Skip to content
What is the Estrobolome?
The estrobolome is the collection of gut bacteria that metabolise and regulate oestrogen. After your liver processes oestrogen, it’s sent to the gut for removal. But the estrobolome decides whether that oestrogen is eliminated — or recycled back into your bloodstream.
When your estrobolome is balanced, your hormone levels remain steady. When it’s out of balance, you can end up with too much circulating oestrogen or too little, both of which trigger symptoms.
Symptoms of Estrobolome Imbalance
- Heavy or painful periods
- PMS, mood swings, breast tenderness
- Bloating or IBS-type changes
- Fibroids, endometriosis, or PCOS-like symptoms (such as acne, weighht-gain, hair-loss)
- Fertility struggles
- Low libido or vaginal dryness
- Hot flushes or worsening menopausal symptoms
How Can You Test the Estrobolome?
While there’s no single “estrobolome test,” several investigations can give valuable insight:
- Comprehensive stool analysis – looks at gut diversity and other inflammatory markers.
- Hormone blood tests – oestradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH, testosterone, DHEA.
- Liver function and metabolic markers – ALT, AST, CRP, insulin, HbA1c.
- WID-easy test – a newer screening tool that detects DNA methylation changes linked to early endometrial cancer.
- Pelvic ultrasound or endometrial biopsy – for abnormal bleeding or suspected structural changes.
Symptoms, Tests and Why They Matter
| Symptom / Concern | Useful Test / Investigation | Why This Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy / painful periods, PMS | Hormone blood tests | Identifies oestrogen dominance or low progesterone |
| Fatigue, weight gain | Liver & metabolic bloods | Checks clearance and inflammation |
| Abnormal bleeding | WID-easy test | Detects early cancer risk via DNA methylation |
| Suspected fibroids/endometriosis/adenomyosis | Pelvic ultrasound | Identifies structural causes |
| Thickened womb lining risk | WID-easy +/- Endometrial biopsy | To look for and ultimately confirm precancerous or cancerous changes |
| Abnormal vaginal discharge or pain | Vaginal microbiome swab | Identifies imbalances that may need adjustments |
| Bloating, digestive issues | Stool testing | To check for stool abnormalities in the microbiome and other inflammatory markers. |
How to Support a Healthy Estrobolome
- Eat plenty of fibre (fruit, veg, whole grains, legumes).
- Add fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and live yoghurt.
- Aim for diversity: 30 different plant foods per week.
- Reduce alcohol and ultra-processed foods.
- Stay active to support gut motility.
- Consider targeted probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium).
- Seek medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
Key Takeaway
Your gut health and hormone health are inseparable. The estrobolome is the hidden link, deciding how much oestrogen remains in circulation. With the right lifestyle, testing, and medical support, you can restore balance, ease symptoms, and protect long-term health.
References
- Kwa, M., Plottel, C. S., Blaser, M. J., & Adams, S. (2016). The intestinal microbiome and estrogen receptor–positive female breast cancer. JNCI, 108(8). https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djw029
- Baker, J. M., Al-Nakkash, L., & Herbst-Kralovetz, M. M. (2017). Estrogen–gut microbiome axis. Maturitas, 103, 45–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.06.025
- Plottel, C. S., & Blaser, M. J. (2011). Microbiome and malignancy. Cell Host & Microbe, 10(4), 324–335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2011.10.003
- Fuhrman, B. J., et al. (2014). Fecal microbiome and urinary estrogens in postmenopausal women. JCEM, 99(12), 4632–4640. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2014-2222
