estrogen

> such as Premarin as part of their hormone replacement therapy

(HRT)

> program. Despite decades of research clearly showing that HRT

> significantly increased breast cancer, millions of women worldwide

> are on unopposed estrogen for treatment of menopausal symptoms.

> >

> > Obesity is another cause. During menopause, the amount of

estrogen

> produced from the ovaries decreases, but not as drastic when it

> comes to another hormone that the ovaries produce called

> androstenedione (a male hormone). Fat cells can convert

> androstenedione into estrogen. The amount of conversion in some

> people is enough to maintain a reasonable estrogen level in the

body

> well into the 70s. The result of excessive estrogen and absolute

> deficiency in progesterone is clear - estrogen dominance.

> >

> > We mentioned above our body is essentially soaked in a sea of

> estrogen. Where does the estrogen comes from? Let us take a closer

> look.

> >

> > Causes of Estrogen Dominance

> >

> > Our body normally functions in perfect homeostasis. With the

> advent of society and industrial state in the past 70 years, our

> body has been subjected to unprecedented insults from

environmental

> estrogen-like hormones. In less than one hundred years, we have

> managed to turn our diet from whole fruits and whole food to fast

> and processed food. In the past, cattle were raised on grass and

> natural organic feed and chickens were allowed to run free. This

is

> in stark contrast to the commercialization of cattle and poultry

> farms of today where animals are in cages most of the time. Worse

> yet, feeds laced with pesticides and hormones, both of which have

> estrogen-like activities, are routinely given to animals, which in

> turn is passed to humans.

> >

> > Women in non-industrialized cultures whose diets are whole food

> based and are untainted with modern processed foods and pesticides

> seldom suffer a deficiency in progesterone and the signs of

estrogen

> dominance manifested as menopausal symptoms.

> >

> > 12 of the most common reasons:

> >

> > 1. Commercially raised cattle and poultry. These animals are fed

> estrogen-like hormones as well as growth hormone that are passed

> onto humans. It takes 60 pounds of grain, feed, and hay to produce

> one pound of edible beef. On the other hand, it only takes one

pound

> of feed to produce one pound of edible fish. Deep-sea fish such as

> halibut, sardines, cod, and mackerel are good to consume. Young

ones

> are often less contaminated than older fish, and smaller fish are

> better shielded from contamination than larger fish like sharks

and

> swordfish. Avoid all coastal fish and shellfish, which are high in

> contaminants. Fish are far superior to beef or chicken in terms of

> hormone load. It is interesting to note that one-half of all

> antibiotics in the United States are used in livestock - 25

million

> pounds a year. These antibiotics can contribute to hormone

disruptor

> exposure. The use of antibiotics is especially prevalent in

poultry

> farms. It only takes 6 weeks now to grow a chicken

> > to full size (down from four months in 1940). Up to 80,000 birds

> may be packed into one warehouse. Feeds used contain a myriad of

> hormone-disrupting toxins including pesticides, antibiotics, and

> drugs to combat disease when so many animals are packed closely

> together.

> >

> > 2. Commercially grown fruits and vegetables containing

pesticides.

> If you eat in any developed countries, you are taking in

pesticides

> from fruits and vegetables, many of which are known hormone

> disruptors. Approximately 5 billion pounds of pesticides,

> herbicides, fungicides, and other biocides are being added to the

> world each year. In the past 100 years, several hundred billions

> pounds of pesticides have been released into the environment.

> Pesticides that are banned in the US, such as DDT, are being used

in

> some other countries freely. Illegal pesticides are being used on

> crops that we eat everyday. It is estimated that a person eats

> illegal pesticides 75 times a year just by following USDA's

> recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day if

> these are purchased in regular supermarkets. Vegetables grown in

> developing foreign countries such as South America and Africa find

> their way back to our dinner table in this global community.

> Pesticide residues have

> > chemical structures that are similar to estrogen. These are

> eventually passed onto humans. Produce with the most pesticides

> reported in A Shopper's Guide to Pesticdes in Produce include

> strawberries (contain vinclozolin, a known endocrine disruptor),

> bell peppers, peaches, apples, apricots, and spinach. Foods with

the

> least amount of pesticides include avocados, corn, onions, sweet

> potatoes, bananas, green onions, broccoli, and cauliflower. If you

> are eating non-organic fruits and vegetables, peel and wash them

> well with diluted vinegar. This will help to reduce pesticides on

> the surface. Needless to say, this will not help to rid of the

> pesticides inside. Discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables,

and

> trim fat from meat and skin from poultry and fish that tend to

> collect residues.

> >

> > 3. Exposure to xenoestrogen. When a female embryo develops in

> the womb, 500,000 to 800,000 follicles are created in the embryo,

> each enclosing an immature ovum. These fragile ovarian follicles

are

> extremely sensitive to the toxicity of environmental pollutants.

> When the mother is exposed to toxic chemicals that resemble

estrogen

> in its molecular structure, she may experience no apparent damage

> outwardly. However the baby is more vulnerable to these toxins

that

> may damage its ovarian follicles and make them dysfunctional. This

> will not be apparent until the baby reaches puberty some 10 to 15

> years later, when symptoms of incomplete ovulation or insufficient

> progesterone production can be noted.

> >

> > Petrochemical compounds found in general consumer products such

as

> creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfume, hair spray and room

> deodorizers. Such compounds often have chemical structures similar

> to estrogen and indeed act like estrogen. Other sources of

> xenoestrogen include car exhaust, petrochemically derived

> pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides; solvents and adhesives

such

> as that those found in nail polish, paint removers, and glues; dry-

> cleaning chemicals; practically all plastics, industrial waste

such

> as PCBs and dioxins, synthetic estrogens from urine of women

taking

> HRT and birth control pills that is flushed down the toilet and

> eventually found its way into the food chain and back into the

body.

> They are fat soluble and non-biodegradable.

> >

> > 4. Industrial solvents. A common source of industrial

> xenoestrogens often overlooked is a family of chemicals called

> solvents. These chemicals enter the body through the skin, and

> accumulated quickly in the lipid-rich tissues such as myelin

(nerve

> sheath) and adipose (fat). Some common organic solvents include

> alcohol like methanol, aldehydes like acetaldehyde, glycol like

> ethylene glycol, and ketones like acetone. They are commonly found

> in cosmetics, fingernail polish and fingernail polish remover,

> glues, paints, varnishes, and other types of finishes, cleaning

> products, carpet, fiberboard, and other processed woods.

Pesticides

> and herbicides such as lawn and garden sprays, indoor insect

sprays

> are also sources of minute amounts of xenoestrogens. While the

> amount may be small in each, the additive effect from years of

> chronic exposure can lead to estrogen dominance.

> >

> > 5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT with estrogen alone

> without sufficient opposing progesterone such as the drug Premarin

> should be banned. This increases the level of estrogen in the

body.

> Premarin, a estrogen only drug commonly used in the past 40 years,

> is the mainstay of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). It is a

> patented, chemicalized hormonal substitute that is not the same as

> what you have in your body. It contains 48% estrone and only a

small

> amount of progesterone which is insufficient to have an opposing

> effect. The indiscriminate and over-prescription of Premarin to

many

> who may not need it is the problem. Symptoms include water

> retention, breast swelling, fibrocysts in the breast, depression,

> headache, gallbladder problems, and heavy period. The excessive

> estrogen from ERT also lead to increased chances of DNA damage,

> setting a stage for endometrial and breast cancer.

> >

> > 6. Over production of estrogen. Excessive estrogen can arise

from

> ovarian cysts or tumors.

> >

> > 7. Stress. Stress causes adrenal gland exhaustion and reduced

> progesterone output. This tilts the estrogen to progesterone

ratios

> in favor of estrogen. Excessive estrogen in turn causes insomnia

and

> anxiety, which further taxes the adrenal gland. This leads to a

> further reduction in progesterone output and even more estrogen

> dominance. After a few years in this type of vicious cycle, the

> adrenal glands become exhausted. This dysfunction leads to blood

> sugar imbalance, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue.

> >

> > 8. Obesity. Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal steroids to

> estrogen. The higher the fat intake, the higher the conversion of

> fat to estrogen. Overeating is the norm in developed countries. A

> population from such countries, especially in the Western

hemisphere

> where a large part of the dietary calorie is derived from fat, has

a

> much higher incidence of menopausal symptoms. Studies have shown

> that estrogen and progesterone levels fell in women who switched

> from a typical high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to a low-fat,

> high-fiber and plant-based diet even though they did not adjust

> their total calorie intake. Plants contain over 5,000 known

sterols

> that have progestogenic effects. People who eat more wholesome

foods

> have a far lower incidence of menopausal symptoms because their

pre-

> and post-menopause levels of estrogen do not drop as

significantly.

> >

> > 9. Liver diseases. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis from

excessive

> alcohol intake reduce the breakdown of estrogen. Taking drugs that

> can impair liver function may also contribute to a higher level of

> estrogen.

> >

> > 10. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Both of these are

> necessary for the neutralization of estrogen in the liver. Too

much

> estrogen also tends to create deficiency of zinc, magnesium and

the

> B vitamins. These are all important constituents of hormonal

balance.

> >

> > 11. Increased sugar, fast food and processed food. Intake of

these

> leads to a depletion of magnesium.

> >

> > 12. Increase in coffee consumption. Caffeine intake from all

> sources was linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of age,

> body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking, alcohol, and

> cholesterol intake. Studies have shown that women who consumed at

> least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of four or

> five cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the early

> follicular phase than women who consume no more than 100 mg of

> caffeine daily, or less than one cup of coffee. Tea is not much

> better as it contains about half the amount of caffeine as

compared

> to coffee. The exception is herbal tea like chamomile which

contains

> no caffeine.

> >

> > In absolute terms, those who live in the developed world are

> bathed in a continuous sea of estrogen and do not know it. Yes, we

> all have hormonal imbalances, and specifically - estrogen

dominance.

> >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Patty, Dong Quai works really well for alot of women. It's a chinese

herb. It also relaxs muscles and helps with joint pain. And many

more good results.

Love & Healing Prayers,

Sunny

> > >

> > > Just to make sure you all don't miss this important discussion!

> > At least scroll down to the discussion of the causes of estrogen

> > dominance:

> > >

> >

>

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Estrogen_Dominance.cfm#6

> > > Estrogen Dominance

> > > Estrogen and progesterone work in synchronization with each

> > other as checks and balances to achieve hormonal harmony in both

> > sexes. It is not the absolute deficiency of estrogen or

> > progesterone but rather the relative dominance of estrogen and

> > relative deficiency of progesterone that is main cause of health

> > problems when they are off balance.

> > >

> > > While sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone decline

> with

> > age gradually, there is a drastic change in the rate of decline

> > during the perimenopausal and menopausal years for the women in

> > these two hormones as mentioned earlier.

> > > From age 35 to 50, there is a 75% reduction in production of

> > progesterone in the body. Estrogen, during the same period, only

> > declines about 35%. By menopause, the total amount of

progesterone

> > made is extremely low, while estrogen is still present in the

body

> > at about half its pre-menopausal level.

> > >

> > > With the gradual drop in estrogen but severe drop in

> progesterone,

> > there is insufficient progesterone to counteract the amount of

> > estrogen in our body. This state is called estrogen dominance.

> Many

> > women in their mid-thirties, most women during peri-menopause

(mid-

> > forties), and essentially all women during menopause (age 50 and

> > beyond) are overloaded with estrogen and at the same time

> suffering

> > from progesterone deficiency because of the severe drop in

> > physiological production during this period. The end result -

> > excessive estrogen relative to progesterone, a condition we

called

> > estrogen dominance.

> > > According to Dr. Lee, the world's authority on natural

> > hormone therapy, the key to hormonal balance is the modulation of

> > progesterone to estrogen ratio. For optimum health, the

> progesterone

> > to estrogen ratio should be between 200 and 300 to 1.

> > >

> > >

> > > What is so bad about estrogen dominance? It is the root cause

> > of a myriad of illnesses. Conditions associated with this include

> > fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, uterine fibroids, breast cancer,

> > endometriosis, infertility problem, endometrial polyps, PCOS,

auto-

> > immune disorders, low blood sugar problems, and menstrual pain,

> > among many others.

> > > Questions? Ask me.

