How To Avoid Oestrogen

Avoiding oestrogen (also spelled estrogen) — or more accurately, reducing estrogen exposure or levels — depends on why you want to avoid it. People usually aim to lower estrogen levels due to:

Hormone-sensitive conditions (e.g., breast cancer, fibroids, endometriosis)
Hormonal imbalances (e.g., estrogen dominance, low testosterone in men)
Gender transition (e.g., female-to-male or male-to-female hormone regulation)

Here’s a science-backed guide to help reduce estrogen exposure or activity in your body:

🔬 1. Understand Where Estrogen Comes From

Estrogen can come from:

Endogenous sources: your body (especially ovaries, fat tissue, adrenals)
Exogenous sources: foods, plastics, chemicals, medications

🚫 2. Avoid Xenoestrogens (Synthetic Estrogen-like Chemicals)

These are found in many everyday products and can mimic estrogen in the body.

Avoid:

Plastics with BPA or phthalates (don’t microwave plastic, use glass/stainless steel)
Non-stick cookware (Teflon) — opt for ceramic or cast iron
Personal care products with parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances
Pesticides (wash fruits/veggies thoroughly or choose organic)

🥗 3. Modify Your Diet

Reduce:

Soy products (contain phytoestrogens — controversial but may affect estrogen in high amounts)
Flaxseeds (high in lignans — can have weak estrogenic effects)
Alcohol (increases estrogen production and liver burden)
Processed foods & refined carbs (can affect hormones and insulin)

Increase:

Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage): Support estrogen detox via the liver
Fiber: Helps eliminate estrogen through stool (aim for 25–30g/day)
Green tea and mushrooms: May inhibit aromatase (enzyme that makes estrogen)

🏋️ 4. Lose Excess Body Fat (if overweight)

Fat cells convert androgens into estrogen via aromatase. The more body fat you have, the more estrogen you may produce.

Action: Moderate weight loss, resistance training, and cardio can help regulate estrogen.

💊 5. Limit or Adjust Medications That Increase Estrogen

Talk to your doctor if you’re using:

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Birth control pills
Certain psychiatric or cardiac medications that alter hormone balance

Never stop meds without a doctor’s guidance.

🧠 6. Support Liver Function

Your liver breaks down estrogen. A sluggish liver can lead to estrogen buildup.

Support with:

Hydration
Bitter greens (arugula, dandelion)
Milk thistle, if approved by your doctor

⚕️ 7. Consider Medical Options (if needed)

For people with hormone-related conditions, your doctor may prescribe:

Aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrozole)
SERMs or estrogen blockers (e.g., tamoxifen)
Testosterone therapy (in FTM transitions or men with low T)

These require medical supervision.

🧪 8. Test Your Hormone Levels

If you’re serious about reducing estrogen, ask your doctor for:

Blood or saliva hormone panels
Tests for estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and estriol (E3)

Summary: Key Actions

Do	Don’t
Eat cruciferous veggies	Microwave food in plastic
Exercise regularly	Overuse soy or alcohol
Use glass or stainless steel	Ignore chronic stress (raises estrogen indirectly)
Support liver detox	Self-medicate hormone therapy