How To Reverse Estrogen Dominance Naturally For Females
The female hormonal system is beautifully complex. In a balanced hormonal system, all of our hormones work in concert, communicating messages between each other and our organs harmoniously.
Unfortunately, when one of our hormones becomes imbalanced, it can cause a flow-on effect to this communication and lead to symptoms like PMS, painful periods, weight gain and mood swings.
One of the most common hormones to fall out of balance is estrogen. Estrogen levels can become both too low and too high, but the more common scenario is estrogen dominance. Being ‘dominant’ in estrogen means having more estrogen in relation to another key hormone progesterone.
Estrogen and progesterone are designed to work like a seesaw - balancing the levels of each other to encourage smooth communication with our brain, ovaries and adrenal glands. When estrogen levels climb too high, or when progesterone levels dip too low, the result is the frustrating symptoms of estrogen dominance.
The balance between estrogen and progesterone can be disrupted by poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, impaired liver function, an unhealthy gut microbiome or exposure to environmental toxins. Estrogen dominance can lead to symptoms of irregular periods, menstrual cramps, migraines, breast tenderness and mood swings.
What’s the difference between estrogen and progesterone?
There are several types of estrogen found in the female body. The most abundant and powerful form of estrogen is estradiol (E2). Estradiol is responsible for building up a thick, healthy lining in your uterus in the first half of the menstrual cycle, in preparation for a potential pregnancy implantation. Estrogen promotes strong bones, boosts libido and enhances skin health.
Progesterone is secreted in the second half of the cycle, after ovulation. It is responsible for maintaining the uterine lining that was built in the first half of the cycle. Progesterone promotes stable moods, reduces anxiety and promotes restful sleep.
Symptoms of Estrogen dominance
Irregular or heavy periods
Clots in your period
Painful periods
Mood swings, particularly premenstrually (feeling teary, frustrated or irritable)
Breast tenderness and fibrocystic breasts
Headaches and migraines (particularly premenstrually)
Fluid retention (feeling ‘puffy’)
Uterine fibroids
low thyroid function
Increased breast cancer risk
Fatigue
Bloating
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Storing fat around the hips, stomach and thighs
Blood sugar imbalances
What causes estrogen dominance?
There are two ways your body can experience higher levels of estrogen in relation to progesterone. Firstly, your body can create too much estrogen endogenously (internally) or struggle to properly eliminate natural estrogen through the liver and bowel.
Secondly, exposure to exogenous (external sources) of estrogen-like substances can increase estrogen levels in the body. These substances are often referred to as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and act similarly to estrogen in our bodies.
For the majority of women in my clinic, it is a combination of these factors that contributes to estrogen dominance over time, rather than one specific cause.
Endogenous (internal) sources of excess estrogen
One form of estrogen, estrone, is secreted largely by fat tissue. This means that overweight women are more likely to experience increased levels of natural estrogen in their bodies.
The frustrating part about estrogen dominance is that this hormonal imbalance can also impair your ability to lose weight, particularly around the stomach, thighs and hips. See the Natural Solutions to Estrogen Dominance below for suggestions to address this factor.
Imbalanced gut bacteria can also cause estrogen dominance. Higher levels of bad versus good gut bacteria which are responsible for breaking down estrogen (known as the estrobolome) can cause more estrogen to be reabsorbed, rather than eliminated via the stool.
Finally, insulin resistance can promote increased estrogen production. This is particularly common in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - read more about hormone imbalances in PCOS here.
Remember how we talked about the concert of hormones in your body? Your hormones don’t work in isolation. They are all communicating with one another to create a harmonious communication with key organs like your ovaries, brain and adrenal glands.
When one hormone is out of balance, it can cause a flow-on effect to other key hormones. Experiencing imbalances in other hormones can therefore contribute to estrogen dominance symptoms. This is especially true of progesterone imbalances.
Think you might have a hormone imbalance? Take my Free 3-Minute Hormone Imbalance Quiz to find out, and receive a personalised report on your imbalances plus next steps to start healing them naturally.
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How is estrogen broken down in the body?
Once your body has created natural estrogen and it has exerted its effects in the desired tissues in the body, it needs to be metabolised and eliminated. Estrogen is broken down via two steps.
The first step takes place in the liver where natural and synthetic estrogen-like substances are broken down. The second step takes place in the gut where the metabolised estrogen is packaged up and eliminated via our stool.
