How to Tell if You Might Have Estrogen Dominance
The overlooked hormone imbalance that could be behind your bloating, mood swings, heavy periods, and more.
Estrogen often gets the spotlight in conversations about women’s health—and for good reason. It’s a powerhouse hormone that influences everything from your menstrual cycle to your mood, skin, bones, and brain. But while estrogen is essential, too much of it relative to other hormones—especially progesterone—can lead to what’s called estrogen dominance.
And here’s the problem: many women are living with symptoms of estrogen dominance and don’t even know it.
This blog will walk you through what estrogen dominance is, why it happens, and how to recognize the signs. Because understanding your hormonal patterns is the first step toward true hormonal balance.
What Is Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen dominance doesn’t necessarily mean you have excessive estrogen. It means you have too much estrogen in relation to progesterone, your other key reproductive hormone.
In a healthy cycle, estrogen rises in the first half (follicular phase), then progesterone rises after ovulation (luteal phase) to balance it out. The two hormones work together like yin and yang.
But when progesterone is too low, or estrogen is too high, that balance is lost—leading to an estrogen-dominant state.
Why Does This Matter?
Estrogen stimulates growth: of the uterine lining, breast tissue, fat cells, and even certain types of cancer cells. Progesterone regulates that growth, calms the nervous system, and promotes stability.
When estrogen dominates unchecked, it can contribute to:
Heavier, more painful periods
PMS and mood swings
Fatigue or anxiety
Fibroids, endometriosis, or breast tenderness
Hormonal weight gain
Left unaddressed, chronic estrogen dominance can also increase the risk of hormone-sensitive conditions like breast, ovarian, or endometrial cancer.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance
You don’t need to have all of these, but if several resonate, your body may be giving you clues.
Cycle and Reproductive Symptoms
Heavy or clotty periods
Short cycles (less than 26 days)
Irregular or painful periods
Sore, swollen, or fibrocystic breasts
Spotting between periods
Worsening PMS or PMDD symptoms
Low libido or painful sex
Trouble getting or staying pregnant
Mood and Mental Health
Irritability or mood swings, especially premenstrually
Anxiety or inner restlessness
Brain fog or memory issues
Sleep disturbances, especially in the luteal phase
Weight and Metabolism
Weight gain, especially around the hips, thighs, or belly
Difficulty losing weight despite healthy habits
Water retention or bloating
Skin and Hair
Adult acne (especially around chin or jawline)
Oily skin
Thinning hair or hair loss
Cellulite that worsens with cycle changes
Other Clues
Headaches or migraines (especially before your period)
Fatigue that worsens in the second half of your cycle
Cold hands and feet (possible thyroid involvement)
History of hormonal birth control or environmental toxin exposure
What Causes Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen dominance isn’t just about your ovaries making too much estrogen—it’s often about how your body processes, eliminates, or balances it. Several root causes can contribute:
1. Anovulatory Cycles
If you don’t ovulate, you don’t make progesterone. This is common in:
Teenagers with immature cycles
Women on hormonal birth control
Those with PCOS or hypothalamic amenorrhea
Perimenopausal women
Estrogen continues to rise, but without progesterone to oppose it, symptoms intensify.
2. Chronic Stress
Stress raises cortisol, which can “steal” from progesterone production (a phenomenon known as pregnenolone steal). Chronically low progesterone = relative estrogen dominance.
3. Hormonal Birth Control
Most forms of hormonal birth control suppress ovulation and replace natural progesterone with synthetic progestins, which don’t provide the same calming or balancing effects. When women come off the pill, they may experience a rebound effect—where estrogen spikes but progesterone is still lagging behind.
4. Poor Liver Function
Your liver is responsible for breaking down and eliminating excess estrogen. If liver detox pathways are sluggish due to nutrient deficiencies, alcohol, medications, or toxin overload, estrogen can recirculate instead of exiting the body.
5. Gut Health Imbalances
Your gut microbiome plays a key role in estrogen metabolism. A disrupted gut or constipation can lead to reabsorption of estrogen through the enterohepatic circulation—further contributing to dominance.
6. Environmental Estrogens (Xenoestrogens)
Plastics (like BPA), parabens in skincare, pesticides, and even tap water can introduce estrogen-like compounds into your system. These fake estrogens can bind to estrogen receptors and mimic or amplify estrogen’s effects.
How to Confirm It
While symptom tracking is a powerful first step, testing can provide more clarity.
Serum (blood) hormone tests can show estrogen and progesterone levels—but are best interpreted mid-luteal phase (about 5–7 days after ovulation).
DUTCH hormone testing (a dried urine test) provides detailed insight into how your body metabolizes estrogen, along with cortisol, DHEA, and progesterone levels.
Always work with a practitioner who understands hormonal rhythm, not just static numbers.
What Can You Do If You Suspect Estrogen Dominance?
The good news is that your body wants to return to balance—and there are many ways to support that process.
1. Support Liver Function
Eat cruciferous vegetables daily (broccoli, kale, cauliflower)
Drink plenty of water and limit alcohol
Consider supplements like DIM or calcium-D-glucarate (with professional guidance)
2. Support Healthy Elimination
Aim for daily bowel movements
Increase fiber (flax, chia, leafy greens)
Address gut issues like bloating or dysbiosis
3. Manage Stress
Practice breathwork, meditation, or nervous system regulation
Prioritize sleep and restorative movement
Consider adaptogens like ashwagandha or rhodiola (if appropriate)
4. Balance Blood Sugar
Eat protein and fat with every meal
Avoid long gaps between meals
Minimize blood sugar spikes that disrupt hormone signaling
5. Encourage Ovulation
Track your cycle with basal body temperature or LH test strips
Focus on nutrient-dense foods that support hormone production (zinc, B6, magnesium)
Avoid overexercising or under-eating
Final Thoughts: Your Body Is Communicating With You
Estrogen dominance isn’t a life sentence—and it doesn’t mean your body is broken. It means your internal feedback system is signaling that something is out of sync.
By understanding the signs and addressing the root causes, you can restore your natural rhythm and feel like yourself again.
So if you’ve been told your heavy periods, mood swings, or fatigue are “just part of being a woman”—know this: they’re not. They’re clues. And you deserve to understand what they mean.
Your body is incredibly wise. Let it guide you—not just through symptom management, but toward deeper balance and long-term health.
