Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Foreign Estrogen Infecting Everyone

There are a massive number of chemicals, when introduced into the human body, that mimic the effects of estrogen, primarily affecting the reproductive organs. They are called xenoestrogens.
Being afflicted with fibroid tumors, I was compelled to learn about them, as I did not want a hysterectomy. I needed to find out what caused fibroids, what made them grow, how to arrest the growth and make them shrink. Doctors will tell you this happens naturally during menopause, but most women can't wait that long. I couldn't.
I found myself incapacitated - then better, then worse. I was trying all sorts of topical "phytoestrogen" products (plant estrogens), but with only temporarily relief. I believe everyone is suffering from "estrogen poisoning", leading to an epidemic in breast cancer, ovarian and uterine cancers, fibroids, male breast cancer, prostate cancer - all diseases involving reproductive hormones.
If you look in the animal kingdom, you will also find widespread suffering. There are so many recorded "abnormalities and deformities", all as a result of these chemicals leaching into the water supplies, everywhere. They have practically destroyed most frog species.
In my case, I deduced estrogen (plant, hormone replacement sources and xenoestrogens), were all contributing to the constant growth of the tumors, and had to be eliminated entirely if I wanted to get better.
It worked. I had to change all of my products (as to exclude "parabens" - major xenoestrogens),
and most chemicals. That includes shampoo, lotions, perfumes, hair color and treatment, deodorant, make-up - everything). Pretty much went back to the products my grandmother used!
I give my body only the best organic food, the best water I can find, and stay away from tap water! Don't even wash your face or brush your teeth in it. Our water supply is also inundated with tons of undigested chemicals, adding to the hideous mix.
This is a common scenario of daily xenoestrogen exposure:
You wake up in the morning and brush your teeth with some chemicals so vicious, you're instructed to call the CDC if you swallow them! You jump in the shower. You're hit with your soap, shampoo and conditioner, all containing "parabens" - xenoestrogens. You dry off with a towel coated with the residue of detergent and fabric softener (more xenos), on the largest organ of the body, the skin. If you use some leave-in
treatment in your hair, like Infusium or mousse, well, you're stuck with them all day.
How about some coffee? If it's not organic, you're now subjecting your poor body to coffee beans coated with pesticides (more xenoestrogens). And please tell me you're not drinking tap water! If you are, I'll be right over to deliver a swift kick!
Got a new car, nice "new car smell"? I love that smell. Phthalates, the most dangerous xenoestrogens out there, create that lovely aroma. Freeon from your air conditioner, more xenos. You're getting slaughtered, and haven't even made it to work yet!
Hey, how about a Sausage McMuffin and Egg from you know who. Let' s see, the genetically modified English Muffin (is not from England) has no estrogen, but shouldn't be consumed by anyone. Not your grandmother's English Muffin. The rest of that little ditty is heavy laden with estrogen; the estrogen filled pork (given to increase weight quickly in pigs), the estrogen filled egg (from severely sick chickens; the yolks are dyed that nice bright yellow) and that polluted estrogen strip called cheese.
Okay, we're only to breakfast, and still not at work! I need not belabor the point - every step, every product, every meal has to be reconsidered if you wish to change your life. With your very next organic meal, you will immediately feel as you are supposed to. These substances are foreign poisons to the body; it has no idea what to do with the "newly modified" food supply. If you want to regain control, you have to start over - from scratch - today.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Paget Disease of the Nipple Related to Estrogen

When the hidden benign tumor cells migrate to the nipple the Paget disease appears. You will feel itching, redness appears and your nipple will have wounds. This disease is a signal for a breast cancer, known as ductal carcinoma that could appears anywhere in the nipple tissue.
This type of cancer is the second reason for the death of the women in the United States, after lung cancer. This illness scares women the most, but detected earlier can assure a five years more to survive in 95 % of the cases.
There is unknown the real cause of this breast disease. In sixty percent of the cases the disease appears out of nowhere. The scientist said that the estrogen, which is the female sexual hormone, is the cause of the disease. It develops the cellular growth in the breast tissue and genital organs, but without control. This is the cancer. Most of the causes are the appearance of the period before nine years old women, menopause after fifty five years old, the first child born after forty and lack of the births. The common thing to all above mentioned causes is that the breasts are exposed to many estrogens for a longer period of time.
One of the causes might be also the surroundings. Use as less as possible industrial food. This can stimulate the estrogen growth.
There might be a link between obesity and the breast cancer for women over fifty years old. Depends also what type of life you have. According to a study, published in the Cancer magazine, revealed the fact that women who got 20 pounds plus after the maturity the risk is doubled. The fats are considered one of the causes of the breast cancer. The fats produce more estrogen than the fibers.
The men are also exposed to this disease, for the moment they represent less than one percent of the people who got it. In United States one thousands five hundreds male are diagnosed annually with breast cancer. Almost thirty percent of them dies.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Estrogen Deficiency Symptoms: Why Women Must Know It

Every person should be knowledgeable about how his body works. This is because nobody can take better care of his or her own health but the individual himself or herself. Of course, you can always find doctors who are always available when you need help. But these are only concerned with cases that can no longer solved by a regular individual. This entire premise is even truer for women not because they're physically weaker but simply because they have an internal system that men do not have. The reproductive system is not only different to women; it's also fragile.
When females get to the age once they experience menstruation, they should also start to learn much about their body, particularly their reproductive system. It's in this manner wherein you cam understand the changes that are taking place in your body. With regards to this, they must also learn to acknowledge estrogen deficiency symptoms. Estrogen deficiency can lead into some changes that might make women feel that they are less feminine than they ought to be. Aside from this, it is estrogen that likewise helps their bones become healthier. Hence, it is a cause for worry to have low levels of estrogen in the body.
Generally, there are definite conditions that can cause low estrogen. Therefore, if women actually undergo these circumstances, they would most probably experience estrogen deficiency symptoms. If a female for instance has her ovaries removed in surgery her estrogen levels are sure to drop. A similar thing happens when the ovaries are intensely impaired as a result of certain diseases and misuse or abuse of drugs. Even women who are already in their menopausal stages can experience the said symptoms of estrogen lack. However, what can be the more evident and typical basis for estrogen deficiency is when problems happen in the ovaries.
Estrogen deficiency symptoms are not very hard to distinguish. This is since these symptoms are easily sensed by women. When a woman starts to have hot flushes or when she perspires greatly at night, it's possible that she has low estrogen levels. These symptoms may not cause any discomfort though. What can be worse is when she begins to encounter pain while doing sexual intercourse or when she often has urinary infections. All these are brought on by the fact that tissues at the vagina turn dry and harmful once estrogen level is deficient. It would be probable for her to have vaginal bleeding too.
The problem with some estrogen deficiency symptoms is that they are psychological. The symptoms that have been mentioned are physical and they are much easier to remedy. The psychological symptoms may be more challenging to deal with. Among these are generally depression and loss of concentration, two conditions that may certainly make it difficult for women to work efficiently. A woman having low estrogen can also become very irritated easily. This could naturally have an impact on her relationship with others. She would also no longer be very interested in sex. With all of these symptoms, it's important that women seek medical help to remedy estrogen deficiency.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Estrogen Overload

