May 26th, 2021 | Posted By: Magdalena Wszelaki | Posted in Articles, Estrogen Dominance | Tagged

Top 3 Supplements for Estrogen Dominance

Top 3 Supplements for Estrogen Dominance

I want to cover a hormonal imbalance that way too many women suffer from, but most do not know they have it.

I’m talking about Estrogen Dominance.

The common symptoms of estrogen dominance are:

  • tender, lumpy, and fibrocystic breasts
  • estrogenic cancers such as breast, ovarian, uterine
  • fibroids
  • uterine polyps
  • endometriosis
  • PMS
  • heavy periods
  • irregular periods
  • thyroid nodules
  • cellulite and stubborn fat on the butt and thighs
  • water retention
  • weight gain, especially around the butt and hips
  • infertility
  • lack of ovulation

Note: Even though you might be headed for peri- and menopause, you can still be experiencing estrogen dominance.

How so?

Let’s Understand Estrogen Dominance (ED, in Short) First

It can happen due to two main reasons:

Reason #1: You have insufficient progesterone to oppose estradiol, the “aggressive” estrogen that has been connected to the growth of pathogenic cells like in the case of fibroids, cancers, and endometrial tissue.

Reason #2: The way your body is breaking down estrogens to the various estrogenic metabolites, is not favorable to you. I call them the “dirty” estrogens.

Due to a poor liver function, inappropriate diet, nutritional deficiencies, gut issues, chronic constipation, and use of “conventional” skincare and cleaning products, your body is receiving and/or creating too much of the antagonistic or “dirty” estrogen metabolites that cause harm.

How To Reverse And Manage Estrogen Dominance?

The best approach that will generate the fastest and most profound changes is when you combine diet changes with supplements.

Diet is your foundation.

Supplements are your amplifiers and healing accelerators.

Since this article is focused on supplements, I will dive right in.

Key Products I Recommend:

#1 DIM

Ideal for you, if:

  • You know that your 2:16 hydroxyestrone (can be tested with blood) balance is off, this is a great product to add.
  • You are high in testosterone and you convert testosterone to estrogens.
  • You need Phase 1 liver detoxification support (you probably know that yet, more on that below).

#2 Sulforaphane 

Sulforaphane is a compound high in broccoli sprouts. It is a potent Phase II liver detox facilitator, acting on the sulfation pathway. Sulforaphane has also been linked to being anti-carcinogenic in estrogenic cancers.

#3 Calcium D-Glucarate 

Calcium D-Glucarate helps the elimination of excess estrogen and other toxins and protects against re-absorption. It supports Liver Phase II, glucuronidation pathway detox. (It’s not the kind of calcium you take for your bones.)

Let’s Go Into A Little More Detail On Each Of These Key Products And Their Nutrients

1. DIM

The DIM we make provides 100 mg of DIM (Diindolylmethane) – a type of compound known as a ‘plant indole.’

Plant indoles are found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower and are among the nutrients that give these vegetables their well-known healthful properties.

The primary plant indole found in cruciferous vegetables is known as Indole 3 Carbinol (I3C), which converts to DIM in the body.

I3C and DIM have been studied for their health-promoting benefits when used as supplements.

While both may help support healthy estrogen metabolism, DIM may be a better option as it does not produce the unwanted side effects of I3C (including possible nausea and equilibrium issues).

Buying Tip: When getting DIM, be sure it comes in oil form – it is the highest bioavailable form that is most likely to make a difference in your health.

How Does DIM Offer Superior Absorption?

DIM is made up of a crystalline structure that makes it difficult for the body to absorb.

To overcome this hurdle, DIM is manufactured using an all-natural process that helps to optimize the absorption of this nutrient by the body – using a proprietary blend of MCT oils, non-soy derived lecithin, and vitamin E, without the use of potentially harmful surfactants.

This delivery technology increases the absorption rate and reduces the absorption time for DIM, and as a result, it may allow for superior effects through lower dosages.

DIM and Hormone Balance

Both women and men produce many different forms of estrogen. Research suggests that the ratio of two specific forms – 2 hydroxy estrogen and 16 hydroxy estrogen – is important for optimal health.

DIM helps support a more optimal balance of these two estrogen metabolites, thereby providing a protective effect on the body. DIM also acts as an aromatase inhibitor – it means that it can block some testosterone from converting to estrogen, making more testosterone available in the body (can be a good thing). This could have a positive influence on sexual desire and athletic performance in both men and women.

The Difference Between I3C and DIM

I recommend using DIM and not I3C for two reasons.

