Signs of High Estrogen and What They Mean for Your Health
The sex hormone estrogen is often thought of as a female hormone, but both men and women produce and utilize it. More than just a reproductive hormone, estrogen influences multiple systems in the body, which is why signs of high estrogen can have widespread effects.
Hormones interact with each other in a delicate system of checks and balances. Each one plays a role in regulating various functions and communicating with cells. Estrogen, for example, helps regulate the menstrual cycle, supports breast tissue development, influences cervical mucus changes related to fertility, and maintains reproductive organ function.
High estrogen isn’t necessarily a hormone imbalance—context matters. The term “estrogen dominance” is sometimes controversial because there are times when estrogen should naturally be high. For women, estrogen peaks during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle so that it can do its job that month!
Men and women also have different hormonal rhythms. Women’s cycles follow a monthly pattern, while men’s fluctuate daily. Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in men, and it tends to run in a 24-hour cycle. It’s highest in the morning and decreases at night. What does this all mean if you think you are experiencing signs of high estrogen? We’ll help you understand these signs, sometimes called estrogen dominance, in the menstrual cycle.
Estrogen-Progesterone Connection – Why Balance Matters!
The effects of high estrogen during a specific time in your cycle will influence how you feel. To clarify, when talking about high estrogen, this is in reference to its balance with progesterone.
- During the follicular phase (the first half of the cycle), estrogen naturally rises and becomes the dominant hormone toward the end of this phase.
- In the luteal phase (the second half), progesterone increases while estrogen declines.
If estrogen remains high in relation to progesterone, signs of high estrogen may be felt. If we were to take a medical view of the effects of high estrogen, this is associated with health conditions like breast cancer, endometriosis, and PCOS. But is this the whole story? Estrogen detoxification also plays a role. If the body isn’t effectively clearing excess estrogen, levels can remain elevated.
There are three main types of estrogen:
- Estrone (E1): The dominant estrogen in postmenopausal women, produced in fatty tissue and the adrenal glands.
- Estradiol (E2): The strongest form of estrogen, present in women of reproductive age.
- Estriol (E3): A weaker estrogen, primarily present during pregnancy.
How Estrogen Supports Reproductive Health
In reproductive-age women, estrogen production is stimulated indirectly by the pituitary gland (located at the base of the brain). The pituitary releases follicle-stimulating hormone to stimulate several ovarian follicles, one of which becomes the dominant follicle. As this prized follicle grows, estrogen levels rise—this marks the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The increase in estrogen then signals the pituitary to stop producing FSH, acting as a natural off switch.
This is not considered a sign of high estrogen; it’s just normal body flow. Toward the end of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels decline, and the process begins again.
Beyond reproductive health, estrogen plays a role in:
- Maintaining cholesterol levels.
- Supporting focus and concentration.
- Protecting bone and muscle mass.
- Promoting stable blood sugar control.
- Enhancing skin elasticity through collagen production.
Estrogen Dominance and Imbalance
While these fluctuations during reproductive years can be normal, there are times when estrogen is too high in relation to progesterone or drops too low. The term estrogen dominance, meaning estrogen is elevated relative to progesterone, was coined by Dr. John Lee. According to Dr. Lee, estrogen may be low, normal, or high, but it is the balance between estrogen and progesterone that determines whether estrogen is considered “dominant.”
Estrogen imbalance can also occur when the body struggles to break it down or is exposed to excess exogenous estrogens (outside sources of estrogen-like compounds). These xenoestrogens can come from:
- Food sources: conventional meat, eggs, pesticide-treated produce,
- Household chemicals: detergents, cleaning products, and surfactants.
- Metalloestrogens: Inorganic metal ions that can bind to estrogen receptors. This includes metals like aluminum, cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, tin, and more.
High vs. Low Estrogen: What Are the Differences?
