Hormones 101: Understanding Oestrogen – The Queen Bee of Hormones
Oestrogen has been getting a lot of airtime lately—whether it’s in clinic conversations, my inbox, or even around brunch tables and dinner parties. (At this point, I should probably just start telling people I’m an accountant… but where’s the fun in that?)
Often misunderstood and unfairly blamed, oestrogen gets associated with everything from PMS and fertility challenges to bloating, mood swings, acne, and hot flushes. But here’s the truth: oestrogen isn’t the villain. She’s powerful, sensitive, and essential to our hormonal harmony. And when she’s out of balance, there’s usually a deeper story behind it.
This article is part of my Hormones 101 series – where we explore the roles, imbalances, and support strategies for your core reproductive hormones. If you missed the earlier editions, we covered cortisol—your stress-response hormone – read here, and progesterone—essential for period ease and fertility – read here.
Today, we’re turning the spotlight on oestrogen. We’ll explore what she actually does, how she gets thrown off course, and what you can do to bring her back into balance—gently, holistically, and with your whole body in mind.
What Oestrogen Actually Does
Oestrogen is often called the “queen” of hormones — and for good reason. It’s like honey for the body: tied to all things fluid, flowy, and feminine.
This powerful hormone plays a dominant role throughout our lives, from shaping our curves during puberty to slowly declining in menopause. But oestrogen isn’t just about reproduction. It influences:
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Mood, energy, and libido
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Skin and hair health
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Bone density and heart protection
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Gut health and blood sugar regulation
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Menstrual cycle function (building the uterine lining and preparing for ovulation)
Like any strong hormone, though, oestrogen works best in balance. Too little, and things dry up. Too much, and symptoms can spiral.
High vs. Low Oestrogen: What to Look For
Most of the clients I work with aren’t producing too much oestrogen.
Instead, their bodies simply aren’t clearing it efficiently. That’s often due to:
- Sluggish liver detox
- Poor gut clearance
- Chronic stress (hello, cortisol!)
- Blood sugar instability
- Environmental toxins (aka xenoestrogens)
Signs of Oestrogen Dominance (High Oestrogen):
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Heavy, clotty, or painful periods
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PMS, breast tenderness, hormonal migraines
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Cyclical bloating, acne, or mood swings
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Short cycles or endometriosis flare-ups
Signs of Low Oestrogen:
Common in perimenopause, post-pill recovery, under-eating, or over-exercising:
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Vaginal dryness or discomfort with sex
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Brain fog, anxiety, or low mood
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Irregular or missing periods
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Night sweats, hot flashes, or insomnia
🌿 Knowing what you’re dealing with is the first step toward balance. Hormones are messengers—listen to what they’re trying to say.
What I See Most Often in Clinic
Here’s the truth: Most people with oestrogen-related issues aren’t overproducing it. Their body just isn’t excreting it well. And when you can’t detox it properly, it builds up—recirculating and causing chaos every cycle.
That’s why we always start with the foundations:
- Gut health
- Liver support
- Daily elimination (yes, regular bowel movements!)
Only after that do we consider targeted supplements or testing – like the DUTCH test (my favourite way to assess hormone metabolism in real detail).
How Your Body Clears Oestrogen (USE it, then LOSE it)
Oestrogen detox happens in 3 phases—through the liver and gut.
If you joined me for The Period Pain Solutions Masterclass, you’ll recognise this as one of the key systems we covered for reducing cramps and balancing hormones.
But let’s recap…
The Liver – Phase I & II Detox
The liver first breaks down oestrogen into smaller compounds:
- 2OH (the safest)
- 4OH (inflammatory if not cleared properly)
- 16OH (linked to symptoms like fibroids)
Then it packages these up for safe excretion.
✨ Supported by: B vitamins, DIM, calcium D-glucarate, magnesium, resveratrol, choline, protein, cruciferous veg, zinc, and herbs like dandelion or milk thistle.
The Gut – Phase III Detox
The gut then eliminates these compounds. If you’re constipated or dealing with dysbiosis, they can get reabsorbed into the bloodstream—undoing the liver’s hard work.
✨ Supported by: fibre, probiotics, prebiotics, hydration, daily bowel movements, blood sugar balance regular movement and stress management.
You MUST be having daily bowel movements to clear oestrogen. Period.
How to Balance Oestrogen Naturally
🌿 Daily Practices for Oestrogen Balance
These are the everyday shifts that make the biggest impact over time:
- Prioritise daily bowel movements – your #1 exit route for excess oestrogen
- Eat cruciferous vegetables daily – broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, rocket
- Add flaxseeds and chia seeds – for fibre + hormone-modulating lignans
- Book in for acupuncture – regulates the hormones, the nervous system and supports the microbiome and Liver Qi in TCM
- Practice castor oil packs 2–3x/week over the liver or lower abdomen
- Aim for 8 hours of sleep – crucial for hormone repair and detox
- Try dry brushing or sauna – gentle ways to stimulate lymphatic clearance
- Journal or reflect daily – unprocessed emotions (especially frustration and anger) are stored in the Liver in TCM
💊 Supplements to Support Oestrogen Balance
(Always consult your practitioner before starting anything new)
- DIM – supports Phase I oestrogen metabolism
- Calcium D-Glucarate – prevents reabsorption of oestrogen in the gut
- Magnesium – relaxes smooth muscle, supports detox, reduces PMS
- B6 + B complex – co-factors for hormone production and methylation
- Dandelion, Bupleurum, Milk Thistle, NAC – gentle yet powerful liver allies
- Probiotics + prebiotic fibre – essential for Phase III gut clearance
- Free & Easy Wander (Xiao Yao San) – beloved Liver Qi formula for stress + hormonal tension
- Rehmannia Six Formula (Liu Wei Di Huang Tang) – for nourishing Kidney Yin and hormonal reserves
🥗 Food for Oestrogen Detox
What you eat can support your hormone metabolism daily:
- Aim for 2+ servings of cruciferous veg daily – think colour and variety
- Prioritise protein at every meal – fuels liver detox and blood sugar balance
- Add sulphur-rich foods – garlic, onions, leeks, mushrooms, and eggs
- Reduce alcohol, caffeine + ultra-processed foods – these burden your liver
- Drink 2L+ water daily – hydration is required for detox
- Sip on green tea – EGCG supports Phase I liver metabolism
🌱 Small habits, stacked consistently, build resilient hormones.
Need personalised guidance on your hormone journey?
I offer 1:1 support and integrative hormone testing to help you uncover the root of your symptoms and create a tailored plan for lasting balance → Book your free 20-minute call here.
Here’s to happy hormones,
Noeleenxx
P.S. This is part 4 of the Hormones 101 series. Next up: Androgens! Stay tuned, or subscribe to the newsletter to never miss a post.