First, I3C needs co-factors to get converted to DIM which is what does the work.

Plus, I3C, in the process of helping the 2:16 estrogen metabolism, also increases the 4 hydroxy estrone which has been linked to breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers.

In short: DIM is a better and safer option.

Benefits of DIM

  • Supports Phase I liver detoxification.
  • Helps maintain a beneficial ratio of 2 hydroxy estrogen to 16 hydroxy estrogen (also known as a higher ‘2/16 ratio’).
  • Supports healthy balance of testosterone and estrogen.
  • Provides antioxidant properties. DIM has been shown to help protect cells in the body from the damaging effects of oxidation.
  • Has none of the side effects associated with I3C.
  • Can be specifically formulated for maximum absorption and bioavailability.

Why has DIM stopped working or made you feel worse? 

DIM has been marketed by many companies as the “estrogen buster.” Yes, it does have all the benefits I covered but note that it only upregulates Phase 1 liver detoxification. In this phase, the toxins become “freed” and need to be conjugated, or “coupled up” with specific compounds found in Phase II liver detoxification, such as methyl groups, sulfur – these compounds bind up the Phase I toxins and evacuate them through urine, sweat, and feces.

When your Phase II liver function isn’t nourished with compounds that neutralize the toxins from Phase I, your body will struggle and you will most likely feel worse. This explains why many women either feel their symptoms of ED lift for a few weeks, and then start feeling worse. Some women feel worse right away.

The way to solve this is to combine DIM with Phase II liver detoxifiers – sulforaphane and calcium d-glucarate. More on these, below.

Why Not Just Eat Cruciferous Vegetables?

Eating two pounds of cruciferous vegetables like raw cabbage or broccoli can ultimately supply, via I3C conversion into DIM, about 20-30 mg of DIM.

To get 100mg of DIM (I typically see best results with 200mg/day), one would need to eat 6 pounds of these crucifers – which isn’t doable for most people.

Having said that, once you rebalance your 2:16 ratio, a clean diet, rich in cruciferous veggies, might be sufficient to keep you symptom-free.

Can DIM Be Taken With Medications?

Unlike I3C, DIM is safe when taken with Tamoxifen, birth control pills and other herbs such as St. John’s Wort.

There are no known contraindications for DIM supplementation.

DIM’s proven safety means that DIM can be used by women wishing to get pregnant but should be discontinued during pregnancy and lactation.

My Recommendation

Start with 100mg of DIM. If it makes you feel worse, or you see no improvements, consider adding sulforaphane and calcium d-glucarate.

Precautions

Some research has shown DIM may affect blood sugar levels. For this reason, people with diabetes or hypoglycemia and those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar should be cautious when supplementing with DIM. Talk to your healthcare provider and make sure blood glucose levels are being monitored if you start taking DIM.

2. Sulforaphane

Sulforaphane is a mighty (and safe) compound I feel is highly underestimated and underused by both allopathic and functional professionals. I’m so smitten by it that I may sound like a snake oil salesman. In addition to helping aid in the body’s detoxification, sulforaphane has been shown to have long-lasting antioxidant effects, offering protection from oxidizing free radicals and anti-estrogenic cancer properties. It is also the most powerful anti-inflammatory and is showing impressive anti-carcinogenic properties.

Derived from broccoli sprouts, it has similar characteristics to DIM but is not quite the same. Not only does this compound offer detoxification and antioxidant support, but it is protective for the cardiovascular as well as nervous systems.

Its benefits can be summed up as:

  • phase 2 liver detoxification
  • raises “good” estrogen (2-OH estrone)
  • shrinkage of breast lumps and cancers
  • powerful anti-inflammatory
  • protects from free radicals
  • strengthens the immune system

I’m a big fan of getting sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts , but if you don’t have the time or access, a supplement is a good option.

Sulforaphane and Hormonal Balance

Sulforaphane aids hormone balance in several ways.

Liver detoxification: Sulforaphane is directly involved in supporting liver detoxification, which is important not only for liver function but for the rest of the body as well. It targets biological pathways that both modulate Phase I enzymes and elevate Phase II enzymes, allowing for full and proper detoxification of unsafe chemicals along with “dirty” estrogens.

Anti-carcinogen and detoxifier: Research shows when it comes to supplementing with sulforaphane, premenopausal breast cancer risk was decreased with higher broccoli consumption, it can increase the activity of detoxification enzymes, it’s effective in reducing thyroid cancers, and it raises OH-2 estrone, which is the protective form of estrogen.

