Our hormones are affected by many factors such as chemicals in our personal care products, herbicides and pesticides in our food and environment, and Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. 

Hormones are also affected by diet, slow digestion and constipation, inflammatory conditions, conventionally raised meat with added hormones, and certain genetic SNPs. 

However, the focus of this article is to provide a spotlight on estrogen. We all think of estrogen as the primary female sex hormone; however, it is important to know that everyone, men included, produce some level of estrogen. 

Some of the roles of estrogen are the development of secondary sex characteristics in females, regulating the menstrual cycle, and supporting pregnancy and conception. 

Estrogen has many other benefits such as promoting blood flow to the brain as well as anti-inflammatory effects on the central nervous system. We know that for women, estrogen spikes mid-way through the menstrual cycle and prompts the ovaries to release an egg. After ovulation, estrogen drops to the lowest levels of the month before the onset of menses.

Most people are not aware that there are three types of estrogen, and three pathways by which it is metabolized. Here is the rundown:

• Estradiol (E2): This is the most potent form of estrogen and thought to be about ten times stronger than estrone and eighty times stronger than estriol, the weakest form of estrogen. It can be formed through aromatization (conversion) of testosterone or via conversion from estrone. Balanced levels support healthy cholesterol, bone health, serotonin production, brain health, and mineral absorption. This is why many women start experiencing uncomfortable symptoms after menopause when this hormone dramatically declines. 
• Estrone (E1): This is the second weakest form of estrogen and is present in most of the body’s tissues and specifically in fat and muscle. It is the primary form of estrogen in menopause and can convert back and forth to estradiol. Consistently elevated levels are thought to be a risk factor for breast cancer. So, it is still important to evaluate female hormones post menopause. As hormones decline post menopause, they are still produced at lower levels in our fat cells, muscles, and adrenal glands. 
• Estriol (E3): Estriol is the weakest form of estrogen and cannot be converted back to estradiol or estrone. It is thought to be protective against female cancers. 

Before I talk about hormone pathways, I just wanted to talk about estrogen dominance. You may have heard this term thrown around, or you may be experiencing it yourself. It refers to circumstances where individuals develop unhealthy levels of estrogen, a lack of balance between estrogen and progesterone, and/or they are not metabolizing or detoxifying optimally.

Like I mentioned before, chemicals in our personal care products, herbicides and pesticides, gut dysfunction, conventionally raised meat, and genetic SNPs can predispose individuals to estrogen dominance. This often results in uncomfortable symptoms like breast tenderness, mood swings, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and weight gain. 

How does your Body detoxify estrogen?

Estrogen metabolizes in the liver which acts as the primary site for both the biotransformation and excretion of estrogens. The two phases are called hydroxylation and methylation. Hydroxylation, the first step, makes estrogen more susceptible to oxidation, making it more toxic. However, the second step, methylation, takes the toxins, alters them, and gets them ready for excretion via feces and bile. 

This is why gut health is so important for hormone balance. When the bowels move slowly or waste is not eliminated regularly (constipation), the body can reabsorb estrogen and its metabolites, leading to higher circulating estrogen levels and estrogen dominance and accompanying unpleasant symptoms. 

Estrogen metabolism pathways:

Just as there are three distinct types of estrogen, there are three pathways that are important to understand.

2-Hydroxy Pathway: This is the most protective and healthy pathway and supports the lowest risk for estrogen driven health problems like female cancers. Ideally 60-80% of the body’s estrone should metabolize down this pathway.

16-Hydroxy Pathway: This pathway involves a chemical reaction that results in the conversion of estrone and estradiol to estriol. This pathway produces the most estrogenic metabolites, however, if levels are balanced within a certain range all is well. However, if levels are out of balance, this can be concerning. 

4-Hydroxy Pathway: If levels are out of balance within this pathway, it can be dangerous. If methylation is impaired due to the presence of certain genetic SNPs, this can be a problematic pathway. If 4-OH-E1 starts to build up, it can convert to 3,4 quinones that have a link to cancer. 

As a functional nutritionist, I like to do testing to assess these pathways with my clients. I am always surprised at how many women have not had estrogen levels and associated pathways evaluated. 

I have personally assessed my levels, and due to a genetic SNP, I must address this issue with diet, lifestyle, and supplements, in other words, an integrated approach. In my next blog, “Estrogen-What You Need to Know Part Two,” I will discuss diet, lifestyle, and supplement approaches to addressing this problem, so stay tuned. 

So, in conclusion, if you do not know your current estrogen levels or associated pathways, I am here to help. I love the test do not guess approach, not to diagnose or treat, but to optimize health holistically. 

If you would like to chat, at the bottom of each of my web pages, you can book a free, 20 minute, no obligation, discovery call, by clicking on “Schedule Call”. In the meantime, best wishes for happy hormones!