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You’re bloated. Your brain feels like it’s wrapped in cling film. You cry at supermarket adverts and forget why you walked into the kitchen. You’ve been told it’s stress, or that your tests are “normal,” or that it’s just what happens in your 30s. But here’s the truth: these symptoms aren’t just in your head. They’re in your hormones, specifically, your estrogen levels. And whether it’s too much estrogen or low estrogen, the effects on your mood, metabolism, and energy are real.
If you’ve got Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), the confusion can be even worse.
Because PCOS doesn’t always play by the rules. You might have all the PCOS problem symptoms without the “official” diagnosis, or you’ve been diagnosed and still don’t feel right.
Sound familiar?
This post breaks down what’s really going on when you’re dealing with low estrogen symptoms, what that looks like in real life (not just medical charts), and how to figure out if estrogen dominance is actually the issue, or if you’re running low and no one’s noticed.
Let’s decode the chaos together.
1. The Estrogen Guessing Game (AKA Why You Feel Like a Hormonal Piñata)
Here’s the thing, estrogen isn’t the enemy. It’s essential for everything from your mood and memory to skin elasticity and metabolism.
When it’s balanced, you feel like you. But when it’s off? Total mess.
And this is where the confusion starts: too much estrogen and low estrogen can both cause hormone imbalance symptoms like mood swings, bloating, and fatigue. So unless you test at the right time (and for the right things), it’s easy to get the wrong diagnosis, or none at all.
2. If You’ve Got Too Much Estrogen (Estrogen Dominance)
Estrogen dominance doesn’t always mean your estrogen is sky-high. Sometimes, your progesterone is just too low to keep things balanced. Either way, it leads to symptoms like:
- Heavy or painful periods
- Breast tenderness
- Water retention and puffiness
- Stubborn belly fat
- Mood swings that hit out of nowhere
This can be common in women with PCOS, especially those dealing with stress, inflammation, or slow detox pathways (hello sluggish liver).
And let’s be honest, when your hormones are out of whack, no amount of bubble baths or herbal tea is going to fix it.
Related post: PCOS Symptoms You Might Be Missing
3. If You’ve Got Low Estrogen (Yes, Even With PCOS)
Now here’s the twist: low estrogen is just as common, and often overlooked, especially if you’ve recently come off the pill, lost weight quickly, or have thyroid issues.
Low estrogen symptoms include:
- Brain fog and forgetfulness
- Vaginal dryness and low libido
- Anxiety or a “flat” mood
- Dry skin or thinning hair
- Sleep disruption and night sweats
- Feeling emotionally disconnected from your body
And yes, you can absolutely have low estrogen and PCOS at the same time, especially if your thyroid medication isn’t dialled in or your body’s under long-term stress. It’s a tangled web, but there is a way through it.
Related post: PCOS or Something Else? Why Testing Matters
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4. Why Doctors Miss This All the Time
Most GPs run basic hormone panels (if anything) without considering your cycle phase, or whether you’re even ovulating. But here’s the thing: hormones change daily, and timing matters.
Testing on the wrong day? Totally useless.
Not testing progesterone, DHEA, or thyroid? Also useless.
No one asking how you actually feel? Yep, also useless.
You deserve better. You deserve clarity. And you deserve to know what’s going on inside your own body.
Related post: Daily PCOS Routine: Small Habits That Make a Big Difference
5. How to Start Feeling Like Yourself Again
You don’t need to “power through” this or “wait and see.” You need a plan.
Here’s where to begin:
- Track your symptoms with your cycle (even if it’s irregular)
- Consider comprehensive hormone testing (think DUTCH, or at least a full panel)
- Support your liver and gut health with hormone-balancing meals
- Reduce stress (seriously, cortisol throws everything off)
- Lift weights or walk daily (yes, exercise for PCOD problem actually helps)
- Ditch crash diets, nourish your body with enough protein, fat, and carbs
Most importantly, don’t try to fix this alone. Whether it’s working with a practitioner, joining a community, or just reading blog posts like this, you’re already taking action.
Related post: What to Eat for PCOS
Conclusion
If you’re feeling “off” and no one’s helping you connect the dots, trust yourself. Whether it’s low estrogen, estrogen dominance, or a full-blown hormone imbalance, there’s a reason you feel this way.
And it’s not all in your head.
You’re not broken. You’re just ready for real answers.
Next Steps
“The moment you start trusting your symptoms more than someone else’s opinion, that’s when healing begins.”
- Read This Next: PCOS or Something Else? Why Testing Matters
- Or explore the Cortisol Reduction Series for more hormone balancing help.
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