Have you ever noticed that right before or during your period your bowel movements are out of wack?

This is just one link between your gut health and your reproductive health. There have even been studies trying to uncover the increase in gastrointestinal symptoms with a reduction in ovarian hormones right before menses.

So we know estrogen and progesterone can influence the gut, but can the gut influence your reproductive health?

The simple answer is yes! Your gut health can impact your reproductive health in several different ways.

70% of unexplained fertility has been linked to systemic inflammation & oxidative stress caused by imbalance in the gut microbiome.

Imbalanced microbiome can lead to leaky gut syndrome, estrogen metoblism issues & immune system failure which are the underlying causes to infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Both leaky gut and immune system failure can cause inflammation, which has been linked to decreased progesterone. Progesterone is responsible for healthy endometrial lining and implantation. So when progesterone is “low” [which by the way they don’t have a good idea of what is too low] because of chronic inflammation it can lead to implantation failure or recurrent pregnancy loss.

Immune system failure can also create antisperm antibodies, which can attack sperm and prevent fertilization.

The gut microbiome is also responsible for converting bound estrogen to free active estrogren, modulating estrogen levels. When this is not possible due to imbalanced microbiome, it can lead to PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility.

Gut health can also be influenced by stress hormones, pelvic floor health, jaw tension, muscle tension, lymphatic congestion, scarring/adhesions, Vagus Nerve function, and spine health.

Usually the first line of defense for gut health issues is diet changes and supplements including probiotics.

However studies have shown that while exercising your gut microbiome changes in a positive way. They believe this may be due to improved blood flow, balancing circulating hormones and intestinal motility. There are even some exercises that are targeted toward gut health, such as certain poses in yoga. But simply walking after meals has been shown to improve digestion. Unfortunately, the effect of exercise on gut microbiome reverts back if not consistent. However some doctors believe that exercise may be the first line of defense to enhance health then diet.

And even though exercise is a key component to gut-fertility link, body work is also very beneficial.

There are many forms of body work, such as abdominal massage, visceral mobilization, Mayan abdominal massage, myofascial release, and pelvic floor massage.

Both exercise and body work can positively impact gut microbiome, it can improve your metabolism, reduce systemic inflammation, help you manage stress and can physically alter tissue restrictions to gut health & improve your fertility!