Article overview
How Estrogen Works
The first phase of the menstrual cycle is called the follicular phase. Throughout a woman’s life her ovaries contain thousands of follicles, and these follicles contain eggs. The pituitary gland begins releasing Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. The release of FSH signals some of the follicles in the ovary to begin maturing. As the follicles begin maturing they release an increasing amount of the hormone estrogen. The rising estrogen level signals the pituitary gland to curb release of FSH. Estrogen levels continue to rise and signal the pituitary gland to release Lutenizing Hormone (LH). LH surges, signaling the follicle to open and release the mature egg, this is ovulation. This is the ovulatory phase. Estrogen levels peak during this time, progesterone begins to increase.
The closed follicle produces the corpus luteum. This phase is called the Luteal phase. The corpus luteum produces progesterone. Both estrogen and progesterone stimulate the uterine lining to thicken. Estrogen remains relatively high, though progesterone levels gradually increase in preparation for fertilization. If the egg is not fertilized, it gradually disintegrates, no longer producing progesterone and estrogen declines. This stimulates the uterine lining to shed, starting a new menstrual cycle.
Types of Estrogen: Natural & Synthetic
As more and more couples are diagnosed with infertility, more questions arise about estrogen’s role in infertility. With the advancement of science and technology, we have come to learn that there are human-made chemical toxins in our environment, known as endocrine disruptors. Some of these endocrine disruptors are called xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens bind to our estrogen receptor sites, producing an estrogenic affect. And then there are phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are compounds found in plants, that also have the ability to bind to estrogen receptor sites and mimic our natural endogenous estrogens. Phytoestrogens have been shown to have a weaker estrogenic effect than our own endogenous estrogens, or xenoestrogens.
Endogenous Estrogen
These are natural estrogen’s our bodies produce. These are steroid hormones.
- Estrone (E1)– Estrone is more related to menopause. During the development of the reproductive stage and during reproductive phase for females, estrone is relatively low. It becomes higher during menopause. Estrone is produced by the ovaries and adipose tissue (fat).
- Estradiol (E2)– Estradiol is produced primarily by the follicles and corpus luteum in the ovaries. This estrogen is the most potent and abundant. Its main action is the involvement in development of secondary sex characteristics, and the menstrual cycle. For example, secondary sex characteristics for female humans would be the enlargement of breasts.
- Estriol (E3)– This is also known as estriol. This is produced during pregnancy by the placenta.
Xenoestrogens
These are a subclass of endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors, also known as xenohormones, are human-made chemicals. These chemicals have the ability to interfere with the natural functions and development of our bodies. The main function of the endocrine system is to serve as our body’s message center. Hormones deliver messages, the endocrine system coordinates hormones.
Xenoestrogens have the ability to bind to our estrogen receptor sites; disrupting the function of the endocrine system. Not only can they mimic our natural hormones, but they can block other hormones from binding to receptor sites.
All xenohormones are endocrine disruptors. They can alter how natural hormones are produced, metabolized and eliminated.
Common known substances that have demonstrated estrogen mimicking effects on animals (including humans).
- Atrazine (weed killer)
- Butylated hydroxyanisole known as BHA (food preservative)
- 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor known as 4-MBC (sunscreen lotions)
- Erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3, (food dye)
- Bisphenol A known as BPA (found in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin)
- Ethinylestradiol (combined oral contraceptive pill, this is released into the environment as a xenoestrogen through the urine and feces of women who use this contraception)
- Heptachlor and dieldrin, DDT (insecticides)
You may be thinking that DDT was banned in our country years ago, but it is not in other countries. Human-made chemical toxins impact us all; they are passed through our water, air, soil and food system. No matter where you live on this planet, you are impacted by this. In the United States alone, approximately 87,000 new synthetic chemicals have been produced since the 1940’s. Less than 3% of these chemicals have been tested for hormone disrupting properties.
Xenoestrogens are most commonly stored and concentrated in the fat cells in our bodies and other animals. This is important when considering how much fatty, non-organic meats you eat. Xenoestrogens are more concentrated in fatty meat products. As they move up the food chain, they become more concentrated. These endocrine disruptors are all around us. Xenoestrogens come from chemical pollution via plastics, body care products, household cleaning products, feminine care products, pesticides, herbicides, paint fumes, and petrochemicals.
