Gastrointestinal Tract and Hormone Balance

Remember to think systemically! The gastrointestinal tract can be highly affected by hormone balance (or lack thereof), especially in women. It’s a particularly powerful example of the interconnectedness in the body. It’s why women with short-term estrogen dominance during the PMS week of their menstrual period can experience GI cramping and diarrhea. The body is putting out more prostaglandins, pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, in response to the imbalanced hormones, that of course can have a direct effect on the GI tract too. Especially where these systems are all “wrapped around” each other. I’ve been coaching several practitioners this past week on a few complex cases involving this interconnectedness. Conventional medicine usually treats these two systems as though they are essentially separate, but of course, they are not! In my clients, the true root cause of GI dysfunction, especially that which is cyclical in nature, especially in the intestines, is often hormone imbalance! And even if there is a cause (e.g. microbes) in the gut itself, hormones can either help or harm the situation.

When hormone-mediated cramps are at play in driving cyclical gastrointestinal distress/cramping, I find one of the most effective remedies is an omega-6, GLA-rich oil called Evening Primrose oil (EPO, 500mg twice daily with meals).  As long as sufficient cofactors are available (e.g. B vitamins and zinc), GLA is heavily converted in the body to DGLA, a powerful anti-inflammatory, essential fatty acid that calms these prostaglandins.  EPO supplementation will likely bring your patient some relief while you are working with her to assess and address the true root cause of imbalance in her unique body.

You might appreciate this: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.575.7563&rep=rep1&type=pdf .

I hope this quick clinical tip serves you and your patients and clients.

Warmly,