Oestrogen dominance is the condition of high levels of oestrogen levels in relative to progesterone levels in the body. It can create some issues in the body such as increased PMS, low libido, bloating, hot flushes, irregular periods to name a few and many women will find that it to be extremely difficult, and almost impossible, to lose weight as a result of oestrogen dominance.
6 reasons why oestrogen dominance can prevent you from losing weight:
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Excessive Oestrogen Can Cause Belly Fat
Let’s examine the dairy industry for a moment. Conventional dairy farmers inject their cows with oestrogen to quickly fatten them up. This may seem alarming, but there is a solution. You can buy locally sourced or organic milk and meat. It’s important to res milk is naturally intended to nourish a calf. Yet, to make matters worse, fat cells in the body produce oestrogen, so with excess fat, you may find yourself in a vicious fat/oestrogen cycle and unable to keep hormones balanced and lose that layer of fat in your mid-section. In some women, it can even cause more weight gain. An obvious solution to this is to limit excess oestrogen consumption as much as possible but to balance the oestrogen in the body, it may also be necessary to supplement with natural, bio-identical progesterone (remember… the key is to have the two hormones balanced).
Try eating more cruciferous vegetables which have nutrient that support a healthier oestrogen metabolism.
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Progesterone For Weight Loss Helps Your Thyroid Hormones Function More Efficiently
When you have low levels of progesterone, your liver produces excess amounts of a protein called Thyroid Binding Globulin (TBG). This TBG binds to the thyroid hormones in your body, inhibiting the hormones from being used properly by your body. The net effect of this is a form of Hypothyroidism that some refer to as Type 2 Hypothyroidism, which does not show up on blood tests since the problem is within your cells rather than in your blood.
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Progesterone Lowers Insulin Levels
Insulin is affected by hormone imbalance, and oestrogen dominance can lead to the release of excess insulin. Increases in insulin can lead to sugar cravings that can be hard to control. This is why many women crave chocolate or other sweets during PMS. This can also contribute to weight gain.
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Progesterone is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Reducing inflammation also helps your brain to receive another hormone called Leptin, which helps to regulate your appetite. Balanced hormones make it easier to eat in moderation and lose weight.
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Progesterone is a Natural Sleep Aid
This is because progesterone has a calming effect on the brain. Oestrogen, on the other hand, has an excitatory effect on the brain. Because of this, women with estrogen dominance typically sleep very restlessly. Sleep deprivation is also associated with disrupting the hormone that regulates your appetite (Leptin). Lack of sleep has been linked to both increased calorie consumption and reduced energy expenditure (more calories in and fewer calories out).
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Progesterone Reduces Fluid Retention
When oestrogen levels are not balanced out by adequate levels of progesterone, women tend to retain more fluid than usual. Progesterone is a natural diuretic and can greatly reduce bloating and swelling.
– Try PCH Balance – a perimenopause and menopause formula which helps support women experiencing hormonal imbalances
– Try PCH Detox – supports our bodies with the right balance of vitamins and minerals needed to optimise the detoxification process
– Book a Dutch Hormone Test if you are suffering from a hormonal imbalance or if you are taking HRT so you can see how you are metabolising those hormones.
If you’re gaining weight no matter what you try, feeling bloated, exhausted, craving sugar or stuck in patterns that used to work before perimenopause, join my FREE masterclass to finally understand why your usual methods aren’t working — and what truly does for lasting, sustainable weight loss.
