Hormonal balance and digestion

Many of us notice that, depending on where we are in our cycle or at certain key moments in our lives, our digestion is not quite the same: before our period, just as during menopause or pregnancy, we may feel more bloated or experience changes in our bowel transit.

Conversely, taking care of our intestinal system, and in particular our liver and our microbiome, is recommended to help ease certain hormonal conditions such as endometriosis and some signs of premenstrual syndrome or perimenopause. And this often soothes a number of the uncomfortable symptoms.

There is therefore a link between our female hormones and our digestion. But what is it exactly? How does it work? And how can we use this connection to feel better and support hormonal balance? Here is a detailed look at the connections, sometimes unexpected, between our digestion and our female hormones!

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

On one hand, the liver produces the cholesterol from which all our sex hormones are synthesised. A tired liver, overworked by alcohol, medication or a diet that is too rich, will produce poor quality cholesterol, or in inadequate quantities. The liver also enables the absorption, via the bile it secretes, of the good fats in our diet, those which are so beneficial to our intestinal balance and our general wellbeing.

On the other hand, it is also responsible for breaking down our spent or excess hormones, in particular oestrogens, and sending them to the intestine for elimination through stools and urine.

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

Conversely, if the intestine is permeable, it will allow harmful substances to pass through. The immune system will then go on alert at every meal, creating a state of chronic inflammation. This chronic inflammation consumes a great deal of cholesterol, which then becomes less available, particularly for producing progesterone. Furthermore, the immune system, busy, even exhausted, trying to prevent certain substances from digestion from entering the bloodstream, will be less able to combat, for example, the proliferation of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and therefore the development of endometriosis.

Finally, a small intestine and, or a colon that are poorly irrigated or lacking in tone can be a source of constipation. The stagnation of stools in the colon causes fermentation. The toxins produced by this fermentation can, if the intestinal barrier is permeable, spread to the nearby ovaries and uterus. This can be a cause of heavy and, or painful periods.

Among the many families of bacteria that make up our microbiome, 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 they secrete, of reconstituting the oestrogens that the liver has broken down and putting them back into circulation. This is all the more harmful because the form of oestrogen produced is far more active than a natural oestrogen.

And let us not forget the role of digestion in insulin secretion, which can itself be responsible for the proliferation of fatty tissue capable of secreting oestrogens. These can then be in excess and contribute to premenstrual syndrome or a difficult perimenopause.

We have seen how having a healthy digestive system is important for the balance of our female hormones. Let us now look at the role of our female hormones on our digestion.

You may have noticed: as your period approaches, our bowel transit can slow down. This is also a common occurrence during pregnancy. The main culprit is progesterone. Progesterone is a relaxing hormone. As such, it relaxes all the muscles in the body, including the muscles of our intestines. These then lose tone and operate at a reduced level. Constipation can set in, with all the negative consequences mentioned above.

Oestrogens also play a part in our digestive issues. They act as fuel for our beneficial bacteria, particularly those found in our vagina. We know that the connection between all our microbiomes, whether oral, intestinal, respiratory or vaginal, is very close. A depleted vaginal flora caused by a hormonal decline can therefore negatively influence the intestinal flora and trigger the disruptions we have discussed above.

Finally, let us discuss the impact of hormonal contraceptives, in particular the pill, on digestion. Some studies have shown that taking the pill has a negative impact on the quality of our microbiome. Some studies have shown that the pill may interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients that are essential to the proper functioning of our digestive system.

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

• Favour simple, easy to digest and nutritious food, avoiding combinations of multiple grains or seeds, fried foods, rich sauces and processed products, and prioritising local and organic produce.
• Consume pro- and prebiotic foods (leeks, asparagus, lacto-fermented foods, artichokes...).
• Limit alcohol.
• If taking antibiotics, seek advice on taking probiotics.
• Chew your food thoroughly.
• Avoid snacking between meals.
• Support healthy stomach acid levels.
• Manage your stress, with our Essentiels Sérénité food supplement.

You can also regularly follow a hormonal detox.

So, our hormonal imbalances can have their roots in our digestion, just as our female hormones can be connected to how our digestive system functions. By improving what we eat, when and how we eat it, we can improve our overall health and hormonal wellbeing!