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What Is Unopposed Estrogen?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Unopposed estrogen is an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body. Both of these hormones are important in humans, and they both play dominant roles in the female body. Since both hormones have important roles to play, it is critical that they are present in balanced amounts. If estrogen is allowed to overbalance and there is no complementary progesterone or too little of it, a range of symptoms may develop. For example, estrogen dominance is associated with such symptoms as weight gain and heavy and painful periods; it may also contribute to difficulty sleeping, severe headaches, hot flashes, and imbalances of other hormones.

When a woman receives a diagnosis of unopposed estrogen, this means there is an imbalance of hormones inside her body. Estrogen is a sex hormone that works hand in hand with another sex hormone called progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone are important to female development, reproduction, and menstruation. They also play a role in immunity and have an effect on the balance of other hormones in the body. When unopposed estrogen is present in the body, this means there is not enough progesterone to keep the desired balance between the two hormones, or there is no progesterone at all.

Women with unopposed estrogen may experience weight gain and headaches.
Women with unopposed estrogen may experience weight gain and headaches.

A range of unpleasant symptoms may present in a case of this condition. For example, the condition may increase a woman’s desire to consume carbohydrates, which can cause her to overeat and gain weight. It may also make it difficult for a woman to achieve restful sleep and can contribute to the development of severe headaches. Unopposed estrogen often causes hot flashes as well, and increases a woman's risk of developing certain types of cancers, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis, a condition in which uterine-lining-type tissue develops outside a woman's uterus. Interestingly, an overbalance of estrogen even has the ability to adversely affect the immune system.

Women with unopposed estrogen may experience difficulty sleeping.
Women with unopposed estrogen may experience difficulty sleeping.

Many of the problems estrogen dominance causes are menstrual-cycle related. For example, one of the most common symptoms of unopposed estrogen is a very heavy period, which often includes noticeable blood clots. Severe menstrual cramping and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may also result from unopposed estrogen. Sometimes women experience irregular vaginal bleeding when estrogen is unopposed by progesterone as well.

In most cases, unopposed estrogen can be treated with progesterone supplementation. This is often accomplished via oral medication. In some cases, however, a woman may instead use vaginal suppositories to supplement her progesterone.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

serenesurface

@SarahGen-- I'm not a doctor but I think that unopposed estrogen increases risk of cancer only if the uterus is still there. I think that pregosterone levels play a role in protecting the uterus and that's why unopposed estrogen becomes an issue.

You can ask your doctor again, but I think it makes sense that you don't need unopposed estrogen therapy because you had your uterus removed.

burcinc

I'm on pregosterone cream right now and I'm so happy with it. I was suffering from so many symptoms for the last six months. I was gaining weight, experiencing hot flashes and mood changes. My sleep patterns and periods were off.

I had blood tests done several times in this time frame and my estrogen levels were normal. I finally got tested for pregosterone and found out that I have a progesterone deficiency. My doctor put me on the cream right away and I'm feeling so much better. My symptoms are almost completely gone.

SarahGen

I had my ovaries and uterus removed last year. Is unopposed estrogen a problem in my situation? Should I be taking progesterone?

My doctor said that it's not necessary but didn't explain in detail why.

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    • Women with unopposed estrogen may experience weight gain and headaches.
      By: javy
      Women with unopposed estrogen may experience weight gain and headaches.
    • Women with unopposed estrogen may experience difficulty sleeping.
      By: Johan Larson
      Women with unopposed estrogen may experience difficulty sleeping.
    • Women with unopposed estrogen are at increased risk for endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
      By: ryanking999
      Women with unopposed estrogen are at increased risk for endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
    • Unopposed estrogen may cause hot flashes.
      By: Ana Blazic Pavlovic
      Unopposed estrogen may cause hot flashes.
    • Unopposed estrogen increases a woman's chances of developing uterine fibroids.
      By: Marin Conic
      Unopposed estrogen increases a woman's chances of developing uterine fibroids.
    • Unopposed estrogen can be treated with progesterone supplementation.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Unopposed estrogen can be treated with progesterone supplementation.
    • Mood swings may occur as a result of low progesterone levels in women.
      By: Creativa
      Mood swings may occur as a result of low progesterone levels in women.