Estrogen dominance and lymphedema

by Dianna Miller
(Akron, Ohio)

Can you tell me if lymphedema would have anything to do with estrogen dominance?

I am a 58 year old menopausal woman. I recently found out that I have fibroids and I had thickening of the uterine lining. I was put on prometrium. The uterine lining went back to normal size. I am now on bioidentical progesterone cream. During this time, I have developed lymphedema in my left arm. While I was researching estrogen dominance, I came across one article that mentioned the lymph system. I never had breast cancer or any surgery involving the lymph nodes. The doctor calls this lymphedema tarda.

Any information you can give me would be appreciated.

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Estrogen dominance and lymphedema

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Aug 21, 2010
 Estrogen dominance and lymphedema
by: Wray

Hi Dianna I can find no studies linking lymphoedema directly to excess oestrogen. It does occur in developed countries after cancer treatment, which you say you haven't had. But about 25 to 50% of people develop it due to poor venous function, trauma, cardiac disease, inflammation, filariasis and more. Please see here for more info on causes. Oestrogen is a known initiator of inflammation and clots, so it could possibly be implicated, as it certainly stimulates fibroids to grow, for more info please see our page on Fibroids. I'm pleased the Prometrium helped the fibroids, as oral progesterone is mostly destroyed by the gut and liver. For more info on delivery systems please see our page on Progesterone application methods. I'm surprised you developed the lymphedema whilst on the progesterone, both the oral and cream, as this normally counters the inflammatory action of oestrogen. It's also an excellent diuretic. It's quite possible you are not using enough, the amount should be between 100-200mg/day. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Take care Wray

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