It’s natural for women to make a gradual ease into menopause and display the tell-tale accompanying symptoms as we get closer to our fifties.  However, a number of women from North America start entering perimenopause as early as their mid-thirties.  Although one of the most popular forms of perimenopause help is the birth control pill, you might want to consider using natural progesterone and other alternative means of coping with your symptoms.   For many women – especially those with a family history of reproductive problems – the birth control pill can often create estrogen dominance, a condition where estrogen’s cell growth abilities go unchecked by its antagonist, progesterone.  If estrogen is left unopposed, it can cause a number of health problems that require surgery and other serious medical interventions.  Below are just some of the severe consequences of estrogen dominance.

Endometriosis and Pre Menopause

Endometriosis is a condition where the cells lining the uterus end up growing on other reproductive organs, such as the fallopian tubes, the exterior of the ovaries, etc.  These dislocated cells can become cysts or scars, which may block the path of an egg travelling down the fallopian tube. Symptoms of endometriosis include severe menstrual pain, chronic pelvic pain, and painful bowel movements.   If you had endometriosis during your childbearing years, menopause will come as a relief because endometriosis ends when estrogen levels drop. However, the synthetic estrogens in the birth control pill can trigger the condition again; studies show that endometriosis depends on a steady supply of estrogen for its prolific growth.

Uterine fibroids and Estrogen Dominance

Uterine fibroids are tiny growths of tissue that develop in or on the surface of the uterus.   Most uterine fibroids are very small but in severe cases, the fibroids swell up to the size of a two-month old fetus.  Women are normally unaware about their fibroids until their gynecologist discovers it through the routine exam.   Estrogen dominance and genetics play a critical role in stimulating the growth of uterine fibroids.   Studies suggest that women predisposed to uterine fibroids have more estrogen receptors in the uterus, making them more sensitive to estrogen dominance’s effects.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The synthetic estrogen in the pill gets stored in your fatty tissues.  Since the human body has difficulty eliminating them, estrogen keeps on accumulating and can wreak havoc on your body’s biochemical activity. Estrogen dominance is one of the causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition were a follicle fails to release an egg.  The follicle becomes a fluid-filled cyst, and the natural surge of progesterone after ovulation does not occur.  This signals the hypothalamus to release the follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, which triggers the ovary to produce more estrogen in order to trigger ovulation.  If the follicles do not release an egg and create progesterone, the body becomes even more dominated by estrogen.

Infertility in Perimenopause

More women postpone marriage and motherhood until their 30s, which means perimenopause can get in the way of their plans to have a baby.  Don’t ruin your chances by taking the birth control pill and risking estrogen dominance! The three conditions above contribute to fertility problems and can make conceiving very difficult, even with the help of assisted reproductive technologies.  Consider using natural approaches for treating your perimenopause symptoms and take charge of your remaining fertility without risking any serious health conditions.

For answers about what will help overcome symptoms of early menopause and other perimenopause support, please optin to our Menopause Help Center email mini-course.

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