If either or both of these processes is not functioning optimally, estrogen can be reabsorbed into circulation rather than eliminated, contributing to high levels of estrogen.
The breakdown of estrogen in the liver requires several nutrients including B-vitamins, magnesium, glycine and selenium. Deficiency in these nutrients can slow or impair liver breakdown of estrogen and other hormones. Liver function is further impaired by high intake of alcohol, caffeine and pharmaceutical drugs.
The second part of estrogen metabolism happens in the gut. This requires a healthy gut bacteria (the “good” guys in our bowel), as well as regular bowel movements. Having an unhealthy ratio of bacteria in your gut can cause estrogen to be reabsorbed rather than broken down and eliminated. Similarly, if you are suffering from constipation or infrequent bowel movements, there is more time for estrogen to be reabsorbed, contributing to estrogen excess.
Exogenous sources of estrogen-like toxins
Exogenous sources of estrogen are often referred to as ‘xenoestrogens’. ‘Xeno’ means foreign, so this term refers to synthetic substances which mimic natural estrogen in our body, but are slightly different biochemically.
Hormonal birth control (like the pill) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can contribute to estrogen dominance. The ethinylestradiol (a synthetic estrogen) in your pill is a type of xenoestrogen that is stronger than natural estradiol. This can contribute to poor ability to clear natural estrogen in your body as well as damage intestinal bacteria, further impairing your body’s ability to eliminate hormones.
Other sources of xenoestrogens include:
Bisphenol-A (BPA - found in plastics, lining of tin cans and receipts)
Synthetic fragrances (like perfumes and air fresheners due to the addition of phthalates)
Conventionally-raised meat and dairy (i.e. not organic due to the use of growth hormones)
Non-organic fruits and vegetables (due to pesticide residue)
Regular personal care products (due to the addition of toxic chemicals like parabens, preservatives and artificial fragrances)
The birth control pill (due to the addition of synthetic estrogens like ethinylestradiol)
Tip: found this list overwhelming? Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with simple tips to avoid xenoestrogens in the Natural Solutions section below.
Testing for estrogen dominance
Estrogen and progesterone can be tested using regular blood tests at your doctors office, however these tests are not highly sensitive and it’s common for hormone imbalances to be missed, particularly when it comes to estrogen.
The gold standard of hormone testing is the Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH) which examines the key reproductive hormones like estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, as well as their metabolites to provide a comprehensive picture of your overall hormone balance.
In my Hormone Harmony Academy program, I offer my students the option to include a DUTCH test along with the 8-week program to significantly enhance their results throughout the program.
How to reverse estrogen dominance naturally
Addressing estrogen dominance can feel overwhelming, so I take a four-step approach in my clinic and my Hormone Harmony Academy digital program to make it more achievable.
If you’re ready to learn exactly how to balance your hormones step-by-step, find out about my Hormone Harmony Academy digital program here. To get you started, I’ve outlined some simple tips to begin addressing estrogen dominance:
4 Steps to Reverse Estrogen Dominance Naturally
Reduce exposure to environmental estrogens
Eat an estrogen dominance diet
Boost liver detoxification
Promote estrogen elimination
Step One To Reversing Estrogen Dominance Naturally:
Reduce exposure to environmental estrogens
Environmental contributors to estrogen dominance include xenoestrogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). To reduce your exposure to these toxins and naturally lower your estrogen levels, consider these simple tips:
Prioritise organic fruit and vegetables - these products do not contain pesticides and growth agents which contribute to the toxic load in your body. If buying all organic is unaffordable, follow the Environmental Working Group’s Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen list
Use glass containers for storing and reheating food, instead of plastic
Use stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic
Choose organic meat and dairy where possible. If this is not possible, avoid eating the fatty parts of meats (e.g. the skin) of conventionally raised animals as this is where most toxins are stored (similar to human bodies!)
Consider an inexpensive water filter
Slowly swap out regular personal care products with low-tox, natural alternatives. (*Note: my Hormone Harmony Academy students get access to an epic document of the best natural brands that actually work - check out the program here)
Avoid using cling-wrap and other soft, flexible plastics - opt for natural beeswax wraps or paper bags as an alternative for storing and wrapping foods
Minimise consumption of foods from tin cans, and choose BPA-free labelled cans where possible
Slowly swap out regular cleaning products (including laundry powder and fabric softeners) in your home with low-tox, natural alternatives
Consider ditching the birth control pill or other hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after consultation with your primary care provider. Speak to a holistic practitioner about natural alternatives to hormonal birth control and HRT
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Step Two To Reversing Estrogen Dominance Naturally:
Eat an estrogen balancing diet
ESTROGEN DOMINANCE DIET PLAN
Eating foods which support hormone balance, naturally lower high estrogen levels and promote liver breakdown of estrogen are foundational to reversing estrogen dominance. Eating a ‘typical’ diet of processed foods, sugar and refined carbohydrates can promote increased estrogen levels in the body, worsening estrogen dominance.
