Estrogen plays a critical role in:
- Bone strength
- Heart health
- Mood
Fortunately, there are ways to combat low estrogen, and they don’t all involve hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — treatments that contain female hormones. You may be able to boost your estrogen levels naturally by eating certain foods and taking herbal and vitamin supplements.
Some vitamins and minerals help your body produce estrogen and use it more effectively. To increase your estrogen levels, consider adding:
- Boron, a mineral that helps your body absorb testosterone and estrogen
- Vitamin B, which helps your body create and use estrogen
- Vitamin D, which functions as a hormone in the body and helps with estrogen production
- Vitamin E, because research shows vitamin E may help reduce hot flashes and insomnia.
Natural estrogen supplements
There are supplements believed to reduce the symptoms of low estrogen. But supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so talk to your PCP about any supplements you’re considering before taking them.
Natural supplements believed to affect estrogen levels include:
- Black cohosh: People use this Native American herbal remedy to treat menopause symptoms associated with low estrogen. One small study shows it to be especially effective in treating hot flashes.
- DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): A synthetic version of this naturally occurring hormone — available as pills, powders and topical treatments — can help produce other hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.
- Red clover: Research shows this herbal supplement is effective at alleviating hot flashes in menopausal women. Further study is needed to determine if red clover increases estrogen.
