High Oestrogen In Women: 5 Warning Signs Your Hormones May Be Out Of Balance

Oestrogen is a key hormone that not only regulates your reproductive system but also plays a vital role in various other body functions. Its levels naturally rise and fall throughout your life, often alongside other hormones that manage important bodily processes. For instance, increases in oestrogen kickstart sexual development during puberty and, together with progesterone, prepare your body for pregnancy. 

But what happens when oestrogen levels become too high? Is having excess oestrogen harmful to your health? To get clarity, we spoke with Dr Monica Gupta, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, who shared her expert insights on the matter.

High Oestrogen In Women: 5 Warning Signs

Here are five warning signs of high oestrogen that should be taken note of:

• Unexplained Weight Gain: Especially around the hips and waist, due to oestrogen’s effect on fat storage.
• Irregular or Heavy Periods: Oestrogen imbalance can lead to heavier, prolonged, or unpredictable menstrual cycles.
• Mood Swings and Anxiety: Elevated oestrogen levels can affect brain chemistry, causing irritability, anxiety, or mood fluctuations.
• Breast Tenderness or Swelling: High oestrogen can cause breast tissue to become sensitive or swollen.
• Fatigue and Difficulty Sleeping: Hormonal imbalances may lead to low energy levels and trouble falling or staying asleep.

High Oestrogen In Women: Causes

According to Dr Gupta, high oestrogen levels in women can be caused by several factors:

• Hormone therapy: Use of external hormones such as high-dose birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy after menopause can increase oestrogen levels.
• Obesity: Carrying excess body fat contributes to higher oestrogen production.
• Stress and lifestyle factors: High stress levels, excessive alcohol intake, and liver problems can all lead to raised oestrogen.
• Synthetic xenoestrogens: These are man-made chemicals found in everyday products like plastics, pesticides, soaps, and shampoos that mimic oestrogen’s effects on the body.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal imbalance common in women of reproductive age that can elevate oestrogen levels.

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Health Conditions Linked To High Oestrogen

While high oestrogen may not directly cause these diseases, it can exacerbate them. Some conditions associated with elevated oestrogen include:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Endometriosis, adenomyosis, and ovarian chocolate cysts, these uterine and ovarian conditions often cause heavy menstrual bleeding and severe pain
• Uterine fibroids

How To Manage High Oestrogen Levels?

• Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, weight management, and maintaining a healthy body weight can help lower oestrogen.
• Limiting alcohol and managing stress: Reducing alcohol consumption and stress levels supports balanced hormone levels.
• Avoiding synthetic oestrogens: Minimising contact with products containing xenoestrogens can reduce exposure.
• Medication: Certain drugs that lower oestrogen levels are prescribed, especially for breast cancer patients, to help prevent the disease from returning.

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Credits: Freepik