Causes of Estrogen Dominance (Exogenous and Endogenous Sources)

Exogenous Estrogen Sources 

• Contraceptives and HRT 

• Phytoestrogens (soy, flax, black cohosh, chaste berry, etc.) 

• Xenoestrogens  

• Sunscreens  

• Makeup, shampoos, face/body washes, lotions, deodorants – parabens  

• Plastics – BPA, phthalates, DEHP, PCBs 

• Building supplies – PCBs 

• Insecticides – atrazine, dieldrin, endosulfan 

• Herbicides – glyphosate (Roundup) 

• Feminine hygiene products and toilet paper 

• Animal protein sources 

• Beef, pork, chicken – growth hormone, estrogen. 

• Farmed fish – soy feed 

Nutrient deficiency – B vitamins (B7 folate, B6, B12) 

            Enzyme production for use in estrogen clearance/detox 

            Magnesium – Estrogen detoxification 

Over-consumption of alcohol - Slows or decreases the oxidation of estrogen in the liver (clearance)

Endogenous Estrogen Sources  

• Ovarian overproduction of estrogen                                

• Corpus luteum underproduction of progesterone (especially in menopause)         

• Overproduction of estrogen in the breast (10-50 times higher than can be found in the blood)               

• Hepatic estrogen clearance dysfunction                

• Conversion dysfunction (DHEA, testosterone, etc.) 

• Cortisol interference due to increased adrenal output 

• Hypothyroidism         

• Gut dysbiosis  - bacterial imbalance decreases an enzyme needed for conversion to the form of estrogen needed for elimination.  

• Genetic dysfunction 

1. Methylation  (carbon with 3 hydrogens is added to another compound) - common chemical process in the body. Vital for proper DNA function – allows engagement or disengagement from certain genes. If methylation is impaired, it can cause a host of problems.  

2. Gene MTHFR responsible for making the enzyme that regulates the metabolism of folate (Vitamin B7)        

3. Gene COMT - responsible for making the enzyme that regulates the levels of estrogen.  

List provided by Dr. William C. Amalu, Founder of Eagle Institute of Clinical Thermology and author of chapter 25, “Infrared Imaging of the Breast” in the Biomedical Engineering Handbook: Medical Devices & Systems, Ed 3.

These images show increase in this client’s estrogen dominance after her first visit but by the third visit, only five months after second visit, she and her doctor reversed the signal and report reflected the images have “significant improvement” in pattern representing estrogen dominance. (see her story here.)