High estradiol levels in men can result in increased proliferation of the prostate gland and a condition called prostatic hypertrophy or “enlarged prostate”. High estrogen levels have been associated with myocardial infarction. This causes difficulties in urination. This becomes more prominent as men grow older. Testosterone levels decrease and the relative increase in estrogen to testosterone gives the effect of excess estrogen. Testosterone gets converted to estrogen via aromatase activity or DHT via 5-alpha-reductase activity.

There are several things a man can do to lower high estradiol levels:

- Reduce alcohol intake to one serving per day (or discontinue alcohol consumption)

- Reduce coffee intake to two or less servings per day

- Increase animal protein intake. This increases the 5-alpha-reductase activity and keeps the testosterone to estradiol conversion from predominating. Consuming Meat, Soy, cruciferous vegetables, shellfish, resveratrol, vitamins C and K, zinc, and niacin are recommended to lower estradiol levels. Supplemental I3C or DIM are helpful in metabolizing excess estrogen.

- Keep weight down. Increased weight (increased fat mass) leads to increase in aromatase activity that converts testosterone to estradiol.

- Tight underwear increases the temperature of the testes and reduces testosterone production and increases estradiol production.

- Hyperthyroidism converts more testosterone to estradiol. Hypothyroidism leads to weight gain and more estradiol production in the fat cells as described above.

- Some drugs lower androgens (testosterone). These include warfarin, beta-blockers, calcium channel-blockers, amiodarone and quinidine. Other drugs compete with testosterone receptors like spironolactone and thiazide diuretics.

- Low Cortisol lead to more estradiol production by contributing to testicular insufficiency.

- If your partner is taking topical estrogen therapy, be mindful of transfer to your skin.

Some of these actions can also reduce sex hormone binding globulin(shbg) . This is the blood’s major testosterone binding protein and can tie up much of a man’s testosterone - leading to reduced testosterone activity.

If you suspect enlarged prostate and would like to explore these treatment options or test for salivary hormone levels, let us know and we can help!