A class on Oestrogen dominance

Written By Chantel Hutnan

I recently did a class on oestrogen dominance after receiving a question in my closed oil Facebook group. Many of you messaged to say how helpful it was, so I wanted to house the video and my notes, here.

To watch the livestream, click the image below…..

To read through a condensed version of my notes, keep reading below …

(it’s important to note that it is important to be working with a practitioner to properly assess the specifics and make tailored recommendations. The points I have made below are for generalised information purposes).

What is oestrogen dominance?

A more accurate description of this term is the presence of either ….

  1. Oestrogen excess

    • via ovarian production *usually only in peri-menopause

    • Impaired clearance or metabolism (by the liver and gut) * most common cause I see alongside low progesterone

    • Excess exogenous sources (xenooestrogens = defined as chemicals that mimic some structural parts of our physiological oestrogen compounds)

AND/OR

2. Low progesterone

  • Peri-menopause (common as ovarian function declines)

  • Anovulatory cycles (cycles where you don’t ovulate and therefore don’t produce progesterone)

  • Ovarian function 

What are the symptoms of oestrogen excess :

  • Heavy periods 

  • Breast tenderness

  • PMS

  • Fibroids, endometriosis, fibrositic breasts

  • Headaches

Where do oestrogens come from:

  1. Made by the ovaries (a good thing, has many beneficial roles in our body)

  2. Fat cells via aromatisation *

  3. From adrenal androgens + testosterone through aromatisation *

  4. We can also get exposure to oestrogen like substances from outside sources - from the environment (xenoestrogens)

*** When we are inflamed or insulin resistant, aromatase is unregulated, resulting in increased aromatisation of androgens into estrogens’s.

What can go wrong and cause it’s excess 

Before we dive into the main reason for oestrogen excess, there are two scenarios where this can occur due to naturally hormonal changes.

  1. Peri-menopause (oestrogen can increase (rather significantly ) during the years prior to menopause. Read more HERE.

  2. Teenagers (in the first few years of menses, cycles can be annovulatory so no progesterone been made leading to symptoms of excess oestrogen) .

The other primary reasons for excess oestrogen are related to:

Impaired detoxification (3 major phases phases) 

Phase 1 (occurs in the liver)

  • Our primary oestrogen's are hydroxylated to their metabolites 

  • Metabolites are active and then need to enter in Phase 2 liver detoxification

  • Some metabolites can be more toxic (4-OH Estrone E1)* and damaging and some can be more potent and proliferative * (16-OH-E1)

Supporting Phase 1

Look at what is coming in or impairing the water and reduce 

  • Bath tub analogy (quality of the water and how fast or slow it’s filling up)

  • Alcohol: women who drink more than 1 drink per day have measurable higher blood levels of oestrogen

  • Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: industrial chemicals like BPA, Phthalates, solvents, pesticides, birth control

  • Excess caffeine 

  • Medications 

  • Pollution 

  • Smoking 

  • Some heavy metals – including aluminium, mercury, and lead – are considered “metalloestrogens,” which means they are capable of mimicking estrogen in the body.

Look into natural alternate for: SKINCARE, CLEANING PRODUCTS, VEGGIE WASH, SMELLY THINGS/FRAGRANCE, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, DEODORANT, TOOTHPASTE, MOISTURISERS, PURE-FUMES ETC

Ways to further support Phase 1

  • Diindolylmethane (under supervision of a practitioner) lowers estrogens AND promotes healthy oestrogen metabolism (it shifts phase I metabolism so more “good” 2-OH oestrogen metabolites are made and less “bad” 4-OH and 16-OH metabolites are made)

  • Cruciferous vegetables: These vegetables contain a phytonutrient called I3C (indole-3- carbinol) which the body converts to DIM (diindolylmethane). DIM supports healthy oestrogen metabolism. Cruciferous vegetables include: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, arugula. 

  • Flax seeds, omega-3 fatty acids, rosemary, raspberries, prunes, 

  • Lignans, the fiber in flax, bind to estrogen and facilitate its excretion. Flax can be added to the diet as ground flax seeds or high- lignan flax oil or through supplementation - doTERRA Phytooestrogen complex

  • Buy organic whenever possible (but prioritise animal products and fruits and vegetables on the EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” list). 

  • Drink only filtered water (tap water may contain traces of xenoestrogenic chemicals and pharmaceuticals like HRT and oral contraceptives). If you don’t filter your water, your body becomes the filter! 

  • Avoid sources of aluminum (a metalloestrogen) [deodorants and antiperspirants, cookware]

  • Consider liver support therapies: coffee enemas and castor oil packs 

  • Sauna: Far-infrared saunas can help detoxify excess estrogen out of the body through sweat. Using a FIR sauna 2-3x/week can assist in getting excess oestrogen out of adipose cells, where it’s frequently stored . Apply Zendocrine EO prior too sauna session over the liver.