Chemoprotection: Sulforaphane is considered a chemoprotective agent for various types of cancers, including estrogen-receptive breast cancers.

Digestive health: A recent study determined sulforaphane supplementation decreased the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in the stool including h.pylori, and improved daily bowel habits of the study participants.

Here are the citation of these claims.

  • It inhibits breast cancer stem cells (1) and well as triple negative breast cancers (2).
  • It increases the production of liver Phase II detoxification enzymes and glutathione synthesis (3, 4).
  • Premenopausal breast cancer risk was decreased with higher broccoli consumption (5).
  • Oral supplementation showed antioxidant Phase II enzymes induction in the human airway as a strategy to reduce the inflammatory effects of oxidative stress (3).
  • It has an anti-tumor effect on thyroid cancer (6).
  • It sensitizes estrogen receptors to better receive Tamoxifen, helping to reduce the drug dose to achieve the same results (7).
  • It normalizes bowel movement in healthy subjects (8).
  • It raises OH-2 estrone, which is the protective (or “clean”) estrogen metabolite (9).

Broccoli sprouts and sulforaphane content 

While working with our manufacturer on formulating the sulforaphane supplement, I learned that, unfortunately, the sulforaphane content in supermarket-purchased broccoli sprouts can vary significantly from low to high. The below chart demonstrates this finding. There is no way of telling which product is high or low in sulforaphane contents (and organic sources didn’t make a difference). I’m still a big fan of growing and consuming broccoli sprouts on a regular basis. However, if you are dealing with a persistent type of estrogen dominance or serious conditions such as a large fibroid, breast or thyroid cancer, I recommend considering supplementing with a high quality sulforaphane supplement.

Sulforaphane supplements are not made equal (what to look for) 

Top quality sulforaphane is derived from raw material containing high levels of glucoraphanin (the raw material) as well as added myrosinase. Myrosinase is the enzyme that facilitates the conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane – which then guarantees the presence of, for example, 7mg of sulforaphane per serving. Myrosinate improves sulforaphane availability by about 8 times. Many cheaply-made supplements manufacturers don’t use this formulation approach leaving the product efficacy to chance. Furthermore, it helps if the sulforaphane formula contains vitamin C – research shows an even higher bio-availability of sulforaphane.

Recommended Dosage

Find a sulforaphane supplement that guarantees 3 to 7 grams of sulforaphane (not just glucoraphanin), provides myrosinase and preferably contains vitamin C. We formulated our Wellena Brocco Power exactly this way and I believe it is one of the top products in the market.

Precautions

If you are taking medications that are changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates), check with your provider before taking sulforaphane. Sulforaphane impacts the liver and these medications may act too fast or have side effects.

The Difference Between DIM and Sulforaphane (the clogged toilet analogy)

Since both DIM and Sulforaphane support liver detoxification, especially from the perspective of hormone clearance, what is the difference?

As mentioned earlier, the market has established DIM as an “estrogen buster.”. DIM can be wonderful as it helps metabolize estrogen, especially “dirty” estrogens, which are the problematic metabolites that can cause so many of the estrogen dominance symptoms.

Many women notice it helps at first and then it stops working. Some may have found it makes estrogen symptoms even worse.

Here is the reason: DIM upregulates phase 1 liver detoxification. Your liver also has phase 2 detoxification. Both of them need to work well for the junk to eventually get evacuated through your colon and kidneys (i.e., poop and pee).

To make it a little more graphic, imagine a toilet with a toilet bowl and a drain to carry the waste out. With DIM, you have just unclogged your toilet bowl but not the drain. In fact, the toilet bowl might be so open now that the drain can’t cope, and the result is the toilet is still clogged up and overflowing.

So, back to your liver and estrogens. DIM has just helped you open up phase 1 detoxification, but if your phase 2 isn’t working as well (which in most people it isn’t), you won’t feel better.

 

The good news: You can open up phase 2 liver detoxification with two potent substances: sulforaphane and calcium d-glucarate.

3. Calcium D-Glucarate

Calcium D-glucarate, as an activator of the glucuronidation liver pathway, is another potent liver detoxifier that clears “dirty” estrogens and other harmful toxins. I also have found it to be very beneficial after several toxic exposures. For example, if you live in a polluted place or have been taking painkillers and antibiotics to prepare for a surgery, you may particularly benefit from calcium D-glucarate, which is found naturally in many fruits and vegetables such as oranges, apples, and cruciferous vegetables. It inhibits beta-glucuronidase, which is an enzyme that reduces the liver’s detox ability, allowing toxins and “dirty” estrogens to re-enter the blood. High levels are seen in people who eat diets too high in fat. It’s been linked to inflammation and certain forms of estrogenic cancers including breast cancer.

