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Estrogen Dominance (The Silent Epidemic)Michael Lam, MD, MPHwww.DrLam.comContents
Introduction Modern Menstruation Female HormonesEstrogen Progesterone Estrogen Effect vs. Progesterone Effect Estrogen DominanceEstrogen Dominance in Pre-menopausal Women Estrogen Dominance in Menopausal Women Causes of Estrogen Dominance Estrogen Dominance Continuum Common Estrogen Dominance Conditions A. Endometriosis B. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)C. Fibrocystic Breast D. Pre-Menopausal Syndrome E. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)F. Uterine Fibroids G. Breast Cancer Estrogen Reduction ProtocolCase History SummaryAPPENDIX: Overview of a "Normal" Menstrual Cycle APPENDIX:Menstrual Cycle Overview IntroductionIn the past 40 years, we have seen a dramatic rise infemale-related illnesses never seen before in history.Today, we see the age of 
puberty (menarche)dropping precipitously to as low as 10 years of age,endometriosis afflicting 10% of all perimenopausalwomen; Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), rising andafflicting close to 30% of perimenopausal women,uterine fibroids affecting close to 25 % of womenfrom age 35 to 50, and breast cancer afflicting close
 
to 10% of all women.
Being a woman in the 21st century is certainly a high risk profession.Navigating through this hazardous profession is not easy. Imagine having endometriosis, PMSand fibrocystic breasts when you were young, progressing to uterine fibroids, hysterectomy,misguided hormone replacement and ultimately breast cancer as your menopause approaches.The very thought of this journey can send chills up through anyone's spine. Fortunately,scientific evidence is mounting that hormone disruption is the key cause of all these seeminglyseparate but related diseases.For too long, we have ignored the importance of hormone balance. For too long, physicians havebeen misguided on the real truth on hormonal balance. Now, we know
that the common threadin many female hormone diseases such as those mentioned above is a little known conditionknown as estrogen dominance.
The underlying problem is a relative excess of estrogen and anabsolute deficiency in progesterone. In the west, the prevalence of estrogen dominance syndromeapproaches 50 percent in women over 35 years old.Here are some typical complaints from patients having estrogen dominance:- My breasts are swollen and getting bigger.- I can't put on my rings on my fingers.- I am more impatient now than ever.- People tell me I am too bossy.- I am getting cramps again like when I was younger.- I just cannot have my period.- I miss my periods regularly.- My periods come irregularly.- I get scared when I see large clots during my period.- I have Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).- When I get a hug, my breast hurts.- I have fibroids.- I have endometriosis.- I cannot fit into my shoes.- I have a cyst in my breast.
 
 - I feel tired all the time.Before we look at estrogen dominance in more detail, let us first review the basic menstrualcycle and the key female hormones
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 Modern MenstruationOne hundred years ago, the average woman started her menses at age 16. She got pregnantearlier and more frequently. She often spent more time lactating. In total,
women back thenexperienced the menstrual cycle about 100 to 200 times in their lifetime.
Today, the
averagemodern women starts her puberty at age 12, seldom lactates, has less children, andmenstruates about 350 to 400 times during a lifetime.
Incessant menstruation has beenassociated with the increased occurrence of a myriad of pathological conditions includinginfertility, cancer, fibroids, anemia, migraines, mood shifts, abdominal pain, fluid retention, andendometriosis. What a difference a century makes!It is apparent that the modern woman is made to go through a lot more than her counterpart just acentury ago. Could this have any bearing on the epidemic of female related illness plaguing oursociety ? To answer that question, let us now take a closer look at the hormones responsible forregulating the female menstrual cycle.
Femal Hormones
 
The two primary female hormones secreted by the ovaries are estrogen and progesterone.
 
The properties of one offsets the other and together they are maintained in optimal balancein our body at all times. Too much of one hormone or the other can lead to significantmedical problems.
 Estrogen
 Estrogen is produced in the ovaries. It regulates the menstrual cycle, promotes cell division andis largely responsible for the development of secondary female characteristics during puberty,including the growth and development of the breast and pubic hair. Estrogen therefore affects allfemale sexual organs, including the ovaries, cervix, fallopian tubes, vagina, and breast. As a
of 00

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