How To Lower Estrogen in Men?

Estrogen is a sex hormone commonly associated with women, but it’s produced in men’s bodies as well.

This isn’t usually a problem. In fact, it plays an important role in your overall health.

But an abundance of estrogen in men leads to hormonal imbalances, which can cause a variety of issues, from decreased libido to weight gain, and even infertility.

Thankfully, if you do have high estrogen or low testosterone levels, there are plenty of things you can do to restore balance naturally.

And that’s exactly what we’ll take a look at here.

We’ll see why sex hormone levels can change and what signs and symptoms to look out for. We’ll also tell you how you can reduce estrogen production and boost low testosterone levels for better physical, mental, and sexual wellbeing.

Let’s kick things off by looking at what exactly estrogen is and what normal levels are for men.

What is estrogen?

Estrogen is often viewed as a purely female hormone. But it actually plays a role in both male and female reproductive systems.

In males, estrogen is produced in small amounts by the testes, adrenal glands, and fat tissue. Although it’s not as prevalent as testosterone, estrogen still helps regulate various physiological processes in the male body.

Bone health

One of the key roles of estrogen in men is to regulate bone density, prevent bone loss, and maintain good bone health. By aiding the growth and maturation of bone cells, it also ensures you have good bone strength. An estrogen deficiency can even contribute to bone-related conditions like osteoporosis.

Fat distribution

Excess estrogen is linked with how and where fat is distributed in your body. Low levels in males can lead to increased fat accumulation, particularly around the stomach and chest – including gynecomastia (which is also known as “man boobs”).

Sexual function

Along with testosterone, estrogen is involved in male reproductive function and libido. An estrogen imbalance can affect the libido and potentially decrease your sex drive.

Cognitive function

It’s not just your body that’s impacted by estrogen, your brain is too. By modulating the neurotransmitters responsible for cognitive and emotional processes, such as dopamine receptors, estrogen can affect your mood, behavior, and overall cognitive function.

Cardiovascular health

Estrogen can also play a role in cardiovascular health and regulating cholesterol levels in men. Low estrogen has even been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

How to reduce high estrogen levels in men

While it’s all well and good knowing the causes and symptoms of having high estrogen as a man, knowing how to reduce them is what will make all the difference to your health, fitness, and all-round wellbeing.

Raising low testosterone levels is a great way to counteract excess estrogen release, as this balances your hormones out to healthy levels.

Fortunately, there are plenty of lifestyle changes you can make to enhance testosterone and lower estrogen naturally. Here are the best places to start.

Nutrition

• Enjoy a balanced diet: Focus on a healthy diet that’s rich in whole foods, such as lean proteins, fruits, cruciferous vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
• Limit processed foods: It’s not just about eating more unprocessed foods, you also need to reduce your intake of processed foods. These are usually extremely high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, all of which can contribute to hormonal imbalances.
• Increase fiber intake: Consuming fiber-rich foods can aid in estrogen metabolism and elimination. So make sure to include plenty of fibrous fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts in your diet.
• Eat phytoestrogen-rich foods: Certain plant-based foods contain natural compounds called phytoestrogens that can help modulate your levels of estrogen. Some great examples include flaxseeds, soy products, legumes, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage.

Exercise

• Stay active: Regular physical exercise, including resistance training and cardiovascular exercises, can help with lowering estrogen levels and reducing testosterone deficiency. Aim for a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training several times a week.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Excess fat can increase estrogen production, so maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and good dietary choices can help you restore balance.

Stress management

• Practice stress reduction techniques: As mentioned above, chronic stress can disrupt your natural hormone balance. Try partaking in regular stress-reducing activities like meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and yoga or engaging in fun or relaxing hobbies to help manage your stress levels.

Supplementation

• Testosterone boosters: Supplements that contain ingredients like fenugreek, zinc, ginseng, ashwagandha, and DAA (D-aspartic acid) are a quick and easy way to increase your body’s production of testosterone naturally and restore balance as you age.

Although estrogen levels in men are typically much lower than in women, any imbalances, either high or low, can have negative effects on male health and wellbeing.

So, what constitutes normal levels of estrogen in men?

What are normal estrogen levels in men?

Estrogen levels in men are typically much lower than they are in women.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the average male should have between 10 to 40 picograms of estradiol (a type of estrogen) per milliliter of blood. In comparison, we have roughly 300 to 1,200 nanograms of testosterone per milliliter of blood.

Estrogen excess in men is also known as estrogen dominance, and it can have several potential consequences.

Symptoms of high estrogen in males can include infertility, reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decreased sperm production, mood changes, increased body fat (particularly around the abdomen), and enlargement of breast tissue.

Another issue with high levels of estrogen is that it often coincides with a decrease in testosterone.

Estrogen and testosterone have a delicate balance in the male body, so when it’s thrown off, your libido, muscle mass, and bone density can suffer.

Elevated estrogen in men can also increase the risk of developing certain health issues. 

Potential links have been found between raised estrogen and an increased risk of prostate cancer and male breast cancer, as well as contributing to insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes.

So what causes estrogen levels to rise or testosterone levels to dip in the first place?

