How To Control Estrogen In Men

How To Control Estrogen In Men

For many men, dealing with high estrogen levels can be a real challenge. Estrogen is a hormone that is present in both men and women, but women typically have more estrogen than men. 

And while it has essential functions in men as well, when estrogen levels get too high, it can lead to a number of problems. 

Fortunately, there are a number of things that men can do to control their estrogen levels. In this blog post, we’re going to discuss some of the most effective strategies for controlling estrogen in men. We’ll cover everything from the dangers of estrogen dominance to the best ways to boost testosterone levels. By the end of this post, you should have a good understanding of how to keep your estrogen levels in check.

How Does Estrogen Impact Men's Health?

Estrogen is a naturally occurring hormone in both men and women. It is responsible for the development of the female reproductive system, as well as other aspects of a woman's health. However, estrogen also plays an important role in men's health. 

For instance, its role on bone mass, fat distribution, libido, and even mood are important for both sexes.

Cardiovascular risk is another area where estrogen has been linked with men's health. Studies have shown that high levels of estrogen in men can be associated with a decreased risk of developing heart disease, and stroke, explaining why women have a lower risk of these ailments before menopause.

Worst of all is a scenario by which a man's estrogen levels become too high, leading to a condition known as “estrogen dominance”.

This needs to be avoided at all costs, as it can lead to a cascade of other complications on health which we will discuss now.

The Dangers Of Estrogen Dominance

Many of the dangers of estrogen dominance relate to high levels of estrogen combined with low levels of testosterone. This can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including:

1. Weakened bones. One of the most common dangers of estrogen dominance in men is osteoporosis. This is because estrogen helps to keep bones strong and healthy. When there's an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone, bones can become weak and frail. If you suffer from osteoporosis, you're at an increased risk for fractures and breaks.

2. Low libido. If you're suffering from low libido, it could be a sign of estrogen dominance. This is because testosterone is responsible for maintaining a healthy sex drive. When testosterone levels are low, libido often suffers as a result.

3. Erectile Dysfunction- Estrogen dominance can also lead to erectile dysfunction in men. This is because, in addition to blood flow, testosterone also regulates nerve signaling in the penis. If there's an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen, erections can become difficult to maintain.

4. Enlarged Breast Tissue. Another danger of estrogen dominance in men is the development of enlarged breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia. This happens when breast tissue begins to grow under the influence of an excess of estrogen in the body. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the excess tissue.

5. Mood swings and depression. Estrogen dominance can also lead to mood swings and depression in men. This is because hormones play a big role in regulating mood. When there's an imbalance of hormones, it can lead to moodiness and even depression.

6. Fatigue. Lastly, one of the dangers of estrogen dominance in men is fatigue. This is because testosterone plays a big role in energy production. When testosterone levels are low, it can lead to fatigue and decreased energy levels. If you're feeling tired all the time, it's important to talk to your doctor so that they can run some tests to see if hormone therapy could help increase your energy levels

The Causes Of High Estrogen

Its important to realize that high estrogen is not a normal condition in men. In most cases, it is caused by environmental and lifestyle factors. Some of the common causes include:

Obesity

Body fat acts as a factory for producing estrogen. If you are overweight, it can lead to higher levels of the hormone in your body. In particular, an enzyme known as aromatase is responsible for converting testosterone into estrogen. This enzyme occurs abundantly in fat cells, which is why more fat equates to more estrogen prodiuction.

Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol consumption can also lead to higher levels of estrogen in men. This is because alcohol leads to an increase in the enzyme aromatase, which we mentioned earlier. Alcohol can also reduce the liver’s ability to process and remove excess estrogen from the body.

Then, there's the likelihood that depending on what type of drink you're having, you might be exposed to phytoestrogens, like the hops used to make beer.

Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that can act like estrogen in the body. When consumed, they can increase levels of the hormone in your bloodstream.

Age

An aging body is actually the perfect storm to cause high estrogen levels in men. With age, testosterone production naturally decreases while aromatase activity (and bodyfat) increases. This means that older men are more likely to have higher levels of the hormone than their younger counterparts.

This is also why maintaining lean muscle mass is so important as you get older. Muscle has the opposite effect of fat when it comes to hormones, meaning that more muscle can lead to a decrease in estrogen levels.

