Gut Health and Hormones
It’s highly likely that you’ve noticed a connection between your gut and your hormones throughout the years. It may have manifested as uncomfortable premenstrual cramping, bloating or the predictable period poops right before your period. Sound familiar?
However, have you ever considered the possibility that issues like period cramps, acne, premenstrual symptoms, PCOS, or endometriosis could be influenced not only by your hormones but also by your gut health? Ladies, meet your estrobolome.
Estrogen + Microbiome = Estrobolome
The estrobolome is a collection of bacteria in the gut responsible for metabolizing and regulating the body’s circulation estrogen. How GENIUS is that? You have an entire microbiome department solely dedicated to the task of regulating your estrogen levels. The estrobolome is critical for keep your estrogen levels just right.
The Role of Estrogen
Estrogen is a hormone that plays a vital role in the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics. It contributes to the growth and development of female sex organs, regulates the menstrual cycle, and is involved in the maintenance of pregnancy.
So estrogen is constantly circulating through the body during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause to ensure these bodily processes run smoothly.
Estrogen eventually ends up in the liver where it’s broken down and packaged for elimination or reabsorption, then delivered to its final destination for just that - your intestines.
Once in your intestines, estrogen is either eliminated or reabsorbed and recirculated throughout the body. This is where your estrobolome really shines because a healthy estrobolome decides the “right” amount of estrogen needed. It does this by producing an enzyme known as beta-glucuronidase, which converts inactive estrogen into its active forms, and they're either excreted or reabsorbed into your circulation. This enzyme is also important for the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, the reabsorption of micronutrients such as flavonoids, and for the reuptake of pigments like bilirubin.
But here’s the thing: your estrobolome can only function properly if your gut microbiome is healthy and has the right type and diversity of microbes.
What happens when estrobolome doesn’t have this support?
This leads to a variety of disruptive digestive symptoms - a very common issue among women unfortunately. In addition, the balance of estrogen circulating in the body is thrown off, contributing to estrogen dominance.
There is continuous communication between your digestive system and endocrine system. When this conversation is disrupted, we can experience premenstrual symptoms, endometriosis, PCOS, acne and other hormonal and gynecological conditions.
Because of estrogen’s various roles in the body, combined with the gut’s influence over all of our systems, disruption of the estrobolome can go beyond digestive and endocrine issues and impact our overall health.