It supports:

  • the removal of harmful “dirty” estrogens (10) thus supporting estrogen dominance
  • in connection to the above point, it’s been used in treatments of fibroids, endometriosis breast cancer prevention (11)
  • liver detoxification Phase II detoxification (10)
  • lower inflammation (12)
  • lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol (13, 14)
  • anti-carcinogenic properties (15)

Calcium D-Glucarate and Hormone Balance 

Calcium D-glucarate aids hormone balance by supporting:

Liver detoxification: Glucaric acid (which is what calcium d-glucarate is converted to) binds to toxins, which are then removed in the urine. Supplementation with calcium D-glucarate has been shown to inhibit beta-glucuronidase, a specific enzyme produced by microflora in the large intestine and involved in phase 2 of liver detoxification that lowers the occurrence of breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Removing toxins from the liver will increase liver function and promote a healthy metabolism. It will also allow your liver to eliminate other toxins that would otherwise cause problems.

Estrogen detoxification: Calcium d-glucarate removes the harmful “dirty” estrogens, which are the harmful metabolites of estrogen that may be responsible for conditions such as fibrocystic breasts, breast lumps, ER+ breast cancers, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer endometriosis, fibroids, infertility, mood swings, and PMS. This research validates cancer prevention and estrogen metabolism.

The immune system: Furthermore, this study shows calcium d-glucarate decreases inflammation by activating the immune system and increasing the activity of the anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: One study showed the use of calcium d-glucarate lowers LDL cholesterol by 35%. Many women with low thyroid function suffer from high LDL cholesterol.

Recommended Dosage

Recommended dosage of calcium d-glucarate ranges from 150 mg to 300 mg per day, taken with meals. We have Calcium D-Glucarate in our Wellena store.

Recommended Form

Pick a supplement free of gluten, soy, additives, and dyes.

Precautions

Calcium d-glucarate can speed up the metabolism of toxins and decrease the effectiveness of medications changed by the liver. If you are taking any medications, please speak to your doctor before adding calcium d-glucarate. If taking calcium d-glucarate, some patients take it four hours away from their medications.

Which Product To Start With?

It all depends on your health and on which “links are broken” or not working optimally in your body to detox you from the “dirty” estrogen metabolites.

My recommendation is:

If you are highly symptomatic (and experience things like fibrocystic breasts, stubborn breast lumps, advanced endometriosis, quickly growing fibroids), start with all three products:

You can save $16 when you buy the Estrogen Reset Kit, which contains all three of these products.

If you are not that symptomatic and/or budget is an issue for you, start with Sulforaphane (Brocco Power).

If the symptoms do not subside, add DIM and Calcium D-Glucarate.

Supplements Or Food?

You know I’m a big believer that food is the foundation of our hormonal health.

So when is it right to just rely on food or when to take the supplements? It depends on where you are.

If you are highly symptomatic from estrogen dominance, I recommend starting with the supplements because they will relieve many of your symptoms. Then, continue with an anti-estrogenic diet.

When I had lumps on my breasts and water retention that forced me to take all my rings off, I did DIM and Brocco Power for 2 months – to quickly rebalance my hormones and reduce all the symptoms.

It worked.

I then stopped taking the supplements and as long as I keep a clean diet (anti-inflammatory, free of gluten, dairy, low in sugar, 70% plant based with no coffee and minimal alcohol), I remain symptom-free.

Support Healthy Estrogen Metabolism With The Estrogen Reset Kit

Estrogen Reset Kit

Alleviate hot flashes, painful breasts, fibroids, and painful periods with these estrogen metabolism-supporting formulas.

The Estrogen Reset Kit helps the body to undergo complete estrogen detoxification to speed up your recovery from estrogen dominance. It includes three formulas—DIM, Brocco Power, and Calcium-D-Glucarate—to support complete and healthy estrogen metabolism and elimination through both Phase 1 and Phase 2 liver detoxification. (A supplement like DIM only works on Phase 1 which may not be enough for your symptoms).

This powerful trio is a major help in clearing “dirty estrogens” that cause estrogen dominance. These three formulas offer a complete estrogen metabolism and elimination, with antioxidants for protection during this process.

estrogen-reset-kit-testimonials

You get:

  • DIM
  • Brocco Power (contains sulforaphane)
  • Calcium D-Glucarate

Buy the full Estrogen Reset Kit and save $16. 

Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources

  1. Yanyan Li, et al. “Sulforaphane, a Dietary Component of Broccoli/Broccoli Sprouts, Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cells”, Clin Cancer Res, 2010.
  2. Castro, Nadia P et al. “Sulforaphane Suppresses the Growth of Triple-negative Breast Cancer Stem-like Cells In vitro and In vivo”, Cancer prevention research, 2019.
  3. Yoshida, Kazutaka et al. “Broccoli sprout extract induces detoxification-related gene expression and attenuates acute liver injury,” World journal of gastroenterology, 2015.
  4. de Figueiredo, Sonia M et al. “The antioxidant properties of organosulfur compounds (sulforaphane)”, Recent patents on endocrine, metabolic & immune drug discovery, 2015.
  5. Ambrosone, Christine B., et al, “Breast Cancer Risk in Premenopausal Women Is Inversely Associated with Consumption of Broccoli, a Source of Isothiocyanates, but Is Not Modified by GST Genotype”, The Journal of Nutrition, 2004.
  6. Wang, Liping et al. “Sulforaphane inhibits thyroid cancer cell growth and invasiveness through the reactive oxygen species-dependent pathway,” Oncotarget, 2015.
  7. Pawlik, Anna et al. “Sensitization of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell lines to 4-hydroxytamoxifen by isothiocyanates present in cruciferous plants.” European journal of nutrition, 2016.
  8. Yanaka, Akinori. “Daily intake of broccoli sprouts normalizes bowel habits in human healthy subjects.” Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 2018.
  9. Cao, Shuyuan et al. “Sulforaphane-induced metabolomic responses with epigenetic changes in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells.” FEBS open bio, 2018.
  10. Calcium-D-glucarate. Altern Med Rev., 2002.
  11. Evans, Joel M. “An Integrative Approach to Fibroids, Endometriosis, and Breast Cancer Prevention”, Integrative Medicine, 2008.
  12. Zoltaszek, Robert et al. “Dietary D-glucarate effects on the biomarkers of inflammation during early post-initiation stages of benzo[a]pyrene-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice”, Oncology letters, 2011.
  13. Zbigniew Walaszek, et al. “d-Glucaric acid content of various fruits and vegetables and cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary d-glucarate in the rat”, Nutrition Research,1996.
  14. Hendler, Sheldon Saul. PDR For Nutritional Supplements, 2008. 
  15. Z. Walaszek, “Potential use of d-glucaric acid derivatives in cancer prevention”, Cancer Letters, 1990.

67 Comments to Top 3 Supplements for Estrogen Dominance

  1. When I’ve used DIM in the past, my liver enzymes became elevated, apparently a rare reaction. Any thoughts on what I might do instead?

    Reply

    • Hi Heather, I have had this happen to me too! Did you find anything else out about it and what you can do instead? I’m very curious as I am on bioidentical HRT and would like to take DIM.
      Brenda Wesa, Calgary

      Reply

  2. Hi
    Does seed rotation diet will help also, Or one should eat only the progestron supporters e.g. seaseme and suflower seeds?

    Reply

    • Hi Liron,

      Yes, it is designed to help but to work, one should be taking the whole see rotation as she recommends for it to be most effective ~Deanna HB Team

      Reply

      • What are your supposed to do if you believe you are sensitive to some of the seeds?

        Reply

        • Hi Julie, If you know you are sensitive you will want to avoid them. Everyone is different, for some people seeds work, and for some, they don’t. ~ HB Support

          Reply

  4. Hi there! This article is full of great information. I suffer from ED and have been taking a form of DIM and Calcium d Glucoranate and my symptoms are getting worse. More water retention, bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain. Any insight? Could it just be temporary or should I stop?

    Reply

    • Hi Erin,

      If you find that your symptoms are getting worse…are those the only changes you have made-you may want to take a break from both. Then, you could slowly add them back in (one at time) to see if you can pinpoint the issue. ~Deanna HB Team

      Reply

  5. I am experiencing hair loss .i am 65 and went thru menapause at 52
    Is this a hormonal imbalance Should I be on woman wise or something else

    Reply

    • @ Kris C – I am 44 and have had some hair loss on my head, but hair on chin is getting thicker. Anyway, I asked a naturopath about the hair loss and long story short you may want to look into this scenario: sulfates in shampoo cause testosterone on scalp to turn into dht or a bad form of testosterone which weakens follicle, then hair falls out. The supposed fix for this is sulfate-free shampoo and rinse with vinegar. I just started doing this and do not see results yet because it will reasonably take a long time for the hair to grow out and stay in the follicles in order to see an increase in hair “thickness”. But, it’s low cost enough to try it!