The answer is most likely yes, as more than 50% of women over 35 years of age experiences hormone imbalance and it is often attributed to estrogen overload. Many suffer in silence because they think that their misery is a normal part of their menstrual cycle or of aging.
If you regularly experience 3 or more of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from estrogen overload:
  • Migraines, Mood Swings, Cramps, Uterine Fibroids, Depression, Osteoporosis, Insomnia
  • Allergies, Memory Loss, Acne, Hot Flashes, Breast Tenderness, Irregular Periods, Miscarriage, Low Sex Drive
  • High Blood Pressure, Facial Hair, Thinning Hair, Unexplained Weight Gain, Inflammation, Fatigue
These ailments are now so commonplace; many doctors don't attempt to make the link to the probability of excess estrogen in the body.
Menopause is often thought of as a time of declining estrogen, but it is actually common for women to experience surges of abnormally high estrogen levels in the menopausal years as well as earlier in life.
This misconception has led many millions of women to engage in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to restore "lost" estrogen and hopefully address the above list of conditions. This additional estrogen may only worsen the problem and even set the stage for the development of deadly disease.
Our bodies are continually bombarded with something called "xenoestrogens".
The term "xeno" means foreign and these act on our bodies to produce estrogen overload symptoms. They're in our food supply from hormones and pesticides, processed foods, plastics and pharmaceuticals as well as personal products to name a few.
"Combined xenoestrogens can have an effect that is 100-1,000 times more potent than the strongest estrogen made in the body." - Eldred Taylor
What you need to know:
  • Estrogen production drops 40% at menopause, but progesterone drops to 90-100%.
  • Menopause problems are caused by lack of progesterone, not estrogen.
  • "Synthetic progesterone" is not doing any good - the liver changes it in the body. So estrogen rages on, unopposed." - Tim O'Shea, The Doctor Within
Phytoestrogens" are the ideal "weak" estrogen (from plants) that can prevent unwanted xenoestrogens from carrying their harmful message. "Breast cancer now strikes 1 woman in 8, up from 1 woman in 30 in 1960 before HRT was popularized." ~ Dr. Michael Lam, M.D.
Estrogen and progesterone are the dynamic duo of female health.
During the menstrual cycle, estrogen must be counterbalanced by another hormone called progesterone. Together, estrogen and progesterone are the dynamic duo of female health.
Studies show that the average woman has more than the amount of estrogen needed to maintain the critical balance with progesterone throughout her lifetime. So the odds are that even though your body will produce less estrogen as you age, you should still have more than you need.
So the bottom line is. reduce estrogen dominance. In fact, you probably don't need more estrogen, you need more progesterone to restore a healthy balance and keep estrogen's "pro growth" tendencies in check.
To start reducing your estrogen dominance risk you can avoid high-fat and highly processed foods, increase fibre to 30 grams/day, reduce alcohol, reduce stress, consume a natural, organic, whole foods diet consisting of raw fruit, vegetables and whole grains and get regular exercise.
You'll feel better, look great and get more enjoyment out of life when your body is balanced naturally.

How Estrogen Imbalance Affects Cellulite

Estrogen is a hormone which is present in the female body in high concentrations. There are many important functions of this hormone in the female human body. An important function of Estrogen hormone in women is to soften the fibrous tissue, which closes women's womb just before the delivery case. This hormone has an important role in delivery process, as childbirth is not possible in the absence of this hormone.
But, the level of this hormone must be maintained, because extra amounts of Estrogen in females are considered to make the connective tissues weak, hence it results the fat to build up in your skin. This is the ideal condition for the cellulite formation and it is why cellulite is more common in women than men.
The extra Estrogen in your body is believed to be one of the main causes of cellulite formation. Most of the people think that this is an inherited genetic disorder and they can do nothing about it. But this approach is not right, as there are a lot of methods developed to normalize Estrogen hormone in the body.
There are various drugs available which can be used to maintain the estrogen level in the body to reduce the cellulite but most of them have nasty side effects.
The working of different hormones in human body is quite complex and it is impossible for even doctors to guess the ending result. Let us consider that you are able to lower Estrogen level in your body by using a handy medicine. But this will decrease the absorption of calcium in your bones. The womb tissues will not be softened to facilitate the birth process. There may be many other problems which may be seen if you are just trying to reduce the estrogen level in the body to reduce the cellulite.
Therefore, it is recommended to always use a natural method to reduce the excessive hormones production. Today, numerous North American and European medical institutes are considering Vita Moor to treat Cellulite. This medication is actually a mixture of natural and biological essences. The main feature of Vita Moor is that it does not have any side effects. It is very good in maintaining circulation at appropriate level, as it eliminates toxin substances and is useful for proper lymphatic drainage, and as you know all of these elements are the main factors in erasing cellulite from your skin.
It is believed that Estrogen hormone is responsible for the weakening of human's connective tissue and is the main reason of cellulite. But in addition to extra estrogen level the decreased lymphatic and blood circulation to the skin are the other important factors which are responsible for the cellulite formation. Females, generally, have soft connective tissues, but if they have a bad lymphatic and blood circulation, the cells beneath their skin begin to build up the toxins, which swell up because of fat and fluid retention. This swelling will result in the stretching of connective tissues which starts the cellulite formation.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

The Estrogen and Wrinkled Skin Connection

Can Estrogen Prevent Wrinkles?
Did you know that besides using the best wrinkle creams money can buy, for women of a certain age, estrogen or natural plant based hormones can also be used in the war against wrinkles?
Menopause or Premenopause starts with a decline in hormones which also causes a decline in:
-skin moisture
-collagen production
-elastin production
All of this leaves us with wrinkled, thin, dry itchy skin. Not fair is it?
But Don't Despair - There May Be Hope After All
When plant based estrogens - called phytoestrogens - breakdown in the body they convert to estriol. Although estriol is the weaker of three main estrogens produced in the body, it is an important anti aging skin cream for women experiencing a decline in estrogen production.
Studies have shown that a drop in hormone production causes elastin and collage and production to drop - leaving us with wrinkly, sagging skin.
The Journal of International Menopausal Society has stated that estrogen decline has a profound effect on skin and found that when postmenopausal women received estrogen treatment - they had an increase in collagen, elasticity, and dermal thickness.
Other studies found that in women who took estrogen replacement, the chance of having dry wrinkled skin was 30% less, than those who did not. They also took in to account life style habits, such as smoking and sun expose, adjusted for these two factors, and still found the benefits of estrogen on skin health were significant.
So What Can You Do?
Try Natural Estrogen Creams
While hormone replacement therapy may not be for everyone, there are safe alternatives you can try to help relieve or prevent menopausal skin deterioration. You can try over-the-counter natural estrogen (estriol) creams containing plant compounds with phytoestrogenic activity.
Dr. John Lee, a pioneer and international authority in the use of natural estrogen and progesterone creams for natural hormone balance. He found that phytoestrogen creams applied to the skin can help reverse wrinkling and should be considered an important anti aging skin care treatment. He also found that estriol cream can be helpful for acne and acne scars.
These creams can be found anywhere in health food stores or the internet. My favorite is a brand called Emerita. They've been around long before I ever needed hormones - I found out about them while working at a health food store and this brand was the favorite among pre and menopausal women.
Try Natural Progesterone Creams
USP natural progesterone creams are also sold over-the-counter and are derived from plant fats and oils - a substance called diosgenin - which is extracted from wild yams or soybeans.
A study published in The British Journal of Dermatology documented the beneficial effects of using 2% natural progesterone cream on skin texture of women during and after menopause. The impressive results showed a 23% increase in skin firmness, 29% wrinkle reduction around the eye area (crows feet) and almost 10% reduction of the depth of laugh lines.
Some companies sell both natural estrogen and progesterone together in one cream product; however, you need to find which one is best suited for your needs.
Some women may be estrogen dominate and therefore will only need or feel good when using progesterone cream. Others may be low in both estrogen and progesterone and will require both hormones.
Please be sure to speak to your gynecologist or health care professional before trying any topical hormones.
Black Cohosh
An natural product that can help is an herb called Black Cohosh. It was originally used by Native American to ease menstrual problems, is often included with these natural hormone creams. Black cohosh has been found to have a hormone-like structure, allowing it to bind to human estrogen receptors - making it a good choice for correcting the negative effects of decreased hormones on the skin.
In addition, black cohosh may help prevent the breakdown of skin structure support and increase the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. This herb is often added to natural estrogen creams along with other herbs as complete hormone balancing formula.
How To Use The Creams
Keep in mind, these are not face creams, they are natural topical hormone replacement creams applied to the body to help restore proper hormone balance.