Both high and low estrogen come with their own distinct signs:
Low estrogen is often linked to menopause and issues like vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, changes in skin texture, poor sleep, and extreme fatigue. It can also occur in cases of amenorrhea (absence of periods), which is sometimes seen in athletes or individuals with disordered eating. For more on low estrogen, check out our blog: Understanding the Symptoms of Low Estrogen on Bioresonance Testing. High estrogen, on the other hand, presents a different set of challenges. Let’s look at signs of high estrogen in both men and women.
7 Signs of High Estrogen in Women:
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- PMS, including moodiness or headaches.
- Heavier periods.
- Water retention and weight gain.
- Thyroid imbalances.
- Sleep disturbances: feeling fatigued or can’t sleep.
- Low libido.
5 Signs of High Estrogen in Men:
- Prostate issues.
- Increased abdominal weight gain.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Hair loss.
- Loss of muscle.
Lifestyle plays a role in hormone balance and body system support. Blood sugar balance and stress management are major players in keeping hormones in check. These are important pieces of the puzzle when it comes to any hormone!
What to Do About Signs of High Estrogen
Managing estrogen imbalance is a multi-system effort! But don’t worry—we’re here to walk you through it! Bioenergetic testing helps identify imbalances across body systems, including the Endocrine System. If there is hormonal imbalance, most likely, a report could show liver and digestive stress. These are 2 key areas linked to hormone balance and maintaining estrogen levels in a balanced way. Here are some key areas to target to support signs of high estrogen and restore harmony within your body:
Drainage and Detoxification
All hormones need to be excreted out of the body. Estrogen is eliminated through urine and stool, which rely on circulation and bile flow. Circulation transports hormone metabolites to the kidney for excretion in urine, while bile takes them to the gut for elimination through bowel movements.
We’ll help you get started with resetting your drainage pathways in our free guide to activating your wellness!
When it comes to detox, your liver is the master organ, especially for hormone metabolism! It has to break down toxins, metabolize drugs and chemicals, convert thyroid hormones, remove bacteria from the bloodstream (which originate in the gut), and produce cholesterol to build hormones.
The liver has different ways of breaking down substances, and they are grouped into phases.
- Phase 1 converts toxins (even the toxins our own body processes make) into water-soluble compounds for processing. This is the first line of defense of your liver against toxins. This phase makes toxins and hormones less harmful.
- Phase 2 packages these compounds for excretion. It makes toxins safe for the body to excrete and remove. This is a big process as there are 6 different pathways the liver uses to neutralize toxins.
Think of the liver as a detox factory taking a product and combining it with different things to make a different product to be shipped out!
It takes a lot of energy for your liver to be a 24/7 factory. Each phase of the liver factory process needs certain nutrients! There also needs to be a cleanup crew for the byproducts of the liver factory, which is busy making new items. While we dive into the role of the liver in another post, we want to impress upon you how important nutrition is for estrogen balance and detoxification, and we’ll discuss this in the section about a balanced diet.
Digestive Health
Since hormones are eliminated through the gut via the bile and the toilet, you can see why constipation can be a big deal! When waste iisn’tmoving efficiently, toxins and hormonal metabolites can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Going to the bathroom is considered phase 3 of detoxification. If you are constipated, low in fiber, not hydrated, or have diarrhea, this part of your detox process may need support as part of your hormonal balance wellness plan. You ddon’twant those toxins reabsorbed!
A Balanced Diet
Nutrition is the foundation of hormonal health. The liver depends on a steady supply of nutrients for detoxification, and the gut needs fiber to bind and eliminate toxins. Here is how the nutrients needed by the liver may show on a bioenergetic report:
Phase 1 requires:
- B vitamins (B2, B3, B6, B12), which come from animal products or supplementation.
- Vitamins A, C, and E, along with the minerals selenium, copper, and zinc.
Phase 2 requires:
- Minerals like magnesium, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc.
- Amino acids like taurine, arginine, proline, serine, and glycine which come from protein.
- Vitamins A, C, and B vitamins.
- Sulfur-rich foods like garlic and onions.
- Brassica foods like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
- Healthy fat foods like nuts and avocado.