> > >

> > > Estrogen Dominance in Pre-menopausal Women

> > >

> > > There are two periods in a women's life that her progesterone

> > level is low - at puberty and again at peri-menopause ( the few

> > years right before menopause). Between puberty and peri-

menopause,

> > the production of progesterone can go astray, leading to estrogen

> > dominance as mentioned earlier. Between this period, estrogen

> > dominance can also be the result of excessive external estrogen

> > intake (from diet and environment) or internal estrogen

production

> (

> > from obesity, birth control pills, or ovarian tumor).

> > >

> > > Two common causes are:

> > >

> > > A. Anovulation (lack of ovulation). Ovulation is the time of

the

> > month where an ovarian follicle releases an ovum (egg). Under

> normal

> > condition, the released egg makes it way from the ovary to the

> > uterus in preparation for fertilization. This usually happens

from

> > day 12 to day 14 of the menstrual cycle. After the egg is

> released,

> > the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum. This is the main

> > factory where the production of progesterone takes place.

> > >

> > > When the follicles become dysfunctional, no eggs are released.

> > This is called anovulation. If a woman is not ovulating, there

> would

> > not be a corpus luteum and therefore no increased progesterone

> > production. Laboratory measurement would show both a low estrogen

> > and a low progesterone level. Many still have a seemingly normal

> > menstrual cycle even if there is no ovulation. The lack of

> > progesterone, however, leads to relative estrogen dominance and

> > symptoms like PMS, mood swings, cramps, and tender breast.

> > Anovulation is commonly caused by exposure of female embryos to

> > environmental estrogen (also called xenobiotic or xenoestrogen)

> such

> > as pesticides, plastic, and pollution. It is often related to a

> poor

> > diet and stress.

> > >

> > > B. Luteal insufficiency. More frequent than anovulation, the

egg

> > is produced but the corpus luteum malfunctions. It just does not

> > make enough progesterone. Laboratory measurements would show a

> high

> > estrogen but low progesterone, and typical symptoms of estrogen

> > dominance would arise. Without adequate progesterone, the chance

> of

> > achieving pregnancy is reduced. Don't forget that progesterone is

> > what keeps the womb going and it nourishes the fetus.

> > >

> > >

> > > Estrogen Dominance in Menopausal Women

> > >

> > > The predominant reason why menopausal women developed estrogen

> > dominance is because they are being prescribed unopposed estrogen

> > such as Premarin as part of their hormone replacement therapy

> (HRT)

> > program. Despite decades of research clearly showing that HRT

> > significantly increased breast cancer, millions of women

worldwide

> > are on unopposed estrogen for treatment of menopausal symptoms.

> > >

> > > Obesity is another cause. During menopause, the amount of

> estrogen

> > produced from the ovaries decreases, but not as drastic when it

> > comes to another hormone that the ovaries produce called

> > androstenedione (a male hormone). Fat cells can convert

> > androstenedione into estrogen. The amount of conversion in some

> > people is enough to maintain a reasonable estrogen level in the

> body

> > well into the 70s. The result of excessive estrogen and absolute

> > deficiency in progesterone is clear - estrogen dominance.

> > >

> > > We mentioned above our body is essentially soaked in a sea of

> > estrogen. Where does the estrogen comes from? Let us take a

closer

> > look.

> > >

> > > Causes of Estrogen Dominance

> > >

> > > Our body normally functions in perfect homeostasis. With the

> > advent of society and industrial state in the past 70 years, our

> > body has been subjected to unprecedented insults from

> environmental

> > estrogen-like hormones. In less than one hundred years, we have

> > managed to turn our diet from whole fruits and whole food to fast

> > and processed food. In the past, cattle were raised on grass and

> > natural organic feed and chickens were allowed to run free. This

> is

> > in stark contrast to the commercialization of cattle and poultry

> > farms of today where animals are in cages most of the time. Worse

> > yet, feeds laced with pesticides and hormones, both of which have

> > estrogen-like activities, are routinely given to animals, which

in

> > turn is passed to humans.

> > >

> > > Women in non-industrialized cultures whose diets are whole food

> > based and are untainted with modern processed foods and

pesticides

> > seldom suffer a deficiency in progesterone and the signs of

> estrogen

> > dominance manifested as menopausal symptoms.

> > >

> > > 12 of the most common reasons:

> > >

> > > 1. Commercially raised cattle and poultry. These animals are

fed

> > estrogen-like hormones as well as growth hormone that are passed

> > onto humans. It takes 60 pounds of grain, feed, and hay to

produce

> > one pound of edible beef. On the other hand, it only takes one

> pound

> > of feed to produce one pound of edible fish. Deep-sea fish such

as

> > halibut, sardines, cod, and mackerel are good to consume. Young

> ones

> > are often less contaminated than older fish, and smaller fish are

> > better shielded from contamination than larger fish like sharks

> and

> > swordfish. Avoid all coastal fish and shellfish, which are high

in

> > contaminants. Fish are far superior to beef or chicken in terms

of

> > hormone load. It is interesting to note that one-half of all

> > antibiotics in the United States are used in livestock - 25

> million

> > pounds a year. These antibiotics can contribute to hormone

> disruptor

> > exposure. The use of antibiotics is especially prevalent in

> poultry

> > farms. It only takes 6 weeks now to grow a chicken

> > > to full size (down from four months in 1940). Up to 80,000

birds

> > may be packed into one warehouse. Feeds used contain a myriad of

> > hormone-disrupting toxins including pesticides, antibiotics, and

> > drugs to combat disease when so many animals are packed closely

> > together.

> > >

> > > 2. Commercially grown fruits and vegetables containing

> pesticides.

> > If you eat in any developed countries, you are taking in

> pesticides

> > from fruits and vegetables, many of which are known hormone

> > disruptors. Approximately 5 billion pounds of pesticides,

> > herbicides, fungicides, and other biocides are being added to the

> > world each year. In the past 100 years, several hundred billions

> > pounds of pesticides have been released into the environment.

> > Pesticides that are banned in the US, such as DDT, are being used

> in

> > some other countries freely. Illegal pesticides are being used on

> > crops that we eat everyday. It is estimated that a person eats

> > illegal pesticides 75 times a year just by following USDA's

> > recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day if

> > these are purchased in regular supermarkets. Vegetables grown in

> > developing foreign countries such as South America and Africa

find

> > their way back to our dinner table in this global community.

> > Pesticide residues have

> > > chemical structures that are similar to estrogen. These are

> > eventually passed onto humans. Produce with the most pesticides

> > reported in A Shopper's Guide to Pesticdes in Produce include

> > strawberries (contain vinclozolin, a known endocrine disruptor),

> > bell peppers, peaches, apples, apricots, and spinach. Foods with

> the

> > least amount of pesticides include avocados, corn, onions, sweet

> > potatoes, bananas, green onions, broccoli, and cauliflower. If

you

> > are eating non-organic fruits and vegetables, peel and wash them

> > well with diluted vinegar. This will help to reduce pesticides on

> > the surface. Needless to say, this will not help to rid of the

> > pesticides inside. Discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables,

> and

> > trim fat from meat and skin from poultry and fish that tend to

> > collect residues.

> > >

> > > 3. Exposure to xenoestrogen. When a female embryo develops in

> > the womb, 500,000 to 800,000 follicles are created in the embryo,

> > each enclosing an immature ovum. These fragile ovarian follicles

> are

> > extremely sensitive to the toxicity of environmental pollutants.

> > When the mother is exposed to toxic chemicals that resemble

> estrogen

> > in its molecular structure, she may experience no apparent damage

> > outwardly. However the baby is more vulnerable to these toxins

> that

> > may damage its ovarian follicles and make them dysfunctional.

This

> > will not be apparent until the baby reaches puberty some 10 to 15

> > years later, when symptoms of incomplete ovulation or

insufficient

> > progesterone production can be noted.

> > >

> > > Petrochemical compounds found in general consumer products such

> as

> > creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfume, hair spray and room

> > deodorizers. Such compounds often have chemical structures

similar

> > to estrogen and indeed act like estrogen. Other sources of

> > xenoestrogen include car exhaust, petrochemically derived

> > pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides; solvents and adhesives

> such

> > as that those found in nail polish, paint removers, and glues;

dry-

> > cleaning chemicals; practically all plastics, industrial waste

> such

> > as PCBs and dioxins, synthetic estrogens from urine of women

> taking

> > HRT and birth control pills that is flushed down the toilet and

> > eventually found its way into the food chain and back into the

> body.

> > They are fat soluble and non-biodegradable.

> > >

> > > 4. Industrial solvents. A common source of industrial

> > xenoestrogens often overlooked is a family of chemicals called

> > solvents. These chemicals enter the body through the skin, and

> > accumulated quickly in the lipid-rich tissues such as myelin

> (nerve

> > sheath) and adipose (fat). Some common organic solvents include

> > alcohol like methanol, aldehydes like acetaldehyde, glycol like

> > ethylene glycol, and ketones like acetone. They are commonly

found

> > in cosmetics, fingernail polish and fingernail polish remover,

> > glues, paints, varnishes, and other types of finishes, cleaning

> > products, carpet, fiberboard, and other processed woods.

> Pesticides

> > and herbicides such as lawn and garden sprays, indoor insect

> sprays

> > are also sources of minute amounts of xenoestrogens. While the

> > amount may be small in each, the additive effect from years of

> > chronic exposure can lead to estrogen dominance.

> > >

> > > 5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT with estrogen alone

> > without sufficient opposing progesterone such as the drug

Premarin

> > should be banned. This increases the level of estrogen in the

> body.

> > Premarin, a estrogen only drug commonly used in the past 40

years,

> > is the mainstay of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). It is a

> > patented, chemicalized hormonal substitute that is not the same

as

> > what you have in your body. It contains 48% estrone and only a

> small

> > amount of progesterone which is insufficient to have an opposing

> > effect. The indiscriminate and over-prescription of Premarin to

> many

> > who may not need it is the problem. Symptoms include water

> > retention, breast swelling, fibrocysts in the breast, depression,

> > headache, gallbladder problems, and heavy period. The excessive

> > estrogen from ERT also lead to increased chances of DNA damage,

> > setting a stage for endometrial and breast cancer.

> > >

> > > 6. Over production of estrogen. Excessive estrogen can arise

> from

> > ovarian cysts or tumors.

> > >

> > > 7. Stress. Stress causes adrenal gland exhaustion and reduced

> > progesterone output. This tilts the estrogen to progesterone

> ratios

> > in favor of estrogen. Excessive estrogen in turn causes insomnia

> and

> > anxiety, which further taxes the adrenal gland. This leads to a

> > further reduction in progesterone output and even more estrogen

> > dominance. After a few years in this type of vicious cycle, the

> > adrenal glands become exhausted. This dysfunction leads to blood

> > sugar imbalance, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue.

> > >

> > > 8. Obesity. Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal steroids to

> > estrogen. The higher the fat intake, the higher the conversion of

> > fat to estrogen. Overeating is the norm in developed countries. A

> > population from such countries, especially in the Western

> hemisphere

> > where a large part of the dietary calorie is derived from fat,

has

> a

> > much higher incidence of menopausal symptoms. Studies have shown

> > that estrogen and progesterone levels fell in women who switched

> > from a typical high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to a low-fat,

> > high-fiber and plant-based diet even though they did not adjust

> > their total calorie intake. Plants contain over 5,000 known

> sterols

> > that have progestogenic effects. People who eat more wholesome

> foods

> > have a far lower incidence of menopausal symptoms because their

> pre-

> > and post-menopause levels of estrogen do not drop as

> significantly.

> > >

> > > 9. Liver diseases. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis from

> excessive

> > alcohol intake reduce the breakdown of estrogen. Taking drugs

that

> > can impair liver function may also contribute to a higher level

of

> > estrogen.

> > >

> > > 10. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Both of these are

> > necessary for the neutralization of estrogen in the liver. Too

> much

> > estrogen also tends to create deficiency of zinc, magnesium and

> the

> > B vitamins. These are all important constituents of hormonal

> balance.

> > >

> > > 11. Increased sugar, fast food and processed food. Intake of

> these

> > leads to a depletion of magnesium.