High Estrogen Levels Can Be Dangerous

The symptoms of perimenopause can be extremely uncomfortable. Hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings can bring havoc into the lives of everyone, especially the woman dealing with them. The idea of taking a pill to stop all of these problems seems heavenly.
It also sounds to good to be true, and there is some evidence to support that theory. Large amounts of estrogen in your body can do a lot of harm. Some of this information is still being studied, but preliminary and animal studies have been done, and some have had larger, human studies done.
Autoimmune Disorders: An autoimmune disorder is basically your immune system attacking a healthy part of your body as if it were a foreign object. There are several, including a disease called myasthenia gravis. Studies in mice show strong support for the theory that this disease is caused by increased estrogen levels.
Cancer: One of the main reasons herbalists are very careful with herbs or foods that contain this hormone is that it can cause reproductive tract cancers. Prescription HRT medications can also cause this side effect. If you have a relative who has suffered from any of these cancers, it is even more important that you avoid these products.
Heart Disease: The American Heart Association recommends that women avoid HRT in any form. The studies were something of a surprise in this area, but there have been enough of them performed to show a strong link between it and heart disease in women.
Now that you can see the problems that can result from these products, it's a good idea to tell you what to look for in both food and testosterone supplements so that you don't inadvertently increase the levels in your body. Some of them may be surprising to you.
All of the herbs for "female problems" contain at least some phytoestrogen. Black cohosh, blue cohosh, chaste berry, hops, motherwort, soy and wild yams are a few that you may want to ask about before taking them. Of these, soy and blue cohosh are the most dangerous.
Believe it or not, your body may be overproducing its own hormone levels. This is especially true if you are overweight. Another source is stress. That depletes progesterone output, which makes the reaction to estrogen stronger.
If you consume a lot of these products or you are concerned about the possible harm they could do to your body, talk to your doctor about it. If you are considering HRT, mention these concerns, as well. As more studies come out, there may be other options available.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Having Too Much Estrogen is Bad For You

The effects on a woman's body of having too much estrogen can be quite serious.
A chronic condition of increased levels of estrogen (estrogen levels that are not balanced by sufficient levels of progesterone in the body) are the single greatest factor for an increased risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus).
This is not one hormone. Estrogen is actually three different hormones: estrone, estradiol and estriol. In addition to what the body produces on its own, women are exposed to estrogen-like environmental chemicals (they mimic the effects in our bodies) called "xenoestrogens", and dietary sources (estrogen contained in food). As a result, elevated levels in a woman's body may be traced to several different factors including biological, environmental or dietary/lifestyle, or may be a combination of all of these.
So why exactly does this matter? Why is having too much estrogen bad for you?
Too much estrogen or the condition of "estrogen dominance" can be the cause of serious health issues. Normally during a woman's childbearing years, estrogen and progesterone levels increase and decrease in coordination with one another throughout her monthly reproductive cycle. When these hormones are in a state of imbalance, with it occurring in higher levels, women experience problems such as headaches/migraines, clouded thinking, breast tenderness, anxiety, depression, heart palpitations, food cravings, and water retention.
If increased levels of estrogen are not treated, they can lead to much more serious and problematic circumstances including infertility, heavy menstrual bleeding, infrequent menstrual cycles, fibroids, endometriosis, stroke, and cancer. Educating yourself about estrogen, it's role and the effects it has on your body is very important. Learning to monitor and maintain your body's hormonal balance is of great benefit, and will promote lasting results for your overall health.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Estrogen Side Effects

Estrogen side effects definitely exist, and one should understand the difference between natural estrogen and synthetic estrogen. The most commonly prescribed synthetic estrogen is Premarin, currently manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. According to the manufacturer, the most frequent estrogen side effects for Premarin are -- vaginitis due to yeast or other causes, vaginal bleeding, painful menstruation and leg cramps. Wyeth also makes a Premarin vaginal cream -- its most commonly reported side effects include vaginal discomfort or pain, breast pain, vaginitis and itching.
The synthetic estrogen prescription drugs are not the same as natural estrogens occurring in the body. Since substances occurring naturally cannot be patented, drug companies alter the molecular structure and create a new substance that is patentable. However, the body treats synthetic drugs differently than natural substances, usually in the form of unwanted estrogen side effects.
The three main estrogens occurring in the body are estradiol, estrone and estriol. Natural estrogens are identical to those occurring in the human body and are easily available in the form of estriol creams and tablets.
According to Harvard-trained family physician Dr. John R. Lee in his book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, the estrogens tend to increase cell division in tissue that is hormone-sensitive such as breast and uterine tissue. Estradiol is about a thousand times stronger in its effect on breast tissue than is estriol. He references studies from the 1970's that showed that overexposure to estradiol increases the risk of breast cancer.
Besides estrogen side effects from synthetic estrogens, unhealthy excess estrogen is regularly obtained from other sources. Birth control pills, household chemicals and pesticides, certain foods that have been sprayed or given chemicals and many construction materials used in homes are all sources of estrogen which leads to estrogen side effects in the female body. Doctors call this hormone imbalance condition of excess estrogen in the body "estrogen dominance". What are these estrogen side effects or symptoms of estrogen dominance? The symptoms include low sex drive, bloating and weight gain, headaches before the menstrual period, mood swings, irregular periods and excessive menstrual bleeding.
In the normal menstrual cycle and a healthy woman, estrogen is the dominant hormone that is produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. At ovulation the female body begins producing progesterone, which happens for the next 12 days or so. If there is no pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels will drop at around day 28, allowing menstruation to begin. However, if there is no ovulation, progesterone will not be produced by the body that month. This event is called an annovulatory cycle, and it is a typical occurance today for women in their 30's and 40's - no ovulation, no progesterone. This leaves the woman with a deficiency of progesterone, an excess of estrogen and resulting estrogen side effects. And if a hysterectomy has happened, surgical menopause means the woman no longer produces progesterone, resulting in hormone imbalance.
If estrogen side effects from synthetic estrogen are a problem, consider using the safer natural estrogen form which is estriol. Read more about estrogen side effects, natural estrogen supplementation and physician-recommended natural treatments for dealing with hormone imbalance.