      Reply

    • Hey Kris, you need to do a complete thryoid and hormonal workup. Thryoid tests must include TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies. Sadly if you ask a primary dr. or an endocrinologist, the only numbers they are interested in is TSH and will say the rest is unimportant. That is untrue. You should also test your hormone levels, including SHBG, total and free testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone. Presumably estrogen and progestserone are lower if you’re post menopausal. You should also conduct complete nutritional tests to cover the range of nutrients you need for healthy hair, skin, etc. I advise going to a functional medical practitioner instead of using a traditional gyno, endocrinologist, or primary for these concerns. Even a dermatologist, unless they are specialists in female hair loss, will often prove useless. Hair loss in women is multifactorial. You should not blindly supplement with ANYTHING until you know exactly what, if anything, your body is missing. I am dealing with all of this right now in meno and it’s a hard road, but getting the appropriate help and treatment and avoiding those pills and traditional dr’s that cannot help is an important part of the process.

      Reply

  6. Thanks so much for such an informative article!
    My daughter is 25 and suffers from acne and very painful periods. Are these symptomatic of ED, and if so, which supplements would be most helpful?

    Reply

    • Hi Caroline,
      We are hoping you have found some answers for your daughter. Here is a quiz to see which imbalances to consider https://hormonesbalance.com/quiz/. If you think she does have Estrogen Dominance, please have her read this article for supplement recommendations. ~Deanna HB Team

      Reply

  7. I’m currently on a bioidentical hormone replacement regime for some pretty unpleasant perimenopause symptoms and because in general my hormone levels were pretty low. Amongst other I take estradiol in the form of a cream. I just got the results from a genetic test that showed my estrogen metabolizing pathways in the liver are pretty much busted. I don’t detox estrogen well. Also I’m genetically at a higher risk for certain cancers like breast, endometrial, cervical. Naturally now I’m concerned about the estradiol cream (of course I got in touch with my doctor and am currently waiting for a response). I’m wondering if taking DIM would be a good idea to get rid of potential bad estrogen and would enable me to still stay on the bioidentical hormone replacement? I would very much appreciate your input and of course will run it by my doctor (who may not know about DIM). Many thanks.

    Reply

    • Hello Akat, Both DIM and Calcium D-glucarate help to clear the bad estrogens, these would both be great to talk to your care giver about. ~ HB Support

      Reply

  8. Firstly thanks for writing this article it has been so informative. I suffer from ED but am not peri-menopausal. However I suffer from undiagnosed fertility problems and recurrent miscarriage too. I am convinced that there is a link between my inability to conceive regularly and my ED. I had a round of IVF where they put me on down regulation meaning they eradicated all my natural hormones and gave me just the right amount, it’s no coincidence that following that I became pregnant 3 times in 4 months. What is the best product to take whilst actively trying to conceive?

    Reply

  9. I have a fibroid the size of a tennis ball, is the fibroid kit better than the estrogen dominance kit? Also is the elimination diet the best diet to start with or do you recommend something else

    Reply

  10. Hi, would it be okay to take the wise woman’s balance while having a hormonal IUD? I’ve been experiencing gut issues and bloating that I think might be associated with the progestin that has been introduced.
    Thanks

    Reply

  12. HI I really appreciate all the good information here. I know it is a complex subject, and that I only know a little. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and 3 other minor auto immune diseases. I started HRT (estrogen) 7 years ago because my fare up revolved directly around my period. It was miraculous! I really feel that I never had enough estrogen in my life. I became more confident, less moody, much less pain, my fibro fog completely dissolved. I was also given Progesterone to balance the estrogen and I cannot take it at all, I flare up and get sick. My OBGYN stays very on top of my testing for breast, and ovarian cancers and I am good. I am curious if what I believe is true can I woman not have enough estrogen naturally? Thanks! Amy

    Reply

    • Hi Amy,
      Thank you for your kind comments. We actually can have 3 types of estrogen in the body. The “dirty” estrogen needs to be released for our “good” estrogen to naturally boost. Aging can be a natural factor as well. Liver support is key 🙂
      ~Deanna HB Team

      Reply

  13. Hi
    I’ve been having terrible low mood, extreme fatigue weight gain periods coming more often flushing week before my period comes. The days just before my period starts I can hardly function. Then it comes it’s full of clots last a day and goes. Then I get the exhaustion I just want to sleep. I’m 49 in March on antidepressants. I’ve just bought vitamin C 1000
    Estrcgen supplement and K2 and Dim. Do you advise these supplements. I’m struggling and only feel normal only week of the 28 days..

