Estrogen Dominance & Detoxification: The Hidden Link to Hormone Balance

If you’ve been dealing with mood swings, stubborn weight gain, bloating, heavy periods, or fatigue that just won’t shift — you’re not alone.
Many women I see in clinic are unknowingly struggling with estrogen dominance, one of the most common hormonal imbalances affecting women today.

And here’s the thing: estrogen itself isn’t the enemy.
It’s an essential hormone that supports bone density, mood, metabolism, and reproductive health. The issue arises when the body struggles to metabolise and eliminate estrogen efficiently, leading to a buildup of estrogen or its metabolites.

Let’s unpack what estrogen dominance really means — and how you can start rebalancing naturally.

What Is Estrogen Dominance?

Estrogen dominance occurs when:

• Estrogen levels are too high relative to progesterone, or

• The body struggles to clear estrogen metabolites through the liver and gut.

It’s less about “too much estrogen” and more about how your body processes and detoxifies hormones.
When this system becomes sluggish or overloaded, estrogen can recirculate — driving many of the symptoms women experience.

Common Signs of Estrogen Dominance

• Heavy or painful periods

• Breast tenderness or swelling

• PMS, PMDD, or mood swings

• Headaches or migraines (especially before your period)

• Bloating and fluid retention

• Weight gain (particularly hips, thighs, and midsection)

• Fatigue or low motivation

If you nodded to several of these, your detox pathways may need some support.

Why Detoxification Matters

Estrogen is detoxified in the liver and excreted via the gut.
When either of these systems slows down, estrogen can get “stuck” in circulation — worsening symptoms and making hormonal balance harder to achieve.

Liver Detoxification

The liver has two main phases of estrogen metabolism:

• Phase 1: Converts estrogen into metabolites.

• Phase 2: Packages these metabolites for safe removal.

If either phase is nutrient-depleted (think low B vitamins, magnesium, or glutathione), estrogen metabolites can recirculate and cause inflammation or mood changes.

My favorite way to Support your liver via Nutrition:

• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts)

• Foods rich in B vitamins and antioxidants

• Reducing alcohol, caffeine, and ultra-processed foods

Gut Health & the Estrobolome

The estrobolome is the part of your microbiome that helps metabolize estrogen.
If gut bacteria are imbalanced or bowel regularity is off, an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase can cause estrogen to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Support your gut with:

• Daily bowel movements (fiber + hydration)

• Probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods

• Managing inflammation and dysbiosis

Other Key Drivers of Estrogen Dominance

• Chronic stress: High cortisol lowers progesterone, disrupting hormone ratios.

• Toxin exposure: Plastics, pesticides, and personal care products can act as “xenoestrogens.”

• Low fiber intake: Without enough fiber, estrogen can’t be effectively removed via stool.

• Excess body fat: Adipose tissue produces estrogen, raising circulating levels.

• Thyroid dysfunction: Impacts liver detox and hormone conversion.

How to Support Healthy Estrogen Balance

1. Support liver detoxification
   Cruciferous vegetables, herbs like dandelion and turmeric, and nutrients such as B6, magnesium, and NAC.

2. Optimize gut function
   Regular elimination, probiotics, and prebiotic fiber.

3. Balance blood sugar
   Stable insulin levels reduce hormonal chaos and support ovulation.

4. Manage stress
   Mind-body practices like breathwork, journaling, and daily movement can shift cortisol levels.

5. Reduce toxin exposure
   Choose glass storage, filtered water, and natural skincare.

6. Support progesterone naturally
   Eat enough, rest well, and prioritise B6 and zinc-rich foods.

Testing for Estrogen Dominance: The DUTCH Test

The DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is considered in my eyes as GOLD standard when it comes to providing detailed insight into:

• Estrogen production and types (E1, E2, E3)

• Metabolic pathways — how your body detoxifies estrogen

• Liver function and methylation

• Cortisol, progesterone, and androgen balance

This test helps identify how your body is processing hormones, not just the levels themselves — allowing for targeted, data-driven support that your registered practitioner will guide you with.

My Key Takeaway

Estrogen dominance isn’t about “too much estrogen.”
It’s about whether your body can detoxify, metabolise, and eliminate hormones efficiently.

By supporting the liver, gut, and stress response, you can restore hormone balance, improve mood and energy, and finally feel like yourself again.

Ready to Take a Data-Driven Approach to Your Hormones?

This is exactly what we focus on inside my THRIVE program — combining functional testing, real-time data, and personalised nutrition to help women balance hormones, stabilise energy, and achieve lasting results.

If you’ve been feeling “off” — let’s get to the root cause together.

• Join the 12-Week THRIVE Program and start feeling strong, clear, and hormonally balanced again.