Estrogen Therapy and Estrogen Patches

One of the earliest treatments that may be considered for a prostate cancer patient is hormonal therapy, and it is also one of the most effective. It does have a limitation of not actually being able to cure the carcinoma, but hormonal therapy (or hormone treatment) is extremely helpful in slowing the progression or the disease or even stopping its growth. In several intervening instances, hormonal treatment is in point of fact employed to cause the cancer tumors to shrink so that the patient can be operated upon or radiation therapy can be applied.
Hormone treatment is a helpful technique for managing certain cancers because several of them, especially the cancers of the male and female reproductive systems, depend heavily on gender specific sex hormones to breed and propagate. By denying the tumors the critical hormones that are required to fuel their growth, physicians are able to starve the melanomas such that they lose momentum and are curtailed. Then other therapies may be employed to do away with them.
There are two ways in which hormonal therapy can be used manage prostate cancer. One way is by actually carrying out a surgery to extract the gland in the body that produces the implicated hormone, which would be the adrenal gland in the male system that secretes testosterone and dihydorepiandrosterone. The second approach is to find an alternative means to stop or counter the production of these hormones. The use of estrogen patches for prostate cancer treatment is one such alternative approach.
Estrogen therapy for prostate cancer treatment usually uses any of the group of female sex hormones that stimulate secondary female sex characteristics and control growth of the lining of the uterus during the first part of the menstrual cycle (estrone, ethinyl estradiol, and estriol, all produced primarily in the ovaries) in the male body to counter the effect or production of adrenal endocrines to arrest the growth of prostate tumors either in oral form or in form of the contraceptive patch. Synthetic forms of these estrogens also exist, namely Stilbestrol and ethinyl estradiol, five and ten times as potent as estrone, and used to treat advanced and disseminated cancer of the prostate gland in men.
Estradiol is a specific estrogen that has found great use in this regard. Beyond merely relieving the discomforts of menopause, it also helps in treating breast and prostate cancer. The estradiol contraceptive patch is a small, plastic skin patch that women usually use to release low doses of female sex hormones into their system to prevent pregnancy. But more than that, it also helps to prevent the secretion of the adrenal hormones in the male reproductive system, so that the cancers of the prostate can be starved as required.
The application of this medication should however never be attempted without the guide of a certified doctor because they can advice best what doses of the patch is required to limit the side effects. You should be advised that hormonal treatment doesn't exactly cure prostate cancer; it merely makes it easier to be treated by other therapies like surgery and radiation.

Monday, February 14, 2011

The Dangers of Bad Estrogen

Estrogens cause men as much problems as estrogen dominance causes in women.
There are nearly 50 types of chemicals that we are exposed to that exert an evil estrogen like effect on the body. For example, plastics (bottled water micro-waved or frozen is worse), pesticides, and cosmetics mimic dangerous forms of estrogens increasing the 16-alpha-Hydroxyestrone and 4-Hydroxyestrone.
Problems such as weight gain, hair loss, and prostate enlargement are magnified, unless you know how to leach out or detoxify these 'bad' estrogens and restore the 'good' estrogens (2-Hydroxyestrone) along with the balance of testosterone. We use supplements with derivatives of cruciferous vegetables or flax. Japanese soy is processed differently with more beneficial effects than soy in the USA. Look for creams containing Chrysin, and Dim-Diindolylmethane to clear bad estrogens.
>Some drugs reduce estrogen production and some drugs reduce the conversion of testosterone to estrogen analogs.
Many of the drugs developed to decrease estrogen in women, are being used by some bodybuilders, to cut estrogen levels and therefore, fat. The most popular today is Arimidex. Arimidex is expensive and powerful, but can be divided into smaller dosages there by making it more affordable and reducing, somewhat, any possible side effects, when used long term. Most men who use this drug will suddenly notice the normal hair in the middle of their upper backs stops growing. That is because this is an estrogen sensitive area.
This is genetically coded and modulated by hormones. Some anti-aging, doctors including Paul Savage MD of Chicago, believe that hair growth on the head can be improved by reducing the bad type of estrogens, while restoring testosterone and growth hormone. Suppression of testosterone or DHT to reduce hair loss and control prostate enlargement has not been nearly as effective as the proper control and balance of estrogens and testosterone. Many knowledgeable doctors are using a shampoo to control scalp DHT, without suppressing total body DHT, realizing that man needs some DHT to be healthy, function sexually and virile.
Thierry Hertoghe MD of Belgium, also found that testosterone, along with ACTH hormone, could restore hair growth, along with proper administration of thyroid, cortisol and DHEA. Synthetic steroids are a powerful drug category, with many important medical uses, however, even the "cleanest" of the synthetically- derived testosterone androgens, such as nandrolone (also know in trade as "Deca"), can leave unnatural metabolites in the blood, some that have estrogen or progestin-like effects. With these particular metabolites, Arimidex may not do the job. They are actually better metabolized with DIM-(Diindolylmethane), found in our Lean N Fit and our Estroblock. A dosage of 300 to 600 mg a day (4 to 6 capsules combined) can be quite effective after two to four weeks, in fighting the estrogen-like rebound effects of synthetic steroids.
The number one reason why women can benefit from the addition of natural testosterone, is to enhance sexual function and energy. Dr. Eugene Shippen believes that if a woman is to receive proper bioidentical hormone replacement, the regime must include androgen replacement (in most cases). We have had literally thousands of women around the world use our Strength Energy cream with excellent results, because it restores androgens like testosterone, DHEA and pregnenolone.
In several studies, women with fatigue, low libido, feelings of low esteem or poor body image, bone loss, and PMS, can use low-dose testosterone gel or Strength Energy cream with excellent results. In general, low doses over a 1-2-year period, has helped many postmenopausal women recover or increase sexual drive, increase their frequency of sexual thoughts, satisfaction, energy and reports of
"general pleasure and zest" with life. Of course, too much testosterone can cause more overt side effects
for women. Women with low testosterone will really respond better to transdermal creams, or our Strength Energy cream that
contains beneficial androgens. Some women will need estrogen and progesterone therapy, especially if they have been on synthetic birth
control pills which elevate estrone without giving them the healthy benefits of natural estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Estroblock will help those who have been on birth control pills to regain better body shape and health.

