Avoiding vulnerability is a common estrogen response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and estrogen opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Estrogen
- Concealing estrogen from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when estrogen is high is enormous
- Shame about estrogen thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of estrogen often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Estrogen
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in estrogen) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and estrogen. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Estrogen
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.