Excess of the hormone estrogen causes these 6 diseases

Estrogen is known as the typical female hormone. This hormone is actually not only produced in the female body, but also in the male body. However, in men, the levels of estrogen in the body are much lower.

In women, this hormone helps initiate sexual development, such as regulating the menstrual cycle and affecting the reproductive system. The level of the hormone estrogen in a woman's body must be balanced with other hormones, neither too high nor too low.

In the same way, the hormones in the human body are like seesaw. When the hormones are in balance, your body will work as it should. However, when the hormones are out of balance, your body is likely to have problems. Well, that's why, for women who have excess estrogen in their bodies will be susceptible to certain health conditions.

So what happens if a person has excess estrogen in the body? Check out the full explanation below.

What causes a person to have excess estrogen?

In general, women do produce the hormone estrogen in large quantities. This is because estrogen has an important role in a woman's body. Well, estrogen dominance can occur if estrogen levels in the body grow in too much.

Basically, this increase in the hormone estrogen occurs naturally and tends to change easily - up and down. Generally, the hormone estrogen will increase just before menstruation and during pregnancy. Approaching menstruation, estrogen levels will continue to increase until nearing the middle phase of the cycle. After that this hormone will naturally decrease in the period before menstruation and after childbirth.

Estrogen levels will also drop when a person is going through the menopause phase, or when a woman stops menstruating. However, in some people, the hormone estrogen in the body does not decrease as it should. Now this is what causes a person to experience an excess of the hormone estrogen. In addition, some chemicals and foods can also increase estrogen levels in a person's body.

What are the consequences if someone has an excess of the hormone estrogen?

Although the hormone estrogen has many benefits for women, in some cases if a person has excess estrogen, it will certainly be a bad thing and have an impact on their health. For example, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, STD disorders, and cancer in the reproductive organs. Here are some of the side effects of excess estrogen that you need to be aware of.

1. Increase in weight

Weight gain is one of the side effects of high estrogen levels. Because high levels of estrogen can trigger an increase in appetite in women. Now this is what causes weight gain. Someone who has high estrogen tends to "accumulate" weight in the hips and midsection such as the stomach.

2. Low sex drive

A woman's sex drive can be affected by high estrogen levels. If a person has an excess of the hormone estrogen, it will have an impact on reducing sexual desire due to decreased sensitivity of the vaginal wall to stimulation. This excess level of estrogen can also limit a woman's ability to reach orgasm, making sex less enjoyable.

3. Fluid buildup in the body

The excess of the hormone estrogen will also make the body store more water and salt in the body. This excess fluid generally occurs in the abdominal area, chest cavity, breasts, and hips which will make these parts appear more saggy.

4. Breast cancer

Breast cancer is a side effect of high estrogen levels. BreastCancer.org reports that high levels of estrogen are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. In addition, the high estrogen hormone also plays a role in fibrocystic breast changes that cause breast thickening accompanied by pain and tension.

5. Endometriosis

Having a high estrogen hormone can lead to endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disease in the female reproductive system in which the tissue that is supposed to line your uterus grows outside the uterus, such as in your fallopian tubes. Endometriosis generally affects women of reproductive age.

6. Thyroid problems

Thyroid dysfunction can be caused by high levels of estrogen. This is because high levels of estrogen lead to excessive production of thyroid binding globulin by the liver. This globulin works to bind to the thyroid hormone in the blood so that it cannot enter the cells. This decreases the amount of thyroid hormone available to cells, which requires thyroid hormone for body metabolism, burning fat and sugar. As a result, the cells experience a decrease in performance, and the body lacks energy so that they are often tired.