Estrogen Scandals on Menopause Treatment

 C86M5ADFQCJ7 At first, I list all menopause scandals.
In 2002, the medical myth that hormone replacement therapy is good for every menopause woman failed.
In 2008, FDA warned that bio-identical estrogen for menopause treatment is not safer than synthetic estrogen.
Here comes the new scandal. In July, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that exposure to a estrogen spray used to control hot flashes during menopause, may be associated with early puberty and early breast development in young children around you.
The estrogen spray was approved in July 2007 to help decrease hot flashes after menopause which is a spray that is applied to the patient's inner arm.
Since June 2010, the FDA has received reports of eight cases of children aged 3 to 5 who were accidentally exposed to the drug. Girls experienced nipple swelling and breast development, and boys experienced breast enlargement. According to an FDA spokesperson, "unintended exposure" likely means casual contact, such as hugging can cause the adverse events.
The spray is an estrogen product. Estrogen doll for menopause treatment has changed 3 dresses: Synthetic estrogen (scientific dress), bio-identical (green dress) and Evamist (Divine dress).
Estrogen stimulates young breasts. If children's breasts are so sensitive to estrogen, your breasts are sensitive to it too! How can your breasts be safe in long term? No wonder breast cancer is epidemic today!
Menopause symptoms are not caused by estrogen deficiency. Many doctors are wrong. Estrogen levels are supposed to be low after your childbearing years are over. Your body does not need high estrogen levels for reproduction. High estrogen levels are actually cause breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Women who have high body-made estrogen levels are more prone to get cancers. How can estrogen drugs be safe?
Enough is enough! Estrogen drugs are witches. Do not play witchcraft on estrogen drugs for menopause any more.

Monday, February 7, 2011

3 Ways to Boost Male Fertility

Infertility in men is a rising trend. More and more couples are finding it difficult to conceive and the chances of men being infertile are 50/50.
Low sperm count and unhealthy sperm are some of the main reasons behind infertility in men.
However, there are some natural ways that can help boost fertility in men.
3 Ways to Boost Male Fertility
1. Stop Smoking
Smoking and infertility in men go hand in hand.
  • Smoking results in a low sperm count- Men who smoke can have a sperm count which as much as 15% lower as compared to non smokers. Basically, smoking affects the absorption of vitamins and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12 etc., that are important for a healthy sperm count. Not only this, it also affects the production of testosterone and low testosterone levels can lead to a drop in your sperm count.
  • Smoking affects Sperm Mobility- What it means is that it affects the ability of the sperm to travel through the vagina to reach the egg so as to fertilize it. Smoking affects the ability of the sperm to make this journey. This reduces the chances of conception.
2. Quit Drinking Alcohol
Just like smoking, alcohol can also affect your fertility.
  • Increases Estrogen- Alcohol tends to increase estrogen levels in your body. This tends to lower testosterone levels leading to a drop in your sperm count. There can other effects as well such as atrophy in testicles, development of male breasts and even low libido.
  • Reduces Sperm Count
  • Affects the shape and health of the sperm etc.,
3. Natural Semen Supplements
Natural or herbal semen supplements are packed with time tested herbs and other essential nutrients that not only increase semen production but also ensure the production of healthy sperm. They also helps boost sperm count and give a boost to your fertility.
Some of the best semen enhancers contain zinc, l-arginine, l-carnitine, fucus vesiculosus, ling zhi, ka gua etc.,
Zinc is extremely important as far as increasing fertility is concerned. There are studies which reveal that when sub fertile men are give zinc and folic acid supplements, they experienced an increase in their sperm count.
Such supplements not only helps boost the production of semen and fertility but also give a boost to your libido or sex drive. Another benefit of such supplements is that they can help ensure harder and powerful erections.
High grade Hormonal supplements do not have any side effects. Not only this, they come with a complete money back guarantee as well.

Natural and Bio-Identical Estrogen

Theoretically, if we have a dose of a bioidentical estrogen that is equivalent in strength to the dose of the conventional estrogen, the cardiovascular benefit or risk should be the same.Nonetheless, any hormone therapy that is considered to be an alternative to the leading form of therapy (conjugated equine estrogens, i.e., Premarin) must at some point be compared in order to prove its worthiness and acceptability among patients and health-care practitioners. A few studies have looked at oral micronized estradiol alone or in combination with bio-identical progesterone and compared it to conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to evaluate possible effects on CAD. Ten menopausal women, administered the natural estrogen/progesterone combination, experienced a decrease in total cholesterol.
In contrast, this parameter did not change significantly at 12 months over the initial cholesterol readings in the five women who were given CEE and MPA. Both groups experienced an increase in HDL cholesterol.Another study reported the results of a combination pill containing 2 mg of oral micronized estradiol, 1 mg of estriol, and 1 mg of a synthetic progestin in 265 women, who were followed for over four years;serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased significantly, but HDL levels were not measured.
Estriol is the other natural estrogen that can be used either alone or in combination with estradiol (called bi-est) or with estradiol and estrone (called tri-est). Little is known about what estriol may or may not do with regard to CVD. However,two studies indicate positive effects of estriol administration on lipid profiles and cardiac function. Japanese researchers found that 2 mg per day of estriol was effective in decreasing total cholesterol and triglycerides and increasing HDL levels in elderly women (age 70 to 84), but not in middle-aged postmenopausal women (age 50 to 65).The other study followed postmenopausal women using estriol and found an increase in their cardiac function and improved blood flow in the extremities.387 Even so, I would not currently consider estriol a viable approach for treating or preventing heart disease. When it comes to cardiovascular disease, I contend that ethically, practitioners using bio-identical hormone therapy must have the same benefit-risk conversation with patients as a conventional practitioner who prescribes the typical Premarin/Provera would have. That said, in my opinion,there is enough evidence at this point that oral micronized progesterone is more cardiac friendly on lipids and coronary arteries than are the synthetic progestogens or progestin (such as Provera).Other than this point, I would advocate for following the current guidelines from the North American Menopause Society and their Position Statement on HRT in Menopausal Women:
Data from studies such as the WHI and the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS) should be extrapolated only with caution to women younger than 50 years of age who initiate HT. The data should not be extrapolated to women experiencing premature menopause (under 40 years of age) and initiating HT at that time.
Premature menopause and premature ovarian failure are conditions associated with earlier onset of CHD [coronary heart disease],but there are no clear data as to whether ET [estrogen therapy] or Estrogen /progestogen therapy] will reduce morbidity or mortality from these conditions. The benefit-risk ratio may be more favorable for younger women.Nonoral routes of administration of ET/EPT may offer advantages and disadvantages,but the long-term benefit-risk ratio has not been demonstrated. Differences would be related to the role of the first-pass hepatic effect, the hormone concentrations in the blood achieved by a given route, and the biologic activity of component ingredients. There is some evidence that transdermal 17 beta-estradiol does not increase the level of C-reactive protein, and also that it may be associated with lower risk of deep venous thrombosis than oral estrogen. The effect of ET on CHD and stroke is not yet clear. ET does not have a significant effect on stroke risk in post menopausal women with known ischemic cerebrovascular disease,but for healthy older women, effects of ET on stroke risk are not clear. However, unless confirming data become available, ET should not be used for primary or secondary prevention of these conditions.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Estrogen Symptoms - An Environmental Cause