> > >

> > > 12. Increase in coffee consumption. Caffeine intake from all

> > sources was linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of age,

> > body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking, alcohol, and

> > cholesterol intake. Studies have shown that women who consumed at

> > least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of four or

> > five cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the

early

> > follicular phase than women who consume no more than 100 mg of

> > caffeine daily, or less than one cup of coffee. Tea is not much

> > better as it contains about half the amount of caffeine as

> compared

> > to coffee. The exception is herbal tea like chamomile which

> contains

> > no caffeine.

> > >

> > > In absolute terms, those who live in the developed world are

> > bathed in a continuous sea of estrogen and do not know it. Yes,

we

> > all have hormonal imbalances, and specifically - estrogen

> dominance.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >

[Guest guest]

Patty, I am glad & grateful to belong to this support network. One

of my friends said, " God is the space between you and me " ....I

strongly believe that He works through us to lift one another up.

I went to my PS today for post-surgery checkup. Everything looks

great and if it keeps this way, I won't need reconstruction in 6

months. He gave me a copy of the operative report, without hassle,

and took an after picture and said I could have copies of before and

after pictures in about 3 weeks. He removed " en bloc " and said

everything looked good. Thin & flexible capsules. We'll see how I

feel in time. He also told me the copy was just for me, and he

wouldn't release it to anyone else, so to keep it confidential. Mmmm

Hmmmmm....! Right......Can you see if the capsules are in with an x-

ray?

I really feel a need to simplify my life...we're all moving back to

the city and I'm going through my " stuff " and letting go of alot.

Also, with eating, and supplementation - choosing raw foods, mainly

and some cooked. Live enzymes are important. I just think of Mother

Theresa with her 2 saris (outfits) she would wear one and wash the

other one to wear the next day. Now that's simplicity.

Love & Healing Prayers to all & thanks for all the love & support --

Sunny p.s. God bless you ALL-ways, Patty for starting this life-

saving site.

> > > >

> > > > Just to make sure you all don't miss this important

discussion!

> > > At least scroll down to the discussion of the causes of

estrogen

> > > dominance:

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Estrogen_Dominance.cfm#6

> > > > Estrogen Dominance

> > > > Estrogen and progesterone work in synchronization with each

> > > other as checks and balances to achieve hormonal harmony in

both

> > > sexes. It is not the absolute deficiency of estrogen or

> > > progesterone but rather the relative dominance of estrogen and

> > > relative deficiency of progesterone that is main cause of

health

> > > problems when they are off balance.

> > > >

> > > > While sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone decline

> > with

> > > age gradually, there is a drastic change in the rate of decline

> > > during the perimenopausal and menopausal years for the women in

> > > these two hormones as mentioned earlier.

> > > > From age 35 to 50, there is a 75% reduction in production of

> > > progesterone in the body. Estrogen, during the same period,

only

> > > declines about 35%. By menopause, the total amount of

> progesterone

> > > made is extremely low, while estrogen is still present in the

> body

> > > at about half its pre-menopausal level.

> > > >

> > > > With the gradual drop in estrogen but severe drop in

> > progesterone,

> > > there is insufficient progesterone to counteract the amount of

> > > estrogen in our body. This state is called estrogen dominance.

> > Many

> > > women in their mid-thirties, most women during peri-menopause

> (mid-

> > > forties), and essentially all women during menopause (age 50

and

> > > beyond) are overloaded with estrogen and at the same time

> > suffering

> > > from progesterone deficiency because of the severe drop in

> > > physiological production during this period. The end result -

> > > excessive estrogen relative to progesterone, a condition we

> called

> > > estrogen dominance.

> > > > According to Dr. Lee, the world's authority on natural

> > > hormone therapy, the key to hormonal balance is the modulation

of

> > > progesterone to estrogen ratio. For optimum health, the

> > progesterone

> > > to estrogen ratio should be between 200 and 300 to 1.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > What is so bad about estrogen dominance? It is the root cause

> > > of a myriad of illnesses. Conditions associated with this

include

> > > fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, uterine fibroids, breast

cancer,

> > > endometriosis, infertility problem, endometrial polyps, PCOS,

> auto-

> > > immune disorders, low blood sugar problems, and menstrual pain,

> > > among many others.

> > > > Questions? Ask me.

> > > >

> > > > Estrogen Dominance in Pre-menopausal Women

> > > >

> > > > There are two periods in a women's life that her progesterone

> > > level is low - at puberty and again at peri-menopause ( the few

> > > years right before menopause). Between puberty and peri-

> menopause,

> > > the production of progesterone can go astray, leading to

estrogen

> > > dominance as mentioned earlier. Between this period, estrogen

> > > dominance can also be the result of excessive external estrogen

> > > intake (from diet and environment) or internal estrogen

> production

> > (

> > > from obesity, birth control pills, or ovarian tumor).

> > > >

> > > > Two common causes are:

> > > >

> > > > A. Anovulation (lack of ovulation). Ovulation is the time of

> the

> > > month where an ovarian follicle releases an ovum (egg). Under

> > normal

> > > condition, the released egg makes it way from the ovary to the

> > > uterus in preparation for fertilization. This usually happens

> from

> > > day 12 to day 14 of the menstrual cycle. After the egg is

> > released,

> > > the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum. This is the main

> > > factory where the production of progesterone takes place.

> > > >

> > > > When the follicles become dysfunctional, no eggs are

released.

> > > This is called anovulation. If a woman is not ovulating, there

> > would

> > > not be a corpus luteum and therefore no increased progesterone

> > > production. Laboratory measurement would show both a low

estrogen

> > > and a low progesterone level. Many still have a seemingly

normal

> > > menstrual cycle even if there is no ovulation. The lack of

> > > progesterone, however, leads to relative estrogen dominance and

> > > symptoms like PMS, mood swings, cramps, and tender breast.

> > > Anovulation is commonly caused by exposure of female embryos to

> > > environmental estrogen (also called xenobiotic or xenoestrogen)

> > such

> > > as pesticides, plastic, and pollution. It is often related to a

> > poor

> > > diet and stress.

> > > >

> > > > B. Luteal insufficiency. More frequent than anovulation, the

> egg

> > > is produced but the corpus luteum malfunctions. It just does

not

> > > make enough progesterone. Laboratory measurements would show a

> > high

> > > estrogen but low progesterone, and typical symptoms of estrogen

> > > dominance would arise. Without adequate progesterone, the

chance

> > of

> > > achieving pregnancy is reduced. Don't forget that progesterone

is

> > > what keeps the womb going and it nourishes the fetus.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Estrogen Dominance in Menopausal Women

> > > >

> > > > The predominant reason why menopausal women developed

estrogen

> > > dominance is because they are being prescribed unopposed

estrogen

> > > such as Premarin as part of their hormone replacement therapy

> > (HRT)

> > > program. Despite decades of research clearly showing that HRT

> > > significantly increased breast cancer, millions of women

> worldwide

> > > are on unopposed estrogen for treatment of menopausal symptoms.

> > > >

> > > > Obesity is another cause. During menopause, the amount of

> > estrogen

> > > produced from the ovaries decreases, but not as drastic when it

> > > comes to another hormone that the ovaries produce called

> > > androstenedione (a male hormone). Fat cells can convert

> > > androstenedione into estrogen. The amount of conversion in some

> > > people is enough to maintain a reasonable estrogen level in the

> > body

> > > well into the 70s. The result of excessive estrogen and

absolute

> > > deficiency in progesterone is clear - estrogen dominance.

> > > >

> > > > We mentioned above our body is essentially soaked in a sea of

> > > estrogen. Where does the estrogen comes from? Let us take a

> closer

> > > look.

> > > >

> > > > Causes of Estrogen Dominance

> > > >

> > > > Our body normally functions in perfect homeostasis. With the

> > > advent of society and industrial state in the past 70 years,

our

> > > body has been subjected to unprecedented insults from

> > environmental

> > > estrogen-like hormones. In less than one hundred years, we have

> > > managed to turn our diet from whole fruits and whole food to

fast

> > > and processed food. In the past, cattle were raised on grass

and

> > > natural organic feed and chickens were allowed to run free.

This

> > is

> > > in stark contrast to the commercialization of cattle and

poultry

> > > farms of today where animals are in cages most of the time.

Worse

> > > yet, feeds laced with pesticides and hormones, both of which

have

> > > estrogen-like activities, are routinely given to animals, which

> in

> > > turn is passed to humans.

> > > >

> > > > Women in non-industrialized cultures whose diets are whole

food

> > > based and are untainted with modern processed foods and

> pesticides

> > > seldom suffer a deficiency in progesterone and the signs of

> > estrogen

> > > dominance manifested as menopausal symptoms.

> > > >

> > > > 12 of the most common reasons:

> > > >

> > > > 1. Commercially raised cattle and poultry. These animals are

> fed

> > > estrogen-like hormones as well as growth hormone that are

passed

> > > onto humans. It takes 60 pounds of grain, feed, and hay to

> produce

> > > one pound of edible beef. On the other hand, it only takes one

> > pound

> > > of feed to produce one pound of edible fish. Deep-sea fish such

> as

> > > halibut, sardines, cod, and mackerel are good to consume. Young

> > ones

> > > are often less contaminated than older fish, and smaller fish

are

> > > better shielded from contamination than larger fish like sharks

> > and

> > > swordfish. Avoid all coastal fish and shellfish, which are high

> in

> > > contaminants. Fish are far superior to beef or chicken in terms

> of

> > > hormone load. It is interesting to note that one-half of all

> > > antibiotics in the United States are used in livestock - 25

> > million

> > > pounds a year. These antibiotics can contribute to hormone

> > disruptor

> > > exposure. The use of antibiotics is especially prevalent in

> > poultry

> > > farms. It only takes 6 weeks now to grow a chicken

> > > > to full size (down from four months in 1940). Up to 80,000

> birds

> > > may be packed into one warehouse. Feeds used contain a myriad

of

> > > hormone-disrupting toxins including pesticides, antibiotics,

and

> > > drugs to combat disease when so many animals are packed closely

> > > together.

> > > >

> > > > 2. Commercially grown fruits and vegetables containing

> > pesticides.

> > > If you eat in any developed countries, you are taking in

> > pesticides

> > > from fruits and vegetables, many of which are known hormone

> > > disruptors. Approximately 5 billion pounds of pesticides,

> > > herbicides, fungicides, and other biocides are being added to

the

> > > world each year. In the past 100 years, several hundred

billions

> > > pounds of pesticides have been released into the environment.

> > > Pesticides that are banned in the US, such as DDT, are being

used

> > in

> > > some other countries freely. Illegal pesticides are being used

on

> > > crops that we eat everyday. It is estimated that a person eats

> > > illegal pesticides 75 times a year just by following USDA's

> > > recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day

if

> > > these are purchased in regular supermarkets. Vegetables grown

in

> > > developing foreign countries such as South America and Africa

> find

> > > their way back to our dinner table in this global community.

> > > Pesticide residues have

> > > > chemical structures that are similar to estrogen. These are

> > > eventually passed onto humans. Produce with the most pesticides

> > > reported in A Shopper's Guide to Pesticdes in Produce include

> > > strawberries (contain vinclozolin, a known endocrine

disruptor),

> > > bell peppers, peaches, apples, apricots, and spinach. Foods

with

> > the

> > > least amount of pesticides include avocados, corn, onions,

sweet

> > > potatoes, bananas, green onions, broccoli, and cauliflower. If

> you

> > > are eating non-organic fruits and vegetables, peel and wash

them

> > > well with diluted vinegar. This will help to reduce pesticides

on

> > > the surface. Needless to say, this will not help to rid of the

> > > pesticides inside. Discard the outer leaves of leafy

vegetables,

> > and

> > > trim fat from meat and skin from poultry and fish that tend to

> > > collect residues.

> > > >

> > > > 3. Exposure to xenoestrogen. When a female embryo develops in

> > > the womb, 500,000 to 800,000 follicles are created in the

embryo,

> > > each enclosing an immature ovum. These fragile ovarian

follicles

> > are

> > > extremely sensitive to the toxicity of environmental

pollutants.

> > > When the mother is exposed to toxic chemicals that resemble

> > estrogen

> > > in its molecular structure, she may experience no apparent

damage

> > > outwardly. However the baby is more vulnerable to these toxins

> > that

> > > may damage its ovarian follicles and make them dysfunctional.

