Managing Male Estrogen Levels: Natural Strategies & Solutions

Estrogen is typically considered a female hormone due to its role in regulating the menstrual cycle, but estrogen is present in men, too. Elevated levels of estrogen can cause undesirable side effects in men, including a decrease in sex drive, weight gain, and enlargement of the breasts. Correcting an estrogen imbalance can be accomplished with medication or lifestyle changes.

Instructions

• 1

  Exercise regularly. Fat tissue produces estrogen; when enough of it is amassed, it can create a hormone imbalance. In a study performed by Anne McTiernan of Fred Hutchinson's Prevention Studies Clinic, results show that exercise lowered estriodol levels where dieting and weight loss alone did not.

• 2

  Supplement your diet. Taking a supplement high in zinc will slow the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. Antioxidants may also increase testosterone production, balancing the amount of estrogen produced.

• 3

  Ask your doctor about testosterone supplements. These medications contain testosterone; once it is synthesized by the body, the testosterone balances the level of estrogen. A prescription is required for testosterone supplements, and bloodwork should be performed to ensure that hormone levels are balanced throughout treatment.