Gut Health & Hormones (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

When we think about hormones, we often think of the thyroid, ovaries, adrenal glands, or insulin. But one of the most powerful hormone regulators in the body is actually your gut.

Your digestive system does much more than break down food. It plays a major role in hormone production, hormone activation, detoxification, and communication between your brain and body. When gut health is compromised, hormones often follow.

Let’s break down how your gut and hormones are deeply connected—and what you can do to support both naturally.

1. Your Gut Is a Hormone Communication Center

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, collectively known as the gut microbiome. These microbes help send signals throughout your body, including to your endocrine (hormone) system.

A healthy microbiome helps:

• Regulate estrogen and progesterone balance

• Support cortisol (stress hormone) regulation

• Improve insulin sensitivity

• Influence thyroid hormone conversion

• Support serotonin and dopamine production (your feel-good hormones)

  
  

In fact, about 90% of serotonin—a key mood-regulating hormone—is produced in the gut.

When the gut is out of balance, these signaling pathways can become disrupted, leading to mood changes, fatigue, anxiety, weight changes, and cycle irregularities.

2. The Gut Controls Estrogen Balance

There is a specific group of gut bacteria called the estrobolome that helps manage estrogen levels.

A healthy estrobolome:

• Activates estrogen when needed

• Helps eliminate excess estrogen through stool

When gut bacteria are imbalanced, estrogen may be:

• Reabsorbed instead of eliminated

• Too high or too low

• Improperly metabolized

This can contribute to symptoms such as:

• PMS or painful periods

• Heavy or irregular cycles

• Breast tenderness

• Fibroids, endometriosis, or estrogen dominance

• Mood swings and migraines around your cycle

3. Gut Inflammation Impacts Stress Hormones

Chronic gut irritation or inflammation—often caused by food sensitivities, infections, low stomach acid, or poor digestion—can keep the body in a constant stress response.

This leads to:

• Elevated cortisol

• Increased blood sugar instability

• Disrupted sleep

• Hormone “stealing,” where the body prioritizes stress hormones over sex hormones

Over time, this stress burden can affect thyroid health, adrenal function, and reproductive hormones.

4. Leaky Gut Can Disrupt Hormone Signals

When the gut lining becomes compromised (often referred to as increased intestinal permeability), unwanted particles can enter the bloodstream.

This may:

• Trigger immune activation

• Increase systemic inflammation

• Interfere with hormone receptor signaling

• Contribute to autoimmune patterns

Inflammation makes it harder for hormones to “talk” to their receptors, meaning even normal hormone levels may not function properly.

5. The Gut and Blood Sugar Connection

Blood sugar balance is closely tied to gut health.

An unhealthy gut can:

• Increase insulin resistance

• Trigger cravings and energy crashes

• Worsen PCOS symptoms

• Make weight management more difficult

Stable blood sugar supports balanced insulin, cortisol, and sex hormones—making gut health a foundational starting point for hormone healing.

6. Signs Your Hormones May Be Affected by Gut Health

You may want to support your gut if you experience:

• Bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea

• PMS, irregular cycles, or hormonal acne

• Fatigue or brain fog

• Anxiety or low mood

• Sugar cravings or energy crashes

• Difficulty losing weight

• Thyroid or adrenal symptoms

7. Supporting Gut Health to Support Hormones

Some gentle, foundational ways to support both include:

• Eating fiber-rich, whole foods

• Supporting digestion with mindful eating

• Reducing inflammatory foods

• Managing stress and nervous system health

• Supporting the liver and gut elimination pathways

• Introducing targeted probiotics or prebiotics (when appropriate)

Every body is unique, which is why a personalized approach is key.

Final Thoughts

Hormones don’t work in isolation—and neither does your gut.

When you support your digestive system, you’re also supporting:

• Hormone balance

• Mood and mental clarity

• Energy levels

• Metabolic health

• Cycle and thyroid health

Healing hormones often begins with healing the gut.

If you’re struggling with hormone-related symptoms and don’t know where to start, looking at gut health is one of the most powerful first steps.

This blog post is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, cure, or diagnose any disease or take the place of your doctor. Consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medications and/or supplements.