Mood Swings, Weight Gain, Headaches…these are some of the signs of estrogen dominance in perimenopause that can sneak up on you. Read on to learn more about how to recognize excess estrogen symptoms and what you can do about them!
Navigating the tides of perimenopause can be akin to decoding a complex puzzle, yet one of the most telling pieces is recognizing the Signs of Estrogen Dominance in Perimenopause. Estrogen dominance in perimenopause can manifest itself in various ways, including irregular periods, bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, weight gain, headaches, and decreased sex drive- among other annoying and bothersome symptoms.
These symptoms may be perplexing to women who are navigating the changes in their bodies during this transitional phase. It’s important to note that while estrogen dominance is a common occurrence in the first phase of perimenopause, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Managing these symptoms with lifestyle changes and supportive supplements or even bioidentical hormones can help alleviate the symptoms of estrogen dominance.
Let’s dive into the signs that may signal high estrogen perimenopause symptoms during this transitional phase. Understanding these cues is important for managing your hormone health and finding balance. Read on to the end to learn how to flush out perimenopause excess estrogen!
1. Cyclic Breast Tenderness and Fibrocystic Breasts
Experiencing cyclic breast tenderness is a hallmark of estrogen dominance during perimenopause. This discomfort often escalates around ovulation or just before menstruation, mirroring hormonal fluctuations. Women may notice their breasts feeling unusually sensitive, with a heaviness or pain that comes and goes with their cycle.
Fibrocystic breasts, characterized by lumpy, dense tissue, further point to estrogen excess. Diagnosed via ultrasound, these changes are not just about discomfort; they’re a sign of how estrogen is influencing breast tissue.
For those in the throes of perimenopause, it’s essential to recognize these symptoms as potential indicators of estrogen dominance. Addressing this imbalance can lead to relief and a better understanding of one’s hormonal health.
2. Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that appear in the uterus during a woman’s childbearing years, with a prevalence that spikes during perimenopause. These growths are intimately linked to estrogen levels, proliferating as this hormone surges.
Often, fibroids present silently, but when symptoms do surface, they can include heavy menstrual bleeding or even spotting, and discomfort in the pelvic region. It’s the estrogen’s influence that encourages the growth of these fibroids, a classic sign of estrogen dominance. Fibroids can be seen on ultrasound and it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you are having any of these estrogen dominance symptoms.
For perimenopausal women, the onset of fibroids can be a big clue that their estrogen levels might be out of whack. Addressing the issue may provide relief and is a step towards hormonal harmony.
3. Irritability, Anxiety, Tearfulness, or Mood Swings
Perimenopause often brings a wave of emotional turbulence, where PMS moodiness takes center stage. Irritability, anxiety, tearfulness, and unpredictable mood swings are not just mildly annoying symptoms in many women. They can significantly impair a woman’s life, livelihood, and relationships.
This emotional rollercoaster is indicative of estrogen dominance, a condition where estrogen levels overshadow progesterone. Women may find themselves battling with heightened sensitivity, and quick to tears or anger, a state that can strain personal and professional relationships.
It’s no small feat to navigate these emotional highs and lows, especially when they interfere with daily life. For a deeper dive into the hormonal intricacies behind these symptoms, one can explore my YouTube resources on estrogen dominance. Recognizing and addressing these signs is pivotal in reclaiming emotional equilibrium during this transformative phase.
4. PMS-related Headaches
When PMS-related headaches strike, they are huge issues for many women, but they are also a sign of estrogen dominance in perimenopause. Typically emerging just before or during your period, these headaches can be particularly intense for those experiencing estrogen excess.
The culprit? A sharp decline in estrogen and progesterone, hormones that, when imbalanced, can lead to severe headaches or even migraines. A decline in estrogen after a sharp rise as in estrogen dominance can create this perfect storm set up for a perimenopause headache or migraine.
The connection between these hormonal fluctuations and headaches is well-documented, with estrogen playing a pivotal role in the onset of these painful episodes.
5. Acne Breakouts
Hormonal acne is not just for teenagers! Imagine the frustration of confronting breakouts when you thought your days of battling pimples were long gone. The hormonal roller coaster of perimenopause can send your skin’s oil glands into overdrive, leading to acne flares that often coincide with the menstrual cycle. This is particularly true if you are getting acne on the chin and jawline
And it’s not your typical acne; it’s a symptom of a deeper hormonal imbalance. When progesterone drops this can lead to more sebum production (oil production). As we talked about before progesterone normally drops over all phases of perimenopause, while estrogen stays the same or rises, and can cycle between the different phases.
Recognizing and addressing this imbalance could be your ticket to clearer skin. Keep reading to learn more about balancing your estrogen and progesterone levels in perimenopause!
6. Heavy and/or Irregular Periods
During perimenopause, many women encounter heavy and irregular periods as a sign of estrogen dominance. This hormonal imbalance can lead to an excessive buildup of the uterine lining, leading to periods that are more intense and less predictable than the norm.
This sign of estrogen dominance can manifest differently in different women, and can vary throughout the perimenopause phases. During the first phase, which is mostly an estrogen dominant stage, often women will have heavy periods first. Sometimes even heavier than when they were teenagers. Then, in the later part of the estrogen-dominant phase, periods can be much more irregular and unpredictable.
