In many cases, having too much of something in your body is bound to cause some sort of issue. Take estrogen for example: according to WebMD, too much estrogen can cause weight gain. In fact, they also add that many overweight women tend to have high estrogen levels.
For those who may not be familiar with what estrogen is, it’s an entire class of related hormones which includes estradiol, estriol and estrone, according to WebMD. Estrogen levels tend to rise at certain times. The main time is during puberty, which is when a girl’s body is beginning to change. Another reason estrogen may rise is because of weight gain, which coincidently, is one of the symptoms of high estrogen levels.
Below you will find the signs that you have too much estrogen.
Abdominal Weight Gain: According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, the fat tissue produces excess estrogen, mainly in the abdominal area, which can cause abdominal weight gain. As the fatty tissue produces estrogen, estrogen produces more fatty tissue, and if you have too much estrogen, this will cause weight gain in the area that has too much of it.
Swollen or Tender Breasts: When you are pregnant, estrogen causes the breast ducts to enlarge. Also, progesterone, which is produced mainly in the ovaries following ovulation each month, can cause the breasts to feel sore, according to Healthline. They add that if you notice that your breasts are sore or swollen and you are not ovulating or pregnant, it could be a cause of too much estrogen.
Thyroid Dysfunction: According to Outsmart Disease, many women who are in their 30s will experience symptoms that are attributed to conditions such as thyroid disease because of too much estrogen. This occurs because when there is too much estrogen, the thyroid binding protein called thyroid binding globulin increases. When this occurs, the T4 and T3 thyroid hormones become low because they become attached to the thyroid globulin. This will prevent the thyroid hormones from entering the cells and can result in hyperthyroid symptoms.
Emilyfrost/shutterstock.comIrregular Periods: According to the Women’s Health Network, when a woman has an irregular period, which is when it comes too early or too late, she could experience weight gain, which is a sign of a hormonal imbalance that can also be caused by too much estrogen. As I mentioned earlier, fat tissues make estrogen; so the more you have, the more estrogen production.
Fibrocystic Breasts: A woman’s breast changes occur in response to the hormones that are made by the ovaries. If a woman has fibrocystic breasts, it could be caused by high estrogen and low progesterone levels, according to Healthline. Women will experience breast tissue changes; they will become lumpy and rope-like. They will also be painful and tender to touch.
Mood Swings: A hormonal imbalance can cause mood swings; which in this case would be too much estrogen. This occurs because it affects the chemistry of the brain, according to Healthline. Women who are pregnant or going through menopause can experience mood swings.
Memory Problems: As I mentioned earlier, one of the signs of high estrogen is thyroid issues, which can result in hyperthyroidism. According to Healthline, hyperthyroidism can cause memory issues. This occurs because the body is unable to produce the hormone that is essential for energy metabolism.
RommelCanlas/shutterstock.comHeadache: It is very common for women to experience headaches that are linked to hormonal fluctuations, according to Healthline. Pregnancy, birth control pills, and menstruation all have the ability to affect your estrogen levels, which can result in headaches if they are too high or too low.
If you enjoyed this story,
Disclaimer: Bestie does not provide medical advice,
