4 Signs Of Estrogen Imbalance In Men (Yep, It’s A Thing)

Whole corners of the internet are dedicated to helping men understand—and ultimately boost— their testosterone levels. Sure, higher T may support bigger muscles and heavier lifts, but it’s not the only hormone required for a healthy, balanced endocrine ecosystem in men. 

“Estrogen is essential for male health, too,” says Justin Houman, M.D., a board-certified urologist who specializes in hormone health, sexual health, and fertility. “In men, estrogen supports bone density, cardiovascular health, brain function, libido, erectile quality, and even aspects of sperm maturation,” he says. 

Despite portrayals of estrogen as testosterone’s mortal enemy, the two hormones work together as a team in your body. “Testosterone provides drive and structure, while estrogen fine-tunes function,” explains Houman. When estrogen falls within the optimal range—and maintains a healthy ratio with testosterone—men tend to feel stronger, mentally sharper, sexually functional, and physically resilient, he says. When estrogen levels swing too high or drop too low, however, symptoms can surface. 

• ABOUT OUR EXPERTS: Justin Houman, M.D., is a board-certified urologist who specializes in hormone health, sexual health, and fertility. Jerry Bailey, M.S., D.C., is a functional medicine practitioner, certified nutritionist, and chiropractor with Lakeside Holistic Health in Coeur d’Alene, ID.

When and Why Estrogen Imbalance Happens In Men 

The endocrine system functions as an interconnected network of hormones, meaning imbalances in one can trigger trickle-down effects in the others. In men, this is especially true for estrogen, which is tightly linked to testosterone. 

Houman explains: Men produce the bulk of their estrogen through a process called aromatization. During this process, the body converts testosterone into estradiol, the primary and most biologically active form of estrogen, he says. Anything that interferes with or impacts this process can shift estrogen out of balance. 

If aromatization becomes too limited, men can produce an inadequate amount of estrogen, creating a testosterone-dominant environment, says Houman. Together, this imbalance of the two reproductive hormones can lead to symptoms such as body composition changes, reduced sexual function, and low mood, to name just a few. 

Read More: Is Your Workout Routine Messing With Your Testosterone?

On the other end of the spectrum, excessive aromatization will drive estrogen levels too high. “This can interfere with testosterone signaling, contribute to sexual or cognitive symptoms, and more,” says Houman.

Clinically, excess estrogen is far more common, according to functional medicine practitioner and certified nutritionist Jerry Bailey, M.S., D.C., a health provider and chiropractor with Lakeside Holistic Health in Coeur d’Alene, ID. “While estrogen imbalance can technically go in either direction, we see excess estrogen in modern men far more often,” he says. (More on why in a sec.)

The issue isn’t just about estrogen but about estrogen levels relative to testosterone, according to Bailey. So, men with low-T—about one in four guys over age thirty—are prone to symptoms of excess estrogen. “When estrogen and testosterone are in balance, men feel strong, energized, mentally sharp, and sexually healthy. When that balance shifts, symptoms start to appear,” he explains. 

Common Causes of Estrogen Imbalance In Men

Hormone levels are influenced by a wide variety of biological, environmental, lifestyle, and other health factors—and estrogen is no exception. 

One of the biggest, but overlooked, contributors to estrogen imbalance is environmental chemicals. “Compounds such as BPA, phthalates, and certain pesticides all act as endocrine disruptors,” says Houman. Meaning, they interfere with normal hormone signaling and function. 

In the body, these compounds—which come from plastics, pesticides, fragrances, personal care products, and food packaging—may mimic estrogen, increase aromatase activity, impair estrogen clearance, or interfere with testosterone signaling at the receptor levels, Bailey explains. “Over time, their impact adds up and can significantly impact hormone balance,” he says. 

Chronic stress is another common risk factor. “Stress elevates levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which disrupts testosterone production and estrogen metabolism,” explains Houman. If left unchecked, stress can suppress testosterone production and tilt the hormonal scales towards excess estrogen. 

