What Causes High Estrogen Levels: A Comprehensive Explanation Based on Research
By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Estrogen is an important hormone for both genders. It plays a big role in many body functions. In women, it aids sexual growth, menstrual control, and reproductive health. Men too produce estrogen, but in lesser amounts. It helps maintain sexual function and overall well-being. This article will go into detail about what makes estrogen levels high, its effects, and ways to manage them.
We’ll look at different types of estrogen and their normal levels. We’ll also cover symptoms of high estrogen in both males and females. We’ll discuss about complications, ways to diagnose and test for it, and available management options. We’ll also help answer some common questions about high estrogen levels.
Did you know?
Estrogen has a signficant impact on health and well-being. It helps grow secondary sexual traits, controls menstrual cycles, ensures bone health, and supports heart health.
Here is a summary of all the functions of estrogen in a table form.
| Estrogen Function | Women | Men |
| Sexual Development | Boosts female growth | Helps with sperm production and sexual desire |
| Menstrual Cycle | Controls menstruation | N/A |
| Bone Strength | Keeps bones healthy | N/A |
| Cardiovascular Health | Supports heart health | N/A |
There are several forms of estrogen. The key ones are estrone, estradiol, and estriol. They each have different functions which are described below.
In my opinion, your doctor’s recommended course of action for managing your elevated oestrogen levels is the best. A change in lifestyle may be helpful in some situations. Your doctor might suggest more aggressive therapies if elevated oestrogen levels raise your risk of cancer or exacerbate an existing cancer.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Normal estrogen levels are different based on sex, age, and if a woman is pregnant or has periods. The usual levels for men and women are as follows.
Here is a table with the clear view of normal estrogen levels.
| Normal Estrogen Levels | Females | Males |
| Preteens | Hard to find – 20 pg/ml (estradiol) | Hard to find – 13 pg/ml (estradiol) |
| Teens | 10 – 200 pg/ml (estrone); hard to find – 350 pg/ml (estradiol) | Hard to find – 40 pg/ml (estradiol) |
| Adults before menopause | 17 – 200 pg/ml (estrone); 30 – 400 pg/ml (estradiol) | N/A |
| Adults after menopause | 7 – 40 pg/ml (estrone); less than 10 pg/ml (estradiol) | N/A |
In my experience, changing your lifestyle might help reduce your oestrogen levels. Your doctor might suggest weight loss too. Your fat cells produce oestrogen and losing weight may decrease oestrogen production too.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Many factors can make estrogen levels soar. These can range from hormonal imbalances to being around harmful substances. These are described below.
Hormonal shifts during periods and menopause, as well as illnesses like PCOS, can lead to high estrogen levels.
Some drugs, like hormone therapy and birth control pills, may raise estrogen levels.
Certain illnesses like ovarian tumors that make estrogen and liver issues can lead to high estrogen levels.
Being around harmful environmental estrogens like xenoestrogens found in plastics and pesticides can raise estrogen levels.
Eating foods that are high in estrogen, such as soy, can lead to higher estrogen levels.
Things like obesity, stress, and drinking alcohol can also make estrogen levels rise.
If your lifestyle is linked to elevated oestrogen levvels, you may benefit from dietary, exercise, reduced alcohol intake, and sleep modifications. I recommend that go over your medical history with your healthcare professional to find out when you can get your hormones balanced.
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Also Read: What is Anterior Placenta: A Comprehensive Insight into Maternal Health
High estrogen can cause many symptoms in both males and females. Some common signs and symptoms are as follows.
High estrogen levels can cause many health problems. These are as follows.
If your doctor thinks you have a hormone imbalance, they may do tests to measure estrogen levels. Usual tests include blood tests, saliva tests, and image studies.
Blood tests measure the different types and amounts of estrogen, giving a clear view of hormonal imbalances.
Saliva tests are a less invasive way to check estrogen levels, but they might not be as accurate as blood tests. These are rarely done.
If your doctor thinks there may be an underlying illness, they may order image studies like ultrasound or MRI to see if there are tumours that make estrogen or other issues.
Management options for high estrogen depend on the root cause. Some usual ways included are as follows.
Doctors may give hormone replacement therapy or drugs to stop estrogen production if needed.
If there are hormone imbalances, doctors may adjust hormone therapy plans to form a healthier balance.
For cancers sensitive to estrogen, doctors may suggest drugs that stop cancer cells from binding to estrogen or stop the enzyme aromatase from changing androgens into estrogen.
Things like diet, exercise, and managing stress may help lower high estrogen levels.
Adding a balanced diet with fiber, healthy fats, and less processed foods may help control estrogen levels.
Regular physical activity may help maintain a healthy body weight and avoid hormonal imbalances.
Managing tension through relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or counseling may help balance hormone levels.
Some people try supplements, acupuncture, or other alternative management options for high estrogen, but it is vital to talk these options over with a healthcare professional before starting any new therapy.
Taking steps may help keep balanced estrogen levels, avoiding potential problems. These are as follows.
A healthy body weight stops too much fat tissue from making extra estrogen and lowers the risk of hormone imbalances.
Regular physical activity supports a healthy body weight and helps keep hormones balanced.
Eating a diet full of fiber, healthy fats, and less processed foods may help avoid hormone imbalances.
Avoiding xenoestrogens and pollutants may help control estrogen levels more naturally.
It is vital to talk with a healthcare professional. When to do so is described below.
If symptoms of high estrogen keep going or get worse, seeking medical advice may help diagnose and deal with potential underlying issues.
Test results that are not normal need further checking and guidance from a healthcare professional to decide the best way forward.
Talking about your concerns and questions related to management options with a healthcare professional may help you take informed decisions about managing high estrogen levels.
High estrogen levels can stem from many things like hormonal imbalances, drugs, hidden medical conditions, and lifestyle choices. Spotting the signs and symptoms of high estrogen levels, dealing with the underlying causes, and adding steps that may help maintain hormonal balance, will help improve overall health.
By working closely with your healthcare professional, checking your hormones, and changing your lifestyle, you may manage high estrogen levels and cut down the potential risks and problems. Remember that every person is unique, and the solutions to getting balanced hormone levels might be different for everyone.
In women, high estrogen symptoms may show up as sore breasts, irregular or heavy periods, mood swings, and weight gain. In men, symptoms may show up as erectile dysfunction, infertility, and larger breasts.
You may naturally lower estrogen levels by keeping a healthy body weight, staying active, eating a balanced diet, and cutting down exposure to environmental estrogen.
Yes, high estrogen levels can make you gain weight, especially around the hips and waist, because extra body fat may lead to more estrogen production.
Foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains, may help lower estrogen levels. Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower are particularly helpful in reducing estrogen levels.
Long-term high estrogen levels can lead to many health problems, including a higher risk of breast, ovary, and uterus cancers in women, as well as infertility and larger breasts in men.
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