Hormonal balance and digestion

Many of us notice that, depending on the phase of our cycle or key moments in our lives, our digestion isn’t quite the same: before our period, during menopause or during pregnancy, we may feel more bloated or experience transit issues.

Conversely, taking care of your intestinal system — particularly your liver and microbiota — is recommended to help relieve certain hormonal conditions such as endometriosis and symptoms of PMS or perimenopause. This often helps ease some of the unpleasant symptoms.

There is indeed a link between female hormones and digestion. But what is it? How does it work? And how can we use this connection to feel better and fight hormonal imbalances? Let’s dive into a detailed overview of the (sometimes dangerous!) connections between digestion and female hormones!

Two organs play a key role here: the liver and the intestine, along with its host — the microbiota.

First, the liver produces cholesterol — the building block for all our sex hormones. A tired liver, overworked by alcohol, medication, or rich foods, produces low-quality or inadequate levels of cholesterol. The liver also helps assimilate, via the bile it secretes, the healthy fats in our diet — the ones that are so beneficial to intestinal balance and overall health.

Second, the liver is responsible for breaking down “used” or excess hormones, especially estrogen, and sending them to the intestine for elimination via stool and urine.

The intestine is where the nutrients our body needs to produce quality hormones — as well as the enzymes and co-factors needed for their proper function and elimination — are absorbed. It must therefore be healthy so nutrients can cross the barrier and be properly assimilated.

Conversely, if the intestine becomes permeable, it allows harmful substances to pass through. The immune system will then react at every meal, creating chronic inflammation. This inflammation consumes large amounts of cholesterol, leaving less available — particularly for producing progesterone. In addition, an immune system constantly busy blocking unwanted substances becomes less able to fight issues such as the proliferation of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, contributing to endometriosis.

Finally, a poorly irrigated or insufficiently toned small intestine and/or colon can cause constipation. Stagnant stool ferments, and toxins produced by this fermentation can — if the intestinal barrier is permeable — diffuse into the nearby ovaries and uterus. This can lead to heavy and/or painful periods.

Among the many bacterial families that make up our microbiota, one plays an especially important role in hormonal balance: the estrobolome. When these bacteria are too abundant, an enzyme they produce can recreate estrogens previously broken down by the liver — and send them back into circulation. This is especially problematic because the form of estrogen they recreate is far more active than natural estrogen.

Let’s not forget the role of digestion in insulin secretion, which can lead to fat tissue growth — and fat cells can themselves produce estrogen. Excess estrogen can then cause PMS or difficult perimenopause.

We’ve seen why good digestive health is essential for balanced female hormones. Now let’s look at the impact of hormones on digestion.

You may have noticed: as your period approaches, your transit may slow down. This also frequently happens during pregnancy. The main culprit is progesterone — a relaxing hormone. As such, it relaxes all muscles in the body, including those in the intestines. They lose tone and function less efficiently, leading to constipation and the negative consequences mentioned earlier.

Estrogens also play a role in digestive issues. They act as fuel for beneficial bacteria, especially those in the vaginal microbiota. The connection between all microbiotas — oral, intestinal, respiratory, vaginal — is very close. A vaginal flora weakened by hormonal decline can negatively impact the intestinal flora and trigger the issues described earlier.

Let’s finish by mentioning the impact of hormonal contraceptives — especially the pill — on digestion. Some studies show the pill negatively affects microbiota quality. It is also proven that the pill “steals” or interferes with the assimilation of nutrients essential for healthy digestive function.

As we’ve seen, interactions between the digestive system and hormonal balance are numerous and reinforce each other, creating vicious cycles. Here are some solutions to make your digestive system your best ally in managing hormonal balance — and vice versa:

• Choose simple, digestible, nutritious meals; avoid mixing several grains, fried foods, sauces, processed dishes; prioritize local and organic foods.
• Consume probiotic and prebiotic foods (leeks, asparagus, fermented foods, artichokes…).
• Limit alcohol.
• After antibiotic use, seek guidance on probiotics.
• Chew your food thoroughly.
• Avoid snacking.
• Address hypochlorhydria.
• Manage stress with our Essentiels Sérénité supplement.

You can also regularly do a hormonal detox.

Thus, hormonal imbalances can originate in digestion — just as female hormones can influence the digestive system. By improving what we eat, when we eat, and how we eat, we can improve both hormonal and overall health!