Q. What are the most common risk factors for excess level of hormones?
A. Every woman wants to know what she can do to lower her risk for breast cancer; however, some factors can't be changed. For example, the risk of breast cancer rises with age.
Nearly 2/3 of all invasive breast cancer patients are women ≥ 55 years old. Genetics influence risk as well but only minimally. Although women who have a family history of are in a high-risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. There are some differences based on race/ethnicity. White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African American, Hispanic, and Asian women. However, African American women are more likely to develop more aggressive, advanced-stage breast cancer at a younger age. Finally, other influences related to endocrine activity such as starting menstruation younger than age 12 or going through menopause after age 55 can increase risk later in life
What causes high estrogen levels?
Your oestrogen levels may be high because:
- Your body is making too much oestrogen.
- You’re getting too much oestrogen in the medicine you’re taking.
- Your body’s not breaking down oestrogen and removing it from your body as it should.
A variety of factors can contribute to high estrogen, including:
- Medications: Hormone therapy to boost low oestrogen levels may cause your levels to become too high at first. It may take some time to get the dosage right. (high-dose oral contraceptives/birth control pills)
- Body fat: Fat tissue (adipose tissue) secretes estrogen. Having a high percentage of body fat can lead to high oestrogen levels.
- Stress: Your body produces the hormone cortisol in response to stress. Producing high amounts of cortisol in response to stress can deplete your body’s ability to produce progesterone. The oestrogen in your body is left unchecked by progesterone.
- Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can increase your oestrogen levels and reduce your body’s ability to break down (metabolise) oestrogen.
- Liver problems: Your liver breaks down oestrogen and eliminates it from your body. If your liver’s not functioning correctly, too much oestrogen can accumulate. Too few digestive enzymes, too much bad gut bacteria (dysbiosis), low magnesium levels and too little fibre in your diet can prevent your liver from removing excess oestrogen.
- Synthetic xenoestrogens: Synthetic xenoestrogens are chemicals found in the environment that act like estrogen once they’re inside your body. They can increase your estrogen levels. Xenoestrogens include bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. Both of these chemicals are used in various plastics. Xenoestrogens can also be found in pesticides, household cleaning products and some soaps and shampoos.
What conditions are associated with high estrogen?
High oestrogen levels are associated with a variety of conditions. Estrogen doesn’t necessarily cause these conditions. Instead, estrogen may worsen a condition or symptom you already have, including:
- Breast cancer.
- Ovarian cancer.
- Endometriosis pain.
- Insulin resistance.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Uterine cancer (endometrial cancer).
- Tumours on your ovaries and adrenal glands.