Instead, focus on eating plenty of fibre, cruciferous vegetables, probiotic-rich foods and healthy fats to naturally lower estrogen levels. Consuming phytoestrogens can also support estrogen balance in the body.
Phytoestrogens are plant foods which have a similar structure to estrogen but a much weaker effect in the body than other xenoestrogens. This can be beneficial in high estrogen conditions by blocking the effects of stronger estrogens.
Great sources of phytoestrogens to naturally balance estrogen levels in the body include:
Ground flax seeds
Legumes like mung beans, chickpeas and black-beans
Sesame seeds
Garlic
Dried apricots, dates and prunes
Fresh herbs: parsley, dill, sage
Green tea
Fennel seeds and aniseed
Organic tempeh and miso (other soy products are generally best avoided in estrogen dominance)
Foods that decrease high estrogen:
Focus on eating these foods daily to support healthy estrogen levels in your body:
Plenty of fibre
Fruits and vegetables with the skin on, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, psyllium husk
Cruciferous vegetable family (kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli)
These vegetables contain a compound called indole-3-carbinol (I3C) which helps the liver to break down excess estrogen - aim for at least once serve daily of one of these vegetables
Broccoli sprouts
Broccoli sprouts contain a concentrated source of I3C which supports the liver to breakdown excess estrogen
Probiotic-rich foods
These foods support a healthy gut microbiome which is essential for efficient clearance of estrogen in your bowel movements - try kimchi, sauerkraut, natural yoghurt, kombucha and kefir
Liver-supporting foods that help to balance estrogen
dandelion green
green tea
Cacao
citrus peel (e.g. lemon rind)
Radishes
bitter melon
Plenty of filtered water
NOT from a plastic bottle - opt for from a glass or use a stainless steel bottle. Aim for 2 to 3 litres daily, depending on your body size and exercise levels.
Healthy fats rich in omega-3 fatty acid
Healthy fats are essential to support natural hormone production. Omega-3 rich forms are some of the best fats you can include in your diet to help with estrogen dominance. Try salmon, sardines, walnuts and chia seeds for an omega-3 hit, along with other healthy fat sources like avocado, olive oil, coconut, nuts and seeds.
A high quality fish oil is absolutely essential when you are trying to reverse estrogen dominance naturally. Here at Nourished, we have spent thousands of hours researching high quality fish oils to support with reversing estrogen dominance. Our Daily Omega+ vitamin is a 100% sustainably sourced, high quality fish oil made from the highest quality.
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Foods that worsen estrogen dominance
Limit or avoid these foods and drinks to naturally regulate estrogen in your body:
Coffee
Limit to one cup or shot of espresso daily or replace with green tea to reduce the burden on your liver to metabolise caffeine
Alcohol
Just one glass of wine can dramatically increase estrogen levels in the body. This is because alcohol changes the way that the body breaks down estrogen. The effect is increased with the amount of alcohol you consume, to aim to limit alcohol to special occasions and stick to maximum 3 glasses in one sitting
Conventional meat and dairy products
Animal products that are not organic often use growth hormones, antibiotics and pesticides in their products, some of which still remain in the final product you consume. Opt for organic, grass-fed or pasture raised where possible
Refined sugar, processed foods and refined carbohydrates
Products like cakes, cookies, white bread, white pasta and deep fried foods promote unstable blood sugar which contribute to and worsen hormonal imbalances due to insulin instability
Non-organic soy
If you choose to consume soy products, opt for strictly organic and unprocessed forms. Soy is one of the most heavily sprayed crops and has been shown to retain significant levels of pesticides and herbicides like roundup. Consume unprocessed, organic soy products in moderation (like miso, tempeh and natto). For most of my estrogen dominant clients and students in Hormone Harmony Academy, I find it’s best to avoid more processed forms of soy like soy milk, tofu and vegetarian meat substitutes.
