High and Low Estrogen Symptoms: How to Balance Your Hormones Naturally and Flush Out Excess Estrogen

Imagine being told at 19 that you were “infertile”. That your body’s hormones are so out of whack, your body is no longer producing progesterone. That your estrogen is so high, you have been on your period for MONTHS straight (with no relief). No matter how many gynecologists and doctors I went to, they couldn’t figure it out.

Estrogen plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of women—and when this powerful hormone gets out of balance, it can lead to a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. Whether you’re struggling with fatigue, bloating, mood swings, or stubborn weight gain, estrogen imbalance could be a root cause. Thankfully, there are ways to support your body with natural methods and help restore balance so you feel your best.

What Does Estrogen Do in the Body?

Estrogen is a primary female sex hormone responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, supporting reproductive health, maintaining bone density, and influencing mood and cognitive function. While men also produce estrogen, women have significantly higher levels—especially during reproductive years.

There are three main types of estrogen in the body:

Estradiol (the most abundant in reproductive years)
Estrone (dominant after menopause)
Estriol (increases during pregnancy)

Estrogen needs to stay within a healthy range—not too high, not too low—for optimal functioning.

low estrogen symptoms girl holding flower women's health

Common Symptoms of Estrogen Imbalance

An imbalance in estrogen can result in either estrogen dominance (too much) or estrogen deficiency (too little). Recognizing the symptoms is the first step toward healing.

Common Symptoms of High Estrogen (Estrogen Dominance):

Bloating
Irregular or heavy periods
Mood swings or irritability
Breast tenderness
Weight gain, especially in the hips and thighs
Fatigue
Brain fog
Anxiety or depression

Common Symptoms of Low Estrogen:

Hot flashes or night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Low libido
Irregular or absent periods
Sleep disturbances
Thinning skin or hair
Mood changes
Memory issues

Long-term estrogen imbalance has been linked to increased risk of conditions like breast cancer, thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, and infertility, making it essential to address naturally before turning to medication.

What Causes Estrogen Imbalance?

Although it is hard to pinpoint exact numbers, recent studies have shown that up to 80% of American women are living with hormone imbalance, including estrogen. Between the pesticides on our food and the toxins surrounding us, there are many environmental factors that are disrupting our hormones.

Some of the most common lifestyle and environmental factors that disrupt estrogen levels include:

Chronic stress
Poor liver function
Gut health issues
Excess body fat
Hormonal birth control
Environmental toxins (xenoestrogens found in plastics and cosmetics)
Poor diet or nutrient deficiencies

How to Naturally Detox Estrogen and Support Hormone Balance

Balancing estrogen starts with supporting your liver, gut, and elimination pathways, which are responsible for breaking down and removing excess estrogen. Here’s how to do it naturally:

1. Eat Estrogen Detoxifying Foods

Focusing on the right foods is one of the most effective ways to support natural estrogen balance. Add these to your daily diet:

Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage contain indole-3-carbinol and DIM (diindolylmethane), compounds that support estrogen metabolism and detoxification.

Fiber-Rich Foods

Fiber helps bind and eliminate excess estrogen through the digestive tract. Focus on flaxseeds, chia seeds, oats, lentils, beans, and leafy greens.

Fermented Foods

A healthy gut microbiome is essential for hormone regulation. Eat sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kefir, and yogurt to support your gut flora and estrogen breakdown.

Liver-Supportive Foods

Your liver plays a key role in processing estrogen. Include beets, artichokes, garlic, turmeric, lemons, and dandelion greens.

Omega-3 Rich Foods

Anti-inflammatory fats like those in salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, and chia help regulate hormones and reduce estrogen dominance.

2. Eliminate Estrogen Disruptors

Avoiding xenoestrogens, which mimic estrogen in the body, is critical. These are found in:

Plastics (especially BPA and phthalates)
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES
Conventional beauty and personal care products
Pesticide-laden foods
Non-organic dairy and meat

Switch to natural products, use glass containers, and choose organic when possible. EWG provided a great resource of what is called The Dirty Dozen & The Clean 15, which outlines which produce includes the most pesticides.

3. Support Gut Health

Your gut contains the estrobolome, a collection of bacteria that help metabolize and eliminate estrogen. To support your estrobolome:

Take a high-quality probiotic
Eat prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions, and asparagus
Avoid antibiotics and unnecessary medications
Address constipation—daily bowel movements are essential for estrogen elimination

4. Reduce Stress and Cortisol

Chronic stress raises cortisol, which can suppress estrogen and progesterone production. To naturally lower cortisol and improve hormone balance:

Practice daily mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing
Get adequate sleep (7–9 hours per night)
Prioritize gentle exercise like walking, yoga, or stretching
Limit screen time and create tech-free wind-down routines

Make sure to check out more ways to reduce cortisol in 10 Natural Ways to Lower Cortisol and Reduce Stress Levels.

5. Sweat It Out

Regular exercise and infrared sauna sessions can help detox toxins—including excess estrogen—through sweat. Aim for at least 30 minutes of movement daily to support lymphatic drainage and circulation.

MD Anderson Cancer Center has a great article that shows the correlation between daily exercise and lymphatic drainage.

6. Consider Natural Supplements

Always consult a practitioner before starting supplements, but these are commonly used for estrogen detox:

DIM (Diindolylmethane)
Calcium D-Glucarate
Milk Thistle
Maca root
Magnesium
B-complex vitamins

You Can Balance Your Hormones Naturally

Estrogen detox doesn’t have to mean extreme cleanses or strict diets. By incorporating estrogen detox foods, minimizing hormone disruptors, and supporting your gut and liver, you can restore hormonal harmony and feel like yourself again—naturally.

Remember: Hormone health is personal. Listen to your body, be consistent, and consider working with a hormone-literate practitioner for personalized guidance.