  • Fasting

  • Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep (melatonin helps balance excess estrogen in the body)

  • Protective antioxidants (vitamin C), carotenoids, coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Selenium, Zinc - doTERRA Life Long Vitality supplement

  • ZENDOCRINE + SAUNA/CASTOR OIL PACK

  • CITRUS OILS IN WATER

  • DOTERRA PHYTOESTROGEN COMPLEX 

  • DOTERRA DEEP BLUE POLYPHENOLS 

Phase 2  (occurs in the liver)

  • Very nutrient requiring process 

  • Also requires functioning COMT enzyme (genetic mutations) that affect this* 

To support Phase 2

  • Magnesium 

  • B vitamins especially B6, B12, folate

  • Zinc , Selenium

  • Proteins for amino acids 

  • Alpha lipoic acid

  • Taurine 

  • Milk Thistle 

  • Turmeric 

  • Eat liver for you liver

  • Sulphur donars: cysteine, NAC, methionine, taurine

  • Conjugation: glycine, glutamine, 

  • glutathione 

  • COMT support: Magnesium, B6, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)

  • LLV + DEEP BLUE POLYPHENOLS / TURMERIC

  • Zendocrine complex  1 twice daily 

Phase 3  (occurs in the bowel in the presence of healthy bacteria)

  • Supporting gut health to eliminate oestrogen via the bowel 

  • Requires a healthy gut microbiome (I usually run a comprehensive stool test to see the environment)

  • When there are unhealthy gut bacteria present they impair oestrogen metabolism by making an enzyme called beta-glucoronidse which reactivates oestrogen , which is then reabsorbed back into circulation. Contributing to excess oestrogen.

Support for Phase 3:

  • Reduce things that damage gut bacteria eg. antibiotics, oral contraceptive pill, sugar, low calorie diets, alcohol, poor sleep, stress, low stomach acid, eat probiotic rich foods

  • DOTERRA GX Assist + Terrazyme + PB Assist Protocol

An important nutrient for oestrogen excess is IODINE

  • Promotes healthy metabolism of oestrogen and makes cells less sensitive 

  • Ovaries need a lot go process to ovulation 

  • Kelp salt 

  • Make sure you get enough selenium alongside iodine especially for those with Hashimotos

What about Low Progesterone 

  • Are you ovulating? If no, then no progesterone 

  • Do you have a short luteal phase (less than 11 days between ovulation and menstruation) as this usually results in less than optimal amounts of progesterone

To support low progesterone 

  • All about restoring ovulation (look for you individual WHY and read this blog for ideas as to your WHY)

  • Managing stress (essential oils, breathing practices, mindfulness, self care) 

  • Nutrients to support healthy ovarian follicles (100 days) * Life Long Vitality full dose

  • Vitamin C at least 1000mg

  • Magnesium 300mg 

  • Vitamin B6, 50mg- 100mg  (synthesis of progesterone, supports oestrogen detox, natural diuretic) 

  • Selenium 100-150mcg daily (essential for the formation of the corpus luteum) 

  • Micronised progesterone 

Excess oestrogen protocol (doTERRA product integration suggestions **)

  1. LLV* twice daily 

  2. Zendocrine complex* twice daily 

  3. Terrenzyme* 1 prior to meal 

  4. GI Assist* 1 twice daily for 30 days

  5. PB assist* 1 night 

  6. Deep Blue Polyphenols* / Turmeric Capsules* 2 daily 

  7. Zendocrine EO*, 1-2 drops internally or on the soles of feet nightly 

Menstrual cycle massage blend

Day 1 to ovulation: massage once daily over lower abdomen 

  • Geranium 4 drops 

  • Fennel Sweet 7 drops 

  • Clary Sage 3 drops 

  • Rose 1 drop 

Day 14 to menstruation : ClaryCalm* roller twice daily over lower abdomen

Helpful testing

Testing for oestrogen excess

  • Estradiol is considered excess if greater than 270pg/mL or 1000 pmol/L at Day 21 or mid luteal phase

  • Dried Urine Total Comprehensive Hormone (DUTCH) test looks at levels of oestrogens and progesterone and their metabolites and how they are being excreted (alongside adrenal hormones, melatonin and androgens)

Testing for Progesterone

  • Middle of you lutueal phase or about 5-7 days post ovulation 

  • Should be at least 9.5nmol/L or 3ng/mL (optimal is more like 15-25ng/ml)

  • Temperature rise of 0.3 degrees Celsius maintained for greater than 11 days post ovulation is a good sign of adequate progesterone

For more information you can visit the work with me section of my website and to read more about the DUTCH test, click here.

For my support with purchasing and integrating doTERRA into your life and joining our community CLICK HERE.

All informations, advices or recommendations offered in this action plan by Chantel Hutnan (Gough) (whether in person, by phone or email) are based on her own research and study, personal experience, and conversations with other health professionals and is not meant to treat, prevent or diagnose a medical issue but is to be used as a source of general information only.

Chantel Hutnan
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