There are a number of things which can cause hormonal imbalances in people. In our last article in this two-part series on estrogen dominance we looked at some of the causes of this particular condition. In this follow-up we will look at some ways this particular imbalance can be controlled naturally. In case you missed the first part click here to get caught up. Recap: What Is Estrogen Dominance? Estrogen dominance occurs when there is an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body. In particular its when there is more estrogen than progesterone. Diagnosing Estrogen Dominance If you suspect your symptoms are due to estrogen dominance keep track of which symptoms you are experiencing and when they happen in relation to your menstrual cycle. Once youve done this book an appointment here at Annex Naturopathic to discuss your symptoms. From there we can order tests to check your hormone levels. Depending on your symptoms we may use urine or blood tests to measure your levels of FSH LH E2 P and TSH. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we may check for liver qi stagnation since these symptoms closely mimic those of estrogen dominance. How Does Estrogen Dominance Affect Pregnancy? Having trouble conceiving? Estrogen dominance may be to blame as it can be linked to fertility issues. When an egg is released the empty follicle then starts to produce progesterone. If ovulation does not occur and no egg is released progesterone is not produced and estrogen dominance occurs. Keeping estrogen and progesterone levels in balance is an essential part of becoming and staying pregnant. Natural Solutions For Estrogen Dominance If you feel that you have estrogen dominance its important to consult with your naturopathic doctor or other primary health care provider before beginning any treatment. If you want to avoid taking artificial hormones there are a number of natural treatment options which may help. Lets have a closer look at some of these. Maintain A Healthy Weight Shedding excess pounds can help with estrogen dominance as estrogen can be stored in fat cells. Not only that but because estrogen is produced in fat cells maintaining a healthy body weight will not only slow estrogen production but take away one of the places where it can be stored. Aim for a body fat percentage of 28% or lower. Controlling estrogen dominance isnt the only reason to aim to maintain a healthy weight - it can also reduce your risk for many other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Decrease Your Stress Level When you are under stress your body creates cortisol instead of progesterone. Keep stress levels at bay and you will also have more progesterone in your system to keep estrogen levels at bay. Of course reducing stress also has many other benefits such as increased productivity improved sleep and better interpersonal relationships. Include More Fibre In Your Diet Excess estrogen is eliminated by the body through bowel movements. If a stool takes too long to make its way through your intestines estrogen can actually get reabsorbed into the body. Prevent this by eating a diet high in insoluble fibre to help keep things moving. Avoid Caffeine Regular caffeine intake has been linked to estrogen dominance. Studies have indicated women who drink 500 milligrams (about 5 cups) or more of caffeine daily have 70% more estrogen than those who have less than 100 milligrams. So if giving up coffee entirely sounds scary (to yourself or your coworkers) you may not have to give it up completely but stick to 1 cup (and skip the 2nd 3rd and 4th and so on). Eat A Healthy Diet A diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables adequate protein (avoid soy and meat grown with hormones) and dark leafy green vegetables is important for metabolism of estrogen. Organic fruits and vegetables are important because the pesticides used on some crops can result in higher levels of estrogen in the body. Contact Annex Naturopathic Are you concerned your hormone levels are off-kilter? At Annex Naturopathic we offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to help manage estrogen dominance and other hormone-related conditions. Contact us today to set up a consultation. If youre curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us. Yours in Health Dr. Tanya Lee N.D Annex Naturopathic Clinic 572 Bloor St W #201 Toronto ON M6G 1K1 -https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62 Annex Naturopathic Clinic is a clinic in Toronto that offers integrative healthcare solutions from Drs. Marnie Luck ND and Tanya Lee ND Find more information about health wellness naturopathy and medicine at: https://citynaturopathic.ca/