There’s been plenty of chatter lately about flushing out excess estrogen from your body. Along with that talk comes the need to learn about estrogen, its forms, where it’s found in foods, and exactly how to rid your body of too much of the hormone. Here’s everything you need to know about flushing out excess estrogen on your own.
*As always, if you feel you have excess estrogen in your body, please talk with your doctor about manageable and safe ways to reduce it. High estrogen levels can be a sign of illness, cancer, tumors, or even insulin resistance, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Let’s Start with the Basics
Before I can even begin to tell you about excess estrogen flushing, I think a quick estrogen 101 is in order. In the female body, there are three different types of estrogen:
Estriol
This type of estrogen kicks into high gear during pregnancy. Peaking just before giving birth, it prepares the body for delivery and helps the uterus grow as the baby grows.
Estradiol
During reproductive years, estradiol is the most common form of estrogen in the body. Both females and males have this type of estrogen, and it’s a balance game, as too much can cause acne and depression. Too low of a level can result in heart health issues and weight gain.
Estrone
If you’re in menopause right now or have already gone through it, estrone is the estrogen your body is working with. The cool thing about this type is that your body can convert it into different kinds of estrogen as needed.
Symptoms of High Estrogen
High estrogen levels can manifest in various symptoms, affecting both men and women. In women, symptoms may include irregular menstrual periods, heavy bleeding, breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, and headaches. Additionally, high estrogen levels can lead to weight gain, especially around the hips and thighs. Men may experience symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, enlarged breasts (gynecomastia), and infertility.
Both genders might notice fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and disrupted sleep patterns. While estrogen is vital for many bodily functions, excessive levels can disrupt hormonal balance, necessitating medical evaluation, and management to alleviate symptoms and prevent potential complications.
The list of high estrogen symptoms is long but definitely worth mentioning:
- Breast tenderness and swelling
- Decreased sex drive
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- Cold feet & hands
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping and fatigue
- Anxiety attacks
- Panic attacks
- PMS symptoms/irregular menstrual periods
- Foggy memory/memory issues
- Bloating
- Fibrocystic breast lumps
These are the most common symptoms associated with high estrogen levels, but keep in mind they can also be related to many other illnesses. If you’re experiencing the above, do see your doctor.
Foods High in Estrogen
Believe it or not, there are several foods that are naturally high in phytoestrogens (dietary estrogens), which are compounds that naturally occur in plants and are considered beneficial in some diets. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds with estrogen-like effects. Found in a variety of foods, they can bind to estrogen receptors in the body, influencing hormonal activity. Consuming phytoestrogen-rich foods may offer health benefits, such as reducing menopausal symptoms and supporting bone health, though research is ongoing.
If you want to keep your levels down, eat these in moderation:
Flax Seed – Rich in lignans (a chemical group functioning as phytoestrogens), flax has, by far, the most phytoestrogens. Studies have shown that eating flax seeds may decrease the risk of breast cancer.
Soybeans – Generally processed to make other foods, soybeans are rich in proteins and offer vitamins and minerals. Soybean isoflavones (phytoestrogens) can mimic natural estrogen in the body.
Edamame – Whole immature soybeans that are eaten either boiled or fried with light oil.
Sesame Seeds – Packed with fiber, sesame seeds offer a nice crunch when roasted, but there are also phytoestrogens when you enjoy them.
Cruciferous Vegetables – If you’re not familiar with cruciferous vegetables, think broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
Dried Fruit -The highest in phytoestrogens include dried apricots, prunes, and dates.
Peaches – Rich in lignans, peaches are one of my favorite summer fruits. If you’re the same, avoid them to help flush out excess estrogen.
Berries – Along with vitamins and minerals in delicious berries like blackberries, strawberries, & raspberries, you’ll find phytoestrogens.
Wheat Bran – We all know a high-fiber diet is good for us, but wheat bran, in particular, has high amounts of phytoestrogen.
Having written that, you should always stick with a high-fiber, low-fat diet and avoid high and processed-sugar foods.
Exercise
Exercising has countless benefits, but it can also flush estrogen from your body while helping your heart and muscles. Research has shown that women in premenopause have reduced their estrogen levels by up to 19% by exercising for five hours a week.
Get Enough Sleep
It’s easier said than done for some of us, but sleep does have an effect on lowering estrogen levels. When we lack sleep, our melatonin levels are lower. As melatonin is responsible for keeping lower levels of estrogen, the more natural melatonin we have, the lower our estrogen will be.
Check Your Daily Medications
The medicines you ingest may have a link to higher estrogen levels. If you didn’t know that, no worries – I didn’t until I began researching. Both over-the-counter and prescription medicines can affect the balance.
- HRT – The abbreviation for Hormone Replacement Therapy; if you’re taking it, you may be getting too much estrogen in your body. As a lady who’s been on an estradiol patch for nearly a decade, for me, the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Antibiotics, including ampicillin and tetracycline
- Steroids
- Phenothiazines
Wrapping it Up
Flushing estrogen from the body involves various strategies, including dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes. Increasing fiber intake, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine can help support liver function, which plays a crucial role in metabolizing and eliminating estrogen.
Read Next:
Does Synthetic Estrogen Affect Your Blood Pressure? Find Out.
Eat These Estrogen-Rich Foods For Menopause
How Estrogen Deficiency Can Affect Your Skin & And What to Do About It