Phytoestrogens
These are found in many plant foods we consume daily; seeds, beans, grains and in many medicinal plants. Phytoestrogens are not true estrogen, but they may have a similar action to our own endogenous estrogens. Phytoestrogens exert weaker estrogenic effects on cells, compared to endogenous estrogens, or xenoestrogens. Phytoestrogens have been shown to have an anti-estrogenic effect premenopausally. They do this by competing for hormone receptor sites. If they bind to the estrogen receptor sites first, they actively block xenohormones from binding. This occupies the receptor sites with less estrogenic phytoestrogens, which protects the receptor sites from much stronger xenohormones.
The most important question that came to my mind, when I learned the above information was, “How are phytoestrogens good for us when they are also blocking our own good endogenous estrogen?” The answer lies in xenohormones. Most natural health care practitioners will agree, it is best to protect our estrogen receptor sites from chemical xenoestrogens through eating a whole food, nutrient dense diet naturally rich in phytoestrogens. We live in a time unlike any other for humanity. Humans, hundreds-to-thousands of years ago, did not have to deal with xenohormones like we do today.
In menopausal and post-menopausal women, estrogen naturally declines as the ovaries move into a resting phase. Studies have shown that populations that ate greater amounts of phytoestrogens, had women who were menopausal that had sustained bone density, fewer menopausal symptoms, and a lower incidence of breast cancer.
Types of phytoestrogens in order of strength
- Isoflavones– most commonly found in soy. Other sources are Red Clover, Alfalfa. Isoflavones are often found in the legume family, Fabacea. Because of the way soy products are produced, marketed and sold, we feel that soy products in the diet contain concentrated forms of phytoestrogens, which may lead to estrogen dominance.
- Lignans– most commonly found in flax and sesame seeds.
- Flavanoids– powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects, with weak estrogenic effects. Found in most yellow, red, purple and black fruits. Found in Royal Jelly as well.
- Coumestrol– found in high concentrations of sprouted soy and red clover.
Note: It is important to know that in order for phytoestrogens to be metabolized by the body properly, healthy intestinal flora is essential. Be sure that you are also consuming healthy pre-biotics, and probiotics such as fermented foods like kimchi, saurkraut, kombucha, yogurt, and kefir.
What About Estrogen Dominance or Low Estrogen?
Estrogen dominance can happen for many reasons:
- Commercially raised meats and dairy contain large amounts of estrogens and consuming them can cause hormonal imbalance.
- Pollution and stress mimic estrogen at the estrogen receptor sites.
- Eating a large amount of processed soy products can also mimic estrogen.
- PCOS and endometriosis can also have an estrogen dominate action.
Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance
Symptoms of Low Estrogen
When you compare both lists, it can be confusing; this is because many of the same symptoms of estrogen dominance are the same, or similar to low estrogen. Many women who are estrogen dominant are also progesterone deficient. If you suspect any hormonal imbalance, you may want to talk to your doctor about hormone testing. It is extremely hard to solve fertility issues, if you are not exactly sure if the fertility issue is hormone related or not. If you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year, hormone testing may help determine if there is an imbalance.
Natural Therapies for Estrogen Balance
Tips for Balanced Estrogen: Part 1
Fertility Cleansing
The Fertility Cleanse is a special cleanse that uses specific herbs, foods, and techniques to help your body to detoxify the body and uterus prior to becoming pregnant.
Tips for Balanced Estrogen: Part 2
The liver is responsible for hormone metabolization, and excretion via bile. If we are unable to metabolize and excrete hormones properly, they will stay in our body and be stored in our fat cells. Exercise helps to reduce fat in the body and promotes natural cleansing through sweat. Most toxins are stored in our liver, kidneys and fat cells. In addition, sweating and drinking plenty of water during the Fertility Cleansing phase is essential to complete removal of toxins/excess hormones. Consider sauna, hot baths, aerobic exercise. Rinse the body with cold water after sweating. Drink plenty of clean filtered water in glass, ceramic, or stainless-steel containers.
Avoid Exposure to Xenohormones
- Eat Organic: What you ingest daily has the greatest impact on your exposure to xenohormones. Organic foods are raised and grown without the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, and are often raised ethically and humanely. Foods that contain the most xenohormones are conventionally raised meats, dairy products and processed foods. Choose organic whole foods when possible.
