How to Improve Estrogen

Estrogen production is an important function of a woman's body. Estrogen works together with the hormone progesterone to ensure that a woman experiences regular menstrual cycles and that her reproductive system functions normally. However, when a woman reaches the age of menopause, hormone imbalances cause estrogen levels to become irregular. When this happens, some women may choose to try boosting their estrogen levels through diet, prescription supplements and other lifestyle changes.

Instructions

Instructions

• 1

  Eat foods that naturally contain estrogen. Some foods naturally produce enough estrogen that women can actually increase the levels of estrogen in their bodies through eating the right nutrients. Soy, for example, contains high levels of estrogen-like compounds called phytoestrogens. This element is able to mimic a woman's natural estrogen, enough to even counter symptoms of menopause. Other foods that contain natural estrogen include split peas, black-eyed peas, pintos, fennel, garlic and parsley.

• 2

  Cut back on the amount of sugar you eat. Cutting back on sugar may help women boost their estrogen levels, as insulin resistance caused by consumption of sugar can be blamed for hormonal imbalances. When the level of glucose sugar in the bloodstream is high, a woman's ovaries have no way of resisting insulin to keep sugar out. This leads the ovaries to react by producing hormones such as testosterone, which can counter the effects of estrogen.

• 3

  Consume the right vitamins and supplements. One vitamin that can help with estrogen levels is vitamin C, which helps in improving health and function of the immune system. This in turn keeps the balance of hormones regular. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as green tea, help eliminate free radicals, which also helps in maintaining healthy levels of estrogen. Supplements that contain silymarin boost liver function while also removing toxins and impurities, which helps the endocrine and ovaries function better as well. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep hormones in balance, while B-complex vitamins also boost the production of sex hormones.

• 4

  Undergo hormone replacement therapy under the care of a physician. Synthetic estrogen supplements can help balance hormone levels, while creams that contain phytoestrogens can be used according to individual needs. However, synthetic hormone replacement therapy may lead to negative side effects, such as heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer.