Hormones are often described as chemical messengers, but in reality they behave more like conductors of an intricate symphony. Each section of the body plays its part, and the gut is one of the most influential instruments in the orchestra. When it falls out of rhythm, the entire composition can feel off key.

For women, the relationship between gut health and hormones is especially significant.

Estrogen influences everything from menstrual cycles to mood, metabolism, and bone health. But what many women don’t realize is that estrogen balance depends partly on gut health. After estrogen is processed by the liver, it travels to the digestive tract for elimination. A healthy gut microbiome helps escort excess estrogen out of the body. Certain beneficial bacteria, sometimes referred to as the “estrobolome,” play a key role in this process.