The Estrobolome | Hormones + Gut
Just as the microbiome informs the terrain of our gut, neurotransmitters and immune function, the balance of sex hormones is also highly impacted by a healthy microbiome. The nuances of the microbiome can be immensely influential in setting the stage for healthy conception and navigating challenges with conceiving. It is an area that is often overlooked so I want to break down some of the details to hopefully empower you, if you’re trying to conceive or dealing with estrogen dominance symptoms.
What is the estrobolome?
The estrobolome is a system of enteric bacterial genes that can influence estrogen metabolism and can lead to downstream physiologic effects of estrogen. When the goal is balancing estrogen for pregnancy, the microbiome plays an integral role in maintaining appropriate levels of hormones necessary for developing a healthy egg, preparing the endometrial lining for implantation and triggering ovulation. Recently there has been evidence that the uterus and vagina have their own ecosystem of diverse bacteria that influence healthy cell growth and inform hormone balance.
Let’s take it a step further.
Estrogen levels are influenced by beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme required in phase II liver detoxification that directly impacts estrogen metabolism. There are 4 strains of bacteria that can influence beta-glucuronidase and thus estrogen metabolism. When gut bacteria are out of balance, beta-glucuronidase may be elevated and result in estrogen being recirculated in the system, rather than excreted in stool.
It isn’t just estrogen dominance symptoms such as heavy periods or PMS that are potential problems associated with elevated beta-glucuronidase levels. Studies have correlated an imbalance in the estrobolome to infertility, endometriosis, obesity, metabolic syndrome, estrogen related cancers, cognitive function, and cardiovascular disease.
What can impact the estrobolome?
Essentially anything that is going to influence bacteria in the digestive tract. This can include:
Eating mostly processed food
Antibiotic use
Alcohol use
Stress
Medications
Exposure to pathogens (such as food poisoning or travelers diarrhea)
Consumption of mostly non-organic foods
How to influence the estrobolome if you’re trying to conceive:
Do things that are nutritious and healthy for your liver.
Limit or eliminate alcohol consumption. Alcohol has shown to directly impact beta-glucuronidase and can impact estrogen. Alcohol is also a known teratogen (toxic to a fetus) so if pregnancy is on your horizon, there’s no time like the present to phase out alcohol.
Use antibiotics only when necessary, such as a confirmed bacterial infection (not a viral infection).
If you have a history of extensive antibiotic use (even dating back to childhood), consult with your doctor, naturopathic doctor or functional medicine practitioner about how to restore beneficial gut bacteria. This is usually best supported with specific prebiotics and/or probiotics tailored to your individual body.
Make 80% of your meals during the week whole, organic foods consisting of mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fiber.
Extra support for your liver, which might include:
Castor oil packs
Herbal teas, such as Dandelion, Burdock, Turmeric, Milk Thistle or Licorice
N-acetyl cysteine supplementation
Foods high in antioxidants
Calcium D-Glucarate
In summary, your body is amazing! There are so many integrated processes to maintain your vibrant health. Supporting the estrobolome is one of the ways one can support a healthy terrain for pregnancy.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive and functional approach to your hormones + fertility, you’re in the right place.
Uncovering the root cause of hormone imbalances + optimizing fertility health is the core of my work. If you’re ready for clarity about how best to balance your hormones and prepare for a pregnancy, learn more about my approach + highly successful strategy.
Resources:
Baker JM, Al-Nakkash L, Herbst-Kralovetz MM. Estrogen-gut microbiome axis: Physiological and clinical implications. Maturitas. 2017;103:45-53.
Xu J, Bian G, Zheng M, et al. Fertility factors affect the vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2020;83(4):e13220. doi:10.1111/aji.13220
Kwa M, Plottel CS, Blaser MJ, Adams S. The Intestinal Microbiome and Estrogen Receptor-Positive Female Breast Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2016;108(8):djw029. Published 2016 Apr 22. doi:10.1093/jnci/djw029
Estrobolome Disparities May Lead To Developing Biomarkers That Could Mitigate Cancer Risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2016;108(8):djw130. Published 2016 Apr 22. doi:10.1093/jnci/djw130