The importance of your gut microbiome with endometriosis

There is a strong correlation between digestion and overall health as we are learning – this includes physical, mental as well as emotional health. A well-known naturopathic saying for good health is, ‘first, heal the gut’.


Gut health and endometriosis


The disease of endometriosis has a huge influence on gut health and many digestive imbalances like SIBO and Leaky Gut are very common among women who suffer the disease. Healing the gut, and understanding how the gut works can have far reaching benefits in improving health.

Here are just a few reasons for having a healthy gut:

1   The gut is home to the largest population of microbes living in our body and we suspect that these microbes drive our health in more ways than we currently understand. Science is just starting to understand the importance of the ‘microbiome’.   We depend on a vast army of microbes to stay alive: a microbiome protects us against germs, breaks down food to release energy, and helps produce vitamins and nutrients.

2  The gut is the foundation of our immune system, with approximately 80% of our immune tissue located in the digestive tract.  Compromise gut health will mean our immunity deteriorates.  You need a vibrant immune-system to help you mange endometriosis especially as much of you immune-system stems from your gut.

3   Gut health directly affects our hormone balance by affecting how certain hormones are metabolized and eliminated - and in some cases, influencing how hormones are produced.  In women, we have something called the ‘estrobolome’ which impacts how estrogen is metabolized in the body which a crucial factor in endometriosis.

4   Gut health not only affects how hormones are produced, but also has an effect on neurotransmitter production including serotonin and dopamine which are our feel-good chemicals.

Gut estrobolome and hormone health

Another part of the puzzle regarding gut health and hormone regulation

The microbiome is a collection of microbes that have a wide-reaching impact on your health, influencing everything from the absorption of nutrients and mood to metabolism and immunity.

The microbiome is very importance to gut health and your immune system. This collection of microbes within your body has a wide-reaching impact on your health, influencing everything from the absorption of nutrients and mood to metabolism and immunity.

Emerging research is coming forward on specific microbes within your gut microbiome, which play a central role in the regulation of hormones - such as estrogen - within the body. This is called the estrobolome which influences the metabolism of various forms of estrogen and in turn the possible risk of developing estrogen-related diseases.

Emerging research reveals a bidirectional link between the gut microbiome and endometriosis.


The Gut-Hormone Connection and the Estrobolome

This particular group of microbes not only affect the metabolism of various forms of estrogen, they also have an effect on the balance of circulating and excreted hormone levels. This is obviously very relevant for women with endometriosis.

Microbes in the estrobolome produce and enzyme called beta-glucuronidase (enzymes that catalyse the breakdown of complex carbohydrates) which alters estrogens into their active forms, which can bind to estrogen receptors and influence estrogen-dependent bodily processes. The effect of having too much beta-glucuronidase in your gut, the less estrogen is excreted out of the body, so that more remains within the body to be recirculated.

When the gut microbes are out of balance (a state known as dysbiosis), beta-glucuronidase activity may be altered. This dysbiosis can lead to imbalances between the various forms of estrogen and other hormones, which may promote the development of estrogen-related chronic diseases such as endometriosis.


Importance of gut health


Dysbiosis of the Estrobolome and Endometriosis

Given the various roles that estrogen plays in the human body, it has been found that gut dysbiosis, which alters the estrobolome, has been associated with the development of several chronic diseases.

Research suggests that the estrobolome of both the gastrointestinal tract and vagina in women with endometriosis may have larger numbers of beta-glucuronidase leading to increased levels of circulating estrogens and inflammation that drives endometriosis.

Recent studies suggest that gut dysbiosis induces an increment in the estrogen circulating levels, which may contribute to the hyper-estrogenic environment that promotes the progression of endometriosis

Balancing Your Estrobolome

The composition of your estrobolome can be influenced by many factors including diet, exposure to environmental toxins and medications. Therefore, you can support a healthy estrobolome and balance of estrogen in your body through a combination of detoxification, diet, and supplements to encourage the body to restore hormone balance.  

Eat a Hormone-Balancing Diet

Diet strongly influences the composition of the estrobolome. Several dietary factors may have a positive impact on the estrobolome which include:

  • Probiotics strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus can help decrease bacteria that produce beta-glucuronidase.
  • Plant-based foods high in dietary fibre support healthy gut bacteria and lead to more balanced levels of estrogen.
  • Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale are helpful in regulating beneficial gut bacteria, supplying fibre to keep the gut healthy and supporting healthy detoxification of hormones including estrogen.

Reduce Toxicity

Many manmade compounds called xeno-estrogens, can mimic natural estrogens in the body as well as alter the composition of the microbiome. There are several steps you can take to reduce your exposure to xeno-estrogens in everyday life by reducing your use of toiletries and household cleaning products that are full of toxic chemicals.


https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9962481/

https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/the-link-between-the-gut-microbiome-and-endometriosis/

https://academic.oup.com/biolreprod/article/107/4/881/6649716

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12916-024-03503-y


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About the Author

Hi, I am Carolyn Levett, the Founder here at endo-resolved - I am an Integrative Health Coach having studied nutrition, naturopathy and aromatherapy as well as being a published author of three endometriosis books. I used to suffer from severe endometriosis and was fortunate to be able to regained my health and recover from this disease with the support of nutrition, natural therapies and lots of determination.

My motivation is to help other women with endometriosis to heal their bodies so they may start to overcome this awful disease without having to totally rely on toxic drugs and surgeries which can cause further damage  -  with healing thoughts, Carolyn.

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