How to Lower Progesterone & Estrogen

A hormone imbalance can have highly undesirable side effects for both men and women. In men, an excess of estrogen can cause hair loss, weight gain and a decreased sex drive. For women, the symptoms are similar. It can also cause irregular menstrual periods or increase the effects of menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. There are many ways to affect your hormone balance and lower your estrogen and progesterone, including lifestyle changes and prescription medications.

Avoid soy-rich foods. These foods contain soy isoflavones, which increase estrogen production 1. Foods such as soybeans, tofu and soy milk can all cause excess estrogen to be produced, so stay away from these options.

Foods That Reduce the Production of the Androgen Hormones

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Exercise. Fat tissue produces estrogen; if you are overweight, this can cause enough excess estrogen to be produced to unbalance your hormones. Exercise and diet will help you lose weight, which in turn will decrease the production of estrogen.

Use hormonal birth control pills. There are two types of pill that can regulate hormones. Progestin only pills will affect your level of progesterone, while combined pills will regulate both estrogen and progesterone. Birth control regulates the hormone balance and normalizes a woman's menstrual cycle by bringing her hormone levels into balance.

What Can You Naturally Do for Low Progesterone?

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Avoid foods rich in diosgenin, such as yams. Diosgenin is a chemical that increases progesterone production and should be avoided if you are attempting to lower your progesterone levels.

Increase your fiber intake. Diets that are rich in fiber help the digestion, which can ensure that estrogen is properly metabolized and does not build to excess in your body.