Read More: Don’t Just Manage Stress—Here’s How To Build Stress Resilience

Other lifestyle factors also play a role. “Sleep is foundational to healthy estrogen levels, as hormones are regulated during deep sleep,” says Bailey. With that, insufficient quality time between the sheets can disrupt the magic ratio. Eating poor-quality food and skipping the gym can also lead to estrogen imbalance, as both nutrients and movement support overall metabolic and endocrine health, he adds. 

Finally, alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs can all impede hormone balance—albeit through different mechanisms. “Alcohol increases aromatase activity, impairs liver clearance of estrogen, and suppresses testosterone production,” says Houman. Meanwhile, tobacco and other drugs can disrupt estrogen balance by introducing toxins to your system that have a downstream impact on the endocrine system. 

Ways Estrogen Imbalance Might Manifest In Men

If your reproductive hormones are off-kilter, it won’t take long for your body to start ringing the alarm bell. Here are four of the most common signs you might have an issue with estrogen.

1. Increased body fat

Increased body fat can be both a cause and a consequence of estrogen imbalance. 

Fat tissue contains higher levels of aromatase—the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen—compared to lean tissue, Houman explains. No matter the underlying cause, “when visceral fat increases, estrogen production rises, and testosterone falls,” he says. 

At the same time, a preexisting estrogen imbalance can trigger fat mass gains. When men’s estrogen levels are high relative to their testosterone levels, it’s common for their metabolism to slow, explains Houman. A proper balance of sex hormones is crucial for building and maintaining lean mass, which burns more calories throughout the day than fat mass.  

Since estrogen plays a role in fluid balance and retention, an imbalance can also lead to water retention, which can exacerbate the appearance of weight and changes in body composition. 

2. Decreased performance at the gym

Generally, strength training supports healthy hormone levels. But your current hormone levels also set the ceiling for your results. 

“Both excessive and insufficient estrogen impair muscle protein synthesis and joint health,” says Houman. Basically, estrogen imbalance means less bang for your workout buck—and may even translate to stalled strength. 

Men with excess estrogen also often tend to see increased systemic inflammation, which can lead to longer recovery times between training sessions, Houman adds. (It can also make you feel generally crummy while working out.) 

3. Sleepless nights and tired days

If your energy is zapped, an estrogen imbalance could be contributing. Estrogen plays a role in regulating circadian rhythm, the internal clock that influences when you fall asleep and wake, as well as your sleep stages, explains Houman. “Any imbalance can disrupt sleep architecture,” he says. 

When estrogen levels fall out of balance, “men may notice poor sleep quality, frequent nighttime waking, and persistent fatigue,” Bailey notes. “Many describe feeling ‘tired but wired’ or just not recovering the way they used to.”

The thing is, the relationship between the hormones and your time between the sheets is bidirectional. If estrogen and testosterone get thrown out of whack, sleep quality can suffer. At the same time, inadequate sleep can further disrupt hormone balance, says Houman. Even in the short term, this viscous cycle can impair physical and mental recovery, leading to persistent low energy even in otherwise healthy men.

4. Sexual dysfunction 

With estrogen imbalance, bedroom issues don’t usually stop with disrupted sleep. “Estrogen imbalance can lead to erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, difficulty maintaining rigidity, delayed erections, or loss of morning erections,” shares Houman. 

Sexual and erectile function depend on an interplay of hormonal, vascular, and neurological function, he explains. If estrogen and testosterone fall out of balance, this team can break down on multiple levels. 

On the hormonal front, elevated estrogen can blunt the stiffening impacts that testosterone usually has on the penile tissues, compromising erectile quality. The imbalance can also interfere with the vascular and neurological pieces of the pleasure and performance puzzle. “Estrogen excess interferes with nitric oxide signaling,” Houman says. That key mechanism allows the blood vessels in the penis to relax so they can become engorged for an erection. 

Many men also report decreased confidence as their estrogen rises, which can also impact bedroom performance, Houman says. Higher testosterone levels (which require balanced estrogen) are correlated with greater feelings of self-confidence.