The ramifications are twofold: not only do heavy periods disrupt daily life, but they can also contribute to anemia due to significant blood loss. These menstrual changes are often a red flag for elevated estrogen levels, warranting a closer look into one’s hormonal health. Addressing heavy and irregular periods can be a crucial step toward regaining balance and comfort.
7. Weight Gain Around the Hips and Buttocks
As you navigate through perimenopause, an unexpected guest often arrives- weight gain around the hips and buttocks. This sometimes isn’t just your average couple of pounds. The weight gain on average can be between 5-10 pounds or more.
Estrogen is notorious for dictating where fat deposits itself, preferring areas like the hips and buttocks. But when estrogen levels get too high, this normal distribution goes into overdrive. The result? A noticeable increase in lower body weight, which can be very frustrating.
It’s important to understand that this weight gain is more than just a matter of diet and exercise. The rules can be very different and calories in versus calories out doesn’t necessarily apply. It’s about understanding the hormonal underpinnings that contribute to these changes.
Insulin resistance can be part of this weight gain also, so it’s important to check with your healthcare provider to see if this applies to you. This would involve checking your fasting insulin, hemoglobin a1c, and fasting blood glucose.
How to Flush out Perimenopause Excess Estrogen
Ok, so now you may be wondering, what can I do about estrogen dominance? Let’s look at some ways to get rid of excess estrogen
Avoid Xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens are potential cancer-inducing agents that can also mimic estrogen and lead to estrogen dominance. They can be found in:
- BPA- found in plastics of all sorts
- Plasticizers found in make-up, lotions, creams, etc like phthalates or parabens
- Pesticides found in non-organic foods
- Flame retardants
So, how do you avoid these xenoestrogens?
- Choose organic foods as often as you can. Check out the Environmental Working Groups Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen for recommendations on what the important organic produce items are.
- Add plants to your home. Plants can help clean harmful xenoestrogens out of the air! Check out the top plants for cleaning the air.
- Check the labels on your creams, lotions, and cosmetics. Avoid any ingredients that contain paraben or phthalates.
- Eat lots of fiber- more on this below!
Estrogen Dominance Diet
One thing I focus on heavily with my patients in the estrogen-dominant phase of perimenopause is creating a supportive nutrition plan that can help clear our excess estrogen. Here’s what we focus on in the Estrogen Dominance Diet:
- Let’s start with fiber Fiber helps to support our livers and intestines in helping clear out toxins, which can include excess estrogen that is recirculated in a toxic form. I recommend eating 35 grams of fiber per day.
- Limit processed carbs. Processed carbs include breads, crackers, pastas, white rice, cookies, pastries and other desserts. Anything made from white flour. It’s best to limit “net carbs” (total carb grams minus fiber) to 30-40% of your calories are less, and instead rely on clean protein and fruits and vegetables.
- Sugar, the worst processed carb, deserves its own category! It’s a real problem in our current culture and slips into our daily lives way to easily. Try to limit sugar to less than 20 grams added per day. Read your nutrition labels to help follow all of these recommendations.
- Eat lots of cruciferous vegetables. These include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus. Cruciferous veggies are estrogen balancing, and in fact you will find broccoli seed extract in many estrogen dominance supplements!
- Avoid alcohol or limit it to special occasions. Alcohol is not good for hormone balance and perimenopause. Though alcohol feels like it might help with stress ands sleep And insomnia and anxiety are at a high level in perimenopause. But the positive effect is short-lived and in the end, alcohol impairs sleep and leads to increased weight gain and estrogen dominance.
Do you have to follow all of these recommendations 100% of the time? Of course not, none of us are perfect- but trying to follow them 80% of the time can make a big difference in skyrocketing estrogen levels.
Conclusion
Recognizing the signs of estrogen dominance in perimenopause is the first step to regaining balance. From breast tenderness to mood swings and weight shifts, these symptoms are more than mere annoyances—they’re signals from your body seeking attention. For actionable insights and relief strategies, empower yourself by exploring these signs and the steps you can take to improve your estrogen balance. Understanding your hormonal health is an important step toward a harmonious perimenopause transition.
This blog was all about signs of estrogen dominance in perimenopause.
We have lots of perimenopause resources in both the blog and the Dr. Shelley Meyer YouTube channel. Check out these links to learn more about balancing your hormones and having a smoother transition into and throughout perimenopause!
You may also like:
7 Crazy Low Estrogen Perimenopause Symptoms
Essential Oils for Perimenopause: A Comprehensive Guide
The Complete Guide to Navigating Perimenopause and Anxiety
YouTube Estrogen Dominance Playlist
Dr. Shelley Meyer is a board-certified family physician and Institute of Functional Medicine-certified functional medicine physician, as well as a Registered Dietitian. She is passionate about helping women navigate the roller coaster of perimenopause and postmenopause. She has her own Functional Medicine Practice in Denver, Colorado.
[…] by an initial phase of fluctuating estrogen and a slow decline of progesterone, leading to estrogen dominance. As progesterone levels decline, and estrogen levels surge then decline, the body’s natural […]