> This

> > > will not be apparent until the baby reaches puberty some 10 to

15

> > > years later, when symptoms of incomplete ovulation or

> insufficient

> > > progesterone production can be noted.

> > > >

> > > > Petrochemical compounds found in general consumer products

such

> > as

> > > creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfume, hair spray and room

> > > deodorizers. Such compounds often have chemical structures

> similar

> > > to estrogen and indeed act like estrogen. Other sources of

> > > xenoestrogen include car exhaust, petrochemically derived

> > > pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides; solvents and adhesives

> > such

> > > as that those found in nail polish, paint removers, and glues;

> dry-

> > > cleaning chemicals; practically all plastics, industrial waste

> > such

> > > as PCBs and dioxins, synthetic estrogens from urine of women

> > taking

> > > HRT and birth control pills that is flushed down the toilet and

> > > eventually found its way into the food chain and back into the

> > body.

> > > They are fat soluble and non-biodegradable.

> > > >

> > > > 4. Industrial solvents. A common source of industrial

> > > xenoestrogens often overlooked is a family of chemicals called

> > > solvents. These chemicals enter the body through the skin, and

> > > accumulated quickly in the lipid-rich tissues such as myelin

> > (nerve

> > > sheath) and adipose (fat). Some common organic solvents include

> > > alcohol like methanol, aldehydes like acetaldehyde, glycol like

> > > ethylene glycol, and ketones like acetone. They are commonly

> found

> > > in cosmetics, fingernail polish and fingernail polish remover,

> > > glues, paints, varnishes, and other types of finishes, cleaning

> > > products, carpet, fiberboard, and other processed woods.

> > Pesticides

> > > and herbicides such as lawn and garden sprays, indoor insect

> > sprays

> > > are also sources of minute amounts of xenoestrogens. While the

> > > amount may be small in each, the additive effect from years of

> > > chronic exposure can lead to estrogen dominance.

> > > >

> > > > 5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT with estrogen alone

> > > without sufficient opposing progesterone such as the drug

> Premarin

> > > should be banned. This increases the level of estrogen in the

> > body.

> > > Premarin, a estrogen only drug commonly used in the past 40

> years,

> > > is the mainstay of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). It is a

> > > patented, chemicalized hormonal substitute that is not the same

> as

> > > what you have in your body. It contains 48% estrone and only a

> > small

> > > amount of progesterone which is insufficient to have an

opposing

> > > effect. The indiscriminate and over-prescription of Premarin to

> > many

> > > who may not need it is the problem. Symptoms include water

> > > retention, breast swelling, fibrocysts in the breast,

depression,

> > > headache, gallbladder problems, and heavy period. The excessive

> > > estrogen from ERT also lead to increased chances of DNA damage,

> > > setting a stage for endometrial and breast cancer.

> > > >

> > > > 6. Over production of estrogen. Excessive estrogen can arise

> > from

> > > ovarian cysts or tumors.

> > > >

> > > > 7. Stress. Stress causes adrenal gland exhaustion and reduced

> > > progesterone output. This tilts the estrogen to progesterone

> > ratios

> > > in favor of estrogen. Excessive estrogen in turn causes

insomnia

> > and

> > > anxiety, which further taxes the adrenal gland. This leads to a

> > > further reduction in progesterone output and even more estrogen

> > > dominance. After a few years in this type of vicious cycle, the

> > > adrenal glands become exhausted. This dysfunction leads to

blood

> > > sugar imbalance, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue.

> > > >

> > > > 8. Obesity. Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal steroids

to

> > > estrogen. The higher the fat intake, the higher the conversion

of

> > > fat to estrogen. Overeating is the norm in developed countries.

A

> > > population from such countries, especially in the Western

> > hemisphere

> > > where a large part of the dietary calorie is derived from fat,

> has

> > a

> > > much higher incidence of menopausal symptoms. Studies have

shown

> > > that estrogen and progesterone levels fell in women who

switched

> > > from a typical high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to a low-

fat,

> > > high-fiber and plant-based diet even though they did not adjust

> > > their total calorie intake. Plants contain over 5,000 known

> > sterols

> > > that have progestogenic effects. People who eat more wholesome

> > foods

> > > have a far lower incidence of menopausal symptoms because their

> > pre-

> > > and post-menopause levels of estrogen do not drop as

> > significantly.

> > > >

> > > > 9. Liver diseases. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis from

> > excessive

> > > alcohol intake reduce the breakdown of estrogen. Taking drugs

> that

> > > can impair liver function may also contribute to a higher level

> of

> > > estrogen.

> > > >

> > > > 10. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Both of these are

> > > necessary for the neutralization of estrogen in the liver. Too

> > much

> > > estrogen also tends to create deficiency of zinc, magnesium and

> > the

> > > B vitamins. These are all important constituents of hormonal

> > balance.

> > > >

> > > > 11. Increased sugar, fast food and processed food. Intake of

> > these

> > > leads to a depletion of magnesium.

> > > >

> > > > 12. Increase in coffee consumption. Caffeine intake from all

> > > sources was linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of

age,

> > > body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking, alcohol, and

> > > cholesterol intake. Studies have shown that women who consumed

at

> > > least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of four

or

> > > five cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the

> early

> > > follicular phase than women who consume no more than 100 mg of

> > > caffeine daily, or less than one cup of coffee. Tea is not much

> > > better as it contains about half the amount of caffeine as

> > compared

> > > to coffee. The exception is herbal tea like chamomile which

> > contains

> > > no caffeine.

> > > >

> > > > In absolute terms, those who live in the developed world are

> > > bathed in a continuous sea of estrogen and do not know it. Yes,

> we

> > > all have hormonal imbalances, and specifically - estrogen

> > dominance.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > __________________________________________________

> > > >

[Guest guest]

> > > > >

> > > > > Just to make sure you all don't miss this important

> discussion!

> > > > At least scroll down to the discussion of the causes of

> estrogen

> > > > dominance:

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Estrogen_Dominance.cfm#6

> > > > > Estrogen Dominance

> > > > > Estrogen and progesterone work in synchronization with each

> > > > other as checks and balances to achieve hormonal harmony in

> both

> > > > sexes. It is not the absolute deficiency of estrogen or

> > > > progesterone but rather the relative dominance of estrogen

and

> > > > relative deficiency of progesterone that is main cause of

> health

> > > > problems when they are off balance.

> > > > >

> > > > > While sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone

decline

> > > with

> > > > age gradually, there is a drastic change in the rate of

decline

> > > > during the perimenopausal and menopausal years for the women

in

> > > > these two hormones as mentioned earlier.

> > > > > From age 35 to 50, there is a 75% reduction in production

of

> > > > progesterone in the body. Estrogen, during the same period,

> only

> > > > declines about 35%. By menopause, the total amount of

> > progesterone

> > > > made is extremely low, while estrogen is still present in the

> > body

> > > > at about half its pre-menopausal level.

> > > > >

> > > > > With the gradual drop in estrogen but severe drop in

> > > progesterone,

> > > > there is insufficient progesterone to counteract the amount

of

> > > > estrogen in our body. This state is called estrogen

dominance.

> > > Many

> > > > women in their mid-thirties, most women during peri-menopause

> > (mid-

> > > > forties), and essentially all women during menopause (age 50

> and

> > > > beyond) are overloaded with estrogen and at the same time

> > > suffering

> > > > from progesterone deficiency because of the severe drop in

> > > > physiological production during this period. The end result -

> > > > excessive estrogen relative to progesterone, a condition we

> > called

> > > > estrogen dominance.

> > > > > According to Dr. Lee, the world's authority on natural

> > > > hormone therapy, the key to hormonal balance is the

modulation

> of

> > > > progesterone to estrogen ratio. For optimum health, the

> > > progesterone

> > > > to estrogen ratio should be between 200 and 300 to 1.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > What is so bad about estrogen dominance? It is the root

cause

> > > > of a myriad of illnesses. Conditions associated with this

> include

> > > > fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, uterine fibroids, breast

> cancer,

> > > > endometriosis, infertility problem, endometrial polyps, PCOS,

> > auto-

> > > > immune disorders, low blood sugar problems, and menstrual

pain,

> > > > among many others.

> > > > > Questions? Ask me.

> > > > >

> > > > > Estrogen Dominance in Pre-menopausal Women

> > > > >

> > > > > There are two periods in a women's life that her

progesterone

> > > > level is low - at puberty and again at peri-menopause ( the

few

> > > > years right before menopause). Between puberty and peri-

> > menopause,

> > > > the production of progesterone can go astray, leading to

> estrogen

> > > > dominance as mentioned earlier. Between this period, estrogen

> > > > dominance can also be the result of excessive external

estrogen

> > > > intake (from diet and environment) or internal estrogen

> > production

> > > (

> > > > from obesity, birth control pills, or ovarian tumor).

> > > > >

> > > > > Two common causes are:

> > > > >

> > > > > A. Anovulation (lack of ovulation). Ovulation is the time

of

> > the

> > > > month where an ovarian follicle releases an ovum (egg). Under

> > > normal

> > > > condition, the released egg makes it way from the ovary to

the

> > > > uterus in preparation for fertilization. This usually happens

> > from

> > > > day 12 to day 14 of the menstrual cycle. After the egg is

> > > released,

> > > > the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum. This is the

main

> > > > factory where the production of progesterone takes place.

> > > > >

> > > > > When the follicles become dysfunctional, no eggs are

> released.

> > > > This is called anovulation. If a woman is not ovulating,

there

> > > would

> > > > not be a corpus luteum and therefore no increased

progesterone

> > > > production. Laboratory measurement would show both a low

> estrogen

> > > > and a low progesterone level. Many still have a seemingly

> normal

> > > > menstrual cycle even if there is no ovulation. The lack of

> > > > progesterone, however, leads to relative estrogen dominance

and

> > > > symptoms like PMS, mood swings, cramps, and tender breast.

> > > > Anovulation is commonly caused by exposure of female embryos

to

> > > > environmental estrogen (also called xenobiotic or

xenoestrogen)

> > > such

> > > > as pesticides, plastic, and pollution. It is often related to

a

> > > poor

> > > > diet and stress.

> > > > >

> > > > > B. Luteal insufficiency. More frequent than anovulation,

the

> > egg

> > > > is produced but the corpus luteum malfunctions. It just does

> not

> > > > make enough progesterone. Laboratory measurements would show

a

> > > high

> > > > estrogen but low progesterone, and typical symptoms of

estrogen

> > > > dominance would arise. Without adequate progesterone, the

> chance

> > > of

> > > > achieving pregnancy is reduced. Don't forget that

progesterone

> is

> > > > what keeps the womb going and it nourishes the fetus.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Estrogen Dominance in Menopausal Women

> > > > >

> > > > > The predominant reason why menopausal women developed

> estrogen

> > > > dominance is because they are being prescribed unopposed

> estrogen

> > > > such as Premarin as part of their hormone replacement therapy

> > > (HRT)

> > > > program. Despite decades of research clearly showing that HRT

> > > > significantly increased breast cancer, millions of women

> > worldwide

> > > > are on unopposed estrogen for treatment of menopausal

symptoms.

> > > > >

> > > > > Obesity is another cause. During menopause, the amount of

> > > estrogen

> > > > produced from the ovaries decreases, but not as drastic when

it

> > > > comes to another hormone that the ovaries produce called

> > > > androstenedione (a male hormone). Fat cells can convert

> > > > androstenedione into estrogen. The amount of conversion in

some

> > > > people is enough to maintain a reasonable estrogen level in

the

> > > body

> > > > well into the 70s. The result of excessive estrogen and

> absolute

> > > > deficiency in progesterone is clear - estrogen dominance.

> > > > >

> > > > > We mentioned above our body is essentially soaked in a sea

of

> > > > estrogen. Where does the estrogen comes from? Let us take a

> > closer

> > > > look.

> > > > >

> > > > > Causes of Estrogen Dominance

> > > > >

> > > > > Our body normally functions in perfect homeostasis. With

the

> > > > advent of society and industrial state in the past 70 years,

> our

> > > > body has been subjected to unprecedented insults from

> > > environmental

> > > > estrogen-like hormones. In less than one hundred years, we

have

> > > > managed to turn our diet from whole fruits and whole food to

> fast

> > > > and processed food. In the past, cattle were raised on grass

> and

> > > > natural organic feed and chickens were allowed to run free.