What are the causes of high estrogen in men?

Various things can contribute to an abundance of estrogen in men, including hormonal imbalances and lifestyle factors. Here are some of the most common underlying causes.

Hormonal imbalances

A hormone imbalance can occur for a variety of reasons, such as age-related changes or certain medical conditions.

For example, as men age, testosterone levels naturally decline, but estrogen may remain the same or even increase. This hormonal shift can lead to an imbalance and result in elevated estrogen levels.

Obesity

Obesity is strongly associated with increased estrogen in men, as fat cells contain an enzyme called aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen. So, excess fat can lead to higher amounts of estrogen in the body.

Adipose tissue also secretes hormones called adipokines, which can further stimulate estrogen production and exacerbate the problem further.

Medications

As well as medical conditions, certain medications can interfere with estrogen in men too.

For example, medications that block testosterone production or ones used in the treatment of prostate cancer can lead to higher levels of estrogen being produced.

Environmental factors

Exposure to environmental toxins like xenoestrogens can contribute to high estrogen in men.

Xenoestrogens are chemicals found in certain plastics, pesticides, and industrial pollutants.

These substances can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. As their molecular structure is so similar to estrogen, they can actually bind to estrogen receptors, leading to an increase in estrogen synthesis.

Alcohol

Regular or heavy alcohol consumption can interfere with your liver's ability to metabolize estrogen effectively, which can result in higher estrogen levels in the body.

Unhealthy diet

If your diet is high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats— your estrogen levels can rise.

Poor dietary choices can also lead to increased insulin levels and inflammation, both of which can disrupt your hormonal balance and enhance estrogen dominance.

Stress

As well as being bad for your brain, body, and overall wellbeing, chronic stress can disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system, leading to a hormone imbalance.

Elevated stress levels can also increase the production of cortisol, which can interfere with proper hormone regulation—including estrogen levels—causing them to be produced and released in higher amounts.

But how do you even know if your hormones are out of balance in the first place? 

Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms that you should watch out for.

What happens if you have too much estrogen?

High estrogen levels in men can result in various health concerns—some physical, some psychological.

The physical effects of high estrogen in men

Gynecomastia

Excessive estrogen can lead to the development of gynecomastia, a condition characterized by the growth of more breast tissue in men and that is often referred to as ‘man boobs’.

This can cause breast enlargement and tenderness, potentially leading to discomfort as well as body image concerns.

Decreased libido and sexual function

As high estrogen levels tend to interfere with testosterone production, the imbalance can often result in decreased libido.

As well as reduced sexual desire, these hormone changes can also contribute to erectile dysfunction and even affect fertility and sperm production.

Fatigue

Hormonal disruptions, including elevated estrogen, can lead to persistent fatigue and low energy levels.

These symptoms might not sound like much at first, but they can negatively impact day-to-day activities as well as your overall quality of life.

Muscle loss

Testosterone is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and strength. So an estrogen imbalance can lead to muscle loss and physical weakness in men.

When estrogen in the body rises, testosterone levels can decrease, leading to muscle wasting and reduced physical performance.

Increased body fat

High estrogen often leads to the accumulation of excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen and chest areas. 

This weight gain can further exacerbate any hormonal imbalances—so it’s a vicious cycle that you don’t want to get trapped in.

Decreased bone density

Estrogen plays a significant role in maintaining healthy bone density in men. So, when your estrogen levels are imbalanced, it can lead to reduced bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

The psychological effects of high estrogen in men

Mood changes

Hormonal imbalances, including high estrogen levels, can result in mood swings, irritability, and increased emotional sensitivity.

Men with low testosterone but raised estrogen may also experience feelings of anxiety, depression, or a general sense of being overwhelmed.

Cognitive difficulties

Increased estrogen in men is also associated with cognitive impairments, such as difficulties with memory, concentration, and cognitive processing speed.

Decreased motivation

Imbalanced sex hormone levels can contribute to a decrease in motivation and drive.

Addressing high estrogen in men is crucial to minimize these negative physical and psychological impacts.

How to increase testosterone levels naturally

The relationship between estrogen and testosterone in men is complex. But getting the balance right between the two is important for you physically, mentally, and sexually.

As we’ve seen, an imbalance in your hormone levels has various biological effects. If your testosterone levels are too low or your estrogen levels too high, you may experience symptoms such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, infertility, mood changes, weight gain, loss of muscle mass, and fatigue.

So being able to easily restore some balance is imperative if you want to stay fit and healthy. One of the best ways to do this is with a testosterone-boosting supplement.

That’s exactly what TestoPrime does: Increasing the production and release of testosterone within your body safely and naturally – without having to resort to synthetic hormones or other testosterone treatment options.

Each capsule is packed full of testosterone-enhancing ingredients like DAA, Panax ginseng, zinc, fenugreek, and ashwagandha.

Plus there’s green tea, pomegranate, and additional vitamins and minerals for an extra health boost and to further help balance and maintain your hormone levels.

If you want a simple way to raise testosterone, reduce estrogen, and see big improvements to your physical and sexual wellness, then TestoPrime has got you covered. Go get some.