Written by Dr. Suzanne Tang

June 20th, 2025

It’s officially summer! When my kids were younger, I especially loved this time of the year. Even though my daughter just finished her first year of college and my son is starting his last year of high school this fall, I still enjoy the shift in their energy. Seeing them at home more often brings me joy. The days are longer and warmer, schedules are more leisurely and unstructured, and the kids are much more relaxed and stress-free.

But this season can also bring up self-consciousness and dread for many of us. As the invitations to pool parties, beach days, and weddings start rolling in, or those long-dreamed-of tropical vacations become reality, you may find yourself thinking, “I don’t like how my clothes fit. I’ve gained weight and belly fat. I really don’t want to put on a swimsuit.”

I hear this all the time from patients struggling with hormonal weight gain. This can stem from oral contraceptives, mismanaged hormone replacement therapy, assisted reproductive techniques, PCOS, or the transitions of perimenopause and menopause. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA are easily disrupted by more than just medical conditions or medications. Other contributing factors include:

Processed, high-sugar, and non-organic diets
Alcohol and caffeine
Smoking
Chronic stress and excess cortisol
Gut dysbiosis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Hypothyroidism
Insulin resistance
Poor liver function
Obesity and excess body fat
Environmental estrogens from household and personal care products
Plastics

Hormones have powerful physiological effects, and when out of balance, they can impact nearly every system in your body.

A Quick Look at Estrogen’s Role

Estrogen acts through three primary receptors: ERα (ESR1), ERβ (ESR2), and GPER1. These receptors mediate estrogen’s effects in tissues throughout the body:

ESR1: Found in reproductive tissues, bones, breast, liver, and kidneys
ESR2: Found in male reproductive organs, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, lungs, immune system, colon, and kidneys
GPER1: Found in skeletal muscle, neurons, vascular endothelium, immune cells, and glands

Because estrogen affects so many organ systems, excess estrogen can contribute to a wide range of symptoms. (Lack of estrogen brings its own set of issues, which I cover in this blog on menopause.)

Common Signs of Estrogen Excess in Women:

Breast tenderness
Headaches and migraines
Weight gain and belly fat
Constipation and bloating
Irregular menstrual cycles or bleeding
PMS
Menstrual cramps
Fibrocystic breasts
Uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and/or endometriosis
Fatigue
Decreased libido
Depression or anxiety
Cold hands and feet
Poor sleep
Hair loss and acne
Low thyroid function
Increased risk of ovarian, breast, and uterine cancer

Signs of Estrogen Excess in Men:

Infertility
Gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue)
Erectile dysfunction
Weight gain and belly fat
Fatigue
Mood swings
Low testosterone
Increased risk of prostate cancer

What Can You Do to Rebalance Estrogen?

A detox diet can help jumpstart your body’s ability to metabolize excess estrogen. Instead of dreading summer attire, take proactive steps to support your hormone wellness and metabolic health. Detox is a foundational pillar in our wellness programs at Inspire Natural Wellness, helping to:

Reduce inflammation and toxicity
Support detoxification pathways
Improve gut health
Balance hormones and neurotransmitters
Promote healthy weight loss

Yes, a detox in the summer is realistic! With our wellness curriculum and health coaching, you’ll have plenty of support and guidance.

Here are a few simple estrogen detox tips to get started:

1. Nutrition:

Increase cruciferous vegetables like arugula, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. These are rich in indole-3-carbinol, which promotes estrogen breakdown in the liver.
Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake, which can increase circulating estrogen.
Choose a high-fiber, plant-forward diet. Livestock can pass synthetic estrogenic chemicals to consumers through meat, milk, and eggs.
Select hormone-free meat and dairy products when eating animal-based foods.

2. Avoid Plastics:

Use stainless steel or glass containers for food and water.
Avoid microwaving or reheating food in plastic containers.

3. Probiotics and Gut Health:

Eat probiotic-rich foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, and miso.
A 2017 review in Maturitas found that improving the gut microbiome can help reduce estrogen-related diseases.
A leaky gut may lead to reabsorption of estrogen, contributing to hormonal imbalance.

4. Exercise:

Regular physical activity regulates hormone production and helps reduce body fat (which produces estrogen).
Aim for 150 minutes per week of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
Exercise also reduces stress, which in turn helps balance hormones.

5. Cosmetics and Personal Care:

Avoid products containing phthalates, alkylphenols, and parabens.
Try natural brands like Burt’s Bees, JASON, and Terra Firma Cosmetics.
Visit www.safecosmetics.org for safer product options.

Membership Update

A friendly reminder that as of June 1st, Dr. Tang has moved into offering wellness concierge care through memberships and programs. Fee-for-service visits are still available at new rates. Hormone wellness memberships provide a lot more savings and benefits, such as:

Discounted visits
Prescription renewals
Lab orders at the doctor’s cost
Access to community classes
A wellness tracking app
10% off Fullscript supplement orders

Dr. Quan Nguyen is also offering wellness memberships. Schedule a 20-minute discovery call with him to learn more.

Enhance Your Detox with Massage: Lymphatic massage can help support detox and relieve stress. Our medical massage therapist, Hannah Haus, is available Sundays and Mondays, with plans to expand availability this fall!

Wishing you a vibrant, confident start to your summer! We’re here to support your detox and hormone wellness journey.

Yours in Wellness,
Dr. Suzanne Tang, ND, LAc
www.inspirenaturalwellness.net

Important Announcements

Dr. Tang is taking a family RV trip to Utah’s National Parks from June 25 through July 6th. Dr. Quan Nguyen will be covering her patient care and is available for urgent wellness visits. Please note that clinic hours will be modified during her vacation.