Estrogen Dominance: Signs, Causes & Fixes
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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice.
If you’ve been struggling with stubborn weight gain, mood swings, heavy periods, or just feeling “off,” estrogen dominance could be to blame. It’s one of the most common hormonal imbalances I see in women, and the frustrating part? Most don’t even realize they have it.
Let’s break down what estrogen dominance actually is, the symptoms to watch for, and what you can do to bring your hormones back into balance.
What is Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen dominance happens when there is too much estrogen in the body relative to progesterone. Now, before we start villainizing estrogen, let’s be clear—estrogen is not the enemy. It’s an essential hormone that plays a key role in menstrual cycles, fertility, bone health, and even mood. But when it’s out of balance, that’s when issues start to show up.
Estrogen dominance can actually show up in about 5 different ways, but we are going to touch on the main two:
Too much estrogen overall – Your body is either producing too much estrogen, or struggling with estrogen clearance from the body. This can be due to genetics and/or lifestyle factors. This will lead to estrogen levels appearing high on a test.
Too little progesterone – Even if your estrogen levels are normal, low progesterone can make estrogen appear dominant in comparison. Estrogen levels may appear normal on a test, but progesterone is low. This makes estrogen the dominant hormone which leads to unpleasant symptoms.
Either way, the result is the same—hormonal chaos that leaves you feeling exhausted, bloated, and totally out of whack.
Estrogen Dominance Symptoms
If any of these sound familiar, estrogen dominance could be at play:
Heavy or painful periods
PMS (especially mood swings or irritability)
Breast tenderness or fibrocystic breasts
Bloating, especially before your period
Weight gain (especially hips, thighs, and belly)
Fatigue or low energy
Low libido
Anxiety or trouble sleeping
Headaches or migraines around your cycle
History of endometriosis, fibroids, or PCOS
Not every woman will have all these symptoms, but if you’re nodding along to multiple, your body is telling you something!
What Causes Estrogen Dominance?
So why is estrogen dominance so common? A lot of factors can contribute, but here are the big ones:
1. Poor Liver Detoxification
Your liver is in charge of processing and eliminating excess hormones. But if it’s sluggish (thanks to poor diet, alcohol, toxins, or gut issues), estrogen can build up in the body. Supporting the liver is a big part of balancing your hormones.
2. Gut Imbalances (The Estrobolome!)
Your gut plays a huge role in hormone balance. A specific set of gut bacteria, called the estrobolome, helps to metabolize estrogen. If you have an imbalanced gut (hello, bloating and constipation!), estrogen can get recirculated instead of being eliminated.
3. Xenoestrogens (Environmental Estrogen Disruptors)
We’re constantly exposed to fake estrogens—in plastics, personal care products, cleaning supplies, and even tap water. These xenoestrogens mimic real estrogen in the body, contributing to estrogen dominance. Switching to non-toxic products can profoundly impact hormone health.
4. Chronic Stress & Low Progesterone
Stress is a progesterone thief. When you’re constantly stressed, your body prioritizes cortisol production over progesterone, leaving estrogen unchecked. Low progesterone symptoms overlap with high estrogen symptoms.
5. Poor Diet & Blood Sugar Imbalances
Processed foods, sugar spikes, and nutrient deficiencies (especially magnesium, B vitamins, and zinc) can throw off hormone balance and worsen estrogen dominance. Eating a high protein, whole food diet is key to balancing hormones.
6. Hormonal Birth Control & Medications
The pill, hormonal IUDs, and certain medications can contribute to estrogen dominance by altering natural hormone production and detox pathways. Please note that this is NOT A substitute for medical advice. You should not stop medications without discussing with your doctor first.
How to Fix Estrogen Dominance Naturally
Okay, so now that you know what’s causing estrogen dominance, let’s talk about fixing it. The good news? Your body wants to be in balance—it just needs the right support!
1. Support Liver Detoxification
Your liver is key to clearing excess estrogen, so give it some love!
Castor oil packs – One of my favorite ways to support liver detox naturally. (More on those here)
Eat cruciferous veggies – Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain a compound which your body then converts to DIM, a compound that helps clear excess estrogen.
Stay hydrated – Water + electrolytes help flush toxins.
Reduce alcohol & caffeine – These stress the liver and slow estrogen detox.
2. Heal the Gut
If you’re not pooping daily, estrogen is getting reabsorbed. Here are a few ways you can support the gut:
Get enough fiber – Fruit, chia seeds, and veggies help bind to estrogen for removal.
Support digestion – Bitters, digestive enzymes, or ginger can help if you struggle with bloating.
Consider probiotics – A balanced gut microbiome supports proper estrogen metabolism.
3. Reduce Xenoestrogen Exposure
Since we can’t live in a bubble, focus on reducing exposure where you can.
Switch to glass or stainless steel instead of plastic.
Use clean beauty & skincare (check labels for parabens & phthalates).
Filter your water—estrogen-mimicking chemicals are often in tap water.
Avoid scented candles & air fresheners (they’re full of hormone disruptors).
4. Balance Blood Sugar & Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods
Blood sugar crashes = hormone imbalances.
Eat protein + healthy fat with every meal to keep blood sugar stable.
Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods instead of processed junk.
Prioritize magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins to support hormone function.
5. Manage Stress & Support Progesterone
Pausing to breathe deeply throughout the day helps to shift into a relaxed state.
Prioritize sleep – Poor sleep = more stress & lower progesterone.
Adaptogens like maca or ashwagandha (if tolerated) can help support stress resilience.
Cycle-sync your workouts – High-intensity exercise is great in moderation but can spike cortisol if overdone.
6. Consider Functional Testing
If you’re still struggling, functional testing (like the DUTCH test for hormones) can give a clearer picture of what’s going on. The DUTCH test can provide a detailed picture of hormone levels and how the body is metabolizing estrogen giving insightful information into a woman’s cycle and fertility.
Final Thoughts
Estrogen dominance is common but not normal—and you don’t have to just deal with it! Small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in balancing your hormones and improving your energy, mood, and overall well-being.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to start, start small. Add in one new habit this week and build from there. Your hormones will thank you.
Struggling with estrogen dominance, but need support? Fill out the form here to get all your questions answered about how I can support you to balance your hormones, reduce your symptoms, and optimize your fertility.
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