Understanding Estrogen in Men: While estrogen is often thought of as the “female” sex hormone, men also produce estrogen in their bodies. The main estrogen hormone in men is estradiol. Estradiol plays a key role in important bodily functions in men such as bone health, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and libido.
So, while testosterone gets more attention as the “male hormone,” estrogen levels also impact key aspects of men’s health. Maintaining the right balance between estrogens and androgens like testosterone is important for overall well-being in men.
Too Little or Too Much Estrogen: Health Impacts
If estrogen levels in men get too high or too low, it can cause troublesome symptoms and health issues. Some potential effects include:
- Low libido and erectile dysfunction
- Decreased bone density leading to osteoporosis risk
- Impaired sperm production
- Increased body fat and gynecomastia (male breast tissue growth)
- Cardiovascular problems like heart disease and stroke
- Cognitive issues like trouble concentrating or memory loss
- Mood changes like depression or irritability
As you can see, imbalanced estrogen levels in men can significantly impact both physical and mental health. If you have symptoms of excess estrogen, an estrogen blocker can help.
Causes of Estrogen Imbalance in Men
There are several potential causes of abnormally high or low estrogen levels in men:
- Natural aging process and dropping testosterone – As men age, testosterone levels decline while estrogen levels remain stable or rise due to increased body fat and aromatase enzyme activity. This altered ratio can cause low T and elevated estrogen symptoms.
- Obesity – Excess adipose (fat) tissue in obese men promotes more conversion of androgens like testosterone into estrogen via the aromatase enzyme.
- Medications – Certain prescription drugs like antidepressants, heart medications, and ulcer drugs can artificially raise estrogen. Anabolic steroid abuse can also disrupt normal hormonal balance.
- Environmental estrogens – Chemical estrogens like BPA from plastics, pesticides, and parabens in beauty products can potentially impact male hormone levels. However, more research is still needed on their effects.
- Health conditions – Certain tumors, chronic diseases like liver disease or kidney failure, and hormone disorders like hypogonadism or hyperthyroidism can significantly alter the male estrogen-androgen balance.
Restoring Healthy Estrogen Balance Naturally
If men suspect their estrogen levels are too high or too low, there are some natural ways they may be able to restore balance:
- Losing excess weight through diet and exercise if overweight. This reduces aromatase enzyme production in fat cells. Even a 5-10% reduction in body weight can help restore hormone balance. Simple lifestyle changes like daily walks and cutting refined carbs are easy ways to start losing weight.
- Reducing alcohol, which can decrease testosterone over time. Heavy alcohol consumption has been directly linked to lower testosterone production. Limiting alcohol to 1-2 drinks per day or fewer allows testosterone levels to rebound.
- Managing stress through relaxing activities since high cortisol and stress hormones interfere with healthy testosterone. Yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and vacations can lower stress and regulate hormones. Setting aside time each day to unwind helps keep cortisol spikes in check long-term.
- Supplements like zinc and vitamin D may help normalize male hormones. Taking an estrogen blocker will also improve vitality and energy levels, and help with muscle fullness during training. Find one you like and get it quickly through Amazon.
- Eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage that contain indole-3-carbinol, a compound that helps metabolize estrogens. Be careful about eating too many cruciferous vegetables if you have low thyroid, as it can make thyroid function worse.
If hormone imbalance symptoms are severe or don’t improve from trying natural methods, consulting a doctor about testing and treatment is wise. Prescription-strength estrogen blockers or testosterone therapy may be options a physician can explore.