Let's delve into the world of a chemist (me) for a moment and see what we can find that will help you get rid of some fat. Today the topic is plastics, or more specifically, plasticizers. This topic started for me in 1974, while I was still a graduate student. At that time our lab had been buying solvents in plastic bottles because they were so much cheaper than in glass bottles. However, some of the chemical analyses that I was doing at that time were giving me odd results. After a lot of thought about what the problem might be, I got lucky when I noticed that the plastic solvent bottles smelled like well, plastic! In hopes of finding out the nature of the odor, I distilled a gallon of methanol from one of the bottles, then noticed a syrupy sludge that was left over. It smelled strongly of plastic. After a quick chemical analysis, I identified the main substance as a compound called dimethyl phthalate. I then learned that this is one of the plasticizing agents that go into making plastic bottles. At the time I thought nothing of it, except from then on I distilled all of my solvents to rid them of this contaminant.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and plasticizers are now big news. Phthalates, along with a compound called bisphenol A (BPA), have attracted a lot of attention because they leach into plastic containers and cause toxicity in the foods and drinks that contain them.
We are talking about thousands of products. Water bottles are only the most obvious of the plastic containers. Plastic is also found in plastic food containers, in canned foods and drinks that are lined with plastic, in boxes of processed foods, in plastic dishes, and in plastic baby bottles and sippy cups, to name a few. Plastic seems to be almost everywhere.
Plasticizers, Estrogen Symptoms, and Fat
The reason that these kinds of molecules are toxic is that they have an estrogenic effect. This just means that they add to the estrogen load even though they are not natural estrogens. So bear with me while a make this point. Natural estrogens are steroids. Steroids are not at all similar to BPA and phthalates. Nevertheless, somehow the human body accepts plasticizers as if they were estrogens, although not perfectly.
If you wonder about the effects of non-natural estrogens (called "xenoestrogens"), you are not alone. They are now being blamed for causing estrogen dominance in women, men, children, and even in infants, and all of the consequences that come with it. The FDA is doing its usual non-blaming dance, since plastics are part of a big industry. in 2008 a scientific panel, appointed by the FDA itself (!), evaluated several research studies on plasticizers and concluded that they do, indeed, pose a significant health risk. At  first the FDA ignored the recommendations of its own panel to remove plasticizers from contact with foods and drinks, and even claimed that, "more studies are needed," to confirm the danger. The danger was so clear already, though, that the FDA finally relented, at least partially. BPA is supposed to be removed at least from containers for baby foods and drinks. Canada and other countries have already seen the light and banned BPA from food and drink containers, so the U.S. is a little slow to respond.
As you may know by now, estrogen dominance leads to fat gain, and fat gain accelerates estrogen dominance. This is really a dangerous spiral, and it is made worse by plasticizers in your diet. One of the two absolutely best things that you can do to negate the fat-building effects of xenoestrogenic plasticizers is to avoid them. Never cook with plastic,  never cook or reheat food in plastic containers in the microwave oven, never drink water out of plastic bottles. You get the picture. Although this doesn't sound easy, it can be done if you have enough incentive to get rid of excess fat.
The second, and probably more important, thing to do is make sure you are getting enough progesterone into your system to counterbalance estrogen dominance. This is not necessarily a simple thing to do, although it is crucial for overall hormone balance. Even if you have no exposure to xeno estrogens, which is unlikely anywhere in the U.S. today, you are most likely deficient in progesterone anyway.

How to Lower Estrogen Levels For Men

Testosterone is the primary hormone that gives men their "male" characteristics. Once a boy hits puberty his body gets flooded with testosterone and he becomes a man. Testosterone is responsible for the proper development of male sexual characteristics. It is also important for maintaining muscle bulk, adequate levels of red blood cells, bone density, sense of well-being, and sexual and reproductive function. On the flip side, women have estrogen, which is the female "equivalent" of testosterone. In women, estrogen is what is responsible for the proper development of female sexual characteristics.
So men have testosterone and women have estrogen, right? Wrong. Men actually have testosterone and estrogen-women have both too. The difference is that men produce about ten times more testosterone than women do (and vice versa). So though our bodies are dominant in testosterone, we also produce low levels of estrogen.
In fact, a certain amount of estrogen in men is necessary for proper body function. Too little estrogen and we run the risk of developing osteoporosis and other conditions. Too much though and we start developing female characteristics, which is not a good a thing-for health or the ego.
As men age their testosterone levels will naturally start to drop (by about one percent per year). Similarly, their estrogen levels will start to increase.
When estrogen levels start getting high in men, health problems start to arise. Elevated estrogen levels in men have been shown to contribute to prostate cancer and heart disease, along with gynecomastia-also known as "man boobs." Since higher levels of estrogen are typically accompanied by lower levels of testosterone, other changes occur including loss of muscle mass, fatigue, low libido, erectile dysfunction. Lastly, excessive estrogen in men raises body fat and can contribute to diabetes and high lipids.
But it's not just older guys who experience higher levels of estrogen-it happens to young guys too. Guys who don't take care of themselves are far more likely to show elevated estrogen levels than men who are in good shape. For example, testosterone begins to convert to estrogen in men as they age due to the aromatase reaction.
Aromatase is an enzyme that plays a role in converting testosterone to estrogen and is found most prevalently in fat cells. Therefore, the more body fat a man has the more aromatase and the more estrogen he is likely to have. So you see, a younger guy who is overweight with excess fat-especially around the middle-will likely see a spike in estrogen levels accompanied by a drop in testosterone levels.
Rule number one to avoid excessive estrogen levels: maintain a healthy body weight-build and maintain lean muscle mass. In particular, pay close attention to the fat around the middle of your body. These fat cells are known to produce aromatase, which can lead to higher estrogen levels in men, thus changing the hormonal balance.
There are plenty of other things that can lead to higher estrogen levels in men too so guys of any age should be aware of the following:
• Medications: Some medications can cause estrogen levels to rise so be on the lookout for estrogen-containing drugs, steroids, ulcer medications such as cimetidine, some antibiotics (tetracycline, ampicillin, etc.), anti-fungal medications and antidepressants. Since there are more medications that can cause this effect, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Illness: Certain illnesses also cause spikes in estrogen levels including some tumors of the testes, adrenal and pituitary glands, liver and lung, cirrhosis (liver disease). Kidney and thyroid disease may elevate estrogen levels as well.
• Drugs: Using illicit drugs is another sure-fire way to cause a jump in estrogen so stay away from anabolic steroids, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs that can affect hormone levels.
• Alcohol: Moderate drinking generally doesn't cause problems but frequent benders can. Drinking excessively can increase the body's conversion of testosterone into estrogen, especially in fat cells. It can also block the liver from effectively eliminating excess estrogen.
• Environmental exposure: Things that we run across in our daily lives can also contribute to elevated estrogen levels in men. The list of pesticides, chemicals and herbicides that have the potential to cause estrogen-like effects in the body is lengthy so do yourself a favor and avoid them as much as possible.
A number of experts have also begun to believe that there is a link between the ingestion of hormone-enhanced food and elevated estrogen levels. More research is sure to be done on the subject so stay tuned. In any case, hormone- and pesticide-free, unprocessed foods are best for your body so stick with those.
I'll write that article for you next. In the mean time if you'd like further information on losing man boobs click here for a trusted resource.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The Estrogen Controversy