Diet

Your diet can also have an impact on your hormones. Eating too much processed and refined foods or sugary snacks is a recipe for disaster when it comes to estrogen levels. This is because these types of food contain excess amounts of xenoestrogens, which are chemicals that act like the hormone in the body.

These chemicals are also found in many everyday items such as plastics, lotion, and even sunscreen. When consumed in excess, they can disrupt your hormones and cause higher levels of estrogen.

In conclusion, high estrogen levels in men can be dangerous and have serious health implications if left untreated.

Diet can also inadvertently expose us to phytoestrogens as well, such as soy based products and even many innocuous types of fruits and vegetables, depending on the farming methods used.

How To Keep Estrogen Levels In Check

With a little deliberate effort, its not very difficult to get a hold of runaway estrogen. Here are some proven ways to do just that.

Resistance Exercise

As men age, their bodies begin to produce more estrogen. This can lead to a number of health problems, including weight gain, diminished muscle mass, and decreased libido. One way to help control estrogen levels is to lift weights regularly. Weightlifting helps to increase testosterone production, which in turn helps to reduce estrogen levels.

In addition, lifting weights helps to maintain muscle mass and prevents age-related fat gain. As a result, regular weightlifting can be an effective way for men to control estrogen levels and improve their overall health.

Eat More Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are a group of plants that includes broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. These vegetables are known for their high levels of vitamins and minerals, as well as their cancer-fighting properties. Research has also shown that cruciferous vegetables can also help to lower estrogen levels in men.

I3C, otherwise known asindole-3-carbinol, is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables that helps to prevent the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. To be specific, it is classified as a natural anti-aromatatse agent, which is just what you need to limit how much testosterone is converted into estrogen.

DIM, or 3,3’-diindolylmethane is a metabolite of I3C another compound found in these vegetables that works to block the effects of estrogen in the body. The majority of I3C is converted into DIM before it becomes biologically active.

When these compounds are consumed, they can help to reduce estrogen levels and keep them within a healthy range. In addition to eating more cruciferous vegetables, men can also take supplements that contain I3C and DIIM.

If you find it difficult to consume these cruciferous veggies on a daily basis, a high quality superfood powder such as Field Of Greens to ensure you get all the benefits on a daily basis.

Ditch The Plastic

Ever since the development of reusable plastic containers, they have become a mainstay of our everyday lives. From the containers we store food in and the water bottles we drink from, to the packaging that our food comes in.

Unfortunately, these plastics are often made with chemical compounds that can disrupt hormones and lead to higher estrogen levels in men.

One way to protect yourself is to ditch the plastic and opt for glass instead. Glass containers are much less likely to contain the chemicals that can lead to higher estrogen level quite frequently, BPA.

Work On Reducing Stress

Here it goes again. Stress. Virtually, the number one cause of every problem in the human body. The same applies when it comes to hormone balance and a reduction of estrogen levels in men.

Stress can cause your body to produce more cortisol, which is another hormone that can also lead to an increase in estrogen production.

And while its easy to say you should just reduce stress, understand how it helps goes a far way.

In this instance, it relates to another important hormone, progesterone.

Progesterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) both have a regulatory action on estrogen. And as it turns out, progesterone is a necessary precursor to cortisol , meaning if your body is producing excessive cortisol, it will be depleted of progesterone.

So finding ways to manage stress is paramount when it comes to controlling estrogen levels in men. That could mean yoga, meditation, breathing exercises or simply developing a good sleep routine.

Fix Your Gut

Gut health should be one of your primary concerns when it comes to managing your hormones. We all know the role of probiotic cultures in digestion and immune health, but there's more.

Not only does optimal microbiome health help manage estrogen levels, but they can favorably affect testosterone levels as well.

Plus, the impact they can have on lowering cortisol is absolutely massive. This is lowing to the feedback of the vagus nerve which innervates the stomach and runs all the way to the brain.

Ever felt the impact of a nervous stomach on your mental wellbeing? This is why.

Final Words

While estrogen occurs naturally and has important functions to play in the male body, it can easily get out of control given the chance.

It is essential that you life a wholesome lifestyle, including regular exercise and avoidance of a diet that can harm your hormone balance.

It’s time to get control of your hormones, and the steps outlined here are a great place to start.