Root Cause #3: Chronic Stress, Over-Exercising, Fasting, and Postpartum Depletion

This one hits high-achieving women hardest.

Too much exercise.
Too much work.
Too little sleep.
Too much fasting.

You call it discipline.

Your body calls it threat.

When stress stays high, cortisol dominates.

Reproductive hormones drop.

It’s biology.

Pregnancy and postpartum also deplete minerals heavily.

Prenatal vitamins don’t fix deep mineral depletion.

That’s why we run HTMA testing inside the Better Belly Blueprint.

We look at:

• Magnesium

• Zinc

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Selenium

• Lithium

• Heavy metals

Minerals drive vitality.

Without them, estrogen stays low.

You don’t need to stop being ambitious.

But you do need to rebuild resilience.

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Root Cause #4: Heavy Metals and Environmental Toxins

Heavy metals like:

• Mercury

• Lead

• Uranium

Push out essential minerals.

They create internal depletion.

Even if your diet is perfect.

You can’t produce estrogen without minerals.

And heavy metals steal them.

HTMA testing shows this clearly.

We often see:

• High heavy metals

• Low zinc

• Low magnesium

• Low sodium

That pattern screams low vitality.

Until we remove toxins and rebuild minerals?

Hormones won’t stabilize.

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Root Cause #5: Hidden Pathogens (H. pylori, Parasites, C. diff)

Pathogens steal nutrients.

They also trigger immune stress.

Chronic immune activation drains energy.

And here’s something fascinating.

Your body hides iron during infections.

It tries to starve pathogens.

But then you become iron deficient.

Iron deficiency alone can worsen:

• Fatigue

• Hair thinning

• Brain fog

We use:

• GI-MAP testing

• Organic Acids Testing

To uncover hidden infections.

But we don’t start with kill protocols.

We start with vitality.

Because weak bodies can’t clear pathogens well.

Strength first.

Then precision elimination.

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The Exact Testing Strategy We Use Inside the Better Belly Blueprint

Here’s the framework:

1. Food Zoomer – identifies immune triggers

2. GI-MAP – uncovers pathogens and digestive markers

3. Organic Acids Test – shows microbial activity and fat metabolism

4. HTMA – mineral and heavy metal status

5. Baking soda test – quick stomach acid screening

We layer protocols:

• Vitality protocols

• Pathogen protocols

• Rebuilding protocols

No guesswork.

No random supplement stacks.

You can learn more about the Better Belly Blueprint here:
betterbellytherapies.com/blueprint

Doors are always open.

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Quick Recap

• Low estrogen is rarely the root cause.

• It signals low vitality.

• Birth control and HRT don’t fix depletion.

• The five hidden drivers include:

  • Food sensitivities

  • Digestive dysfunction

  • Chronic stress

  • Heavy metals

  • Hidden pathogens

• Functional testing identifies your exact pattern.

• Vitality must be restored before hormones rebalance.

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FAQ

Can low estrogen cause weight gain?

Yes. Low estrogen affects metabolism and insulin sensitivity. But the deeper issue is usually nutrient depletion or stress.

Can low stomach acid lower estrogen?

Indirectly, yes. Poor protein and mineral absorption reduces hormone-building resources.

Should I stop HRT if I have low estrogen?

Not necessarily. But you should investigate root causes alongside symptom management.

Can postpartum depletion cause low estrogen?

Absolutely. Mineral loss and sleep deprivation can suppress hormone production.

How long does it take to restore estrogen naturally?

It depends on root causes. Many women see shifts within months once vitality improves.

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About the Author

Written by Allison Jordan, FDN-P — functional medicine practitioner, hormone specialist, and founder of Better Belly Therapies. Allison has helped over 150 women resolve gut, hormone, and mystery symptoms by addressing true root causes through precision testing and personalized protocols.