Avoid Plastics: Plastics leach xenoestrogens into our food, water and bodies. Never heat your food in plastics. When plastics are heated they release xenoestrogens directly into your food, in more concentrated levels, which mimic estrogen in the body. Choose glass or stainless steel storage containers, pots, and pans!
Use Natural Feminine Care Products: Most feminine care products contains tons of xenohormones. This is because they are made up of human-made chemicals including: polyester, polypropylene, propylethylene, and dioxin. These are all known endocrine disruptors. There are many natural options available!
Use Natural, Organic body products: Most conventional body products contain a wide variety of xenohormones, including chemical preservatives, fragrance and dyes.
Choose Organic Gardening and Yard Care Practices: This is one of the best ways to avoid pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and herbicides. You will also be protecting the environment from xenohormones when you choose organic practices.
Consume Adequate Amounts of Fiber and Phytoestrogen Foods
Eat fiber with each meal to help keep the blood sugar levels balanced. Fiber also removes excess estrogens from the body. Good sources of fiber are vegetables, beans, seeds (especially flax and sesame), nuts, and whole grains. Phytoestrogens are found most often in the legume family, which is the bean family. Consume beans, seeds, sprouted foods, and whole grains. Phytoestrogens can also be found in herbs such as Red Clover, Alfalfa and Licorice Rt. Drinking daily herbal infusions of these herbs may aid in estrogen balance.
Consuming a whole food nutrient dense diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, dark leafy green vegetables and herbs, as well as minimal organic meat and dairy consumption, has been found to be very beneficial for fertility health.
Learn More About the Benefits of DIM
DIM may be one of the easiest and best ways to promote healthy estrogen balance. DIM, which stands for diindolylmethane, comes from the plant chemical I3C, short for indole-3-carbinol. DIM stimulates the body to metabolize bad estrogens, not your good ones. For estrogen to be modified into its final form before passing out of the body (removal) it has to be combined with oxygen for aerobic metabolism. DIM increases specific aerobic metabolism for estrogen, this in turn multiplies the chance for estrogen to be broken down into good beneficial estrogen metabolites (2-hydroxy estrogen). When the good estrogen metabolites are increased by the DIM, this creates a reduction in bad estrogen (16-hydroxy estrogen) which have the potential to cause cancers, endometriosis, uterine fibroids. Good estrogen metabolites protect the heart and brain with antioxidant activity. Increased bad estrogen may be promoted by obesity and exposure to man-made environmental toxins. DIM promotes healthy estrogen metabolism. For DIM to be effective, it must be taken with food.
Royal Jelly for Hormonal Balance
Regular consumption of high-quality Royal Jelly has been shown to help balance hormones. Royal Jelly may be beneficial for those individuals that desire to promote hormonal balance, as it helps to provide support to the endocrine system. It may also help with problems that are related to hormonal imbalance. A study done in Japan and published in 2007 shows that Royal Jelly has the propensity to mimic human estrogen, which may help those that suffer from low estrogen levels. Estrogen is essential for healthy bone formation and healthy gene expression and is vital for a healthy menstrual cycle. Because Royal Jelly has the propensity to mimic estrogen, it is similar to phytoestrogens, which have been found to protect the body from xenohormones and estrogen dominance.
Support the Endocrine System with Maca
In women, maca aids the body by helping to control estrogen in the body. Estrogen levels that are high or low at the wrong time can keep a woman from becoming pregnant or keep her from carrying to term. Taking maca may help to increase the progesterone levels which are essential to carrying a healthy pregnancy.
Too much estrogen in men produces erectile dysfunction or lack of libido, low sperm count, and lowered production of seminal fluid. Men who use maca have been seen to have an increased libido and healthy sperm.
Maca is an adaptogen herb, that supports healthy endocrine system function, aiding both the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands (all involved in hormonal balance). Adaptogens increase resistance to mind-body stress and enhance overall vitality and health through non-specific endocrine (known as hormone/stress glands) support. Plants recognized as adaptogens help to normalize the bodies functions even during diseased states, are non-toxic, nutritive, and have been deemed safe for long term use.
