What is Estrogen Dominance?

**Estrogen dominance** is a hormonal imbalance affecting both women and men, often caused by environmental toxins, diet, stress, and other factors. Dr. John Lee highlights key contributors to this condition, and **natural progesterone** offers a promising solution for restoring balance.

Causes of Estrogen Dominance

According to Dr. John Lee, the primary causes of estrogen dominance include:

• Nutritional imbalances
• Stress impacting bodily functions
• Use of birth control pills
• Environmental toxins and synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides and plastics

These factors, particularly **xenohormones** (foreign compounds mimicking estrogen), disrupt hormone balance in humans and animals. In women, hormonal shifts often begin during peri-menopause, becoming more erratic over time. In men, low testosterone levels with aging can lead to estrogen dominance.

Effects of Estrogen Imbalance

An excess or deficiency of estrogen significantly impacts the body. Too much estrogen can cause:

• Bloating
• Mood swings
• Insomnia

Too little estrogen may lead to:

• Lethargy
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Low libido

Characteristics of Estrogen Dominance:

• Acne
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Cramping
• Hair loss
• Irritability
• Low libido
• Weight gain
• Lethargy
• Panic attacks
• Mood swings
• Thyroid imbalance
• Cold hands and feet

Benefits of Natural Progesterone

Natural progesterone can help restore hormonal balance by:

• Utilizing fat for energy
• Stimulating bone mineral density
• Normalizing blood sugar levels
• Supporting thyroid hormone action
• Acting as a natural antidepressant
• Improving concentration
• Restoring normal sleep patterns

Many women report reduced weight gain and water retention after using natural progesterone cream, as it helps the body use fat for energy rather than storage.

What Are Xenoestrogens?

**Xenoestrogens** are synthetic compounds that mimic estrogen, known as **endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs)**. Common examples include PCB, BPA, and phthalates, found in:

• Paints
• Plastics
• Textiles
• Pesticides
• Paper products
• Plastic wraps

These compounds, widely used in industrial products, pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife by disrupting hormonal balance, as recognized by The Endocrine Society.

How Xenoestrogens Contribute to Weight Gain

Xenoestrogens are stored in fat cells and can:

• Convert food calories into fat instead of energy
• Alter thyroid function, slowing metabolism
• Interfere with insulin function, hindering energy conversion

Women with excess body fat produce more estrogen, exacerbating estrogen dominance and weight gain. Natural progesterone can help mitigate these effects.

How to Protect Yourself from Xenoestrogens

Minimize exposure to xenoestrogens with these steps:

• Purchase foods not packaged in plastic wrap whenever possible.
• Remove plastic wraps immediately upon returning home to prevent xenoestrogen leaching into food. Store food in cellophane, foil, or glass.
• Avoid microwaving food in plastic or Styrofoam containers; use glass dishes instead.
• Invest in a reverse-osmosis water filter to remove xenoestrogens from drinking water.

Additionally, avoid:

• Commercially-raised, non-organic meats (beef, chicken, pork)
• Commercial dairy products (milk, butter, cheese, ice cream) containing bovine growth hormone
• Unfiltered water
• Laundry detergents, dryer sheets, and fabric softeners (use white vinegar or baking soda)
• Reheating foods in plastic or Styrofoam
• Drinking from plastic cups or containers
• Air fresheners containing phthalates

Performing a liver cleanse with a product containing milk thistle, such as Transport-tox™, can help detoxify xenoestrogens from the body.

Progesterone Production in Women

During a healthy menstrual cycle, ovaries release an egg every 18-28 days (**ovulation**). The surrounding tissue forms a follicle, producing estrogen in the first half of the cycle. After ovulation, the follicle becomes the **corpus luteum**, producing progesterone, which dominates the second half. Progesterone levels rise, increasing body temperature by about one degree Fahrenheit, signaling ovulation. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, triggering menstruation. In anovulatory cycles, often caused by stress, diet, or birth control pills, no progesterone is produced, leading to estrogen dominance.

Estrogen Dominance and Osteoporosis

**Osteoporosis**, a condition where bone resorption exceeds deposition, weakens bones and increases fracture risk, especially in women. Bone loss can begin before menopause. According to the Health and Science Research Institute, USA, women using transdermal progesterone cream may experience an average bone mass density increase of 7-8% in the first year, 4-5% in the second, and 3-4% in the third.

Estrogen Dominance in Men

Men require balanced estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, produced by the adrenal glands and testes. As men age, testosterone levels naturally decline, but xenoestrogens can elevate estrogen, leading to estrogen dominance. This may cause:

• Decreased fertility due to low sperm count
• Erectile dysfunction
• Breast tissue development
• Baldness
• Weight gain
• Increased cancer risk

Reducing xenoestrogen exposure and, in some cases, testosterone supplementation can restore hormonal balance in men.

Take Control of Your Hormonal Health

Estrogen dominance is a manageable condition with proactive steps. Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens, consider natural progesterone cream, and consult a healthcare professional to explore solutions like Transport-tox™ for detoxification. Start today for a healthier, balanced life.