Step Three To Reversing Estrogen Dominance Naturally:
Boost Liver Breakdown of Estrogen
An efficiently functioning liver is essential to clearing high estrogen levels. To boost your liver function, focus on the liver supporting foods in the estrogen dominance diet plan: dandelion greens, green tea, cacao, citrus peel (e.g. lemon rind), radishes and bitter melon.
The liver also requires magnesium, glycine, selenium and B-vitamins so ensure any deficiencies of these nutrients are addressed. Visit a holistic practitioner for further support around nutrient deficiencies.
In my Hormone Harmony Academy program, we cover specific nutritional supplements and vitamins for estrogen dominance in depth. I teach my students how to individualize their supplement protocols based on their symptoms and take them through a 14-day detox plan to boost liver function.
The KEY supplement that I would suggest first and foremost to support the liver’s breakdown of estrogen would be our Hormone Detox + Digestion natural vitamin. This herbal blend works by supporting your liver and digestive system to eliminate excess hormones and is ideal for women dealing with estrogen dominance.
All our vitamins are 100% natural and made in the USA. We pay for international shipping on every single order.
Step Four To Reversing Estrogen Dominance Naturally:
Promote Estrogen Elimination Through The Gut
After your liver has broken down estrogen, it is sent to the gut to be packaged up with your stool and eliminated. In a healthy gut, the estrogen and other hormones are efficiently removed in your stool.
An unhealthy microbiome (the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut) can cause estrogen to be “uncoupled” and reabsorbed into circulation instead of being eliminated. This reabsorption contributes to high estrogen levels in the body.
If you are suffering from sluggish bowels, constipation or incomplete emptying, metabolised estrogen has more time to be reabsorbed into the body, rather than quickly being eliminated.
Addressing gut elimination of estrogen requires a healthy microbiome and regular, daily stools. To promote a healthy microbiome, enjoy probiotic-rich foods daily (cultured natural yoghurt, kimchi, sauerkraut and kombucha) and avoid unnecessary antibiotic use.
To promote daily stools, ensure you are eating plenty of fibre. Fibre is essential to feed the good bacteria in your gut and keep you regular. If you struggle to go to the toilet daily, try 1 teaspoon of psyllium husk in a large glass of water after dinner or add 1-2 Tbsp of ground flax seeds or chia seeds to your breakfast or smoothies.
Other natural treatments for estrogen dominance
Get your sweat on!
Sweating is an alternate route of elimination for toxins and waste products. Reduce the load on your liver by engaging in activities that help you sweat like regular cardiovascular exercise, saunas and warm baths.
Deal with stress
Excess cortisol production from being in a chronic stress state can lower progesterone production and/or halt ovulation (See post Why is my period late? For more on how progesterone and hormones are affected by stress).
Find practices that support you to work through unavoidable daily stressors like meditation, breathing practices, massage, yoga, slow nature walks and journaling.
Ditch hormonal birth control
The ethinylestradiol (synthetic estrogen) in your pill is a form of xenoestrogen that is stronger than natural estradiol. This contributes to poor ability to clear natural estrogen in your body and can damage intestinal bacteria, further impairing your body’s ability to eliminate hormones.
Consider a switching to a natural alternative to hormonal birth control like the Fertility Awareness Method or barrier methods (like condoms and diaphragms). Speak to a holistic practitioner about natural alternatives.
Address underlying causes of excess weight or fat loss resistance
Fat tissue creates estrone, a type of natural estrogen. Excess fat tissue (like that seen in obesity) can contribute to increased levels of circulating estrogen in the body. If you are struggling to lose weight and dealing with symptoms of estrogen dominance, explore potential causes of weight loss resistance like thyroid imbalances, adrenal issues or gut imbalances. Speak to a natural health care practitioner for further advice on healthy weight loss.
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Supplements and vitamins for estrogen dominance
If you have tried all of the natural solutions covered in this article, and are still dealing with signs of estrogen dominance, consider adding one or two of the following supplements to your regime to support your body to lower estrogen levels and efficiently clear excess estrogen naturally. Always visit a health care practitioner before beginning any new supplement or vitamin to make sure it is an appropriate choice for you.
Nourished Hormone Detox + Digestion [Essential]
This herbal blend works by supporting your liver and digestive system to efficiently detoxify and eliminate excess hormones and is ideal for women dealing with estrogen dominance, taking hormonal birth control or have recently transitioned off the pill.
Nourished Daily Omega+ [Essential]
The essential super nutrient that is absolutely, 100% essential for everyone with estrogen dominance.
