Estrogen Dominance = Metabolic Dysfunction

Estrogen dominance occurs when there’s too much estrogen in your body compared to other hormones like progesterone or testosterone.

While estrogen is important for both men and women, having too much of it—whether estrogen levels are actually high or simply too high in relation to other hormones—can cause problems.

So, you can have low estrogen - but still be estrogen dominant - and this imbalance can affect metabolism, which is how your body produces and uses energy.

Conditions Linked to Estrogen Dominance:

• Anxiety & Mood Swings: Estrogen dominance disrupts the nervous system, worsening anxiety and irritability.

• PCOS: High estrogen and low progesterone contribute to irregular cycles and stubborn fat.

• Painful Periods & PMS: Bloating, fatigue, and heavy bleeding are common with estrogen dominance.

• Endometriosis: Estrogen encourages tissue growth, worsening pain and inflammation.

• Menopause: Estrogen imbalance with progesterone can cause weight gain, fatigue, and mood swings.

How Estrogen Dominance Affects Metabolism:

• Insulin Resistance: Estrogen dominance reduces insulin sensitivity, making it harder to burn sugar for energy and leading to weight gain, especially around the belly.

• Increased Cortisol: Elevated estrogen boosts cortisol, the stress hormone, which slows metabolism and hinders fat burning, and cause poor sleep.

• Thyroid Interference: High estrogen, even during menopause when estrogen is lower overall, can still be too high relative to progesterone or testosterone, disrupting thyroid function. This imbalance can cause fatigue and weight gain.

• Fat Storage: Estrogen promotes fat storage, particularly around the hips, thighs, and belly. For men, excess estrogen can lead to chest fat and gynecomastia (man boobs).

• Energy Slump: Imbalanced estrogen impairs mitochondrial function, leaving you feeling sluggish and low on energy.

Why Does It Happen?

1. Low Progesterone

• Causes:

  • Birth control (suppresses ovulation → less progesterone)

  • Poorly balanced diet (lack of key nutrients like B6, zinc, magnesium)

  • Chronic stress (diverts hormone production toward cortisol)

  • Lack of natural light (impacts circadian rhythm and hormone signaling)

• Effect: Progesterone helps the liver convert estrogen into a form that can be eliminated. Low progesterone = less estrogen clearance = buildup.

2. Poor Detoxification

• The liver is responsible for breaking down and eliminating excess estrogen.

• If liver pathways are sluggish (due to poor diet, alcohol, lack of nutrients, or overload), estrogen builds up.

3. Environmental Toxins (Xenoestrogens)

• Sources: Plastics (BPA, phthalates), pesticides, synthetic fragrances, non-stick cookware.

• Effect: These chemicals mimic estrogen and compete for detox pathways, overwhelming the liver and increasing overall estrogenic load.

4. Phytoestrogens

• Sources: Soy, flaxseed, sesame, legumes.

• Effect:

  • Mildly estrogenic plant compounds that can either block stronger estrogens or add to the total estrogen load, depending on the person’s hormonal state and gut health.

  • In moderation, they may be protective by competing with more potent estrogens.

  • In excess or in sensitive individuals, they may worsen estrogen dominance.

5. Chronic Stress

• High cortisol production:

  • Suppresses progesterone and testosterone.

  • Increases the relative effect of estrogen.

• Also negatively affects liver detox and gut health, both of which are crucial for hormone clearance.

6. Aging & Menopause

• Estrogen naturally declines, but progesterone drops faster and more drastically.

• This shift can still result in relative estrogen dominance, even if estrogen is technically lower than in reproductive years.

So. Estrogen dominance doesn’t always mean high estrogen levels; it can also mean estrogen is low, but too high relative to other hormones.

The good news? The body wants balance.
With enough energy and the right nutrients, your hormones can recalibrate faster than you think.