    Reply

    • Hi Debbie,
      Yes, you need to be feeling better more than a few days a month. We do not know your estrogen supplement. So, we cannot comment on that one. nor the K2. Vitamin C, and DIM can be helpful. You may need to look at dietary changes as well. Supplements can be a good start but liver support is very important as well for resolving Estrogen Dominance. If you have more questions, you may contact [email protected]. ~Deanna HB Team

      Reply

    • This is all very interesting, I’m 46 and do have some of the symptoms listed..how would I know for sure? With a blood test? I need a checkup anyway and am wondering if my GYNE can do hormone blood testing? Would kind of tests should I ask for?? I’d be very interested in knowing where I’m at with my levels.

      Reply

  14. I recently had a needle biopsy for my second cyst. I used atural progesterone to get through menopause symptoms and for bone health. I am on Synthroid. At 65 should I stop using the progesterone completely? It does help irritability.

    Reply

    • Hi Jan,
      We request that you discuss the progesterone with your practitioner. It does seem like you may want to consider looking into Magdalena’s Cooking for Hormone Balance program. It teaches how to heal imbalanced by healing the gut, supporting the liver and balancing sugar. Here is her free preview link https://hormonesbalance.com/cfb/watch/ ~Deanna HB Team

      Reply

  15. Hey, I just started DIM I’m taking the Zhou product which is 250mg per tablet and I have been taking 1 a day for just over a week.

    Just wanted to know, if DIM can u make you bloated when u start taking it?

    I have become quite bloated and emotional since I started it about a week ago. Is this normal?

    Reply

    • I have been researching Dim. The info I have read does say not recommend if you have a estrogen breast cancer risk

      Reply

      • If you are actively undergoing cancer treatment such as chemo, radiation or vaccinations, we recommend for you to first get clearance from your doctor.

        If you are after cancer treatments, the products have not been contraindicated for ER+ cancers treatments including Tamoxifen and Raloxifene.
        The role of diidolylmethane aka DIM can reduce the antagonistic estrogen responsible for cancer growth – you may be interested in checkout out this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15623462

        Hope this helps!
        Healthy regards, HB Team

        Reply

    • We cannot speak to other supplement brands, however you might be interested in checking out this article to learn more about how to best pick a supplement company.
      https://hormonesbalance.com/articles/adrenals-articles/how-to-trust-a-brand-of-supplements/

      Also, we recommend starting out with one new supplement at a time, that way you can have a better idea as to what is causing certain symptoms. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for more information.
      Healthy regards, HB team

      Reply

    • We have not had any reports on DIM causing dry skin. Healthy regards, HB Team

      Reply

  17. I would like to try an estrogen supplement, but after taken an anti-inflammatory prescription for some time I have developed an allergy to Sulfur base items. I know that many times what is considered to be all natural ,can sometimes contain a substituted item. The allergy begin over 13 yrs ago and has made life much more difficult to enjoy socially. Limiting eating, drinking and social outings for me with family and friends. I know that vegetables have a natural sulfur derivative, I make every effort to avoid them because of it unpleasant effects after being ingested. Commonly known ingredient as MSG used in many of our every day items, including bottled water which is why I have to be extremely careful. So my question is does your item contain any of the related factors of Sulfur, Sulfites of any sort?

    Reply

    • Hi Veronica,
      Per our supplement expert, you should have no issues with DIM as it does not contain sulfur or sulfites. ** Sulfate is really just a sulfur and it is not a sulfite. MSM provides organic sulfur and is a nutrient. Sulfa-based drugs, also known as sulfonamides, do not occur naturally and are used as antibiotics. The sulfa molecule is much larger and can cause severe reactions in some individuals. While many people are allergic to sulfa drugs, no similar reactions have ever been reported with MSM. A third sulfur-containing compound, known as sulfites, is a form of preservative that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. MSM does not contain sulfites, and should not cause a reaction in sulfite-sensitive individuals. The human body produces sulfites in its normal metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids. Sulfite compounds have been used for more than three hundred years and are generally considered safe.
      Hope this helps!
      Healthy regards, HB Team

      Reply

      • I want to know are your pills good for adenomyosis? And which ones should I take?