How To Support Healthy Hormone Levels 

Broadly, habits that support overall wellness help maintain healthy hormone levels. Here’s an overview of your must-do’s for checking excess estrogen. 

1. Strengthen Your Foundation With Solid Sleep 

“Getting enough quality sleep is foundational,” says Bailey. Research suggests that seven to nine hours of sleep per night is the minimum adults need for hormone balance. You know the drill here: Set an earlier bedtime and stick to it, make your home cooler and darker after sunset, and get off screens in the hour or two before your head hits the pillow.

2. Clean Up Your Diet

When it comes to warding off excess estrogen, “strengthening nutrition quality through cleaner food also makes a significant difference,” says Bailey.

In practice, this means prioritizing antioxidant-rich foods, like colorful fruits and veggies, which help neutralize oxidative stress in the body and support toxin removal and endocrine function, he says. Avoid ultra-processed foods, which are lower in those nutrients and higher in additives that can interfere with hormone health. 

3. Slash Everyday Toxin Exposure

In addition to cleaning up your eats, getting picky about personal care products can also help reduce your toxin exposure, according to Bailey. Swap your current line-ups for fragrance-free formulas that are phthalate-free, BPA-free, and made without added parabens. Avoiding products made with these can reduce your exposure to potentially endocrine-disrupting chemicals without interfering with your quality of life, he says. 

4. Hit The Weights

The CDC’s recommendation of two muscle-strengthening sessions per week is a solid baseline for supporting hormonal and overall health. You don’t have to stop there, though; your unique physiology and fitness goals may warrant additional time in the weight room. 

Read More: How To Adjust Your Strength Training Game As You Age

That said, more isn’t necessarily better. “The key is to pair resistance training with proper recovery, and not overtraining, as too much intensity without recovery increases cortisol, which works against hormone balance,” he notes. In addition to including two recovery-focused days in your training schedule, you support healthy hormones as a lifter by eating enough total calories, prioritizing protein, and managing overall inflammation levels. 

5. Party Smarter

“Avoiding smoking and recreational drugs also helps protect testosterone production, while reducing alcohol intake can dramatically improve estrogen metabolism,” says Bailey. All three changes support a healthy balance between estrogen and testosterone, he says. While the CDC recommends limiting alcohol intake to two per day for men, lowering it even more—or even abstaining altogether—may be best for men concerned with estrogen imbalance. 

6. Supplement For Liver Health And Hormonal Balance

Adding certain supplements to your daily stack may support a healthy hormone balance. “When used appropriately, zinc, magnesium, B vitamins, fiber, and compounds from cruciferous vegetables (like sulforaphane) can support estrogen metabolism and clearance,” says Bailey. Supplementation with maca root has also been shown to optimize testosterone levels in men in as little as three months of use. 

Supplements that support liver health can also play a crucial role in maintaining estrogen balance. One of the most popular herbs is milk thistle, which contains a potent antioxidant with an affinity for the liver called silymarin. “The liver is responsible for breaking down and clearing estrogen from the body,” explains Bailey. “If liver detox pathways are sluggish, estrogen can recirculate instead of being eliminated, which can create estrogen excess.” In fact, he notes that liver health is often the missing link in men who can’t figure out their hormone symptoms.  

When To Talk To A Provider 

If you’re experiencing any of the signs of estrogen imbalance above—or noticing other new-to-you symptoms—it’s wise to talk to a healthcare provider. 

What your provider will test you for will depend on your unique symptom set and overall health picture. However, “evaluation typically involves measuring total testosterone, free testosterone, and estradiol with a sensitive assay,” which is a type of blood test used to measure very low levels of hormones, explains Houman. Additional labs may include sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, and thyroid markers. These will help your provider better understand how your body is producing and regulating hormones. 

Depending on the result, your healthcare provider could recommend a range of solutions, including lifestyle changes, prescription meds, hormone-based interventions, or supplements, according to Bailey. A personalized approach is certainly the most effective here!