Key Points to Remember
We must realize that we live in a time where there is more chemical pollution than at any other time in the history of humanity. Because of this, there are more fertility issues. In order to bring about balance, we must change the way we view life. Take control of your fertility through healthy lifestyle choices. In order to have balanced estrogen levels in the body, we must change how and what we consume. This means internally and externally. There is hope through change and awareness. There are many allies for estrogen balance; whole foods, herbs, bee products, and education!
Too learn more about related subjects covered in this article, please visit the following links:
Click here to learn more about Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) as mentioned in the beginning of this article.
Click here to learn more about Xenohormones, their effects on Fertility, and how to support your body from exposure.
“The next major advance in the health of the people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself.”
-John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation
- Blankespoor, J. (n.d.). Phytoestrogens Demystified. Retrieved from: https://chestnutherbs.com/phytoestrogens/
- Menstrual Cycle – Women’s Health Issues. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/menstrual-cycle
- Symptoms of Low Estrogen Levels. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.natural-hormones.net/estrogen-symptoms-low-levels.htm
- Estrone. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estrone
- Estrogen. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estrogen
Practicing natural health and herbalism for over 18 years, Dalene received her training and herbal certification under the guidance of Lynn Albers at Yarmony Mt. Herbal College in Colorado in 2000. She went on to become a Certified Birth Doula at Birthingway College of Midwifery in Portland, Oregon in 2007. As a Birth Doula, Dalene has helped to bring many new lives in to this world. Dalene has written 280+ fertility articles and with her vast array of herbal and holistic healing knowledge has helped 1000’s of women on their journey to Motherhood.
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Hello, how can someone who is said to have diminished ovarian reserve and his estrogen be nearing menopause? Low estrogen is characterized with menopause. Why does high estrogen connect to DOR? Basically I am having trouble understanding how a DOR patient can be estrogen dominant. They seem to be opposite issues. Would supplements that lower estrogen like women’s best friend for example be helpful for a DOR patient who does not want to be pushed into early menopause ?
Hello!
I think that we have guides that will be more helpful in explaining how and why diminished ovarian reserve happens when women aren’t yet near menopause. They are:
AMH, Ovarian Reserve, & Continued Follicle Production
Low AMH Levels: What Do They Really Mean For Fertility?
Women’s Best Friend isn’t our go-to for women with DOR. The guides above will share other tips.
I hope this is a helpful place to start clarifying what all this means!
Please help me: I have signs of estrogen dominance: fibro cystic mastopathy,
foggy thinking, hair loss, bloating, Increased blood clotting, Fertility issues(cant get pregnant for 10 years) I have regular periods. PMS. All tests are ok, estradiol 2 and progesteron, prolactin etc.And all hormones work right, except thyroid (hypothyroidism), sometimes I take Euthyrox 25.Very often I have candida, usually in the second half of my cycle(when smth go wrong with thyroid) it can also appear after taking vitamins or so. ( I have cervical erosion, once I did cryo freezing).Was monitoring my ovulation-doctors says I have dominant follicles and have ovulation. So what is the reason I cant get pregnant?
Dear Maryana,
I’m sorry you are dealing with all of this. Estrogen dominance and poor thyroid function can both be causes. We have two guides to explain how:
Solve Thyroid Problems Before Conceiving a Baby
Estrogen and Fertility – The Good, the Bad and the Necessity
I hope the guides I have shared have been helpful, but I can’t help but wonder if you may benefit from personalized support through a Fertility Consultation. By booking a Natural Fertility Consultation you will have access to: an herbalist who is assigned to you, answers to all of your questions, a detailed plan created specifically for you to get the best results with your Natural Fertility program.
My best!
My 16 yr old daughter not producing estrogen, Eats super healthy, lives healthy lifestyle that you suggest.She doesn’t eat soy due to GMOs. She had a head trauma that affected her pituitary gland. Doctors want to give her estrogen/progesterone pill that is the same amount each day. This does not fix to make estrogen, it may hurt her more with side affects(blood clots) or disrupting natural receptors?Any suggestions? We are trying to go the Natural way but I’m concerned about Bone health. Would Royal Jelly,Red clover, Maca help her at out right now? There’s a lot to say but maybe a few suggestions might help our path.
