• Hormone Replacement Therapy

What are the Signs of High Estrogen in Women?

Published: August 14, 2025
Updated: August 14, 2025
5 mins

Both men and women naturally produce both testosterone and estrogen. However, estrogen has long been referred to as the “female hormone” since women tend to have higher levels of estrogen than men and its role in the function of female reproductive organs. Similarly, testosterone is also known as the “male sex hormone.” 

Estrogen is responsible for many bodily functions, including the development of female reproductive organs, bone growth, and menstrual cycle regulation. In women, estrogen is primarily produced in the ovaries. Estrogen is also used in oral contraception to prevent pregnancy and manage severe menstrual symptoms.

Although it’s normal for estrogen levels to swing back and forth between high and low levels, consistently high estrogen levels may be a sign of an increased risk of developing cardiovascular conditions and dementia in some women.

What Causes High Estrogen Levels in Women?

There’s not always a clear-cut answer as to what’s causing estrogen levels to spike. A combination of sudden health changes, diagnosed health conditions, and going through phases of menopause can all affect estrogen levels.

High estrogen (also referred to as estrogen dominance) can occur during puberty and menopause when your hormones may be fluctuating the most. 

Women with high estrogen levels may have them as a result of the following:

• Taking certain medications

• Drinking alcohol heavily

• Consistently eating unhealthy foods

• Experiencing chronic stress levels

• Having obesity

• Starting in vitro fertilization (IVF)

• Being on birth control pills

Common Symptoms of High Estrogen Levels in Women

Many symptoms associated with high estrogen levels are very similar to postmenopausal symptoms. Having high estrogen levels is commonly associated with the following symptoms:

• Heavier menstrual cycles

• Increased irritability

• Mood swings

• Headaches

• Trouble sleeping

• Breast tenderness

• Hair loss

High estrogen levels in men may show up in other ways. Men may see changes in sexual libido and fertility when experiencing high estrogen levels.

What are Normal Estrogen Levels for Women?

There are three main types of estrogen: E1 (estrone), E2 (estradiol), and E3 (estriol). E2 is the main form of estrogen produced by women before they go through menopause. Healthcare providers measure estrogen in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Generally, women may experience lower E1 and E2 levels before puberty and after menopause.

Normal ranges for estrogen levels in women may lie somewhere between 10 to 300 og/mL for premenopausal women and less than 10 pg/mL for postmenopausal women. Still, not everyone will have the same normal range based on their health profile. In some cases, some women may just have naturally higher estrogen levels than the typical normal range.

How are High Estrogen Levels Diagnosed?

Healthcare providers do not consider high estrogen levels a health condition on its own. However, they still use estrogen testing to diagnose certain health conditions and monitor fertility treatments and pregnancy risks. 

Healthcare providers can use blood, urine, or saliva samples to see if you have high or low estrogen levels. Healthcare providers may test estrogen levels multiple times to find patterns in estrogen levels.

Blood and urine tests are most often performed in a clinical setting. Alternatively, you can complete a saliva test from the comfort of your home and send it to a lab for testing. 

Treating Conditions Associated with High Estrogen Levels

Managing high estrogen levels starts with treating the health conditions causing it. While it’s normal for hormones to fluctuate throughout your life, having symptoms along with high estrogen may indicate a serious health condition. Treatment varies based on which health conditions a healthcare provider is treating.

Women with the following health conditions may also experience high estrogen levels:

• Endometriosis

• Fibroids

• Gallbladder disease

• Thyroid disorders

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

• Liver cancer

• Endometrial cancer

Can HRT Help with High Estrogen Levels?

Women have long expressed a need for medical guidance to manage the discomfort caused by menopause. In addition to physical symptoms, menopause can also significantly affect a women’s mental well-being. Women going through menopause have an increased risk of depression and anxiety disorders.

In the past, estrogen replacement has been used in hormone replacement therapy studies to help with symptoms of menopause. Due to the results of the study, researchers stopped clinical trials abruptly due to concerns about the risk of breast cancer and coronary heart disease. 

However, newer researchers have found that there are more benefits than risks for women who start hormone replacement therapy at the beginning of menopause. HRT replaces declining estrogen but does not treat high estrogen levels. A healthcare provider may prescribe medications like hormone blockers and aromatase inhibitors for women with high estrogen levels, when clinically appropriate.

Lifestyle Factors Affecting High Estrogen Levels

There are ways to manage hormonal imbalances in your daily life. Daily habits like working out consistently and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet may improve drastic hormonal imbalances. 

While it’s not always guaranteed, incorporating the following habits may help improve estrogen levels:

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Incorporating stress management techniques

• Following a high-fiber diet

• Avoid drinking alcohol excessively

• Increasing your calcium intake

• Reducing your intake of highly processed foods

Be sure to speak with a healthcare provider before taking any medications or supplements to lower estrogen levels. They can help develop a treatment plan for you to address any health issues that may contribute to a hormonal imbalance.

Where Can I Learn More About Managing Hormonal Imbalances?

LifeMD can help you understand any health changes you may experience in your daily life associated with hormonal imbalances. 

The LifeMD Women’s Health Program offers compassionate, personalized care for women based on your individual needs and concerns. LifeMD-affiliated healthcare providers can help women entering menopause and managing other common women’s health conditions come up with a treatment plan. 

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