> This

> > > is

> > > > in stark contrast to the commercialization of cattle and

> poultry

> > > > farms of today where animals are in cages most of the time.

> Worse

> > > > yet, feeds laced with pesticides and hormones, both of which

> have

> > > > estrogen-like activities, are routinely given to animals,

which

> > in

> > > > turn is passed to humans.

> > > > >

> > > > > Women in non-industrialized cultures whose diets are whole

> food

> > > > based and are untainted with modern processed foods and

> > pesticides

> > > > seldom suffer a deficiency in progesterone and the signs of

> > > estrogen

> > > > dominance manifested as menopausal symptoms.

> > > > >

> > > > > 12 of the most common reasons:

> > > > >

> > > > > 1. Commercially raised cattle and poultry. These animals

are

> > fed

> > > > estrogen-like hormones as well as growth hormone that are

> passed

> > > > onto humans. It takes 60 pounds of grain, feed, and hay to

> > produce

> > > > one pound of edible beef. On the other hand, it only takes

one

> > > pound

> > > > of feed to produce one pound of edible fish. Deep-sea fish

such

> > as

> > > > halibut, sardines, cod, and mackerel are good to consume.

Young

> > > ones

> > > > are often less contaminated than older fish, and smaller fish

> are

> > > > better shielded from contamination than larger fish like

sharks

> > > and

> > > > swordfish. Avoid all coastal fish and shellfish, which are

high

> > in

> > > > contaminants. Fish are far superior to beef or chicken in

terms

> > of

> > > > hormone load. It is interesting to note that one-half of all

> > > > antibiotics in the United States are used in livestock - 25

> > > million

> > > > pounds a year. These antibiotics can contribute to hormone

> > > disruptor

> > > > exposure. The use of antibiotics is especially prevalent in

> > > poultry

> > > > farms. It only takes 6 weeks now to grow a chicken

> > > > > to full size (down from four months in 1940). Up to 80,000

> > birds

> > > > may be packed into one warehouse. Feeds used contain a myriad

> of

> > > > hormone-disrupting toxins including pesticides, antibiotics,

> and

> > > > drugs to combat disease when so many animals are packed

closely

> > > > together.

> > > > >

> > > > > 2. Commercially grown fruits and vegetables containing

> > > pesticides.

> > > > If you eat in any developed countries, you are taking in

> > > pesticides

> > > > from fruits and vegetables, many of which are known hormone

> > > > disruptors. Approximately 5 billion pounds of pesticides,

> > > > herbicides, fungicides, and other biocides are being added to

> the

> > > > world each year. In the past 100 years, several hundred

> billions

> > > > pounds of pesticides have been released into the environment.

> > > > Pesticides that are banned in the US, such as DDT, are being

> used

> > > in

> > > > some other countries freely. Illegal pesticides are being

used

> on

> > > > crops that we eat everyday. It is estimated that a person

eats

> > > > illegal pesticides 75 times a year just by following USDA's

> > > > recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables a

day

> if

> > > > these are purchased in regular supermarkets. Vegetables grown

> in

> > > > developing foreign countries such as South America and Africa

> > find

> > > > their way back to our dinner table in this global community.

> > > > Pesticide residues have

> > > > > chemical structures that are similar to estrogen. These are

> > > > eventually passed onto humans. Produce with the most

pesticides

> > > > reported in A Shopper's Guide to Pesticdes in Produce include

> > > > strawberries (contain vinclozolin, a known endocrine

> disruptor),

> > > > bell peppers, peaches, apples, apricots, and spinach. Foods

> with

> > > the

> > > > least amount of pesticides include avocados, corn, onions,

> sweet

> > > > potatoes, bananas, green onions, broccoli, and cauliflower.

If

> > you

> > > > are eating non-organic fruits and vegetables, peel and wash

> them

> > > > well with diluted vinegar. This will help to reduce

pesticides

> on

> > > > the surface. Needless to say, this will not help to rid of

the

> > > > pesticides inside. Discard the outer leaves of leafy

> vegetables,

> > > and

> > > > trim fat from meat and skin from poultry and fish that tend

to

> > > > collect residues.

> > > > >

> > > > > 3. Exposure to xenoestrogen. When a female embryo develops

in

> > > > the womb, 500,000 to 800,000 follicles are created in the

> embryo,

> > > > each enclosing an immature ovum. These fragile ovarian

> follicles

> > > are

> > > > extremely sensitive to the toxicity of environmental

> pollutants.

> > > > When the mother is exposed to toxic chemicals that resemble

> > > estrogen

> > > > in its molecular structure, she may experience no apparent

> damage

> > > > outwardly. However the baby is more vulnerable to these

toxins

> > > that

> > > > may damage its ovarian follicles and make them dysfunctional.

> > This

> > > > will not be apparent until the baby reaches puberty some 10

to

> 15

> > > > years later, when symptoms of incomplete ovulation or

> > insufficient

> > > > progesterone production can be noted.

> > > > >

> > > > > Petrochemical compounds found in general consumer products

> such

> > > as

> > > > creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfume, hair spray and

room

> > > > deodorizers. Such compounds often have chemical structures

> > similar

> > > > to estrogen and indeed act like estrogen. Other sources of

> > > > xenoestrogen include car exhaust, petrochemically derived

> > > > pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides; solvents and

adhesives

> > > such

> > > > as that those found in nail polish, paint removers, and

glues;

> > dry-

> > > > cleaning chemicals; practically all plastics, industrial

waste

> > > such

> > > > as PCBs and dioxins, synthetic estrogens from urine of women

> > > taking

> > > > HRT and birth control pills that is flushed down the toilet

and

> > > > eventually found its way into the food chain and back into

the

> > > body.

> > > > They are fat soluble and non-biodegradable.

> > > > >

> > > > > 4. Industrial solvents. A common source of industrial

> > > > xenoestrogens often overlooked is a family of chemicals

called

> > > > solvents. These chemicals enter the body through the skin,

and

> > > > accumulated quickly in the lipid-rich tissues such as myelin

> > > (nerve

> > > > sheath) and adipose (fat). Some common organic solvents

include

> > > > alcohol like methanol, aldehydes like acetaldehyde, glycol

like

> > > > ethylene glycol, and ketones like acetone. They are commonly

> > found

> > > > in cosmetics, fingernail polish and fingernail polish

remover,

> > > > glues, paints, varnishes, and other types of finishes,

cleaning

> > > > products, carpet, fiberboard, and other processed woods.

> > > Pesticides

> > > > and herbicides such as lawn and garden sprays, indoor insect

> > > sprays

> > > > are also sources of minute amounts of xenoestrogens. While

the

> > > > amount may be small in each, the additive effect from years

of

> > > > chronic exposure can lead to estrogen dominance.

> > > > >

> > > > > 5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT with estrogen

alone

> > > > without sufficient opposing progesterone such as the drug

> > Premarin

> > > > should be banned. This increases the level of estrogen in the

> > > body.

> > > > Premarin, a estrogen only drug commonly used in the past 40

> > years,

> > > > is the mainstay of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). It is

a

> > > > patented, chemicalized hormonal substitute that is not the

same

> > as

> > > > what you have in your body. It contains 48% estrone and only

a

> > > small

> > > > amount of progesterone which is insufficient to have an

> opposing

> > > > effect. The indiscriminate and over-prescription of Premarin

to

> > > many

> > > > who may not need it is the problem. Symptoms include water

> > > > retention, breast swelling, fibrocysts in the breast,

> depression,

> > > > headache, gallbladder problems, and heavy period. The

excessive

> > > > estrogen from ERT also lead to increased chances of DNA

damage,

> > > > setting a stage for endometrial and breast cancer.

> > > > >

> > > > > 6. Over production of estrogen. Excessive estrogen can

arise

> > > from

> > > > ovarian cysts or tumors.

> > > > >

> > > > > 7. Stress. Stress causes adrenal gland exhaustion and

reduced

> > > > progesterone output. This tilts the estrogen to progesterone

> > > ratios

> > > > in favor of estrogen. Excessive estrogen in turn causes

> insomnia

> > > and

> > > > anxiety, which further taxes the adrenal gland. This leads to

a

> > > > further reduction in progesterone output and even more

estrogen

> > > > dominance. After a few years in this type of vicious cycle,

the

> > > > adrenal glands become exhausted. This dysfunction leads to

> blood

> > > > sugar imbalance, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue.

> > > > >

> > > > > 8. Obesity. Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal

steroids

> to

> > > > estrogen. The higher the fat intake, the higher the

conversion

> of

> > > > fat to estrogen. Overeating is the norm in developed

countries.

> A

> > > > population from such countries, especially in the Western

> > > hemisphere

> > > > where a large part of the dietary calorie is derived from

fat,

> > has

> > > a

> > > > much higher incidence of menopausal symptoms. Studies have

> shown

> > > > that estrogen and progesterone levels fell in women who

> switched

> > > > from a typical high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to a low-

> fat,

> > > > high-fiber and plant-based diet even though they did not

adjust

> > > > their total calorie intake. Plants contain over 5,000 known

> > > sterols

> > > > that have progestogenic effects. People who eat more

wholesome

> > > foods

> > > > have a far lower incidence of menopausal symptoms because

their

> > > pre-

> > > > and post-menopause levels of estrogen do not drop as

> > > significantly.

> > > > >

> > > > > 9. Liver diseases. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis from

> > > excessive

> > > > alcohol intake reduce the breakdown of estrogen. Taking drugs

> > that

> > > > can impair liver function may also contribute to a higher

level

> > of

> > > > estrogen.

> > > > >

> > > > > 10. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Both of these

are

> > > > necessary for the neutralization of estrogen in the liver.

Too

> > > much

> > > > estrogen also tends to create deficiency of zinc, magnesium

and

> > > the

> > > > B vitamins. These are all important constituents of hormonal

> > > balance.

> > > > >

> > > > > 11. Increased sugar, fast food and processed food. Intake

of

> > > these

> > > > leads to a depletion of magnesium.

> > > > >

> > > > > 12. Increase in coffee consumption. Caffeine intake from

all

> > > > sources was linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of

> age,

> > > > body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking, alcohol, and

> > > > cholesterol intake. Studies have shown that women who

consumed

> at

> > > > least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of

four

> or

> > > > five cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the

> > early

> > > > follicular phase than women who consume no more than 100 mg

of

> > > > caffeine daily, or less than one cup of coffee. Tea is not

much

> > > > better as it contains about half the amount of caffeine as

> > > compared

> > > > to coffee. The exception is herbal tea like chamomile which

> > > contains

> > > > no caffeine.

> > > > >

> > > > > In absolute terms, those who live in the developed world

are

> > > > bathed in a continuous sea of estrogen and do not know it.

Yes,

> > we

> > > > all have hormonal imbalances, and specifically - estrogen

> > > dominance.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > __________________________________________________

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks a bunch, Patty. I almost stopped checking the posts before

my explant, as I was so tired and sick it took all my strength to

check my emails everyday! However, I'm glad I didn't. It's like

visiting with everyone everyday, then you leave town for a few days

and you've missed so much....I am feeling really well. I just know

that all the prayers that people said for me took hold in the first

few days after surgery. Also, I did some spiritual deliverance work

and let go of some unhealthy habits, which made me feel good within

a couple of weeks.

I'm hooked now! All you women are awesomely supportive and loving.

It's rare to find this kind of compassion in the world.

Love & Many Healing Angels sent your way,

Sunny

-- In , Tricia Trish

<glory2glory1401@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Sunny!

> Thank you so much for the kind words. You have such a wonderful

outlook on life.

>

> As for the scar tissue question....I don't think X-Rays pick up

scar tissue very well, unless they look like a suspicious mass that

has grown out of control, and I doubt that they get that bad unless

they have been there growing for years. I think most of the time,

the surgeons have to get in there and see what's been leftover from

the original surgery. The operative report from explant, if it has

been written up correctly, is going to state something about the

disposition of that scar capsule.

>

> I just wish that all doctors knew what they were doing when it

comes to dealing with scar tissue. Those capsules may be part of

your body, but that does not mean it is a good thing! Tumors are

part of our body too, but they can kill us! It's amazing how they

say things that are not even close to the truth....like scar tissue

dissolves....I have YET to see anything in print that proves scar

tissue dissolves. Does anyone have anything that proves scar tissue

dissolves? I think they just make that stuff up and think if it

sounds good it will pass!

