You’ve been told it’s normal. That it’s “just part of being a woman.”
But here’s the truth: it’s common — not normal.
One of the most overlooked culprits behind these symptoms?
👉 Estrogen dominance — or as we prefer to call it, unopposed estrogen.
In this article, you’ll learn:
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What actually drives estrogen dominance
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Why it happens even when estrogen is “normal”
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How to gently support your hormones with real, science-backed steps
Let’s dig into the root causes.
🔍 Root Cause #1: Low Progesterone (The Unsung Hero)
Estrogen and progesterone are meant to work together — like yin and yang.
Estrogen stimulates. Progesterone calms.
Estrogen builds up the uterine lining. Progesterone balances it.
Estrogen excites the brain. Progesterone soothes it.
When progesterone is low, estrogen’s effects go unchecked. That’s when symptoms flare.
🤯 What causes low progesterone?
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Chronic stress (hello, cortisol!)
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Skipped or poor ovulation (often seen with PCOS, perimenopause, or undereating)
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Hormonal birth control (especially the pill and IUD)
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Low thyroid function
Progesterone isn’t just for pregnancy — it’s a calming, inflammation-fighting, body-balancing hormone we all need.
🔍 Root Cause #2: High Estrogen (The Overachiever)
Some women do have too much estrogen — from internal or environmental sources.
☠️ What increases estrogen levels?
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Plastics and chemicals that mimic estrogen (like BPA, phthalates)
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Body fat (yes, fat cells can produce estrogen!)
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Hormonal rollercoasters during perimenopause
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Histamine imbalances (estrogen and histamine can fuel each other)
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A genetic tendency to convert androgens into estrogen (common in PCOS and endometriosis)
The result? Your body becomes flooded with a hormone that’s meant to be balanced — not dominant.
🔍 Root Cause #3: Sluggish Estrogen Detox (Your Body’s Sink Is Clogged)
Once estrogen is used, it’s supposed to be detoxified by your liver and cleared through your gut.
But if those pathways are blocked?
Estrogen gets recycled instead of eliminated — and symptoms stay stuck.
🛁 Think of it like a sink:
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The faucet (Phase 1) turns on — estrogen enters the system.
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The drain (Phase 2) moves it along.
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The pipes (Phase 3, your gut) take it out.
If your gut is sluggish (think: constipation or poor gut bacteria), estrogen builds up in your system.
📉 Poor detox can be caused by:
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Low fiber
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Poor liver function (excess caffeine, alcohol, meds)
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Dysbiosis (gut bacteria imbalance)
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Low intake of detox nutrients (like B6, B12, folate)
🩷 What You Can Do Today
You don’t need to overhaul your life. Start small, with science-backed steps:
✨ 1. Balance your blood sugar
Eat 3 solid meals a day, rich in protein and healthy fats. This supports ovulation (and progesterone!) and lowers stress hormones.
🌱 2. Add flaxseeds to your diet (or fiber-rich foods)
Freshly ground flaxseeds help eliminate estrogen in the gut. Add 1 tbsp a day to smoothies or soups.
🔬 3. Consider testing
A complete hormone test (like urine-based panels) can show exactly which estrogen is high, if detox is working, and how to support your body best.
You don’t have to “just deal with it.”
Understanding your hormones is the first step to feeling in control again.