How Do I Know If My Estrogen Is High?
We hear a lot about low estrogen and high estrogen, but how do you know what is what?
When estrogen is following its natural cycle (particularly pre-menopausal) things feel good. Your cycle flows, your energy has rhythm, your mood can actually be trusted. But when estrogen starts fluctuating (especially during perimenopause, women with endometriosis, and other conditions), we can feel off. It can start to feel like something is wrong with you!
So how can you tell when your estrogen is off and high?
Let’s decode it (and we will discuss low estrogen, promise).
What High Estrogen Can Feel Like
You need enough estrogen to keep you feeling alive, but an over abundant amount can suddenly make you feel way out of whack. Remember, not all of these are estrogen dominance, but you know when something isn’t right (trust your intuition and get it checked. Email me if you need to!).
Too much estrogen can feel like:
Body Signals
Tender or swollen breasts
Bloating
Heavy, clotty, or long periods
New chin or jawline acne
Weight in your hips and thighs
Water retention
Headaches around your cycle
PMS that feels like rage with a side of tears
Worsened cramps
Brain + Mood Signals
Mood swings that feel intense
Anxiety increased
Brain fog
Sleep struggles
You do not need all of these to have elevated estrogen. Even a few can be your body quietly tapping you on the shoulder saying "hey, can we chat?"
Why It Happens
Your body is not doing this just to be dramatic. Common reasons estrogen climbs include:
Poor detoxification from slow liver clearance
Low fiber intake and sluggish digestion
High stress and cortisol spikes
Lack of strength training or low muscle mass
Alcohol (especially wine)
Certain hormonal birth controls
Environmental exposures to plastics, fragrances, receipts
Low progesterone making estrogen seem higher
Modern life is basically one long estrogen potluck.
Testing Options
Listening to your symptoms gives clues. Testing gives receipts.
Blood Tests
Estradiol
Progesterone
LH + FSH
SHBG
Urine (DUTCH test)
Shows your metabolite pathways
Basically a map for “how your body handles estrogen behind the scenes”
YES! We run DUTCH tests (state dependent) and help you see your monthly and daily hormonal panel to get to the root cause. Book a discovery call and let's touch base!
What Helps Lower Estrogen Naturally
This is not about getting rid of estrogen. You need it. You just want balance. Think tuning the guitar, not smashing it on stage.
Nutrition
Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, arugula
Ground flax and chia
30 grams of fiber daily
Protein at each meal
Green tea or matcha mornings
Lifestyle
Lift weights to boost progesterone and insulin sensitivity
Walk after meals
Prioritize sleep like it is your job
Hydrate like your cells are houseplants too
Gut + Detox Support
Daily bowel movements
Limit alcohol
Swap plastic for glass
Choose cleaner beauty and home care when possible
Targeted Supplements (Let's discuss what is appropriate for you! Do not start taking supplements before speaking with a professional. Book a discovery call and let's work together to make a plan!)
DIM
Calcium D glucarate
Magnesium glycinate
B vitamins
When To Get Support
Reach out to a hormone focused RD or practitioner if:
Symptoms are disruptive or worsening
Your period feels like a horror movie
You want guidance on testing
You're tired of guessing
Your body does not speak in riddles. It speaks in patterns. Learning those patterns is power!
Send me an email with the word HORMONES if you want my guide to balancing estrogen naturally, or if you want support analyzing labs and building a custom plan.
P.S. If your body could talk, it wouldn’t whisper. It would send notifications. Treat your symptoms like the very loud texts they are!
