Summer is just around the corner and with rising temperatures comes the “barely there” clothing of the season. For some men, just knowing that short shorts and summer dresses on women are imminent is enough to get their soldier standing at attention.
If you’re suffering from elevated estrogen and low testosterone levels, however, your thoughts may be occupied elsewhere. Summer weather brings not only less clothing coverage for women, but for us, too. Throwing the football at the beach or hanging out grilling poolside can make some guys feel self-conscious when they should be showing off.
Understanding how a hormonal imbalance can prevent you from achieving your desired physique or affect your libido is the first step to regaining your “alpha” mode. The next step is finding natural ways to combat testosterone’s summer slump.
The terms “male” and “men” are used in this article to refer to people who identify as male and have the typical reproductive organs of a cisgender male. We recognize that some people who identify as male do not have the same anatomy as depicted in this article.
What is Estrogen?
Estrogen is a hormone present in both men and women, but it is primarily associated with women since the ovaries produce much of the hormone. It comes in the following three types, which are collectively referred to as estrogen: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3).
The second, estradiol is the most common type of estrogen found in men and is produced in the testes through the aromatization process.
Although it has long been recognized as a crucial hormone for bone and vascular health, estrogen is becoming more well-known for its significance in male sexual function.
So what role does estrogen play in men’s health?
How Does Estrogen Affect Men’s Health
The ratio of estrogen to testosterone is an essential biological marker for men’s health. Estradiol (E2) is the primary type of estrogen found active in men. In the big picture, estrogen helps keep men’s joints and brains healthy.
The following are some of the specific ways elevated estrogen levels (compared to testosterone) can affect men’s health:
- Erectile function
- Sex drive
- Weight reduction
- Athletic and sexual performance
- Bone growth and maintenance
- Type and location of fat in the body
- Metabolism
- Sperm production
The testes produce around 20% of the estrogen in men. The rest is produced in the brain, skin, bones, and body fat.
An excess of estrogen or a hormonal imbalance can lead to various health problems for men. Men with high levels of estrogen are also more likely to develop symptoms such as gynecomastia, commonly referred to as “man boobs.”
Why Estrogen is Good for Men
It’s easy to understand why estrogen is often considered “bad” or the enemy of all that is the alpha male. Misinformation surrounding estrogen and men has been widely spread over the years. In fact, the contrary is true – estrogen in modest quantities is good for male health and lifespan.
Too little estrogen in men can lead to symptoms similar to those experienced by men with too much estrogen. Our bodies need estrogen to function properly. Testosterone and estradiol (E2) work together to protect you from age-related diseases.
Attempting to rid yourself of estrogen entirely can cause a variety of health issues and unwelcome symptoms.
Signs of Estrogen and Testosterone Imbalance
A hormone imbalance, such as an increase in estrogen and a decrease in testosterone, can create issues.
When too much estrogen is present in the male body, it can lead to:
- Diminished sex drive
- Reduced muscle mass
- Decreased energy levels
- Infertility
- Erectile issues
- Decreased testicle size
- Man boobs (gynecomastia)
- Low-energy bone fractures
- Cardiovascular issues
- Prostate problems
- Increased stroke risk
- Unwanted weight gain
Abnormally high estrogen levels inhibit testosterone and other androgens (hormones that contribute to the growth and reproduction of men and women).
Next, let’s review some natural ways you may be able to combat your hormone imbalance.
Natural Ways to Balance Your Estrogen Levels
There are several ways you can try to restore balance in your estrogen levels. The following are steps you can take to help naturally control your estrogen levels:
- Increase Workouts: Studies have shown that lifting weights can have a beneficial effect on hormone levels. Try increasing the frequency of your workouts to incorporate several sessions each week.
- Prioritize Nutrition: What you eat plays a huge role in how you feel. It also makes a difference in how your body functions. Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet should be an important part of your routine. Including cruciferous vegetables (i.e. broccoli, wine, almonds) can reduce your body’s estrogen production since they contain compounds that regulate estrogen.
- Avoid Environmental Estrogens: Some personal care products may include ingredients such as parabens, which you’ll want to steer clear of whenever possible. Additionally, eating meat products from animals raised with synthetic hormones should also be avoided. Even plastic food wraps or food containers can leach estrogen into food.
- Minimize Alcohol Intake: Alcohol interferes with liver and kidney function, affecting your body’s natural ability to regulate estrogen. It may be helpful to reduce your alcohol intake to allow your body to do its job.
- Take a Natural Estrogen Blocker: Taking natural supplements can help regulate the production of estrogen. The formulas of the most effective natural estrogen blockers typically contain high-quality, scientifically proven ingredients.
These are good recommendations that may help balance your estrogen levels naturally, but we think the best option is taking natural estrogen blockers. Let’s look at what these are and how they work before discussing how to find the best natural estrogen blocker.
What Are Estrogen Blockers?
Much of the estrogen present in men is converted from testosterone using an enzyme called aromatase. Estrogen blockers refer to a group of prescription drugs that work to reduce the production of estrogen or its effects on your body.
The term “estrogen blocker” has recently been used to refer to natural supplements that perform a similar function. That term is slightly misleading concerning natural supplements, however. A more accurate term for these natural supplements would be aromatase inhibitors.
