Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — Estrobolome

By Dr. Sherry LaBeck of ZRT Lab Perimenopause is the transition between a woman's reproductive years and menopause, characterized by a decline in estrogen levels, which can lead to physical and emotional symptoms. Understanding the role of estrogen during this phase is essential for managing symptoms and improving the quality of life for women going through this transition. What is Perimenopause? Perimenopause typically begins in a woman's 40s, though some may experience symptoms as early as their mid-30s, which is known as premature menopause. During this phase, the ovaries produce less estrogen until menstruation stops, marking the onset of menopause....

By Tracy Tranchitella, ND, ZRT Laboratory The intricate interconnection between the human microbiome and the endocrine system highlights a significant communication network, wherein both systems profoundly influence one another. Particularly noteworthy is the relationship between estrogens and the gut microbiome. The estrobolome is the portion of the microbiome that influences estrogen metabolism. First defined in 2011, the estrobolome is the collection of all enteric bacteria capable of metabolizing estrogens (1). The estrobolome can impact endogenous estrogen metabolism by modulating the enterohepatic circulation of estrogens thus influencing plasma estrogen levels (2). Dysbiosis, diet, and gut infections can alter the microbial environment...

The gut microbiome and estrogen are more closely connected than most people realise. As estrogen declines in menopause, microbial diversity falls with it — triggering a cascade of metabolic consequences including weight gain, abdominal fat, inflammation and reduced insulin sensitivity. Dr. Kate Placzek explores the science behind the estrobolome and explains why supporting both gut health and hormone balance is essential for metabolic wellbeing in menopause.