ESTROGEN DOMINANCE
We are told this is not a thing. But, if one hormone level is higher than another, does that not define ‘dominance’?
When we start peri the first hormone that drops is progesterone. So it is quite possible that the anxiety, palpitations etc are caused by low progesterone (ergo higher estrogen)
All the accessible info says estrogen is the ‘feel good’ hormone so if you continue to experience anxiety etc just increase your dose.
But if your progesterone levels are too low to balance the estrogen and you add more estrogen then you are just exacerbating the imbalance.
This is what happened to me. Too much estrogen gives me terrible anxiety, heart palpitations and nausea.
I’ve only been able to discover this by keeping a journal for three months, documenting any and all symptoms, where I was in my cycle and how much of which hormone I was taking.
The few days I felt better was after a prolonged period of taking both estrogen and progesterone. Clearly when my hormones were actually ‘balanced’. Looking back I was able to see that when I felt my most terrible was when I wasn’t taking progesterone and my estrogen levels had built up in my system.
Am currently experimenting with changing my estrogen delivery to a continuous dose via the patch whilst on my progesterone cycle. And when the progesterone cycle is over, if I feel bad, then I’ve been advised to cut a bit off my patch and lower the oestrogen dose.
Hopefully this is the start of finding my balance. It’s been 18 months of hell and I am more than ready to get my life back.
Adding more estrogen was not the solution for me. It’s clear I need estrogen but it’s even more clear that I am so sensitive to hormonal fluctuations and estrogen dominance that I need to be BALANCED to function.
Perimenopause is so complicated. As is HRT. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, flat doses aren’t the solution for everyone. We need to be heard and supported whilst we navigate this rough journey.
Apologies for the long post. I just wanted to share.
I’d love to hear what others think. I’ve learned so much from you ladies and am so thankful for this forum.
