Natural anti-estrogenic treatments include such things as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), the more potent di-indole methane (DIM) and Chrysin. These are generally available in a health food store. Liver detoxifying therapies can be helpful in assisting in the breakdown of estrogens. Choline, inositol, and methionine, vitamin C and bioflavonolds have been used to assist in preventing and stopping bleeding from fibroids. Chrysin (an herbal extract) may block the production of too much estrogen and has been used in both men and women.
Make sure the thyroid gland is functioning sufficiently. Probiotics and calcium-d-glucarate can help in preventing bound estrogens from being ‘unbound’ and reabsorbed from your intestines. Progesterone topically and/or intravaginally can be helpful, but progesterone levels cannot be predicted accurately in woman with fibroids. It is best to have your hormone levels checked. The famous naturopathic ‘vag-pack’ can be useful also.
Lignins, found in all whole grains, are anti-estrogenic. Lignins are present in decreasing order in: flaxseed, rye, buckwheat, millet, oats, barley, corn, rice, and wheat. Fiber-rich diets can assist in extracting excessive estrogen stores from the body. Foods thought best avoided, either because of their low-fiber content or their history of promoting fibroid growth, include dairy products, red meat, fried fatty foods, sugar, salt, caffeine, and alcohol.
Estrogen-balancing Medications can help with the following
Low Progesterone or Estrogen Dominance
Before using estrogen balancing medications whether natural or not, laboratory testing should be conducted to confirm elevated levels.
Male Gynecomastia
Males with gynecomastia often have an elevation of plasma levels of estrogen which is believed to be due to peripheral conversion of weak adrenal androgens to estrogen.
Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are often associated with elevated levels of estrogens.
Key
| Likely to help |
| Highly recommended |
Glossary
Choline
A lipotropic substance sometimes included in the vitamin B complex as essential for the metabolism of fats in the body. Precursor to acetylcholine, a major neurotransmitter in the brain. Choline prevents the deposition of fats in the liver and facilitates the movement of fats into the cells. Deficiency leads to cirrhosis of the liver.
Inositol
Usually considered part of the vitamin B complex. It is thought that along with choline, inositol is necessary for the formation of lecithin within the body. Involved in calcium mobilization.
Methionine
Essential amino acid. Dietary source of sulfur and methyl groups. Important for proper growth in infants, nitrogen balance in adults, healthy nails and skin and the synthesis of taurine, cysteine, phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), bile, carnitine and endorphins. It is an antioxidant nutrient and lipotropic agent which promotes the physiological utilization of fat.
Vitamin C
Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant vitamin essential to the body's health. When bound to other nutrients, for example calcium, it would be referred to as "calcium ascorbate". As an antioxidant, it inhibits the formation of nitrosamines (a suspected carcinogen). Vitamin C is important for maintenance of bones, teeth, collagen and blood vessels (capillaries), enhances iron absorption and red blood cell formation, helps in the utilization of carbohydrates and synthesis of fats and proteins, aids in fighting bacterial infections, and interacts with other nutrients. It is present in citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, potatoes and fresh, green leafy vegetables.
Herbs
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Estrogen
One of the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries.
Thyroid
Thyroid Gland: An organ with many veins. It is at the front of the neck. It is essential to normal body growth in infancy and childhood. It releases thyroid hormones - iodine-containing compounds that increase the rate of metabolism, affect body temperature, regulate protein, fat, and carbohydrate catabolism in all cells. They keep up growth hormone release, skeletal maturation, and heart rate, force, and output. They promote central nervous system growth, stimulate the making of many enzymes, and are necessary for muscle tone and vigor.
Hormones
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.
Naturopathy
Medical practice using herbs and other various methods to produce a healthy body state by stimulating innate defenses without the use of drugs.