Is estrogen running the show?
Your body was designed for hormones to work like a team β not a tug-of-war. Estrogen builds, grows, and stimulates. Progesterone calms, balances, and protects. When that balance tips, your whole rhythm gets thrown off.
This isn't here to diagnose you. It's here to help you understand whether your hormones may be working with you or against you.

Because "your labs are normal" isn't an answer
Most women are told their hormones are "fine" because each lab number falls inside a wide reference range. But hormones don't work in isolation. Estrogen and progesterone are dance partners β and when one is leading too hard, the whole rhythm gets thrown off.
The Pg/E2 ratio gives us a better look at that balance. A low ratio may suggest progesterone isn't strong enough compared to estrogen β leaving the body feeling inflamed, overstimulated, emotional, heavy, tired, wired, or just plain not like yourself.
Conditions linked to a poor Pg/E2 balance:
PCOS Β· heavy or irregular periods Β· PMS Β· PMDD Β· endometriosis Β· fibroids Β· adenomyosis Β· breast tenderness Β· bloating Β· mood swings Β· anxiety Β· insomnia Β· weight gain Β· perimenopause symptoms.
This tool is a starting point β a way to connect the dots and ask better questions.
Why insulin matters for estrogen
Insulin resistance is one of the biggest hidden drivers of estrogen dominance. When insulin runs high, the liver makes less SHBG (the protein that binds estrogen) β so more free, active estrogen circulates. High insulin also stimulates ovarian androgen production, slows hepatic estrogen clearance, and feeds the PCOS pattern of anovulation, low progesterone, and stubborn weight gain.
HOMA-IR is a quick, validated estimate of insulin resistance from a fasting blood draw. Optimal is under 1.0; anything above 1.9 is worth addressing before β or alongside β progesterone work.
- High insulin β low SHBG. More free estradiol reaches tissues.
- High insulin β high androgens. Ovaries shift to testosterone, ovulation stalls.
- No ovulation β no progesterone. Estrogen has nothing to balance it.
- Slower liver clearance. Conjugated estrogens recirculate.
Formula: (fasting glucose mg/dL Γ fasting insulin Β΅IU/mL) / 405.
What is estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance describes a relative imbalance: estradiol is too high for the progesterone you're producing. Absolute estrogen can be normal, low, or high β what matters is the ratio between the two hormones during the luteal phase.
It shows up most often in perimenopause, PCOS, anovulatory cycles, after long stretches of chronic stress, and alongside insulin resistance β because high insulin lowers SHBG and slows hepatic estrogen clearance.
Common drivers
- Anovulation. No ovulation β no corpus luteum β no progesterone surge.
- Insulin resistance. Raises free estrogen, lowers SHBG, fuels PCOS pattern.
- Sluggish liver Phase II. Poor methylation/glucuronidation recycles estrogen.
- Gut & estrobolome. Ξ²-glucuronidase from dysbiosis reactivates conjugated estrogen.
- Xenoestrogens. Plastics, parabens, pesticides β additive estrogenic load.
- Chronic stress. Cortisol competes with progesterone synthesis (βpregnenolone stealβ).
How loud are your symptoms?
Rate each symptom over the last 2β3 cycles. Severity is weighted β moderate symptoms count more than mild ones. Your score correlates loosely with the degree of estrogen excess.
What it actually feels like
Cycle & reproductive
- Β·Heavy, clotted periods
- Β·Short luteal phase (<10 days)
- Β·Mid-cycle spotting
- Β·Fibroids, endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts
- Β·PMS / PMDD
Mood & nervous system
- Β·Irritability, anxiety, weepiness premenstrually
- Β·Insomnia, especially luteal phase
- Β·Hormonal migraines
- Β·Brain fog
Body composition
- Β·Hip/thigh fat gain
- Β·Stubborn lower belly
- Β·Water retention & bloating
- Β·Sugar cravings in luteal phase
Skin, hair, thyroid
- Β·Cyclical acne along jaw
- Β·Thinning hair
- Β·Low thyroid pattern (high estrogen raises TBG)
- Β·Cold hands & feet
Moving the needle
Work top-down: confirm with labs, address insulin and stress, support estrogen clearance, then consider progesterone with a clinician. Skipping the foundations and jumping to hormones rarely sticks.
Progesterone options
Bioidentical (micronized) progesterone is the standard. Synthetic progestins (medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone) do not behave like progesterone in the brain and breast and are not interchangeable.
| Form | Typical dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oral micronized (Prometrium) | 100β200 mg at bedtime | Sedating β good for sleep. First-pass metabolism. |
| Vaginal | 100β200 mg nightly | Higher uterine delivery, less sedation. Used in luteal support. |
| Topical / transdermal | 20β40 mg/day | Variable absorption; not reliable for endometrial protection. |
| Sublingual troche | 50β100 mg | Compounded, fast onset, shorter half-life. |
Doses are illustrative β your clinician should individualize based on symptoms, labs, cycle status, and whether you have a uterus.
