by Paula Owens
Around age 40 our hormones begin to fluctuate. As men approach their 40s, their testosterone levels decline and often converts to estrogen, a process known as aromatization. Estrogen dominance in women tends to appears in their 30s and 40s as their progesterone levels fluctuate prior to menopause.
Symptoms of estrogen dominance may appear as increased breast tissue (gynectomastia) in males. Females may experience breast swelling and tenderness, abdominal cramping, backaches, bloating, headaches/migraines, irritability, anxiety, depression, food cravings, brain fog, sleep difficulties, and/or lowered sex drive. Females may complain that their legs are fat or thick. Upon observation of these men and women, I noticed they tend to spend the majority of their training time on cardio equipment or jogging, and never or hardly any time, strength training.
Aside from the activity of choice these men and women choose, their estrogen dominance may be attributed from genetics, environmental, imbalances whether emotional or physical, and lifestyle. Estrogen is catabolic hormone causing an increase in body fat and increased aromatase, whereas testosterone is an anabolic hormone that promotes muscle growth.
Aromatization happens when androgens (testosterone) convert to estrogens (estrodial). High estrogen and low testosterone may indicate aromatase. Aromatase is an enzyme found in estrogen producing cells in the adrenal glands, ovaries, placenta, testicles, adipose or fat tissue and the brain.
Symptoms of decreased testosterone include fatigue, lack of motivation, depression, decreased libido, poor concentration, decreased muscle tissue and increased body fat. In men, their breasts may enlarge as extra estrogen begins to promote female body characteristics.
Estrogen dominance may be revealed through caliper skin fold measurements and hormonal blood lab work or saliva testing. Results revealing high estrogen and low testosterone apply to females and male, alike.
Suggested lab testing:
Female Hormone Profile: Pregnenolone, Total Estrogens, DHEA-S, Progesterone, Testosterone (total)
Male Hormone Profile: Pregnenolone, Total Estrogens, DHEA, Progesterone, Bioavailable Testosterone, Testosterone (total), Testosterone (free)
Both male and female should test - Thyroid panel: T3, T4, T7 and TSH
Male: PSA (Test at age 50 for Caucasian; age 40 for African American)
For skin fold measurements in males: if the pectoral site is higher than the triceps site this indicates aromatase. Additionally, if the quadriceps skin fold is relatively high in a male a PSA (Prostate-specific Antigen) test is in order. The skin fold estrogen sites for a female are the quadriceps and hamstrings. Liver enzyme activity and poor detoxification of estrogens are other factors to consider. Alcohol can be the culprit here as well as marijuana.
Excess estrogens in your body not only lead to aromatization, but estrogen dominant health issues such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts as well as breast and prostate cancers. Read more about hormones in my book, THE POWER OF 4, available thru my website or wherever books are sold.