>

> Yes, a simple life is a joyful life.....I have found that out

too. God bless you Sunny, and I look forward to your sunny posts

showing up here on our group to encourage and help others for a long

time to come!

> Hope you are feeling wonderful,

> Patty

>

>

>

> Sunny <wellnessnow@...> wrote:

> Patty, I am glad & grateful to belong to this support

network. One

> of my friends said, " God is the space between you and me " ....I

> strongly believe that He works through us to lift one another up.

>

> I went to my PS today for post-surgery checkup. Everything looks

> great and if it keeps this way, I won't need reconstruction in 6

> months. He gave me a copy of the operative report, without hassle,

> and took an after picture and said I could have copies of before

and

> after pictures in about 3 weeks. He removed " en bloc " and said

> everything looked good. Thin & flexible capsules. We'll see how I

> feel in time. He also told me the copy was just for me, and he

> wouldn't release it to anyone else, so to keep it confidential.

Mmmm

> Hmmmmm....! Right......Can you see if the capsules are in with an

x-

> ray?

>

> I really feel a need to simplify my life...we're all moving back

to

> the city and I'm going through my " stuff " and letting go of alot.

> Also, with eating, and supplementation - choosing raw foods,

mainly

> and some cooked. Live enzymes are important. I just think of

Mother

> Theresa with her 2 saris (outfits) she would wear one and wash the

> other one to wear the next day. Now that's simplicity.

>

> Love & Healing Prayers to all & thanks for all the love & support -

-

>

> Sunny p.s. God bless you ALL-ways, Patty for starting this life-

> saving site.

>

>

> > > > >

> > > > > Just to make sure you all don't miss this important

> discussion!

> > > > At least scroll down to the discussion of the causes of

> estrogen

> > > > dominance:

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Estrogen_Dominance.cfm#6

> > > > > Estrogen Dominance

> > > > > Estrogen and progesterone work in synchronization with

each

> > > > other as checks and balances to achieve hormonal harmony in

> both

> > > > sexes. It is not the absolute deficiency of estrogen or

> > > > progesterone but rather the relative dominance of estrogen

and

> > > > relative deficiency of progesterone that is main cause of

> health

> > > > problems when they are off balance.

> > > > >

> > > > > While sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone

decline

> > > with

> > > > age gradually, there is a drastic change in the rate of

decline

> > > > during the perimenopausal and menopausal years for the women

in

> > > > these two hormones as mentioned earlier.

> > > > > From age 35 to 50, there is a 75% reduction in production

of

> > > > progesterone in the body. Estrogen, during the same period,

> only

> > > > declines about 35%. By menopause, the total amount of

> > progesterone

> > > > made is extremely low, while estrogen is still present in

the

> > body

> > > > at about half its pre-menopausal level.

> > > > >

> > > > > With the gradual drop in estrogen but severe drop in

> > > progesterone,

> > > > there is insufficient progesterone to counteract the amount

of

> > > > estrogen in our body. This state is called estrogen

dominance.

> > > Many

> > > > women in their mid-thirties, most women during peri-

menopause

> > (mid-

> > > > forties), and essentially all women during menopause (age 50

> and

> > > > beyond) are overloaded with estrogen and at the same time

> > > suffering

> > > > from progesterone deficiency because of the severe drop in

> > > > physiological production during this period. The end result -

> > > > excessive estrogen relative to progesterone, a condition we

> > called

> > > > estrogen dominance.

> > > > > According to Dr. Lee, the world's authority on

natural

> > > > hormone therapy, the key to hormonal balance is the

modulation

> of

> > > > progesterone to estrogen ratio. For optimum health, the

> > > progesterone

> > > > to estrogen ratio should be between 200 and 300 to 1.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > What is so bad about estrogen dominance? It is the root

cause

> > > > of a myriad of illnesses. Conditions associated with this

> include

> > > > fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, uterine fibroids, breast

> cancer,

> > > > endometriosis, infertility problem, endometrial polyps,

PCOS,

> > auto-

> > > > immune disorders, low blood sugar problems, and menstrual

pain,

> > > > among many others.

> > > > > Questions? Ask me.

> > > > >

> > > > > Estrogen Dominance in Pre-menopausal Women

> > > > >

> > > > > There are two periods in a women's life that her

progesterone

> > > > level is low - at puberty and again at peri-menopause ( the

few

> > > > years right before menopause). Between puberty and peri-

> > menopause,

> > > > the production of progesterone can go astray, leading to

> estrogen

> > > > dominance as mentioned earlier. Between this period,

estrogen

> > > > dominance can also be the result of excessive external

estrogen

> > > > intake (from diet and environment) or internal estrogen

> > production

> > > (

> > > > from obesity, birth control pills, or ovarian tumor).

> > > > >

> > > > > Two common causes are:

> > > > >

> > > > > A. Anovulation (lack of ovulation). Ovulation is the time

of

> > the

> > > > month where an ovarian follicle releases an ovum (egg).

Under

> > > normal

> > > > condition, the released egg makes it way from the ovary to

the

> > > > uterus in preparation for fertilization. This usually

happens

> > from

> > > > day 12 to day 14 of the menstrual cycle. After the egg is

> > > released,

> > > > the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum. This is the

main

> > > > factory where the production of progesterone takes place.

> > > > >

> > > > > When the follicles become dysfunctional, no eggs are

> released.

> > > > This is called anovulation. If a woman is not ovulating,

there

> > > would

> > > > not be a corpus luteum and therefore no increased

progesterone

> > > > production. Laboratory measurement would show both a low

> estrogen

> > > > and a low progesterone level. Many still have a seemingly

> normal

> > > > menstrual cycle even if there is no ovulation. The lack of

> > > > progesterone, however, leads to relative estrogen dominance

and

> > > > symptoms like PMS, mood swings, cramps, and tender breast.

> > > > Anovulation is commonly caused by exposure of female embryos

to

> > > > environmental estrogen (also called xenobiotic or

xenoestrogen)

> > > such

> > > > as pesticides, plastic, and pollution. It is often related

to a

> > > poor

> > > > diet and stress.

> > > > >

> > > > > B. Luteal insufficiency. More frequent than anovulation,

the

> > egg

> > > > is produced but the corpus luteum malfunctions. It just does

> not

> > > > make enough progesterone. Laboratory measurements would show

a

> > > high

> > > > estrogen but low progesterone, and typical symptoms of

estrogen

> > > > dominance would arise. Without adequate progesterone, the

> chance

> > > of

> > > > achieving pregnancy is reduced. Don't forget that

progesterone

> is

> > > > what keeps the womb going and it nourishes the fetus.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Estrogen Dominance in Menopausal Women

> > > > >

> > > > > The predominant reason why menopausal women developed

> estrogen

> > > > dominance is because they are being prescribed unopposed

> estrogen

> > > > such as Premarin as part of their hormone replacement

therapy

> > > (HRT)

> > > > program. Despite decades of research clearly showing that

HRT

> > > > significantly increased breast cancer, millions of women

> > worldwide

> > > > are on unopposed estrogen for treatment of menopausal

symptoms.

> > > > >

> > > > > Obesity is another cause. During menopause, the amount of

> > > estrogen

> > > > produced from the ovaries decreases, but not as drastic when

it

> > > > comes to another hormone that the ovaries produce called

> > > > androstenedione (a male hormone). Fat cells can convert

> > > > androstenedione into estrogen. The amount of conversion in

some

> > > > people is enough to maintain a reasonable estrogen level in

the

> > > body

> > > > well into the 70s. The result of excessive estrogen and

> absolute

> > > > deficiency in progesterone is clear - estrogen dominance.

> > > > >

> > > > > We mentioned above our body is essentially soaked in a sea

of

> > > > estrogen. Where does the estrogen comes from? Let us take a

> > closer

> > > > look.

> > > > >

> > > > > Causes of Estrogen Dominance

> > > > >

> > > > > Our body normally functions in perfect homeostasis. With

the

> > > > advent of society and industrial state in the past 70 years,

> our

> > > > body has been subjected to unprecedented insults from

> > > environmental

> > > > estrogen-like hormones. In less than one hundred years, we

have

> > > > managed to turn our diet from whole fruits and whole food to

> fast

> > > > and processed food. In the past, cattle were raised on grass

> and

> > > > natural organic feed and chickens were allowed to run free.

> This

> > > is

> > > > in stark contrast to the commercialization of cattle and

> poultry

> > > > farms of today where animals are in cages most of the time.

> Worse

> > > > yet, feeds laced with pesticides and hormones, both of which

> have

> > > > estrogen-like activities, are routinely given to animals,

which

> > in

> > > > turn is passed to humans.

> > > > >

> > > > > Women in non-industrialized cultures whose diets are whole

> food

> > > > based and are untainted with modern processed foods and

> > pesticides

> > > > seldom suffer a deficiency in progesterone and the signs of

> > > estrogen

> > > > dominance manifested as menopausal symptoms.

> > > > >

> > > > > 12 of the most common reasons:

> > > > >

> > > > > 1. Commercially raised cattle and poultry. These animals

are

> > fed

> > > > estrogen-like hormones as well as growth hormone that are

> passed

> > > > onto humans. It takes 60 pounds of grain, feed, and hay to

> > produce

> > > > one pound of edible beef. On the other hand, it only takes

one

> > > pound

> > > > of feed to produce one pound of edible fish. Deep-sea fish

such

> > as

> > > > halibut, sardines, cod, and mackerel are good to consume.

Young

> > > ones

> > > > are often less contaminated than older fish, and smaller

fish

> are

> > > > better shielded from contamination than larger fish like

sharks

> > > and

> > > > swordfish. Avoid all coastal fish and shellfish, which are

high

> > in

> > > > contaminants. Fish are far superior to beef or chicken in

terms

> > of

> > > > hormone load. It is interesting to note that one-half of all

> > > > antibiotics in the United States are used in livestock - 25

> > > million

> > > > pounds a year. These antibiotics can contribute to hormone

> > > disruptor

> > > > exposure. The use of antibiotics is especially prevalent in

> > > poultry

> > > > farms. It only takes 6 weeks now to grow a chicken

> > > > > to full size (down from four months in 1940). Up to 80,000

> > birds

> > > > may be packed into one warehouse. Feeds used contain a

myriad

> of

> > > > hormone-disrupting toxins including pesticides, antibiotics,

> and

> > > > drugs to combat disease when so many animals are packed

closely

> > > > together.

> > > > >

> > > > > 2. Commercially grown fruits and vegetables containing

> > > pesticides.

> > > > If you eat in any developed countries, you are taking in

> > > pesticides

> > > > from fruits and vegetables, many of which are known hormone

> > > > disruptors. Approximately 5 billion pounds of pesticides,

> > > > herbicides, fungicides, and other biocides are being added

to

> the

> > > > world each year. In the past 100 years, several hundred

> billions

> > > > pounds of pesticides have been released into the

environment.

> > > > Pesticides that are banned in the US, such as DDT, are being

> used

> > > in

> > > > some other countries freely. Illegal pesticides are being

used

> on

> > > > crops that we eat everyday. It is estimated that a person

eats

> > > > illegal pesticides 75 times a year just by following USDA's

> > > > recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables a

day

> if

> > > > these are purchased in regular supermarkets. Vegetables

grown

> in

> > > > developing foreign countries such as South America and

Africa

> > find

> > > > their way back to our dinner table in this global community.

> > > > Pesticide residues have

> > > > > chemical structures that are similar to estrogen. These

are

> > > > eventually passed onto humans. Produce with the most

pesticides

> > > > reported in A Shopper's Guide to Pesticdes in Produce

include

> > > > strawberries (contain vinclozolin, a known endocrine

> disruptor),

> > > > bell peppers, peaches, apples, apricots, and spinach. Foods

> with

> > > the

> > > > least amount of pesticides include avocados, corn, onions,

> sweet

> > > > potatoes, bananas, green onions, broccoli, and cauliflower.

If

> > you

> > > > are eating non-organic fruits and vegetables, peel and wash

> them

> > > > well with diluted vinegar. This will help to reduce

pesticides

> on

> > > > the surface. Needless to say, this will not help to rid of

the

> > > > pesticides inside. Discard the outer leaves of leafy

> vegetables,

> > > and

> > > > trim fat from meat and skin from poultry and fish that tend

to

> > > > collect residues.

