Learn more about hormonal balance and digestion

Many of us notice that, depending on the period of our cycle or certain key moments in our life, our digestion is not quite the same: before our period, just like at menopause or during pregnancy , we can feel more bloated or have digestive problems.

Conversely, it is recommended to take care of your intestinal system, particularly your liver and microbiota , to relieve certain hormonal pathologies such as endometriosis and certain signs of premenstrual syndrome or premenopause. And this often soothes some of the unpleasant symptoms.

So there's a link between our female hormones and our digestion. But what is it? How does it work? And how can we use this link to feel better and combat hormonal imbalances? Here's a detailed look at the connections (which can be dangerous!) between digestion and female hormones!

Role of our digestive system in intestinal balance

Two organs have a key responsibility here: the liver and the intestine and its host, the microbiota .

The role of the liver in hormonal balance

On the one hand, the liver produces cholesterol, from which all our sex hormones are synthesized. A tired liver, overworked by alcohol, medications, or an overly rich diet, will produce poor-quality cholesterol, or an inadequate quantity. The liver also allows us to assimilate, via the bile it secretes, the good fats in our diet, those which are so beneficial to our intestinal balance and our general good health.

On the other hand, it is responsible for destroying our "used" or excess hormones, particularly estrogens, and sending them to the intestine for elimination in the stool and urine.

The role of the intestines in hormonal balance

It is through the intestine that the nutrients our body needs to produce good quality hormones are (or are not!) assimilated, as well as all the enzymes and co-factors that will allow them to function and be eliminated correctly. It must therefore be in good condition so that the nutrients pass the barrier correctly and are properly assimilated.

Conversely, if the intestine is porous, it will allow substances to pass through that will be harmful to our body. The immune system will then go on alert at each meal, thus creating a chronic inflammatory state. However, this chronic inflammation consumes a lot of cholesterol, which will then be less available, particularly to produce our progesterone. In addition, the immune system, busy, even exhausted, in preventing certain substances resulting from digestion from entering the bloodstream, will be less able to fight, for example, against the proliferation of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and therefore against the development of endometriosis .

Finally, a poorly irrigated or insufficiently toned small intestine and/or colon can be a source of constipation. However, the stagnation of stools in the colon causes fermentation. The toxins resulting from this fermentation can, if the intestinal barrier is porous, diffuse into the nearby ovaries and uterus. This can cause heavy and/or painful periods.

The role of microbiota in hormonal balance

Among the many families of bacteria that make up our microbiota , there is one that plays a particularly important role in our hormonal balance: the estrobolome. These bacteria, when they are too numerous, are capable, thanks to an enzyme that they secrete, of reconstituting the estrogens that the liver has destroyed and putting them back into circulation. This is all the more harmful because the form of estrogen generated is much more active than a 'natural' estrogen.

And let's not forget the role of digestion in insulin secretion, which can itself be responsible for the proliferation of fatty tissue capable of secreting estrogen. These can then be in excess and generate premenstrual syndrome or complicated premenopause .

We've seen how having a healthy digestive system is important for balancing our female hormones. Now let's look at the role our female hormones play in our digestion.

Good hormonal balance for good digestion

Progesterone and transit

You may have noticed: as your period approaches, our bowel movements can slow down. This is also a common phenomenon during pregnancy . The main culprit is progesterone. Progesterone is a relaxing hormone. As such, it relaxes all the muscles in your body, including your intestinal muscles. These muscles then lose their tone and function at a lower rate. Constipation can set in, with all the negative consequences mentioned above.

Estrogens and microbiota

Estrogen also plays a role in our digestive problems. It fuels our good bacteria, especially those living in our vaginas. We know that the connection between all our microbiota, whether oral, intestinal, respiratory, or vaginal, is very close. A vaginal flora that is depleted due to a drop in hormones can negatively influence the intestinal flora and cause the disorders we discussed above.

Pill and digestive system

Finally, let's talk about the impact of taking hormonal contraceptives, particularly the pill, on digestion. Some studies have shown that taking the pill has a negative impact on the quality of our microbiota. There is also evidence that the pill "steals" or disrupts the assimilation of some of the nutrients essential for the proper functioning of our digestive system.

The solutions

As we have just seen, the interactions between the digestive system and hormonal balance are numerous and self-reinforcing, thus creating vicious circles. Here are some solutions to make our digestive system our best ally in the fight against hormonal imbalances, and vice versa:

• Favor a simple, digestible and nutritious diet by avoiding mixtures of several cereals or seeds, fried foods, dishes in sauce, industrial dishes and by favoring local and organic products
• Consume pro- and prebiotic foods (leeks, asparagus, lacti-fermented foods, artichokes, etc.)
• Limit alcohol
• If taking antibiotics, seek advice on probiotics.
• Chew your meals well
• Avoid snacking
• Fight against hypochlorhydria
• Manage your stress with our food supplement Serenity Essentials

You can also do a hormonal detox regularly

So, our hormonal imbalances can be rooted in our digestion, just as our female hormones can be rooted in the functioning of our digestive system. By improving what, when, and how we eat, we can improve our hormonal and overall health and well-being!