Estrogen is a hormone that is essential for the normal growth and development of the breasts and organs significant for childbearing. It assists control a woman's menstrual cycles and is necessary for reproduction. Estrogen assists maintain the heart and healthy bones as well.
No one understands what causes breast cancer, and no one could obviously state why we are observing an increase in breast cancer cases. More women grow breast cancer than men - approximately 100 cases in females for every one in a man. Women's bodies make more estrogen than men's. Hence, the conventional wisdom has been that estrogen causes breast cancer.
What we don't comprehend, but researchers are studying, is how estrogen runs in the breast tissue. We currently understand that estrogen is most likely secreted or produced directly from breast tissue - a number of from the fat of the breast, some from the ducts themselves. How and why this production persists all through life is unidentified. We at the present comprehend as well that the body has many self-regulating or balancing mechanisms - that one hormone is typically balanced by another.
Estrogen might be implicated in breast cancer risk due to:
1) its role in stimulating breast cell division;
2) its work as long as the critical periods of breast development and growth;
3) its outcome on other hormones that rouse breast cell division, and
4) its support of the development of estrogen-responsive tumors.
Estrogen is powerfully related with the early growth of a lot of breast cancers, but few studies have looked at the connection between high estrogen levels and cancer recurrence, particularly in women who are taking anti-estrogen drugs such as tamoxifen.
Estrogen therapy is regarding the last thing you'd wait for a doctor to set down for a woman with breast cancer: The hormone is well-known for coaxing tumors to develop, not get smaller. But in a latest study, one out of three postmenopausal women with advanced cancer who were set a daily dose of estrogen saw their tumors slow to a stop, and in a number of cases, even shrink.
However, a woman's risk for breast cancer is linked with lifetime exposure to estrogen. knowing how estrogen runs in the body, understanding in relation to how chemicals in the environment could have an effect on body estrogen levels, and how diet and lifestyle factors influence estrogen exposure over a lifetime, might assist women make more informed decisions concerning their bodies and their environment.

Estrogen Link to Obesity

Obesity continues to rise in the United States and throughout the world. Both leptin from fat cells and insulin from pancreatic B cells are created in direct proportion to body fat. Obese persons have higher levels of these two hormones than lean individuals. Recent studies show that another hormone, estrogen, also has a similar affect.
When estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus of rats were destroyed, female rats ate more food, burnt less energy and became obese. Research suggests a link between estrogen and obesity, especially the dangerous accumulation of abdominal fat linked to cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes mellitus, and certain cancers. The abstract was submitted by Deborah J. Clegg, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obesity Research Center, at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, to the 234th national meeting of the American Chemical Society on August 20, 2007. Her findings will assist scientists in developing new hormone replacement therapies.
Dr. Clegg Estrogen wanted to determine the effect of reduced estrogen levels in the brain. She investigated estrogen receptor alphas (ERa) in the hypothalamus, where the brain regulates body temperature, hunger and thirst. She learned that the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) and the arcuate nucleus respond to hormones and other signals to control energy intake and expenditure. A gene-silencing technique called RNA interference allowed Dr. Clegg to shut down the alpha receptors in the VMN of female rats. The estrogen receptors in other regions of the brain were not affected. As estrogen levels decreased, so did the metabolic rate and energy levels. The rats quickly became glucose intolerant. While their caloric intake did not change, they gained considerable abdominal weight.
Dr. Clegg feels that deactivating ERa in the arcuate nucleus region of the hypothalamus may have the same effect. There are two groups of neurons in this region. One reduces food intake and the other stimulates it. Estrogen loss in this region may increase both appetite and weight.
In humans, the accumulation of abdominal fat in men and women increases their risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and insulin resistance. Young women are protected from these risks while they carry their weight in their hips and saddlebags. With the onset of menopause, however, body fat is stored in the abdomen, increasing the risk of medical complications. By identifying the critical brain regions and estrogen receptors associated with weight gain and energy expenditure, scientists will one day be able to design hormone replacement therapies that will help women avoid many of the risks associated with the onset of menopause.
Wayne Mcgregor has trained as a dietitian in the UK. He also has a diploma in fitness training, and a wealth of experience in teaching different people to burn fat and build muscle. His website provides hundreds of free weight loss articles, sample diets, tools and charts of the nutritional content of common foods.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Estrogen - How It Effects Your Body

Among some of the most well known hormones in the human body is estrogen. Estrogen is commonly associated with women, but men also produce a small amount of estrogen as well. Often times, estrogen is referred to as if were a single hormone. However, the name actually refers to a group of three different hormones that work together to produce the effect attributable to 'estrogen.' These hormones are estrone, estradiol, and estriol.
All three are produced by the ovaries and, to some extent, by the adrenal glands. They are not present in the blood in the same amounts and do not have the same degree of biological activity.
The exact ratio of each hormone varies, depending on the time of the menstrual cycle, but the level of estriol is usually eight to nine times higher than that of either estrone or estradiol. Of the three, estradiol is the most potent and potentially harmful. It is also primarily responsible for the 'estrogenic' effect on the body. Estriol has the weakest estrogenic effect and is considered 'protective' and anti-cancerogenic, which is probably the reason why it is present in such high quantities. The function of the estrone is not quite clear. It can serve as a precursor of estradiol and may have other functions as well.
The estrogen level is quite low before puberty, but it starts going up rapidly around age 11 to 13. For young females, this leads to the appearance and growth of breasts, pubic and underarm hair, and eventually the first menstrual period, which is also known as menarche. Ovaries continue to produce estrogen in increasing amounts, reaching a peak about the age of 25 to 30. After age 30 to 35, the production of estrogen gradually slows down, eventually becoming too low to sustain continued menstrual cycles. This is known as menopause.
The effect of estrogen is not limited to just reproductive organs. Practically every cell of the body has estrogen receptors, from brain cells to muscle cells. That is why abnormal changes in estrogen production or imbalance with other hormones can lead to great changes in the body.
It may be easier to understand some of the effects of estrogen if you keep in mind the main purpose of estrogen, which is to prepare the body for pregnancy. Some of the effects of estrogen include thickening of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to prepare it for pregnancy, stimulating breast tissue growth in preparation for making milk, and reducing the activity of thyroid hormone to reduce fat burning and conserve calories and nutrients to help the fetus grow. Two unfortunate effects of estrogen for the woman, but a benefit to the fetus, is the increased fat production and reduced overall metabolism. The estrogen also helps the body retain fluid and salt to assure sufficient liquid reserves in the body, which can make a woman feel heavy and bloated.
Estrogen is also responsible for keeping bones stronger by reducing the activity of bone-destroying cells (osteoclasts), reducing total cholesterol level and improving HDL ('good' cholesterol), which reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes. This hormone is also responsible for relaxing the muscles of arteries, reducing blood pressure and the work load of the heart, growth of underarm and pubic hair, pigmentation of the nipples, and protection of brain cells from age-related deterioration.
This powerful group of hormones can be a great help to the woman's body throughout her growing and child-bearing years. The body functions at optimum performance when estrogen is present in the right amount. Without too little or too much of it, the body is susceptible to harm or injury.