> > > > >

> > > > > 3. Exposure to xenoestrogen. When a female embryo develops

in

> > > > the womb, 500,000 to 800,000 follicles are created in the

> embryo,

> > > > each enclosing an immature ovum. These fragile ovarian

> follicles

> > > are

> > > > extremely sensitive to the toxicity of environmental

> pollutants.

> > > > When the mother is exposed to toxic chemicals that resemble

> > > estrogen

> > > > in its molecular structure, she may experience no apparent

> damage

> > > > outwardly. However the baby is more vulnerable to these

toxins

> > > that

> > > > may damage its ovarian follicles and make them

dysfunctional.

> > This

> > > > will not be apparent until the baby reaches puberty some 10

to

> 15

> > > > years later, when symptoms of incomplete ovulation or

> > insufficient

> > > > progesterone production can be noted.

> > > > >

> > > > > Petrochemical compounds found in general consumer products

> such

> > > as

> > > > creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfume, hair spray and

room

> > > > deodorizers. Such compounds often have chemical structures

> > similar

> > > > to estrogen and indeed act like estrogen. Other sources of

> > > > xenoestrogen include car exhaust, petrochemically derived

> > > > pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides; solvents and

adhesives

> > > such

> > > > as that those found in nail polish, paint removers, and

glues;

> > dry-

> > > > cleaning chemicals; practically all plastics, industrial

waste

> > > such

> > > > as PCBs and dioxins, synthetic estrogens from urine of women

> > > taking

> > > > HRT and birth control pills that is flushed down the toilet

and

> > > > eventually found its way into the food chain and back into

the

> > > body.

> > > > They are fat soluble and non-biodegradable.

> > > > >

> > > > > 4. Industrial solvents. A common source of industrial

> > > > xenoestrogens often overlooked is a family of chemicals

called

> > > > solvents. These chemicals enter the body through the skin,

and

> > > > accumulated quickly in the lipid-rich tissues such as myelin

> > > (nerve

> > > > sheath) and adipose (fat). Some common organic solvents

include

> > > > alcohol like methanol, aldehydes like acetaldehyde, glycol

like

> > > > ethylene glycol, and ketones like acetone. They are commonly

> > found

> > > > in cosmetics, fingernail polish and fingernail polish

remover,

> > > > glues, paints, varnishes, and other types of finishes,

cleaning

> > > > products, carpet, fiberboard, and other processed woods.

> > > Pesticides

> > > > and herbicides such as lawn and garden sprays, indoor insect

> > > sprays

> > > > are also sources of minute amounts of xenoestrogens. While

the

> > > > amount may be small in each, the additive effect from years

of

> > > > chronic exposure can lead to estrogen dominance.

> > > > >

> > > > > 5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT with estrogen

alone

> > > > without sufficient opposing progesterone such as the drug

> > Premarin

> > > > should be banned. This increases the level of estrogen in

the

> > > body.

> > > > Premarin, a estrogen only drug commonly used in the past 40

> > years,

> > > > is the mainstay of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). It is

a

> > > > patented, chemicalized hormonal substitute that is not the

same

> > as

> > > > what you have in your body. It contains 48% estrone and only

a

> > > small

> > > > amount of progesterone which is insufficient to have an

> opposing

> > > > effect. The indiscriminate and over-prescription of Premarin

to

> > > many

> > > > who may not need it is the problem. Symptoms include water

> > > > retention, breast swelling, fibrocysts in the breast,

> depression,

> > > > headache, gallbladder problems, and heavy period. The

excessive

> > > > estrogen from ERT also lead to increased chances of DNA

damage,

> > > > setting a stage for endometrial and breast cancer.

> > > > >

> > > > > 6. Over production of estrogen. Excessive estrogen can

arise

> > > from

> > > > ovarian cysts or tumors.

> > > > >

> > > > > 7. Stress. Stress causes adrenal gland exhaustion and

reduced

> > > > progesterone output. This tilts the estrogen to progesterone

> > > ratios

> > > > in favor of estrogen. Excessive estrogen in turn causes

> insomnia

> > > and

> > > > anxiety, which further taxes the adrenal gland. This leads

to a

> > > > further reduction in progesterone output and even more

estrogen

> > > > dominance. After a few years in this type of vicious cycle,

the

> > > > adrenal glands become exhausted. This dysfunction leads to

> blood

> > > > sugar imbalance, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue.

> > > > >

> > > > > 8. Obesity. Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal

steroids

> to

> > > > estrogen. The higher the fat intake, the higher the

conversion

> of

> > > > fat to estrogen. Overeating is the norm in developed

countries.

> A

> > > > population from such countries, especially in the Western

> > > hemisphere

> > > > where a large part of the dietary calorie is derived from

fat,

> > has

> > > a

> > > > much higher incidence of menopausal symptoms. Studies have

> shown

> > > > that estrogen and progesterone levels fell in women who

> switched

> > > > from a typical high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to a low-

> fat,

> > > > high-fiber and plant-based diet even though they did not

adjust

> > > > their total calorie intake. Plants contain over 5,000 known

> > > sterols

> > > > that have progestogenic effects. People who eat more

wholesome

> > > foods

> > > > have a far lower incidence of menopausal symptoms because

their

> > > pre-

> > > > and post-menopause levels of estrogen do not drop as

> > > significantly.

> > > > >

> > > > > 9. Liver diseases. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis from

> > > excessive

> > > > alcohol intake reduce the breakdown of estrogen. Taking

drugs

> > that

> > > > can impair liver function may also contribute to a higher

level

> > of

> > > > estrogen.

> > > > >

> > > > > 10. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Both of these

are

> > > > necessary for the neutralization of estrogen in the liver.

Too

> > > much

> > > > estrogen also tends to create deficiency of zinc, magnesium

and

> > > the

> > > > B vitamins. These are all important constituents of hormonal

> > > balance.

> > > > >

> > > > > 11. Increased sugar, fast food and processed food. Intake

of

> > > these

> > > > leads to a depletion of magnesium.

> > > > >

> > > > > 12. Increase in coffee consumption. Caffeine intake from

all

> > > > sources was linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of

> age,

> > > > body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking, alcohol, and

> > > > cholesterol intake. Studies have shown that women who

consumed

> at

> > > > least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of

four

> or

> > > > five cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the

> > early

> > > > follicular phase than women who consume no more than 100 mg

of

> > > > caffeine daily, or less than one cup of coffee. Tea is not

much

> > > > better as it contains about half the amount of caffeine as

> > > compared

> > > > to coffee. The exception is herbal tea like chamomile which

> > > contains

> > > > no caffeine.

> > > > >

> > > > > In absolute terms, those who live in the developed world

are

> > > > bathed in a continuous sea of estrogen and do not know it.

Yes,

> > we

> > > > all have hormonal imbalances, and specifically - estrogen

> > > dominance.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > __________________________________________________

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

> > > > >

> > > > > Just to make sure you all don't miss this important

> discussion!

> > > > At least scroll down to the discussion of the causes of

> estrogen

> > > > dominance:

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Estrogen_Dominance.cfm#6

> > > > > Estrogen Dominance

> > > > > Estrogen and progesterone work in synchronization with

each

> > > > other as checks and balances to achieve hormonal harmony in

> both

> > > > sexes. It is not the absolute deficiency of estrogen or

> > > > progesterone but rather the relative dominance of estrogen

and

> > > > relative deficiency of progesterone that is main cause of

> health

> > > > problems when they are off balance.

> > > > >

> > > > > While sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone

decline

> > > with

> > > > age gradually, there is a drastic change in the rate of

decline

> > > > during the perimenopausal and menopausal years for the women

in

> > > > these two hormones as mentioned earlier.

> > > > > From age 35 to 50, there is a 75% reduction in production

of

> > > > progesterone in the body. Estrogen, during the same period,

> only

> > > > declines about 35%. By menopause, the total amount of

> > progesterone

> > > > made is extremely low, while estrogen is still present in

the

> > body

> > > > at about half its pre-menopausal level.

> > > > >

> > > > > With the gradual drop in estrogen but severe drop in

> > > progesterone,

> > > > there is insufficient progesterone to counteract the amount

of

> > > > estrogen in our body. This state is called estrogen

dominance.

> > > Many

> > > > women in their mid-thirties, most women during peri-

menopause

> > (mid-

> > > > forties), and essentially all women during menopause (age 50

> and

> > > > beyond) are overloaded with estrogen and at the same time

> > > suffering

> > > > from progesterone deficiency because of the severe drop in

> > > > physiological production during this period. The end result -

> > > > excessive estrogen relative to progesterone, a condition we

> > called

> > > > estrogen dominance.

> > > > > According to Dr. Lee, the world's authority on

natural

> > > > hormone therapy, the key to hormonal balance is the

modulation

> of

> > > > progesterone to estrogen ratio. For optimum health, the

> > > progesterone

> > > > to estrogen ratio should be between 200 and 300 to 1.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > What is so bad about estrogen dominance? It is the root

cause

> > > > of a myriad of illnesses. Conditions associated with this

> include

> > > > fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, uterine fibroids, breast

> cancer,

> > > > endometriosis, infertility problem, endometrial polyps,

PCOS,

> > auto-

> > > > immune disorders, low blood sugar problems, and menstrual

pain,

> > > > among many others.

> > > > > Questions? Ask me.

> > > > >

> > > > > Estrogen Dominance in Pre-menopausal Women

> > > > >

> > > > > There are two periods in a women's life that her

progesterone

> > > > level is low - at puberty and again at peri-menopause ( the

few

> > > > years right before menopause). Between puberty and peri-

> > menopause,

> > > > the production of progesterone can go astray, leading to

> estrogen

> > > > dominance as mentioned earlier. Between this period,

estrogen

> > > > dominance can also be the result of excessive external

estrogen

> > > > intake (from diet and environment) or internal estrogen

> > production

> > > (

> > > > from obesity, birth control pills, or ovarian tumor).

> > > > >

> > > > > Two common causes are:

> > > > >

> > > > > A. Anovulation (lack of ovulation). Ovulation is the time

of

> > the

> > > > month where an ovarian follicle releases an ovum (egg).

Under

> > > normal

> > > > condition, the released egg makes it way from the ovary to

the

> > > > uterus in preparation for fertilization. This usually

happens

> > from

> > > > day 12 to day 14 of the menstrual cycle. After the egg is

> > > released,

> > > > the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum. This is the

main

> > > > factory where the production of progesterone takes place.

> > > > >

> > > > > When the follicles become dysfunctional, no eggs are

> released.

> > > > This is called anovulation. If a woman is not ovulating,

there

> > > would

> > > > not be a corpus luteum and therefore no increased

progesterone

> > > > production. Laboratory measurement would show both a low

> estrogen

> > > > and a low progesterone level. Many still have a seemingly

> normal

> > > > menstrual cycle even if there is no ovulation. The lack of

> > > > progesterone, however, leads to relative estrogen dominance

and

> > > > symptoms like PMS, mood swings, cramps, and tender breast.

> > > > Anovulation is commonly caused by exposure of female embryos

to

> > > > environmental estrogen (also called xenobiotic or

xenoestrogen)

> > > such

> > > > as pesticides, plastic, and pollution. It is often related

to a

> > > poor

> > > > diet and stress.

> > > > >

> > > > > B. Luteal insufficiency. More frequent than anovulation,

the

> > egg

> > > > is produced but the corpus luteum malfunctions. It just does

> not

> > > > make enough progesterone. Laboratory measurements would show

a

> > > high

> > > > estrogen but low progesterone, and typical symptoms of

estrogen

> > > > dominance would arise. Without adequate progesterone, the

> chance

> > > of

> > > > achieving pregnancy is reduced. Don't forget that

progesterone

> is

> > > > what keeps the womb going and it nourishes the fetus.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Estrogen Dominance in Menopausal Women

> > > > >

> > > > > The predominant reason why menopausal women developed

> estrogen

> > > > dominance is because they are being prescribed unopposed

> estrogen

> > > > such as Premarin as part of their hormone replacement

therapy

> > > (HRT)

> > > > program. Despite decades of research clearly showing that

HRT

> > > > significantly increased breast cancer, millions of women

> > worldwide

> > > > are on unopposed estrogen for treatment of menopausal

symptoms.