Dear Jennie,
I’m sorry to hear of this struggle for your daughter! What is going to be best is to seek the guidance of a naturopathic doctor near you. Rather than go this alone, the help of a practioner with whom your daughter can work one on one may be most helpful; a ND who specializes in working with teens and who can monitor her progress on a natural health program.
Working with women under the age of 18 is not our area of expertise per say. We share more of our views in our guide Herbs for Teen Reproductive Health: Steps for Healthy Choices.
Best wishes!
I was curious… would an estrogen dominance cause a delayed ovulation (i.e…day 17/18)? Is a day 17/18 ovulation even considered delayed? No hormones tested, but RE, OB, and acupuncturist are all focused on delayed ovulation as it’s later than day 14.
Dear Alyssa,
Estrogen dominance can contribute to a long menstrual cycle. If ovulation is delayed would depend on how long the entire cycle is. I can not dispute your practitioners, but can share that the usual range of a healthy cycle is between 21 and 35 days. Some women will have cycles that are very different from this, but as long as there is a pattern, regularity, a healthy body and the luteal phase (from ovulation until menstruation begins) is between 12-14 days many believe there should be no cause for concern.
I think I have lot of estrogen in my body. The first phase of my cycle is very short, almost a week. Then, ovulation and breast tenderness start right away. I am 42 and struggling with infertility from last 15 years. I have had no luck even with IVFs. During IVFs, doctors struggle to increase my first phase, eggs were picked on day 11 or 12, hormones peak too quickly and eggs also become very large quickly. I am looking for natural solution. Can you please help me. I had high prolactin, so I have been taking bromocriptine for the last three months. I am hypothyroid and taking hormones, .75mg in morning for almost a year. I also have Reynold Syndrome and am ANA positive, but no lupus or anything like that.
Dear Angle,
We are more than happy to work with you! Given all that you are dealing with, it would be best to book a Fertility Consultation in order to work one on one with our fertility herbalist. This allows the herbalist to lay out an entire natural fertility program for you based on your specific fertility health needs taking into consideration all you have been through and are presently experiencing.
I hope you will consider!
I just got my blood work back, on day three of my cycle. My Estradiol level is 1214, My LH is .5 and my FSH is 2.9 The advised me to go back in to take another blood test to see if I was pregnant, I am not (I was actually still on my period but they wanted to rule this out.) I’m so worried. Do you have any idea what could be going on with me. What supplements would be good for me to take? My husband and I are trying to conceive 🙁
Hi Blu Wilkins,
I am sorry to hear you are so worried. As herbalists, we are not legally allowed to interpret your hormone levels, as we are not medical doctors. What would be best for you at this point would be to talk to your doctor about what your test results mean for you, in relation to your health and fertility. Talk to him/her about your concerns and let them know you are trying to conceive. I know it can be hard to get in contact with a doctor, to speak one on one with you, but you should try, it is your right to know what your test results mean for you. Deep breath – you got this. Should you find out more about your reproductive health from your doctor and you would like further guidance on natural therapies for your needs, contact us again!
Best Wishes!
Thank you Elizabeth, that is very helpful. You said take all 3 all month without breaks “until pregnancy,” did you mean one should stop if they fall pregnant? I know rrl tincture is not recommended during early pregnancy due to the possibility of causing contractions, so I guess I would stop that if I got pregnant, and I would probably stop the Vitex after the first trimester, but is it ok to take Maca all through pregnancy? Some pages on this site say take all month long, others say pause Vitex during menstruation, and the packaging of my Maca root powder says take for 3 weeks and stop for 1?
Hello Milla!
In general it is best to follow the suggested use of the makers of the product purchased. This being said, Red Raspberry Leaf may be best avoided in the first trimester, but is known to be fine to use in the second and third trimesters.
Regarding Fertilica Maca, we have to suggest is be stopped upon determination of pregnancy because there has been no studies on Maca use in pregnancy. We suggest doing your own research to make a personal decision on the use of maca during your pregnancy.
Now Fertilica Vitex, this herb has been found to be best weaned off of in early pregnancy. There are a couple of different Safe Ways to Discontinue Herbs in Pregnancy, but also take time to learn more about Vitex Use In Pregnancy.
