Can High Estrogen Levels Cause Problems?

blood clots cancer inflammation low blood pressure snoring stroke Feb 18, 2023

A syringe with red liquid being transferred to a bottle labeled Estrogen

Estrogen has a lot of health benefits. For example, it helps the brain function properly. It aids in bone growth and development. It also promotes energy balance and prevents skin aging. Like other things, however, too much estrogen – especially of the synthetic type – can cause problems. Studies show that long-term exposure to high levels of synthetic estrogen is associated with many health issues, such as:

various types of cancer
stroke and blood clots
disorders of smooth muscle in the blood vessels
snoring

Let’s examine the mechanisms through which excess estrogen contributes to health problems.

Various types of cancer

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are common products of chemical reactions in cells. They include superoxide (O₂^-), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and hydroxyl radicals (OH^-). Large amounts of estrogen play a role in forming too much ROS. The problem is, high ROS levels cause a stressful environment for cells and damages their parts, especially DNA. Such damage is linked to cancers of the reproductive organs, including the breasts, ovaries, prostate, and testis. Research has also shown a connection between too much estrogen and lung, kidney, brain, and pancreatic cancer. Moreover, excessive amounts of the hormone lead to a higher risk of dysfunction and cancer of the thyroid.^1,2

Stroke and blood clots

A study³ involved over 900,000 women aged 51 to 70. Data on the women’s use of oral postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were gathered. Their stroke diagnoses, if any, were also noted. The study showed that the use of HRT was associated with ischemic stroke. This type of stroke happens when a blocked artery reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. In another study⁴ of almost 89,000 women, the late start of HRT was linked to a higher risk of both ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke (i.e., a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and causes bleeding in the brain). Furthermore, synthetic estrogen from HRT is known to increase the risk of blood clots, especially in the deep veins in the legs. This is because long-time use of the hormone promotes inflammation, a crucial feature of blood clotting in the veins.⁵ What’s more, estrogen has been found to increase the levels of proteins that activate blood components called platelets. The hormone helps platelets bind to each other at the site of a blood vessel injury. It plays a role in decreasing anti-clotting proteins as well. For these reasons, exposure to synthetic estrogen for long periods promotes the formation of blood clots.⁶

Disorders of smooth muscle in blood vessels

Nitric oxide (NO) is a substance that relaxes smooth muscle in blood vessels. In studies^6,7 of animal and human cells, estrogen enhanced NO levels by binding to receptors in two ways. First, activation of estrogen receptors increases genetic activity. This boosts the amount of the enzyme called endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). eNOS then speeds up the production of NO. Second, activated estrogen receptors on the inner linings of blood vessels send out various signals that stimulate eNOS. As a result, high levels of estrogen can make blood vessels widen too much. Having high estrogen for long periods thus leads to health issues like chronic low blood pressure and inflammation.^7,8

Snoring

The human airway is made up of smooth muscle tissue. Such tissue has estrogen receptors. Activation of these receptors reduces the entry of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) across the membrane of smooth muscle cells. In turn, lower Ca²⁺ levels within the cells are associated with increased relaxation of the airway smooth muscle. They also come with a decrease in smooth muscle tone, which is represented by a balance between contraction and relaxation. Snoring happens when air flows past relaxed muscle tissue in the airway. All this means that high levels of estrogen play a role in the loss of smooth muscle tone and therefore, snoring.⁹

Conclusion

Every day, people are exposed to synthetic substances that affect their hormones. Most of these substances are xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are found in products like makeup, toiletries, processed food, pesticides, and some drugs. They imitate natural estrogen and thus increase the body's estrogen levels. Many of the above risks linked to synthetic estrogen therapies can be avoided by using natural hormone replacements.

Snoring is caused by too much estrogen from the environment. So, you can get rid of this condition the natural way too. Learn how through The Snoring Diet Solution. This proven six-week program offers relief from snoring naturally and permanently, in as little as two weeks!

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