> > > > >

> > > > > Obesity is another cause. During menopause, the amount of

> > > estrogen

> > > > produced from the ovaries decreases, but not as drastic when

it

> > > > comes to another hormone that the ovaries produce called

> > > > androstenedione (a male hormone). Fat cells can convert

> > > > androstenedione into estrogen. The amount of conversion in

some

> > > > people is enough to maintain a reasonable estrogen level in

the

> > > body

> > > > well into the 70s. The result of excessive estrogen and

> absolute

> > > > deficiency in progesterone is clear - estrogen dominance.

> > > > >

> > > > > We mentioned above our body is essentially soaked in a sea

of

> > > > estrogen. Where does the estrogen comes from? Let us take a

> > closer

> > > > look.

> > > > >

> > > > > Causes of Estrogen Dominance

> > > > >

> > > > > Our body normally functions in perfect homeostasis. With

the

> > > > advent of society and industrial state in the past 70 years,

> our

> > > > body has been subjected to unprecedented insults from

> > > environmental

> > > > estrogen-like hormones. In less than one hundred years, we

have

> > > > managed to turn our diet from whole fruits and whole food to

> fast

> > > > and processed food. In the past, cattle were raised on grass

> and

> > > > natural organic feed and chickens were allowed to run free.

> This

> > > is

> > > > in stark contrast to the commercialization of cattle and

> poultry

> > > > farms of today where animals are in cages most of the time.

> Worse

> > > > yet, feeds laced with pesticides and hormones, both of which

> have

> > > > estrogen-like activities, are routinely given to animals,

which

> > in

> > > > turn is passed to humans.

> > > > >

> > > > > Women in non-industrialized cultures whose diets are whole

> food

> > > > based and are untainted with modern processed foods and

> > pesticides

> > > > seldom suffer a deficiency in progesterone and the signs of

> > > estrogen

> > > > dominance manifested as menopausal symptoms.

> > > > >

> > > > > 12 of the most common reasons:

> > > > >

> > > > > 1. Commercially raised cattle and poultry. These animals

are

> > fed

> > > > estrogen-like hormones as well as growth hormone that are

> passed

> > > > onto humans. It takes 60 pounds of grain, feed, and hay to

> > produce

> > > > one pound of edible beef. On the other hand, it only takes

one

> > > pound

> > > > of feed to produce one pound of edible fish. Deep-sea fish

such

> > as

> > > > halibut, sardines, cod, and mackerel are good to consume.

Young

> > > ones

> > > > are often less contaminated than older fish, and smaller

fish

> are

> > > > better shielded from contamination than larger fish like

sharks

> > > and

> > > > swordfish. Avoid all coastal fish and shellfish, which are

high

> > in

> > > > contaminants. Fish are far superior to beef or chicken in

terms

> > of

> > > > hormone load. It is interesting to note that one-half of all

> > > > antibiotics in the United States are used in livestock - 25

> > > million

> > > > pounds a year. These antibiotics can contribute to hormone

> > > disruptor

> > > > exposure. The use of antibiotics is especially prevalent in

> > > poultry

> > > > farms. It only takes 6 weeks now to grow a chicken

> > > > > to full size (down from four months in 1940). Up to 80,000

> > birds

> > > > may be packed into one warehouse. Feeds used contain a

myriad

> of

> > > > hormone-disrupting toxins including pesticides, antibiotics,

> and

> > > > drugs to combat disease when so many animals are packed

closely

> > > > together.

> > > > >

> > > > > 2. Commercially grown fruits and vegetables containing

> > > pesticides.

> > > > If you eat in any developed countries, you are taking in

> > > pesticides

> > > > from fruits and vegetables, many of which are known hormone

> > > > disruptors. Approximately 5 billion pounds of pesticides,

> > > > herbicides, fungicides, and other biocides are being added

to

> the

> > > > world each year. In the past 100 years, several hundred

> billions

> > > > pounds of pesticides have been released into the

environment.

> > > > Pesticides that are banned in the US, such as DDT, are being

> used

> > > in

> > > > some other countries freely. Illegal pesticides are being

used

> on

> > > > crops that we eat everyday. It is estimated that a person

eats

> > > > illegal pesticides 75 times a year just by following USDA's

> > > > recommendation of five servings of fruits and vegetables a

day

> if

> > > > these are purchased in regular supermarkets. Vegetables

grown

> in

> > > > developing foreign countries such as South America and

Africa

> > find

> > > > their way back to our dinner table in this global community.

> > > > Pesticide residues have

> > > > > chemical structures that are similar to estrogen. These

are

> > > > eventually passed onto humans. Produce with the most

pesticides

> > > > reported in A Shopper's Guide to Pesticdes in Produce

include

> > > > strawberries (contain vinclozolin, a known endocrine

> disruptor),

> > > > bell peppers, peaches, apples, apricots, and spinach. Foods

> with

> > > the

> > > > least amount of pesticides include avocados, corn, onions,

> sweet

> > > > potatoes, bananas, green onions, broccoli, and cauliflower.

If

> > you

> > > > are eating non-organic fruits and vegetables, peel and wash

> them

> > > > well with diluted vinegar. This will help to reduce

pesticides

> on

> > > > the surface. Needless to say, this will not help to rid of

the

> > > > pesticides inside. Discard the outer leaves of leafy

> vegetables,

> > > and

> > > > trim fat from meat and skin from poultry and fish that tend

to

> > > > collect residues.

> > > > >

> > > > > 3. Exposure to xenoestrogen. When a female embryo develops

in

> > > > the womb, 500,000 to 800,000 follicles are created in the

> embryo,

> > > > each enclosing an immature ovum. These fragile ovarian

> follicles

> > > are

> > > > extremely sensitive to the toxicity of environmental

> pollutants.

> > > > When the mother is exposed to toxic chemicals that resemble

> > > estrogen

> > > > in its molecular structure, she may experience no apparent

> damage

> > > > outwardly. However the baby is more vulnerable to these

toxins

> > > that

> > > > may damage its ovarian follicles and make them

dysfunctional.

> > This

> > > > will not be apparent until the baby reaches puberty some 10

to

> 15

> > > > years later, when symptoms of incomplete ovulation or

> > insufficient

> > > > progesterone production can be noted.

> > > > >

> > > > > Petrochemical compounds found in general consumer products

> such

> > > as

> > > > creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfume, hair spray and

room

> > > > deodorizers. Such compounds often have chemical structures

> > similar

> > > > to estrogen and indeed act like estrogen. Other sources of

> > > > xenoestrogen include car exhaust, petrochemically derived

> > > > pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides; solvents and

adhesives

> > > such

> > > > as that those found in nail polish, paint removers, and

glues;

> > dry-

> > > > cleaning chemicals; practically all plastics, industrial

waste

> > > such

> > > > as PCBs and dioxins, synthetic estrogens from urine of women

> > > taking

> > > > HRT and birth control pills that is flushed down the toilet

and

> > > > eventually found its way into the food chain and back into

the

> > > body.

> > > > They are fat soluble and non-biodegradable.

> > > > >

> > > > > 4. Industrial solvents. A common source of industrial

> > > > xenoestrogens often overlooked is a family of chemicals

called

> > > > solvents. These chemicals enter the body through the skin,

and

> > > > accumulated quickly in the lipid-rich tissues such as myelin

> > > (nerve

> > > > sheath) and adipose (fat). Some common organic solvents

include

> > > > alcohol like methanol, aldehydes like acetaldehyde, glycol

like

> > > > ethylene glycol, and ketones like acetone. They are commonly

> > found

> > > > in cosmetics, fingernail polish and fingernail polish

remover,

> > > > glues, paints, varnishes, and other types of finishes,

cleaning

> > > > products, carpet, fiberboard, and other processed woods.

> > > Pesticides

> > > > and herbicides such as lawn and garden sprays, indoor insect

> > > sprays

> > > > are also sources of minute amounts of xenoestrogens. While

the

> > > > amount may be small in each, the additive effect from years

of

> > > > chronic exposure can lead to estrogen dominance.

> > > > >

> > > > > 5. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT with estrogen

alone

> > > > without sufficient opposing progesterone such as the drug

> > Premarin

> > > > should be banned. This increases the level of estrogen in

the

> > > body.

> > > > Premarin, a estrogen only drug commonly used in the past 40

> > years,

> > > > is the mainstay of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). It is

a

> > > > patented, chemicalized hormonal substitute that is not the

same

> > as

> > > > what you have in your body. It contains 48% estrone and only

a

> > > small

> > > > amount of progesterone which is insufficient to have an

> opposing

> > > > effect. The indiscriminate and over-prescription of Premarin

to

> > > many

> > > > who may not need it is the problem. Symptoms include water

> > > > retention, breast swelling, fibrocysts in the breast,

> depression,

> > > > headache, gallbladder problems, and heavy period. The

excessive

> > > > estrogen from ERT also lead to increased chances of DNA

damage,

> > > > setting a stage for endometrial and breast cancer.

> > > > >

> > > > > 6. Over production of estrogen. Excessive estrogen can

arise

> > > from

> > > > ovarian cysts or tumors.

> > > > >

> > > > > 7. Stress. Stress causes adrenal gland exhaustion and

reduced

> > > > progesterone output. This tilts the estrogen to progesterone

> > > ratios

> > > > in favor of estrogen. Excessive estrogen in turn causes

> insomnia

> > > and

> > > > anxiety, which further taxes the adrenal gland. This leads

to a

> > > > further reduction in progesterone output and even more

estrogen

> > > > dominance. After a few years in this type of vicious cycle,

the

> > > > adrenal glands become exhausted. This dysfunction leads to

> blood

> > > > sugar imbalance, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue.

> > > > >

> > > > > 8. Obesity. Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal

steroids

> to

> > > > estrogen. The higher the fat intake, the higher the

conversion

> of

> > > > fat to estrogen. Overeating is the norm in developed

countries.

> A

> > > > population from such countries, especially in the Western

> > > hemisphere

> > > > where a large part of the dietary calorie is derived from

fat,

> > has

> > > a

> > > > much higher incidence of menopausal symptoms. Studies have

> shown

> > > > that estrogen and progesterone levels fell in women who

> switched

> > > > from a typical high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to a low-

> fat,

> > > > high-fiber and plant-based diet even though they did not

adjust

> > > > their total calorie intake. Plants contain over 5,000 known

> > > sterols

> > > > that have progestogenic effects. People who eat more

wholesome

> > > foods

> > > > have a far lower incidence of menopausal symptoms because

their

> > > pre-

> > > > and post-menopause levels of estrogen do not drop as

> > > significantly.

> > > > >

> > > > > 9. Liver diseases. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis from

> > > excessive

> > > > alcohol intake reduce the breakdown of estrogen. Taking

drugs

> > that

> > > > can impair liver function may also contribute to a higher

level

> > of

> > > > estrogen.

> > > > >

> > > > > 10. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Both of these

are

> > > > necessary for the neutralization of estrogen in the liver.

Too

> > > much

> > > > estrogen also tends to create deficiency of zinc, magnesium

and

> > > the

> > > > B vitamins. These are all important constituents of hormonal

> > > balance.

> > > > >

> > > > > 11. Increased sugar, fast food and processed food. Intake

of

> > > these

> > > > leads to a depletion of magnesium.

> > > > >

> > > > > 12. Increase in coffee consumption. Caffeine intake from

all

> > > > sources was linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of

> age,

> > > > body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking, alcohol, and

> > > > cholesterol intake. Studies have shown that women who

consumed

> at

> > > > least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of

four

> or

> > > > five cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the

> > early

> > > > follicular phase than women who consume no more than 100 mg

of

> > > > caffeine daily, or less than one cup of coffee. Tea is not

much

> > > > better as it contains about half the amount of caffeine as

> > > compared

> > > > to coffee. The exception is herbal tea like chamomile which

> > > contains

> > > > no caffeine.

> > > > >

> > > > > In absolute terms, those who live in the developed world

are

> > > > bathed in a continuous sea of estrogen and do not know it.

Yes,

> > we

> > > > all have hormonal imbalances, and specifically - estrogen

> > > dominance.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > __________________________________________________

> > > > >