We have learned that Fertilica Vitex and Fertilica Maca, when taken for their fertility supporting benefits, are best taken all cycle long without taking a break and long term. I am sorry for the discrepancies in information available about this herb and fertility superfood.
Take care!
Is it ok to take Red Raspberry Leaf tincture, Maca and Vitex all month long? Any advice on your site about Red Raspberry Leaf? It really helps me with period pain, but I don’t want to mess up my cycle even more. Also I have 3 days of spotting before my period. Which day is the first day of my cycle, the first day of spotting or the first day of real bleeding? I can’t chart anything if I have no starting point. 🙂 Or do you start from ovulation (like day 1 is X days after you ovulate)? It’s so complicated! 🙂
Dear Milla,
Red Raspberry Leaf, Fertilica Vitex and Fertilica Maca general suggested use is all cycle lone without taking a break until pregnancy of confirmed.
Day 1 of a menstrual cycle is day 1 of full, “normal” bleeding. The is day one on a Fertility Chart as well. Learn more about Fertility Charting here…
I hope this is helpful!
Is it okay to take maca, royal jelly and ashwagandha at the same time? Is there any contraindication?
Hello Anna!
Fertilica Maca, Fertilica Royal Jelly and Ashwagandha can be taken together. To my knowledge there are not contraindications.
Hello! I would like to know what I have. I get cystic acne always when I ovulate. I have some kind of hormone imbalance as i suffer with hair loss, depression, low libido, headaches, acne, etc. I have had blood work and it shows I don’t have any hormone imbalance, but I know there must be something not right with all the symptoms I have. Any help please? Does my estrogen go too high around ovulation? Can I cure it with diet? If yes which foods? Thanks!
Dear Shell,
I am sorry you are going through all of this! I am not a medical doctor and am not able to help you know what is causing this for you. I understand it is confusing and hard to hear there is not hormone imbalance (via testing) when you know there is something out of balance. I am sorry you are having to deal with this.
Our main goal is to shed light on how to support the body in re-learning balance and/or supporting balance when fertility issues are present. The great part about herbs, nutritional supplements and natural therapies is that they often work wonders in doing this given commitment to dietary and lifestyle change is made as well.
Consider learning the Top 10 Natural Fertility Boosters, as well as about Vitex and Maca.
I hope this is helpful!
Hi. What range of estrogen values would you consider to be normal during the luteal phase? Above what number signifies possible estrogen dominance? I know that the ratio of progesterone to estrogen is important, but I would think that there is a cut off for what would be “worrisome” estrogen levels?
Hi JJ,
Estrogen (Estradiol – E2) is rarely tested during the luteal phase. Doctors perform estradiol (E2) testing on day 3 in the follicular phase. They may test on other days in the follicular phase if you are doing a medicated cycle. This will help them to see if the follicles are maturing well. Different clinics have different levels they feel are acceptable and it may vary depending on weight, so it really would be best to ask your doctor about this. I am not a medical doctor, nor trained in interpretation of medical test results. Since test results may vary from clinic to clinic and even person to person, it would be a disservice to our readers to put out a definitive estrogen level that would be considered “too high”.
Thanks for contacting us!
Update 2014 – We are back! We have been away for a while and we sure have missed all of your wonderful questions and thoughts on our articles. Moving forward, one of our staff herbalists will be here to respond to comments! We look forward to connecting with our readers once again!
I started taking flaxseed to treat hot flushes .I am 49 and my periods stopped for 4 months. Now they have started again – is this the result of the flaxseed or just nature?
Hello Tamsin!
Flax is phytoestrogenic, which means that it has the tendency to mimic estrogen in the body. Consumption of freshly ground flax seed and flax oil may promote healthy estrogen activity in the body which is important for a healthy menstrual cycle. While I have no way of knowing for sure if flax alone has supported the return of menstruation for you (given I only know this one bit about your diet, lifestyle and that which are doing to support your reproductive system health), it may be contributing to this change you have experienced.
please, I want to know those symptoms for estrogen are related to the natural fertility? Are there side effects to any of the natural fertility treatments?
I have a condition, adenomyosis and have been trying to conceive for the past 2years without success. My uterus is enlarged, about 13cm by 10 cm. woul you recommend I use the fertility herb to see if I can conceive? Do I have a chance getting pregnant in this condition
Learn natural therapies for adenomyosis here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/adenomyosis-causes-risks-natural-healing-options.html
Hello.
