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What Does High Estrogen Levels Mean?
Estrogen is a key hormone that regulates the female reproductive system, mood, metabolism, and much more. Having high estrogen, also called estrogen dominance, means there’s more estrogen in your body than your system needs or can balance with other hormones like progesterone.
This doesn’t just affect your period. It can impact your mood, weight, skin, hair, and even increase the risk for certain health conditions. High estrogen levels are especially common during perimenopause, but they can affect women at any age.
What are Signs of High Estrogen in Women?
Many women don’t realize that a wide range of symptoms may be linked to excess estrogen. Here are the most common signs of too much estrogen:
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Bloating or water retention
- Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Fatigue or low energy
- Weight gain, especially in hips and thighs
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches or migraines
- Decreased libido
- Hair thinning or hair loss (yes, too much estrogen can cause hair loss)
- Fibroids or endometriosis flare-ups
These high estrogen symptoms can be confusing because they often overlap with other hormonal conditions. That’s why understanding the root cause is key.
What Causes High Estrogen Levels?
There are several reasons why the body produces too much estrogen or can’t eliminate it properly. Common causes of elevated estrogen in females include:
- Poor liver detoxification: The liver helps process excess hormones. When it’s overloaded, estrogen can build up.
- Diet high in processed foods: Consuming too much sugar, alcohol, and trans fats can interfere with hormone balance.
- Chronic stress: Stress raises cortisol, which can throw off the delicate hormone dance between estrogen and progesterone.
- Hormonal birth control: Some contraceptives increase estrogen levels.
- Environmental xenoestrogens: These are estrogen-like chemicals found in plastics, personal care products, and pesticides.
- Obesity or excess body fat: Fat tissue can produce estrogen, adding to the hormone load.
- Perimenopause: Estrogen levels can swing wildly during this transition.
When your body can’t keep estrogen in check, it often results in abnormal estrogen levels, making you feel out of sync both physically and emotionally.
Treatment for High Estrogen in Females
The goal in managing high estrogen isn’t to eliminate estrogen but to bring it back into healthy balance. Treatment options vary depending on what’s causing the imbalance, but here’s where most experts start:
1. Lifestyle and Diet Changes
- Eat a high-fibre diet: It helps the body flush out excess estrogen through digestion.
- Support your liver: Add cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts.
- Cut back on alcohol and sugar: These stress the liver and increase inflammation.
- Exercise regularly: It boosts metabolism and supports hormone clearance.
2. Reduce Xenoestrogen Exposure
- Use glass or stainless steel instead of plastic containers.
- Choose clean, non-toxic beauty and personal care products.
- Wash fruits and vegetables to remove pesticides.
3. Supplements and Herbal Support
Always talk to a healthcare provider first, but some options include:
- DIM (diindolylmethane): Found in cruciferous veggies, it supports estrogen metabolism.
- Calcium-D-Glucarate: Helps your body eliminate estrogen.
- Milk thistle: Supports liver detoxification.
4. Medical Treatments
In more severe cases, your doctor may suggest:
- Hormone testing to confirm abnormal estrogen levels
- Progesterone therapy to help balance out estrogen dominance
- Switching birth control methods if they’re contributing to the issue
