Natural progesterone is also different from estrogen in that your body can use it as a precursor or starting material to make other hormones such as adrenal hormones. It can even convert it into estrogen or testosterone if your body needs it. The table on the next page lists the properties of estrogen relative to progesterone. Over production of estrogen. Ovarian cysts or tumors can lead to excess estrogen production.
Stress also increases production, but probably the most common cause is obesity.
All body fat has an enzyme which converts adrenal steroids to estrogen, so the more fat you have, the more estrogen is present. Inability to breakdown estrogen. Excess estrogen is generally removed by the liver. Diseases of the liver like cirrhosis or decreased enzyme activity can lead to increased estrogen levels. Vitamin B6 and magnesium are necessary for the liver to neutralize estrogen.