A word about blood sugar balance. Keeping blood sugar stable is essential for hormonal balance. When blood sugar levels swing too high or too low, it can trigger a stress response, exacerbating hormonal imbalances. To keep things stable, avoid refined sugars and processed foods and opt for a low-glycemic diet filled with whole, nutrient-dense foods.
Tips for blood sugar balance:
- Start your day with a high-protein breakfast and include protein in every meal to maintain steady blood sugar levels.
- Consume Healthy fats (Omega-3s) to regulate inflammation, support cell function, and help with satiety and cravings to keep blood sugar stable.
- Add complex carbohydrates and fiber-rich foods daily to support blood sugar and aid in estrogen elimination. Choose fiber-rich foods like vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
Support Your Stress Response
Supporting your adrenal glands and managing stress are key to hormone regulation. Chronic stress can lead to cortisol imbalances, disrupting estrogen metabolism and blood sugar levels. Bioenergetic testing can show stress in the HPA axis, which is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This may be a sign of acute or chronic stress.
Almost everyone should incorporate deep breathing exercises, yoga, and mindfulness meditation into their daily routines to rebuild resilience to stressors. Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or rhodiola can help modulate the body’s stress response and protect against the negative effects of high estrogen.
Exercise for Hormone Balance
Regular physical activity can help regulate estrogen by promoting proper circulation and enhancing detoxification through sweating. To keep your body balanced, focus on a mix of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Be mindful, however, not to over-exercise, as this can trigger the release of excess cortisol, further disrupting hormone levels. Keep in mind that activity after eating is an excellent step towards blood sugar control!
Supplements to Support the Effects of High Estrogen
We love the balance of homeopathy to signal the body, herbs to help the body cleanse and adapt, and nutritional supplements to fill in the gaps while you work towards the level of wellness you desire.
- Liver Milieu: A gentle homeopathic remedy that supports liver detoxification and energy flow in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, or Traditional Chinese Medicine, tonifying remedies are said to rebalance body systems. Balance of Qi is important in this approach to health, which is the goal of tonifying remedies like Liver Milieu. The goal is to improve energy flow through the organ system. Here, tonifying the liver supports drainage and detox, which are key to hormonal balance.
- The Comprehensive Detox Kit: Helps support whole-body drainage, including the brain. With all the important glands of the endocrine system, we forget that the brain is key in maintaining the symphony of your hormones. Sleep supports the drainage of your brain through the glymphatic system.
- Milk Thistle (Silymarin): May show up in the balancing remedy section. This herb helps protect the liver through antioxidant and antifibrotic activity and blocks toxins at cell membranes.
- DIM (Diindolylmethane): May help increase estrogen conversion to the optimal detox pathway in the liver. If you decide to include brassica foods in your diet, note that chopping and mild heating help release beneficial components like DIM for your body to use. DIM is not suitable for everyone as it may lower estrogen too much. When in balance, estrogen helps protect the heart, brain, and bones.
- Glutathione: If the liver is your master detox organ, then glutathione is a master antioxidant. It plays a role in phase 2 liver detoxification. Nutrients such as Vitamin C, sulfur-rich foods like garlic and onions, and minerals like selenium all help to boost glutathione levels. Taking milk thistle is another way to boost glutathione while protecting this precious detox organ.
The absorption of nutrients is so important for creating the processes necessary to detoxify hormone byproducts. Digestive health cannot be stressed enough! Balancing the gut microbiome, and therefore the estrobolome, supports hormonal balance. The estrobolome is a group of bacteria that lives in the gut and is able to metabolize estrogen. This is why your digestive health is an important factor in hormonal balance. A healthy and balanced microbiome produces an enzyme called betaglucuronidase, which helps prevent the reabsorption of estrogen back into circulation.
Assess your lifestyle practices in your daily routine so you can make changes toward supporting balanced estrogen levels and overall hormonal health. Every individual’s needs are unique, and bioenergetic testing can reveal your body’s unique needs and stressors, system by system.
