Estrogen plays a vital role in the development of the female reproductive system, helps protect the heart, blood vessels, and bones, and interferes with many other body functions.

There are some factors that can cause high levels of estrogen in the body, such as birth control pills, stress, obesity, and other factors.

This increase can cause polycystic ovary syndrome, changes in the lining of the uterus, and an increased risk of breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer.

Symptoms of high estrogen in females appear through weight gain, mood swings, menstrual disorders, fatigue, hair loss, breast swelling, water retention, and other symptoms that we will explain in detail in the following paragraphs.

Identifying the Symptoms of High Estrogen in Women

High estrogen symptoms in females include:

• Menstrual irregularities.
• Breast swelling.
• Mood swings.
• Low libido.
• Weight gain.
• Hair loss.
• Fatigue.
• Insomnia.
• Difficulty conceiving.
• Headaches.
• Migraines.
• Fluid retention.
• Drowsiness.
• Discolored urine.

High levels of estrogen in the body can cause polycystic ovary syndrome, thickening of the uterine lining, dense breast tissue, fibroids, and dysmenorrhea. ( Yu , Jiao, Zhao, & Gu , 2022)

Causes of High Estrogen Levels and Their Health Effects

The causes of increased estrogen levels in the body include:

Obesity and excess body fat: Fat cells produce estrogen, which leads to increased levels in the body.

Medications: Whether they contain hormones such as birth control pills and hormone replacement, or those that interfere with the body’s estrogen metabolism.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: This leads to a hormonal imbalance in which estrogen levels rise compared to progesterone.

Ovarian tumors: Ovarian tumors sometimes produce estrogen.

Liver diseases: The liver contributes to the estrogen metabolism process in the body, and when it becomes sick, estrogen accumulates and its levels in the body rise.

Adrenal gland tumors: In rare cases, they can produce estrogen.

Nutritional and environmental factors: A diet rich in processed foods and some types of environmental toxins can increase estrogen levels in the body.

Stress: Long-term stress leads to hormonal imbalance and estrogen dominance.

The effect of high estrogen levels on health:

• Menstrual irregularities.
• Increased breast sensitivity and swelling.
• Growth of uterine fibroids.
• Worsening of endometrial problems.
• Hair loss.
• Acne.
• Mood swings.
• Infertility.
• Increased risk of some types of cancer such as breast or uterine cancer. (Johns Hopkins medicine, n.d.)

How to Manage and Treat High Estrogen Symptoms

After monitoring High estrogen symptoms in females and diagnosing the problem medically, you can come to the treatment stage.

Treatment and management of high estrogen levels in the body depends on the causes of this imbalance and include the following treatment methods:

Lifestyle changes

• Eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits and lean meats.
• Maintaining a suitable weight.
• Practicing moderate-intensity exercise regularly.
• Managing stress, fatigue and nervous pressure by practicing meditation, yoga and other useful methods.

• Sleep well for a sufficient number of hours at regular times.
• Avoid exposure to environmental pollutants that mimic the effect of estrogen in the body, such as BPA in plastics.
• Use cosmetics free of toxic compounds.
• Try detoxification methods.
• Avoid alcohol.

Drug therapy

Your doctor may prescribe certain medications, such as rheumatoid arthritis inhibitors or a synthetic form of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.

Surgical treatment

In some cases, surgical treatment by removing the ovaries is the last resort to prevent the complications of dangerous high estrogen levels. (Anne Kolan, 2014)

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References

Yu , Z., Jiao, Y., Zhao, Y., & Gu , W. (2022). PubMed. Retrieved from Level of Estrogen in Females—The Different Impacts at Different Life Stages: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9781566/

Anne Kolan. (2014). VA. Retrieved from Estrogen Dominance: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/estrogen-dominance.asp

Johns Hopkins medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved from Estrogen’s Effects on the Female Body: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/estrogens-effects-on-the-female-body