Cycling strategy
Still cycling: luteal-phase only β typically cycle days 15β28 (or for 12β14 days after ovulation).
Perimenopause with irregular cycles: calendar-based, e.g. days 1β25 of the month off, last 5 days off β pick a pattern and keep it.
Postmenopausal on estrogen therapy: continuous daily progesterone to protect the uterus.
Diet & estrogen clearance
- Cruciferous vegetables daily. Broccoli sprouts, kale, cabbage β supply I3C/DIM for 2-hydroxylation.
- 30β40 g fiber/day. Binds estrogen in the gut, prevents Ξ²-glucuronidase recycling.
- Protein 1.6 g/kg. Stabilizes blood sugar; supplies amino acids for liver Phase II.
- Minimize alcohol. Each daily drink raises estradiol ~5β10%.
- Magnesium glycinate 200β400 mg. Cofactor for COMT methylation of catechol estrogens.
- B-complex with active folate & B6. Supports methylation; B6 modestly raises progesterone.
- Reduce plastic, fragrance, paraben exposure. Cuts xenoestrogen load β biggest gains from food storage and personal care.
Lifestyle leverage
- Strength train 2β4Γ/week. Improves insulin sensitivity β restores SHBG β lowers free estrogen.
- Walk after meals. Blunts glucose spikes that worsen the HOMA score.
- Protect sleep 7β9 h. Sleep loss tanks luteal progesterone the following cycle.
- Down-regulate stress. Cortisol pulls pregnenolone away from progesterone synthesis.
- Sauna 2β3Γ/week (if tolerated). Sweat is a minor but real route of estrogen excretion.
Targeted supplement support
These are the supplements with the strongest evidence for shifting the progesterone-to-estrogen balance. Layer them onto food, sleep, and stress work β not in place of it. Always loop in your clinician, especially if you're on hormones, thyroid medication, or trying to conceive.
DIM (Diindolylmethane)
Shifts estrogen metabolism toward the protective 2-hydroxy pathway and away from 16-hydroxy. Best for symptomatic estrogen dominance with breast tenderness or fibrocystic changes.
Calcium-D-Glucarate
Inhibits Ξ²-glucuronidase in the gut, preventing conjugated estrogen from being reactivated and recycled. Pairs well with DIM.
Magnesium glycinate
Cofactor for COMT methylation of catechol estrogens, supports progesterone, calms the nervous system, and improves insulin sensitivity.
Vitamin B6 (P5P)
Modestly raises progesterone, supports luteal phase, eases PMS and hormonal headaches.
Active B-complex (methylfolate + B12)
Fuels Phase II methylation in the liver, the main route for clearing 2-OH estrogens safely.
Vitex (Chaste tree berry)
Acts on the pituitary to support luteal progesterone and regularize cycles in PMS and short luteal phase.
Inositol (myo + D-chiro 40:1)
Restores ovulation in PCOS, improves insulin sensitivity, and indirectly raises progesterone by re-establishing the corpus luteum.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Lowers inflammation, supports SHBG, and softens cyclical mood and migraine symptoms.
Probiotic / estrobolome support
A healthy gut microbiome keeps Ξ²-glucuronidase activity low and supports estrogen elimination through stool.
Adaptogens (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola)
Modulate cortisol so pregnenolone isn't stolen away from progesterone production.
You don't have to figure this out alone
If your numbers look off β or you just feel out of whack β let us help.
Heavy periods, PMS, weight that won't budge, sleep that won't come, mood swings, low libido, perimenopause chaos β these aren't things you're supposed to "just live with." Hormone Bliss can help you get to the root.
Work with Hormone Bliss β
I've lived this β that's why I built it
I'm Dr. Tammy, and I know hormone imbalance from both sides: as a physician and as a woman who lived it.
I struggled with PCOS, endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, infertility, complicated pregnancies, miscarriage, and fibroids. I did not become "pretty up on this stuff" because I wanted to. I became educated because I had to.
When symptoms are mild, they may be manageable. But when your hormones start affecting your bleeding, mood, fertility, pain, energy, weight, and quality of life β and no one has real answers β you start digging.
That is why I created this calculator. Your Pg/E2 ratio is not a diagnosis, but it can be a powerful clue. It helps show whether estrogen and progesterone are working together β or whether estrogen may be running the show.
This is information women deserve before they are dismissed, medicated, or told "everything looks normal" when they know something is not right.