Oestrogen Balance – Supporting Hormones Through the Gut and Beyond
Oestrogen is one of the most powerful and essential hormones in the female body—impacting everything from mood and energy to fertility, menstrual health, and perimenopausal symptoms. But like all hormones, it’s all about balance. Too much oestrogen - or indeed difficulty clearing it - can lead to symptoms like heavy periods, breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, and headaches. Too little oestrogen—as seen in the lead-up to menopause—can show up as dryness, insomnia, anxiety, or hot flushes.
What many people don’t realise is that the gut plays a key role in oestrogen metabolism. A healthy gut microbiome helps the body break down and eliminate excess oestrogen efficiently. When the gut is sluggish, inflamed, or imbalanced, oestrogen can recirculate in the body instead of being detoxed—contributing to hormonal symptoms at both ends of the reproductive spectrum.
Acupuncture, along with dietary changes, supports oestrogen balance in multiple ways:
- It reduces stress and inflammation, helping to regulate the HPA axis (your brain-hormone communication system)
- It improves liver function and digestion, which are both critical for oestrogen clearance
- It supports circulation to the reproductive organs and encourages the body to restore its own natural rhythm
By combining acupuncture with nutrition that supports gut and liver health—think fibre-rich foods, cruciferous vegetables, fermented foods, and plenty of hydration—we can guide the body back into a place of hormonal harmony.
Whether you're preparing for conception, or navigating the transition of perimenopause, your oestrogen story matters. And with the right support, balance is possible.
Need guidance with your hormones, fertility, or perimenopausal symptoms?
I offer personalised fertility and women's health acupuncture, lifestyle support, and a compassionate space to explore what your body is trying to tell you. You’re not meant to do this alone.
Ann-Marie Shepherd
Fertility and Women's Health Acupuncture Derby
Bridging Science & Natural Health with Compassion
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