Do you notice more problems with heavy or prolonged periods, PMS symptoms, weight gain, especially around the hips, thighs and belly, fatigue and brain fog? It may be that you are experiencing excess estrogen levels.
The question is now why are you experiencing excess estrogen levels?
The Liver–Gut Connection in Hormone Balance
Did you know that the liver and the gut work together to ensure proper estrogen levels? If either one is not functioning properly, increased estrogen levels may occur.
Your liver is like your body’s main filter — it processes everything from food and medications to hormones and toxins. One of its important jobs is to break down and remove extra estrogen once your body is done using it.
How the Liver Processes Estrogen
The liver changes estrogen into smaller pieces (metabolites). The liver then “packages” these estrogen pieces with other molecules to make them water-soluble. That means your body can now get rid of them through your bile, urine, or stool.
The Gut’s Role in Hormone Regulation
What Happens When Gut Health Is Compromised
After the liver sends those “used” estrogens into the intestines through bile, your estrobolome play a big role in what happens next:
-
- If your gut is healthy and balanced, those estrogens leave the body through bowel movements.
- But if there’s gut imbalance (dysbiosis) or constipation, certain bacteria can reactivate estrogen using an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase.
- When that happens, estrogen gets reabsorbed into the bloodstream, making your total estrogen levels higher again.
This recycling can lead to estrogen dominance— a situation where estrogen builds up relative to progesterone, contributing to symptoms like:
-
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- PMS
- Heavy periods
- Mood swings
How to Support Healthy Estrogen Balance
You can help your body naturally balance hormones by supporting both the liver and gut:
For the Liver:
-
- Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts).
- Stay hydrated and limit alcohol or processed foods.
- Get enough B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants (like from berries, leafy greens, and nuts).
For the Gut:
-
- Eat fiber-rich foods (flaxseed, oats, beans, vegetables) to help eliminate estrogen.
- Include probiotics, prebiotics and fermented foods which help balance the estrobolome.
- Drink plenty of water. Aim for 64 oz of water a day or 30 ml/kilogram of body weight.
- Aim for at least one healthy bowel movement daily.
Testing for Estrogen Metabolism
The DUTCH Complete (Dried Urine Test) by Precision Analytical (DUTCH) is a beneficial test for estrogen metabolism. It determines liver and gut health by measuring cortisol, hormone metabolites, and organic acids. The test measures estrogen levels and how the body detoxifies and eliminates them, which can be influenced by gut health and the liver.
The Bottom Line
In review, the liver detoxifies and prepares estrogens for elimination, but the gut decides whether they actually leave the body or recirculate. Supporting both liver and gut health is essential for balanced estrogen metabolism and reducing estrogen-dominant symptoms.