I have low progesterone,but my estradiol levels are perfect.can my progesterone be low because i have hypothyroidism? i’m taking Levothyroxine every day but ,can i take adrenal strenght or adreno boost from native remedies at the same time? I’m always tired and lack of energy and i feel all the symptoms of adrenal fatigue ,i don’t think i feel like that because of my thyroid ,my levels are perfect now.by the way my fsh is high and my amh is 1.4 .I’m 38 years old.please i need your help.thanks
Hi Jay,
When our adrenals have a lot of stress placed on them it puts our body into a state of catabolism. Catabolism is the break-down of our bodies; destructive metabolism. Over time the body will slow down the thyroid as a protective measure. Many natural health care practitioners will agree that in order to treat the thyroid effectively, you must first address stress reduction and adrenal support. Adrenal fatigue may lead to not only thyroid issues, but a compromised immune system as well. Adrenal Strength may be fine to use with that medication for your thyroid, but you will need to ask your doctor first. I am not familiar with the other adrenal product you mentioned. High FSH may be a sign that your follicles are not responding to release of FSH. Have you considered ways to increase your egg health? Please consider a consultation for further specific guidance!
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hello,
After trying to conceive for 2 years, we have finally figured out that I’m not ovulating because I never have an LH surge (but have a regular 28 day cycle). There is always a dominant follicle, but it never gets pushed out of the ovary. My 21 day progesterone is very low (also showing I don’t ovulate). I’m not sure if I have low estrogen that never reaches that peak to trigger the LH surge or if I’m in an estrogen dominant state because I don’t produce much progesterone int he luteal phase? And what supplements would you suggest to take for either condition?
Thank you for your help,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
One of the best remedies I have ever seen for lack of LH surge is Vitex. It works wonders. The best way to use vitex in this case is taking the full amount in the morning, every day of the month except for when you are bleeding. It may take at least 3 months until you see results, but sometimes it works sooner. Also make sure you are eating enough fats, fats are necessary for hormone production in general, especially saturated fats. Yes, I said saturated fats 🙂 This mean full fat dairy (organic and raw), animal products, coconut oil, etc. Vitex will not work without proper diet. If you are overweight or underweight, this could be affecting your hormone levels and then ovulation is affected. Check out our fertility diet information as well. Once diet and vitex has been tackled check back in and let us know how you are doing. The good news is that this issue is one of the easiest to balance naturally.
Hi,
I am wondering whether my conclusion would be correct as it would be logical to assume that high estrogen levels (or assuming high estrogen levels due to cosmetics, milk, other synthetic endocrine disruptors etc) would cause the formation of more than normal granulosa cells to turn into eggs, ie to cause the use of above average use of granulosa cells to be used, thus resulting in a low AMH levels 5-6 years later?
M
Hi M,
Perhaps, but there is not way for me to know this for sure. Thanks for sharing your logic.
All the best,
Dalene
Hi,
I just came across your website by chance and find it to be interesting. We have been trying to have a baby for the past 2 years, unfortunately without too much success at this point. I have been diagnosed to have pre-menopausal symtoms, which was a big shock since I was then only 34 and had never missed my period. Since then, we have been to the fertility center and have had so far 4 inseminations, after the 4th one, the doctors have suggested that we should now try insemination with hormone stimulation (Menopur). I have not started this treatment yet as my hormones have just not been good, 2 cycles ago, there was a cyst and I was asked to administer Utrogest through the vagina. During the last cycle, the cyst was gone but was scanned with another cyst-like follicle. After the blood test, because of the high estrogen level, I could not start with the treatment again. It’s really frustrating for me the last 4 months because it seems like my hormones just won’t balance! Do you think the royal jelly and maca will help in my case? I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks in advance!
Hi Blue_pink,
Maca and Royal Jelly may be a good place to start, but DIM may work more specifically to remove excess estrogen. You can learn all about DIM here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/estrogen-dominance
Often women who have estrogen dominance have low progesterone levels, so that may be something to look into as well. We do NOT recommend using any of our products or supplements for fertility while on fertility medications.
Best Wishes,
Dalene