Nourished Period Repair + Regulate [Essential]
The perfect natural vitamin to help in balancing your hormones and supporting period pain, PMS, energy & skin.
Vitamin B6 [Essential]
B6 supports progesterone production, which is often low in estrogen dominance. Improving the ratio of estrogen to progesterone can be helpful in reducing symptoms of estrogen dominance.
Diindolylmethane (DIM) [Optional]
DIM is a concentrated compound derived from indole-3-carbinol (found in cruciferous vegetables). This compound is only to be used when working with a practitioner and when estrogen excess has been confirmed, as it is a powerful way of lowering high estrogen levels. In conditions where estrogen levels are not high, DIM can do more harm than good by significantly lowering estrogen, so do not use this supplement without professional guidance.
Broccoli sprout extract [Optional]
Broccoli sprout is a gentler form of indole-3-carbinol which supports the breakdown of estrogen in the liver. It is less powerful than DIM so may be an appropriate choice if you have milder symptoms or high estrogen levels have not been confirmed through functional testing.
Probiotic or spore-based probiotic supplement [Optional but recommended]
To support a healthy gut microbiome and promote efficient excretion of estrogen through the bowels.
Calcium D-glucarate [Optional]
This compound helps to bind to estrogen in the liver and deactivate it. Then, in the gut it prevents unhealthy bacteria from allowing estrogen to be reabsorbed into circulation.
Transdermal natural progesterone cream [Optional]
If you have confirmed low levels of progesterone, but are still ovulating, transdermal natural progesterone cream can help to boost levels of progesterone in the body, and improve the ratio of estrogen to progesterone. Visit your doctor for a blood test to confirm if you are ovulating and to ask for access to a transdermal progesterone cream which can significantly improve symptoms like breast tenderness, heavy periods and premenstrual mood changes.
If you are not currently ovulating, the best way to boost progesterone levels is to start ovulating again, because progesterone is produced naturally after you release an egg at ovulation. Read my article on why you might not be ovulating regularly here.
Wrapping up
So there you have it, a comprehensive guide to beginning to manage estrogen dominance naturally through diet, lifestyle, stress management, exercise and nutritional supplements. If you have been struggling with estrogen dominance symptoms like painful, heavy periods, breast tenderness and premenstrual mood swings for a long time, it’s time to finally get to the bottom of your hormone imbalances.
Find out when the next intake of my Hormone Harmony Academy digital program opens if you are ready to say “hell yes” to drama-free periods, clear skin and balanced moods for good. I’ll be with you every step of the way as we cover exactly everything you need to know to balance your hormones for good over 8-weeks (plus gain access to some EPIC resources I only share with my students). Ready to join me and the 100s of women who are already living the Nourished lifestyle? Sign up to my Heal Your Cycle webinar to find out more.
Did you find this article helpful? Let me know in the comments below - I’d love to hear your experience.
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What Does Estrogen Dominance Mean?
What Causes Estrogen Dominance?
What Are The Symptoms Of Estrogen Dominance?
How Do Estrogen And Progesterone Work?
What’s The Difference Between Estrogen And Progesterone?
What Is The Function Of Estrogen?
What Is The Function Of Progesterone?
What Causes Estrogen Dominance?
How Do You Test For Estrogen Dominance?
How Do You Test For Estrogen Dominance?
How Do You Reverse Estrogen Dominance Naturally?
How Do You Lower Estrogen Levels In Females Naturally?
How Do you Lower Estrogen Levels With Supplements
Can Diet Influence Estrogen Dominance?
What foods Decrease High Estrogen levels?
What foods increase estrogen levels?
What foods should you avoid for estrogen dominance?
Tamika Woods | Nutritionist
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
For a decade, Tamika battled chronic acne, irregular cycles, mood swings, hair loss, painful periods, severe digestive issues and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). You name it - she's been there!
Tam was finally able to clear her skin, regulate her cycle, be free of period pain and fall pregnant naturally with her daughter in 2020. It took Tam 10 years and tens of thousands of dollars in tertiary education to get the answers she needed to get better. She didn’t want other women to suffer as long as she did which is why she has dedicated her life to helping women in the same position as she was.
Tam helps women interpret what their bodies are trying to communicate through frustrating symptoms, and then develop a step-by-step roadmap to find balance again. She's here to help you get on track!
Tamika Woods holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree (Nutritional Medicine) as well as a Bachelor of Education, graduating with Honours in both. She is a certified Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) Educator and a certified member of the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA).