Understanding High Estrogen in Men: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Although estrogen is usually associated with women, it plays a vital role in male reproductive function and overall health.

While males typically have lower levels of estrogen than women, maintaining a proper balance between this hormone and others is essential.

Different lifestyle choices and health-related factors can cause estrogen levels to rise.

This can lead to a range of complications that significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, especially if hormonal imbalances are left untreated.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the causes of elevated estrogen levels in males to help you understand what you can do to rebalance your hormones.

What is Estrogen?

Estrogen is a type of hormone primarily associated with the female reproductive system, but men also have small quantities of it in their bodies.

In males, the estrogen hormone is involved in maintaining bone density, cardiovascular health, and other physiological processes.

A particular form of estrogen — known as estradiol — plays a crucial role in male sexuality as it regulates libido, erectile function, and sperm production.

Causes of High Estrogen Levels in Males

High estrogen levels in males — also called estrogen dominance — may occur due to a number of factors.

Common causes of estrogen dominance include:

• Excess fat: Fat cells in the body can convert testosterone — the primary male hormone — into estrogen through a process called aromatization. This means that excess body fat may result in higher levels of estrogen.

• Aging: As males age, their natural testosterone levels decrease while estrogen levels remain relatively stable. This hormonal shift can result in an imbalance, leading to relatively higher estrogen levels.

• Medications: Some medications or drugs — like antidepressants, antifungal medications, and anabolic steroids — can disrupt the natural hormonal balance, causing estrogen levels to become elevated.

• Liver disease: The liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing hormones, including estrogen. Liver diseases — like cirrhosis or hepatitis — can affect this process and cause abnormal estrogen levels.

• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions — like testicular tumors, issues with adrenal glands, and obesity-related diseases — can disrupt hormone production and result in imbalanced hormones.

It’s important to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have elevated estrogen levels or show signs of any of the diseases mentioned above.

Many of these conditions require professional care to alleviate symptoms and prevent lifelong complications.

What are the Symptoms of High Estrogen?

Elevated estrogen levels in males can lead to a range of physical and psychological symptoms or side effects.

These can have a significant impact on their quality of life and may require a professional diagnosis or treatment.

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a condition characterized by the enlargement of breast tissue and is one of the most noticeable symptoms of high estrogen levels in males.

Males may notice breast tenderness as a symptom when they develop this condition. This could be a source of embarrassment and discomfort for affected individuals.

It’s also important to note that gynecomastia and high estrogen levels can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Research suggests that males with this condition are more likely to develop malignant tumors in the enlarged breast tissue than individuals with normal hormone levels.

Sexual dysfunction

High estrogen levels can interfere with male sexual function. This may lead to low libido, erectile dysfunction, and issues with overall sexual performance.

These effects can have a significant impact on quality of life and intimate relationships.

Infertility

Elevated estrogen levels can disrupt the hormone balance necessary for optimal sperm production.

Testosterone is necessary to produce healthy sperm, and lower testosterone levels can affect this process.

Males with too much estrogen may experience reduced sperm count and impaired sperm motility. This could affect their ability to have children in the future.

Mood changes

Hormonal imbalances — like increased estrogen levels — can affect mood regulation in males.

This can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and even depression, which can have a large impact on an individual’s personal life.

Fatigue

Males with high estrogen levels often report chronic fatigue and low energy levels.

This is because estrogen interferes with your body’s ability to produce melatonin — a naturally occurring chemical that causes you to feel drowsy when it becomes dark.

If your body lacks melatonin, you may have trouble sleeping.

Experiencing persistent fatigue can make it challenging to engage in daily activities and may also lead to other issues like joint pain, frequent headaches, or swollen lymph nodes.

How is High Estrogen Diagnosed?

If you suspect that you have elevated estrogen levels, it’s important to make an appointment with your doctor to get a professional diagnosis.

This typically involves a physical examination combined with laboratory tests. Your medical history will also be taken into consideration.

During a physical examination, your doctor will most likely check for any visible signs of estrogen dominance, such as enlarged breast tissue.

After this initial process, your doctor will determine whether you require further testing. You will then typically undergo a blood test to assess various hormone levels and liver function.

Once your doctor receives the results, they can determine the severity of your hormone imbalance and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Management and Treatment Options

Depending on your diagnosis, your healthcare provider may suggest a number of ways to treat heightened estrogen levels and restore hormonal balance in your body.

Medications

Two types of medications can be prescribed to treat high levels of estrogen in males: aromatase inhibitors and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

Aromatase inhibitors — such as anastrozole or letrozole — work by blocking the conversion of male sex hormones like testosterone to estrogen, reducing hormone imbalance. However, more research is needed to confirm how effective these drugs are.

SERMs — like tamoxifen — are usually only considered as a treatment when gynecomastia is a significant concern, but these medications may also be prescribed for other cases.

SERMs work by blocking estrogen receptors in the body, decreasing estrogen levels to restore the hormone balance.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

TRT is a type of treatment used to improve low testosterone levels in males with severe hormonal imbalances.

The treatment comes in many forms, including skin patches, gels, injections or implants, and oral medication.

TRT can help to boost testosterone production and restore the normal hormonal balance in your body. This lowers elevated estrogen levels, and symptoms will start to resolve.

It’s important to note that there are a number of risks associated with TRT — such as an increased chance of developing prostate cancer, blood clots, and sleep apnea.

That’s why it’s recommended to discuss this treatment method with your doctor before starting it and to be monitored by a medical professional while you are on TRT.

Lifestyle changes

Adjusting your lifestyle, diet, and exercise routine may also help you control your estrogen levels.

A low-fat, high-fiber diet is often recommended for individuals with high estrogen. The following foods can be added to your meals to lower estrogen levels:

• Cruciferous vegetables — like broccoli and kale — contain phytochemicals that have the ability to block estrogen production
• Shiitake and portobello mushrooms can naturally reduce aromatase, used by the body to convert male sex hormones to estrogen
• Red grapes contain natural estrogen blockers called resveratrol and proanthocyanidin
• Whole grains — like oats and corn — and green tea all contain polyphenols that can inhibit estrogen production
• Pomegranates are high in phytochemicals that block estrogen production

You can also avoid non-organic meat products — these may contain estrogen as animals are often treated with synthetic hormones.

Besides dietary changes, staying in shape can also help you manage to restore normal testosterone levels.

Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing excess fat that may contribute to heightened estrogen levels.

Physical activity can improve liver function and also helps the body regulate hormones by reducing disruptions to the endocrine system — two essential components of maintaining a healthy hormone balance.

When Should You See a Doctor about Your Estrogen Levels?

If you notice any of the side effects of high estrogen mentioned in this article — gynecomastia, mood changes, or fatigue — make an appointment to see your doctor.

You can also speak to a medical professional if you have any fertility concerns or if you experience unexplained sexual dysfunction.

In both cases, your doctor can perform medical evaluations to help you determine the cause of your symptoms.

It’s also important to speak to your doctor if you have a personal or family history of hormone-related conditions or disorders like obesity and liver disease.

These health issues are risk factors for heightened estrogen levels and may make you more susceptible to developing hormonal imbalance.

Where Can I Learn More About High Estrogen in Men?

If you’re concerned about elevated estrogen levels and how it may affect you, LifeMD is here to help.

A team of medical professionals can assist you with information and provide guidance on managing high estrogen levels — all from the comfort of your home.

Make an appointment with LifeMD today to learn more about hormonal imbalances and take control of your health.