Methylation is basically your body adding a small chemical group (one carbon + three hydrogens = a “methyl group”) to another molecule. Sounds tiny. But that little shift can completely change how your body functions.

You’ve probably heard people talk about estrogen like it’s either the hero or the villain when it comes to women’s health, especially breast cancer. The truth is, this area of women’s health is full of complexity, outdated research, and evolving science. But it’s also important. Because the way your body breaks down estrogen—your estrogen metabolism—can influence everything from mood and energy to long-term risks like breast cancer.

If you’re going through perimenopause or menopause, you’ve probably heard conflicting messages about estrogen—some that spark curiosity and others that fuel fear. It’s no wonder many women feel uncertain about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially if they have a personal or family history of breast cancer. But let’s look at how the “war on estrogen” came to be and why a more nuanced understanding can make all the difference.

No one knows for sure what causes breast cancer to develop, although cancer stem cells (a kind of cell that has nothing to do with estrogen) are thought to play a role. Cancer causes are multifactorial and related to many issues, including inflammation, stress, exposure to radiation, viruses, chemicals, and other factors.