Estrogen is a hormone present in females that plays an important role in maintaining reproductive health. It also plays an important function in other body functions as well. There are three types of estrogen present. Estrone is a weak type of estrogen that increases after menopause in women, Estradiol is the most potent form of estrogen which helps in developing and maintaining the reproductive system, dilates blood vessels, and keeps the cardiovascular system healthy and estriol is a primary form of estrogen present during pregnancy.
Constipation is a condition wherein there are changes in bowel movement and difficulty in passing out the stools as it becomes hard. It often happens due to a lack of fibre in the diet, not having enough water, and changes in daily routine. Normal bowel movement frequency can range from three times per day to three times per week. The most common symptoms of constipation include difficult and painful bowel movements, feeling bloated or uncomfortable, and abdominal pain
What is Estrogen dominance?
It is a condition wherein there is a high amount of estrogen in the body compared to other sex hormones progesterone is a hormone present in females that helps in regulating the menstrual cycle and early stages of pregnancy. Estrogen levels are known to affect the gastrointestinal system, as the estrogen receptors alpha and beta receptors are present in the inner lining of the small intestine.
- It is broken down into 2-hydroxy estrone and 16-hydroxy estrone each of which has a different function and role in the body.
- 2-hydroxy estrone helps block estrogens that promote cell proliferation, increase the number of cells, and possibly cancer cell growth.
- While 16-hydroxy estrone increases cell proliferation and is associated with inflammation, obesity, and hypothyroidism. These receptors can stop muscles from contracting in the colon leading to constipation. Nitric oxide synthase is known to modulate gastrointestinal function. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays a critical role in stomach emptying. Estrogen is known to promote the activity of neuro nitric oxide synthase.
Estrogen dominance occurs when there are changes in the metabolism and excretion process of these hormones. There are millions of microbes present in the microbiome that helps in activating and eliminating hormones, when a person experiences any kind of stress dysbiosis occurs wherein there’s an imbalance of bad bacteria and good bacteria which leads to inflammation and also harms hormone level and function. Dysbiosis in gut microbiota can also cause constipation.
A group of microbes called astrobleme is present in the gut which helps regulate levels of estrogen, normally after estrogen gets destroyed by the liver it goes to the intestine and from there is excreted via stools, but when estrogen imbalance occurs due to damage to the endocrine gland it doesn’t excrete but gets reactivate and circulates back throughout the body which can lead to estrogen imbalance and cause symptoms like the irregular menstrual cycle, mood swings, anxiety, weight gain, fatigue, swelling and tenderness in breasts, thyroid conditions.
Here are some tips to keep in mind for dealing with estrogen dominance and constipation as the right approach can help manage it effectively.
- Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, kale, and cabbage contains compound 3,3-Diindolylmethane which is known to reduce high estrogen levels, by detoxifying from the liver and balancing the levels of estrogen overall.
- Having a fibre-rich diet may help ease constipation as well will be beneficial for estrogen dominance, fiber-rich foods are plant-based and resist digestion, and they help keep the digestive system healthy by facilitating bowel movement thereby removing extra estrogen through fecal matter.
- One can have NOW DIM 200 with calcium d-gluconate supplement that will help promote a healthy hormonal metabolism by supporting the body’s normal detoxification processes.
- Quercetin is a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables. It is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. It helps reduce the enzyme aromatase that converts testosterone into estrogen, reducing excess estrogen formation in the body.
– Written By: Janvi Chitalia
She is a renowned Integrative Gut Microbiome Health Coach and Functional Medicine Nutritionist in Mumbai. Email: contact @janvichitalia.com