Natural aromatase inhibitors contain various ingredients that have been scientifically studied and shown to positively impact men’s hormone profile1.
For the rest of this article, we will use “estrogen blocker” and “aromatase inhibitor” interchangeably. Let’s look at how these natural “estrogen blockers” help prevent testosterone from being converted into estrogen.
How Do They Work?
Estrogen blockers work to reduce estrogen production and flow in your body. They help balance the biological effects of estradiol, the estrogen component in your body. Aromatase inhibitors are also used to treat a variety of hormone-related disorders in men.
As we mentioned earlier, a large portion of estrogen found in men is created from testosterone using the aromatase enzyme. Raised estrogen levels lead to an increase in stored fat, which negatively affects your workout efforts.
The aromatization process uses the fat tissue enzyme aromatase to convert testosterone into estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors regulate the secretion and flow of estrogen from its production gland. Essentially, aromatase inhibitors stop aromatase from doing its job.
Some aromatase inhibitors work to render this enzyme ineffective, which reduces the amount of testosterone that gets converted. Others work by keeping estrogen from entering the cell’s receptors, which leaves it in your system before eventually being eliminated.
Are Estrogen Blockers Safe?
Prescription estrogen blockers are generally safe to use with little to no adverse effects when taken according to the directions on the packaging or as prescribed by your doctor. Potential side effects you may experience include mood swings, headaches, depression, constipation, and nausea.
Typically, it’s recommended that you only use prescription estrogen blockers for a short time (usually a few months). Just as artificially increasing your estrogen levels would impact your physiology, so would artificially decreasing them.
All-natural supplements, like aromatase inhibitors, rely on natural ingredients to encourage your body to regulate your hormone levels naturally. As a result, there are no adverse effects associated with most natural estrogen blockers.
When trying any new supplement or prescription, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor about potential interactions with other supplements or medications you may already be taking.
How to Find the Best Natural Estrogen Blocker
Natural supplements, such as aromatase inhibitors, may help block estrogen production or prevent the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. When looking for the right supplement to address your specific issues, you may become overwhelmed by the sheer number of products available.
Any natural supplement we recommend is evaluated using the following criteria.
Price
It’s important not to make a decision on a natural estrogen blocker based on price alone. The quality of ingredients and effectiveness of the formula may mean one supplement is more expensive than another.
While we aren’t advocating that you should buy the most expensive aromatase inhibitor, we are suggesting you don’t purchase the cheapest either.
Brand
The health supplement industry is full of products, but some manufacturers are more reputable than others. Check user reviews and testimonials on the supplement you’re considering, as well as a few others produced by the same brand/manufacturer.
Trustworthy brands will back their formula up with a transparent list of scientifically or clinically proven ingredients, and safe production in a cGMP-certified facility.
Function
Natural estrogen blockers will aid in different ways depending on their ingredients. Of course, formulas with higher quality, proven ingredients will most likely function better. Consider what hormonal issues you have that need to be addressed before beginning your search.
Whether you’re experiencing andropause, muscle weakness, lower sex drive, or weight gain, there may be a formula designed to help you properly balance your hormones.
Ingredients
The ingredients in a natural estrogen blocker directly determine the quality of its formula. Generally, natural supplements rely on all-natural ingredients – most of which have been researched or clinically studied for their efficacy.
Check that the product’s ingredient list is fully transparent so you can verify the supplement’s claims.
How long you plan on using an estrogen blocker, as well as your health concerns and goals, should also be considered when selecting a natural supplement. You should feel free to utilize our criteria in your search for the best natural estrogen blocker for you.
If you’re unsure whether you should try a natural estrogen blocker, keep reading.
When Should You Take Natural Estrogen Blockers?
Whereas prescription estrogen blockers may be more useful for post-cycle therapy support following a prohormone cycle or to counteract andropause, aromatase inhibitors help in other ways.
Here are a few situations in which supplementing with natural estrogen blockers can benefit your daily life:
- Build muscle faster
- Enhance workout performance
- Faster recovery time post-workout
- Lose weight quickly
- Boost libido
- Improve erectile function
- Alleviate depression
As the amount of estrogen in your body decreases, your testosterone level increases, which impacts your physique, performance, and overall health. If you’d like to experience any of these improvements, it may be time to seriously consider a natural estrogen blocker, like DIM 3X by PrimeGENIX.
Best Natural Estrogen Blocker in 2022
PrimeGENIX DIM 3X is produced by Leading Edge Health and claims to reduce estrogen levels naturally. Based on our research, this natural aromatase inhibitor lives up to its claims.
DIM 3X passed all of our criteria for selecting a quality natural supplement. It’s produced by a trustworthy brand in a certified cGMP facility utilizing only natural ingredients and its pricing is comparable to its competitors.
What makes this natural estrogen blocker so unique is that it’s marketed to the average guy looking to balance their hormone production. Most natural estrogen blockers focus on professional bodybuilders, and their ingredients reflect this function. Now if you’re looking to bulk up, DIM 3X can help with that, too, it’s just not a requirement.
Whether you’re a fitness fanatic, a bodybuilder, or just someone who wants to feel younger and better, a natural aromatase inhibitor like DIM 3X is a good option worth exploring.
You also don’t want to have to little Testosterone. Read our blog, “5 Negative Effects of Low-T & The Natural Fix for Each” to find the perfect balance.