Estrogen is one of the most important female reproductive hormones. Learn how estrogen works, why it’s important and how it affects your body and fertility.
How Estrogen Works During the Menstrual Cycle
The first half of your menstrual cycle is the follicular phase (first day of your period through ovulation).
➞ FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is released by the pituitary gland, which causes some of the follicles to begin maturing in preparation for ovulation.
➞ The most mature follicle releases the egg at ovulation while also releasing estrogen.
➞ The rising estrogen levels signal Luteinizing Hormone (LH) to be released and LH causes ovulation to occur.
➞ Estrogen peaks at this time. Estrogen is also responsible for thickening the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy.
➞ At ovulation, the remnant egg sac turns into the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is responsible for releasing progesterone which ripens the uterine lining, helps to nourish sperm on their journey to conception, and helps to sustain early pregnancy.
There are several different types of estrogen; the one I am talking about in this video is estradiol (E2).
Estrogen Deficiency
Signs of Estrogen Deficiency (low estrogen)
- headaches
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- vaginal dryness
Too little estrogen can prevent ovulation and cause a thin uterine lining.
Causes of Estrogen Deficiency
- Too little LH (luteinizing hormone) which regulates the manufacturing of estrogen.
- A pituitary gland imbalance which could be caused by excess exercise, being underweight, or an eating disorder.
Excess Estrogen
Sometimes called estrogen dominance.
Signs of Excess Estrogen (too much)
- irregular periods
- headaches
- anxiety
- depression
- weight gain
Causes of Excess Estrogen
- poor diet
- being overweight
- stress
- environmental factors: xenoestrogens which disrupt the endocrine system (the hormonal system)
Estrogen dominant imbalances may show up as reproductive health issues, such as PCOS or endometriosis.
Steps to Take to Improve Estrogen Levels
1. Fertility Cleansing – Fertility cleansing supports the liver, which metabolizes estrogen
2. Eat fiber – helps the body to remove excess estrogen; choose dark leafy greens, beans, ground flax seed, fresh fruits and whole grains
3. Avoid xenohormones
4. Consider supportive herbs
Herbs that may help with estrogen deficiency
Maca Root – Maca supports the endocrine system to be healthy and balanced.
FertiliCare Phase 1 & 2 – Helps to balance the hormones.
Royal Jelly – May help to slightly increase estrogen naturally in the body.
Vitex – Vitex has an action on the pituitary gland which controls the release of sex hormones.
Soy foods – Are known to have estrogen-mimicking properties within them.
Make sure to include healthy fats in your diet.
Herbs and supplements that may help with estrogen dominance
DIM – diindolylmethane helps to take excess estrogens out of the body by increasing estrogen metabolites.
Maca – Supports the endocrine system to be healthy and balanced.
Fertility Cleanse – Supports the body in cleansing excess hormones and toxins that may mimic estrogen.
Vitex – Supports a healthy endocrine system without containing hormones.
FertiliCare Phase 1 & 2 – Helps to balance the hormones.
A word about phytoestrogens and xenohormones
- Phytoestrogens are found in many plant foods we consume daily: seeds, beans, grains and many medicinal plants.
- Phytoestrogens are not true estrogen, but they may have a similar action to our own estrogens.
- Phytoestrogens exert weaker estrogenic effects on cells compared to xenoestrogens.
- They can compete for hormone receptor sites.
- If they bind to the estrogen receptor sites first, they actively block xenohormones from binding to the estrogen receptor sites, which protects the body from much stronger xenohormones.
- Phytoestrogens are found most often in the legume family: beans.
Resources talked about in this video:
The Fertility Cleanse Kit
Fertilica Maca
Fertilica Royal Jelly
Active Bee Power Royal Jelly
Fertilica DIM Complete
FertiliCare Phase 1 & 2
Fertilica Vitex
