Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone that controls menstrual cycles, helps with fertility, and keeps bones in good shape. While estrogen is beneficial and safeguards our bodies against aging and diseases, an excessive rise in estrogen levels results in various health complications. The important thing here is to know the reasons behind high estrogen levels to control the situation.
Here, we will discuss in detail seven significant factors that lead to an increase in estrogen levels in women.
Here is the list of factors that cause an increase in the level of Estrogen in Women is given below:
Abdominal obesity and adiposity, especially excess body fat, can increase estrogen levels. The fat tissues contain aromatase, an enzyme that is responsible for the conversion of androgen to estrogen. Hence, obese women usually have elevated estrogen levels, which are the cause of unbalanced hormones and conditions like breast cancer and endometrial hyperplasia.
Oral contraceptives, patches, and synthetic hormonal intrauterine devices (SHI), after all, disrupt the delivery of natural hormones into the body, including estrogen. Though this method of contraception is effective in preventing pregnancy, it may also be the reason why estrogen levels could be elevated to unnatural levels.
Outdoor contaminants called endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which the body uses to release, metabolize, transport, and utilize hormones, can impede the systems involved in menstruation. Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in plastic, pesticides, and some medicines. These substances are similar to estrogen, and thus, they disturb the hormonal balance and can cause many health hazards.
PCOS is a hormonal disease that can be diagnosed with enlarged ovaries full of little cysts. Women with PCOS do not infrequently exhibit irregularity of hormones and exceptionally high levels of estrogen. Insulin resistance, a common feature of PCOS, also increases the level of androgen, which can be converted into estrogen; this process further increases the levels of androgen. Thus, the hormonal imbalance is exacerbated.
Estrogen domination occurs when estrogen levels override progesterone levels in the body while both remain normal. Multiple causes, such as stress, diet, and hormonal disruptors (substances that mimic estrogen), can cause this imbalance. Symptoms of estrogen dominance include irregular menstrual cycles, breast tenderness, and mood swings.
The primary hormone, estrogen, is metabolized in the liver. Impairment of the liver or its functional proficiency may cause an accumulation of estrogen, the former being the main reason. Chronic liver diseases, excessive alcohol consumption, and some drugs can be the reasons why the liver can't work as it is supposed to, and this leads to the liver not being able to metabolize estrogen properly.
During the process, female ovaries fail to function correctly, hence the reduced estrogen level. Menopause symptoms can be eased with hormone replacement therapy(HRT) that rebalances the level of estrogen declining in women's blood. Even though HRT is suitable for controlling menopausal symptoms, an incorrect dosage or long-term use can bring the estrogen level up too high, which is dangerous for the heart, stroke, and breast cancer.
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All in all, high estrogen levels in women can derive from different sources, such as obesity, hormonal contraceptives, environmental pollutants, and even hormonal diseases like PCOS. Identifying the reasons for this imbalance is vital to take action accordingly and provide supportive programs for individuals at risk of these complications. By facing these factors, adopting a holistic way of life, and enhancing women's health, individuals can do better from the inside out.