In my first article, I explained one of the main reasons why so many women experience metabolic dysfunction and a decline in quality of life after the age of 40 to 45. I discussed how sleep disturbances can reduce glucose tolerance, leading to weight gain during this phase of life. I also highlighted how low progesterone levels during perimenopause can negatively impact sleep, mood, aggression, fatigue, and inflammation.
However, low progesterone is not the only issue that arises during perimenopause. Fluctuations in estrogen production can lead to high estrogen levels, resulting in a condition known as estrogen dominance. Women experiencing estrogen dominance may have:
- Normal estrogen levels and low progesterone
- High estrogen levels and normal progesterone
- High estrogen levels and low progesterone (the most concerning combination)
It’s important for women to be aware of a well-accepted hypothesis among doctors, supported by years of research, that links elevated estradiol levels to an increased risk of breast cancer (1). As a health professional, I recommend that women undergo blood tests during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle to assess estradiol and progesterone levels.
The balance between these hormones can significantly impact metabolism & may play a role in cancer prevention.
In my experience, many perimenopausal women exhibit estrogen dominance in their blood tests, particularly the high estrogen and low progesterone combination, which is most concerning due to estrogen’s proliferative nature and progesterone’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Women today live very differently from their female ancestors. In the past, our grandmothers and great-grandmothers typically began menstruating and soon became pregnant. After their first child, they would often breastfeed for extended periods and then have more children, continuing this cycle until menopause. This frequent childbirth allowed them to use the proliferative effects of estrogen to support pregnancy rather than tumor growth. This may be one reason why women who have children early in life are less prone to breast cancer in the long term. Breastfeeding also delays estrogen production and is another protective factor against breast cancer.
Today, women often choose to have fewer children, leading to continuous estrogen production throughout their menstrual cycles, month after month. If a woman’s estrogen production is too high and she leads an inflammatory lifestyle – characterised by sedentary behaviour, being overweight, consuming alcohol, and eating processed foods – she may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer due to the proliferative effects of estrogen. The risk is even higher if she uses the contraceptive pill, as evidence suggests a link between the pill and breast cancer (1).
Beyond its role in regulating the menstrual cycle and preparing the body for pregnancy, estrogen also maintains bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, supports normal cholesterol levels, and may protect against heart disease. It influences brain function and mood, with fluctuations potentially leading to mood swings, especially around menstruation and menopause. Estrogen also contributes to skin health (2). However, imbalances in estrogen levels can lead to significant health issues, underscoring the importance of monitoring and managing these levels appropriately.
Just as low progesterone can cause issues during perimenopause, high estrogen levels can lead to weight gain, menstrual problems, and an increased risk of conditions such as fibrocystic breasts and uterine fibroids.
Finally, women should adopt an anti-inflammatory diet, engage in regular exercise, get safe sun exposure, and manage stress. These practices can help make perimenopause and menopause smoother and more natural transitions in a woman’s life.
In my next article, I will explain how naturopathy can help counteract the proliferative effects of high estrogen levels and address the consequences of low progesterone.e and menopause are smooth and natural transitions in a woman’s life.
