Estrogen Dominance & Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
Estrogen is a hormone responsible for the functions of the female reproductive system. It also impacts brain health and function, bone health, and the cardiovascular system. Estrogen dominance can occur when estrogen levels are elevated or out of balance with other hormone levels. Untreated estrogen dominance can lead to long-term sexual health issues, like female sexual arousal disorder.
Let’s learn more about estrogen dominance, female sexual arousal disorder, and what treatment is available!
What is Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen dominance is a condition in which the levels of estrogen relative to the levels of progesterone become increased. This can be caused by overproduction of estrogen, changes in metabolism or excretion, or an imbalance in the estrogen-to-progesterone ratio.
There are three types of estrogen, and it’s essential to have the right amount of estrogen and that the forms of estrogen are in the right proportion. Those types are:
- Estrone (E1): After menopause, this is the primary estrogen in women.
- Estradiol (E2): This is the most potent form of estrogen, usually highest in women of childbearing age.
- Estriol (E3): The weakest form of estrogen and primarily present during pregnancy.
Some conditions that are associated with estrogen dominance or worsened by estrogen dominance include:
- Breast and uterine cancers
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
What Could Cause Estrogen Dominance?
Your body might make too much estrogen, or estrogen might be out of balance in relation to other hormones like progesterone. Some causes can include:
- Certain medications
- Stress
- Obesity
- Alcohol consumption
- PCOS
What Are The Potential Effects of this Dominance?
High levels of estrogen in women can cause many symptoms, such as:
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Decreased sex drive or female sexual arousal disorder
- Irregular periods
- Increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Cold hands or feet
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
What is Female Sexual Arousal Disorder?
Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is a condition with a lack of or decreased interest in sex. There may be a reduced ability to respond sexually because of decreased vaginal lubrication and a decreased sensitivity in the genital region.
Female sexual arousal disorder will result in at least three, if not more, of the following symptoms:
- No interest or a lack of interest in sex
- Not having or having few thoughts about sex or fantasies
- No interest in initiating sex with a partner and not responding to a partner’s interest
- Lack of or decreased pleasure during sex
- Not becoming aroused by stimulating materials like a book, movie, or image
- Decreased or absent pleasurable sensations in the genital region
Symptoms will have lasted for at least six months and upset the person experiencing them.
Treatment for female sexual arousal disorder combines education, psychological therapies, and hormonal therapy. Hormonal imbalances play a major role in sex drive. Too much estrogen in relation to other hormones, especially testosterone, can result in female sexual arousal disorder and other negative effects.
Treating Estrogen Dominance
Determining the underlying cause of estrogen dominance will help guide the treatment options. The first step in uncovering a problem with estrogen dominance is having laboratory tests to check your hormone levels. Our specialists at Your Wellness Center will look at the total levels of your hormones and their relationships to each other and then recommend a personalized treatment plan which may include bioidentical hormone therapy.
Other treatments that improve estrogen dominance include:
- Consuming foods that decrease inflammation
- Vegetarian diets
- Increasing foods like soy, flaxseed, vegetables like broccoli and kale
- Exercise and weight loss
- Stress reduction
- Limit or stop alcohol intake
- Avoid BPA in plastics
- Avoid natural or herbal products that increase estrogen
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
- Green tea polyphenol
How Long Does it Take to Reverse Estrogen Dominance?
Reversing estrogen dominance may take a little time, depending on the cause of your condition. If you are a candidate for bioidentical hormone therapy, results may be rapid. Sometimes you’ll notice improvement in just a few weeks. But expect a slower, more gradual response for improvements like stress reduction and lifestyle and diet.
The bottom line is that no matter the cause, we can develop a personalized treatment plan and get you back to feeling your very best.
If you believe you may have symptoms of estrogen dominance or are experiencing female sexual arousal disorder, the best way to start your journey back to optimal health is by completing our initial consultation form. Our providers will review your symptoms and health history before contacting you to schedule a consult.
As always, you can also call us at (513)-791-9474 with any questions! You can also click here to learn more about the bio-identical hormone replacement therapy program for women.
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