Estrogen Infertility

I'm sure you know by now that there are loads of things that can cause infertility, estrogen lack being one of them. Every one of the many hormones involved in reproduction also plays an essential role. Estrogen is the key female reproductive hormone, sort of like what testosterone is for men. If you have headaches, night sweats, hot flashes and vaginal dryness you might have a lack of estrogen. Low quantities of estrogen can also cause infertility in various ways:
  • Estrogen directs the uterus to make a lining to receive the zygote so even if every other process has gone well before that moment, if there is not enough of a lining the fertilized egg won't implant itself in the uterus wall.
  • Furthermore, estrogen stimulates the mucus produced at the cervix to become less viscous so that the sperm can swim through it to reach the ovum.
  • Low estrogen levels could prevent you from ovulating at all.
Estrogen lack can be caused by a number of factors:
  • LH (Luteinizing Hormone) regulates the manufacture of estrogen - too little LH causes inadequate estrogen.
  • If you are too skinny, or if you have an eating disorder (like bulimia or anorexia) or if you work out excessively then the pituitary gland doesn't function correctly and the signals that tell the ovaries to make estrogen get mixed up.
  • If you don't have any eggs at all then your body won't make estrogen.
Treatment options:
  • Estrogen quantities in the body may be raised through medication.
  • It seems that some foodstuffs, like tofu, can benefit you as well.
You might also have difficulties if you have high levels of estrogen relative to progesterone in your body. You are at a risk for estrogen dominance if you are not eating properly, under stress, obese or exposed to other sources of estrogen, either by means of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or by environmental sources. Excessive estrogen will cause the following warning signs:
  • Heart palpitations
  • Excessive weight gain
  • Depression
  • Irregular periods
  • Swelling
  • Cyclical headaches
  • Nervousness
  • Digestive problems
But these symptoms could also signify low estrogen levels, so it's vital to get yourself checked if you're worried. If you have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or endometriosis elevated levels of estrogen can make them worse. Elevated levels of estrogen may also diminish your libido.
Having the correct estrogen concentrations is essential to your fertility. There are issues connected with both high and low levels of estrogen. Abnormal concentrations of estrogen could be prevented with medication so it shouldn't be a massive hurdle in your quest to get pregnant.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Relationship Between Soy and Estrogen Dominance

With the growing changes in lifestyle based on the daily activities, many people are too busy to prepare the fresh family food that families used to enjoy. Instead, many parents rely heavily on quick snacks to keep their families going. These trends have led to the excessive exposure to high levels of cholesterol further leading to other hormonal imbalance problems such as estrogen dominance among others. Amidst the panic, soy product marketers have capitalized on the situation by trying to lead a spirited campaign aimed at depicting soy as the wonderful seed that will save the world as they strive to change the society's perception against beef and other animal proteins in the pretext of promoting better health.
Does soy reduce estrogen dominance?
Contrary to what many people have been led to believe, consumption of soy is not in any way going to reduce estrogen dominance as the leading producers of soy related products would want you to believe. The indicators point to the exact opposite. Perhaps the most sensible question to ask is about the true composition of soy. By answering this question correctly, we should be able to clear any misunderstanding that has been created by the paid advertisements that dominate our media in praise of the soy products.
What are the bad components in soy?
Soy Contains (Isoflavones) (Genistein) and (Daidzein). The (Isoflavones) from soy is used in the manufacture of insecticides. This should leave us wondering whether it can be very healthy to the human body when it does the exact opposite to bugs and insects. Cancer comes from having too much estrogen, a condition medically referred to as estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is associated to Irritability and mood swings, fat gain from the waist down, fibrocystic breast disease and uterine (fibromas). (Isoflavones) are estrogen like substances, which have the same effect as the body's estrogen. Instead of helping, prevent the bad effects of environmental or natural estrogen dominance, soy (Isoflavones) very influential to the increase of the bad effect of (estradiol) and (estrone) that are the two major bad components of the estrogen family
What is the effect of soy consumption to the human body?
(Isoflavones) found in soy decreases the production of Thyroid hormone. This may result to development of excess fats in adults; in children, the effects may cause stunted growth. Studies also indicate that Female children fed with the estrogens in soy formula and other related products hit puberty at unusually very early ages, this clearly indicates that the consumption of soy directly leads to hormonal imbalance in human beings.
This can further be substantiated by the fact that research has shown that pregnant women eating soy products may end up giving birth to children with sexual differentiation problems. Studies show malformations of the reproductive tract or offsprings born with both male and female sexual organs. Looking at all the existing facts and extensive research together with studies already conducted regarding this subject, It is therefore very advisable for people with estrogen dominance problems to steer clear of soy products.

Cellulite and Estrogen

Cellulite is every woman's worst nightmare. It is that disgusting lumpy, dimpled, irregular fat that that suddenly just seems to appear on the hips, thighs and buttocks of 85% of women. Cellulite does not discriminate - it attacks skinny women, obese women, young women, and old women - as well as a small percentage of men. Cellulite can occur at any time from puberty through old age, and many believe is attributed to an estrogen imbalance. Cellulite is composed of fat, and so many women believe that getting rid of that fat is the only way to make the ugly dimples disappear. Unfortunately, in many cases losing weight won't do a thing to help you to help you eliminate cellulite.
Cellulite begins to become visible when two forces within your body find themselves working against each other. First, weakened connective tissue pulls down on the fat layers everyone has on their body, then excess fat and fluids push up. This causes the uneven, dimpled texture the fat beneath your skin begins to take on. However, the connective tissues should not be weakened, even with age, in a normal, healthy woman. So to really understand the causes of cellulite, we must understand how estrogen can effect the tissue.
Many believe that the weakened connective tissues and excess fats and fluids occur when there is an estrogen imbalance in the body. Estrogen plays many rolls for a woman, including softening the fibrous tissues of the womb right before birth. Unfortunately for many women's things, it has the same effect on the connective tissue that anchors the skin to the muscle. When the skin and muscle begin to separate, compartments are formed between them and the connective tissues where ugly fat deposits begin to form. The connective tissue, weakened by the excess estrogen production, pulls down on the skin and causes the stored fat to push up, resulting in the sudden appearance of those scary, dimply cellulite bumps. For some woman it is normal to have a little excess estrogen floating around in the body, but if this estrogen imbalance is complicated by bad circulation, the result is an increased appearance of cellulite.
Some women are so frustrated with having cellulite that they consider hormone therapy to combat the effects of having excess estrogen. However, playing with estrogen levels for the purpose of eliminating cellulite can be is very tricky because it can have a lot of complicated side effects. If a woman were to adjust the balance of the estrogen hormone in order to treat one symptom, imbalances in other hormones might suddenly occur causing problems in another area. Estrogen plays hundreds of different roles in the body and thus affects hundreds of different functions. A skilled endocrinologist or gynecologist should be consulted when considering estrogen hormone therapy.