        Thank you!

        Reply

  18. Thank You for sharing this useful information, Every woman should know it, I got through this blog has really helped me in understanding this topic.

    Reply

  19. I’d love to start using the recommended supplements but I live in Europe. How will I find similar products to the ones you recommend?
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Hi Magdalena,

      A thought to consider, some of our international followers have started using Myus.com (a third party shipper). You will have to check them out to see if that is a fit for you. We have not heard of anyone having problems with their service.

      Reply

  20. I want to know are your pills good for adenomyosis? And which ones should I take?
    Also I have fibroids and right now I am taking the Lupron shot every 3 mos.

    Thank you!

    Reply

  21. U always talk about regular menopause, what about those of us that have a total hysterectomy. We live with hot flashes. Supplements don’t work. U need to talk about our needs cause I’m sure there are a lot of us out there needing help too

    Reply

    • Hi Hattie,

      Thank you for your feedback.

      You may wish to look into supplementing with progesterone and/or estrogens (like the bio-identical tri-estrogen products) – the latter should be done under the supervision of a functional practitioner.

      Healthy Regards
      Taylor

      Reply

      • Hi Taylor, what if the hysterectomy is a result of first stage uterine cancer? Can we still take bio- identical estrogen and progesterone?
        Kind regards,
        Veronica

        Reply

        • HI Vera,
          Thank you for your question. It would be best to speak to your doctor or practitioner about what would work best under those circumstances.
          Healthy regards,
          HB Team

          Reply

  22. Please help me! I have been on DIM for several months & felt decent, better periods also. Then I learned I am sulfur intolerant & stopped the DIM & switched to calcium d glucarate. I spent the next 3 days feeling like I have the flu (die-off?) so I stopped. Now I am bright red, sweating all day & night & feel miserable. What do you think the problem is here? Was I getting die-off from the calcium d glucarate OR am I having these symptoms because I stopped the DIM? I want to do a sulfur elimination diet so I am very confused .

    Reply

    • Hey Meredith,

      I am not aware of any contraindications between Maca root and these supplements, however, it is best to refer to the advice of your medical professional.

      Healthy Regards,
      HB team

      Reply

    • Are you ever going to make a thread on aromatase deficiency and how to increase low estrogen in young women?

      You’ve made a lot of posts regarding estrogen dominance but nothing on young girls that suffer from low estrogen and high testosterone. Synthetic hormones in north control actually lower the natural estradiol in the body for girls with PCOS after withdrawing. Theres no research or investigations on low estrogen compared to estrogen dominance.

      Reply

    • HI Danielle,
      I’m unsure of which part of the article you’re referring to? Lots of the info above has the “source” linked for further reading, just click the highlighted word. Hope this helps.
      Healthy Regards,
      HB Team

      Reply

  25. Thank you for this article! I am curious about how long one needs to take DIM, calcium glucarate for? Or is it just like taking a daily multivitamin and good practice long term?

    Reply

  26. Hello!

    2 questions:

    1. I purchased all three supplements, DIM, Brocco Power and Calcium D-G and am wondering if there is a specific combination you’d recommend to make them most effective. Meaning, DIM and Calcium D-G together, and the Brocco separately. What is the best way to take these supplements in relation to one another.
    2. You recommend 3-7g of Brocco Power in this article, but the recommended dose on the bottle is 500mg 1/day. Please clarify.
    Thank you!

    Reply

      • Hi Alise and Holly, you can take all three supplements, Brocco Power, DIM and Calcium D-Glucarate, together. We recommend taking these three supplements with food. Also since the Calcium D-Glucarate is 2 pills, we would recommend taking 1 in the am, and 1 in the pm for best absorption. If you are at all sensitive to supplements, you could try taking one of the trio by itself first for a few days, maybe even a week or two, and see how you do. Then try the next supplement alone (if you are sensitive), or layer the next one on top of that and see how you do, and repeat with the third.

        The article is meant to say say 3-7mg of Sulforaphane. So one of our Brocco Power doses gives about 3-6x more than that dose in one capsule. Good catch! I’m working with my team now to get this corrected.

        I hope this helps! ~HB Support

        Reply

  27. can these 3 supplements reverse endometrial cancer? Trying to avoid surgery and do alternative. Thankyou!

    Reply

  28. What an informative site! I’m surprised Sulforaphane does not impact the thyroid or someone with a goiter negatively. Would eating whole Broccoli sprouts affect the thyroid? Or are both the sprouts and supplement safe?

    Reply

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