If Estrogen Dominant-Do We Stay That Way?

I have been battling with this question ever since I read Dr Uzzi Reiss's books "Natural Hormone Balance", and "The Natural Superwoman". I did not even know this terminology until then. But his books have a way of explaining case scenarios that you can then ask yourself which category you fall into?

For me I have determined that all my life, and even at a very young age I was and really still am, "Estrogen Dominant". Not that I only have Estrogen but more that I either do not have enough Progesterone, or I don't have enough Estrogen and Progesterone. Yes, even after a total hysterectomy with both ovaries removed. Meaning I do not produce my own Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone because my ovaries (organs) are no longer there. This is due to pure ignorance on my part!! I stand in line with many, many, many women who have had them removed for NO medical reason - other than trusting your doctor's advice and "hey while we are in there, I'm not going to have anymore kids so take 'em out". DUH!!

Anyways, I have been searching for an answer to do "Estrogen Dominant" woman stay that way even after a hysterectomy with no ovaries? Here is what I have found on my good ole LEF:
"Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, which is sometimes performed in conjunction with an ophorectomy or ovariectomy, which is the surgical removal of the ovaries. Doctors often perform a hysterectomy to alleviate patient discomforts associated with conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and heavy menses. These conditions, however, are often related to a relative dominance of estrogen. Removal of the uterus does not correct the underlying imbalance that may have contributed to these conditions in the first place. Many medical professionals believe that once the uterus has been removed, there is no need to supplement with progesterone. Clinical experience and a review of the scientific literature, however, make it clear that unopposed estrogen therapy can lead to many undesirable health conditions. When women are young, they have optimal levels of all the steroid hormones, not just estrogen. Replacing only estrogen after a complete hysterectomy is a sure-fire way to increase existing estrogen dominance. Whether a woman has a uterus or not, research suggests that estrogen replacement therapy should not be given without natural progesterone."

So from this I say - yes, yes you can because it is an "existing" way our body is naturally "bent" on producing hormones and our receptors for those of us who were "Estrogen Dominant" before our hysterectomies. This tells me I have to be careful of "tweaking" my estrogen to progesterone ratios bc of estrogen dominance. And it definitely tells me I need progesterone. You may be different - you may be the same. Only YOU can figure that out for yourself. 

As I have mentioned before start a journal. Journal how you "feel" daily and take time to remember how were you as a young woman? How were your periods? How were your emotions? Acne? Were you sweaty and clammy? Did you suffer with depression, migraines, etc? This is where you will discover so much. And for you ladies who have daughters wow you will be helping her understand herself more by you discovering you, and she gets to learn from your understanding. Chances are she is going through the exact same issues you did. My daughter is and I learn from her as she learns from me!

So as a young woman I was told I would never have kids, I would have to have a hysterectomy then, etc. I suffered horrendous periods, tons of exploratory laparoscopies (surgeries). Many cysts, endometriosis (this was before that word was really even discussed) now its every woman everywhere!! For me, I was given Synarel (now its Lupron shots) to induce menopause and shrink my uterus to the size of a walnut. BIG MISTAKE! I had no real comprehension of what I was doing to my body. I was putting it in menopause! The hot flashes, chin hair, body aches, hives, breakouts, migraines, depression, hair falling out, weight gain, etc was hitting me like a Mack truck! I never was the same again! 

Ladies NEVER DO THIS!! I KNOW you’re in pain; you want answers, quick relief! Instead before going under the knife, castrating yourself, setting yourself up for suffering both emotional and physical - investigate as to what you are out of imbalance in. Read that again - it says "Doctors often perform a hysterectomy to alleviate patient discomforts associated with conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and heavy menses. These conditions, however, are often related to a relative dominance of estrogen."

So if you are dominant in Estrogen your answer just may lie in adding in progesterone, or increasing both. It may lay in just a teeny dose of a bioidentical cream, gel, pellet or pill. I take Progesterone 100mg oil (olive) capsule from Anazoa. Just $25 a month. LEF also offers estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and so much more.

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS?
• Endometriosis
• Menstrual Cramps
• Migraines
• Depression
• Hair Loss
• Fibroid Breasts or Tumors
• PMS Symptoms
• Fatigue
Then you just might be "Estrogen Dominant" - The only way to find out for sure is to have blood tests and have a qualified doctor read the results. LEF does just that.

For me paying a fee to have a blood test done, of under $300, and then buy hormone replacement sounds a whole lot better than spending thousands (mine was $10,000); in co-pays, dr appt, hospital stays, etc and still not have a answers. To me it makes more sense. Your body has too much or not enough of what it was suppose to have so it "acts out". Trying to "speak" to you through symptoms. It doesn't want you to yank out what is troubling you - just adjust "it".

Your relief could be just a blood test - bioidentical hormone adjustment away...