I used to think my gut issues were just a separate, annoying problem. The bloating that showed up like clockwork in my luteal phase. The food sensitivities that seemed to get worse every month. The connection escaped me for years. Until it didn't. Then, I started listening to my body. Really listening. 

Once I did, I realized they weren't separate at all. They were even in tune.

Your Gut and Your Hormones Are in a Relationship

Here's something most doctors don't tell you: your gut is responsible for metabolizing estrogen. There's actually a collection of gut bacteria called the estrobolome and its entire job is to regulate how estrogen is processed and eliminated from your body.

When your gut microbiome is out of balance (dysbiosis), the estrobolome can't function in the way it is deisgned to. Instead of estrogen being cleared out, it gets reactivated and recirculated back into your bloodstream. More estrogen. More hormonal chaos.

 Enter.....estrogen dominance.

And then....

Hello PMDD!

The Serotonin Connection

Side note: approximately 90% of your body's serotonin is also produced in your gut. Not your brain. Your gut. Seeing the pattern here? 

How often is our mental health a result of our gut health?

Often. Very often.

PMDD is closely linked to how the brain responds to fluctuating progesterone and that response involves serotonin. Which is why they're so quick to offer SSRI for PMDD, but it's only one piece of the puzzle and that's why SSRI don't work as well as many would hope. It's only part of the issue. 

If your gut is inflamed or imbalanced, your serotonin production is literally compromised. 

With an inflammed gut,  SSRI alone aren't enough to resolve PMDD symptoms for so many.

Your docotor probably will never tell you this, but healing your gut might be part of the long-term picture to get relief. 

Leaky Gut and Inflammation

When the gut lining is compromised  (what some call "leaky gut") particles that shouldn't enter the bloodstream do. This triggers an immune response and systemic inflammation.

Inflammation is the root of so many health issues.

For me, this showed up as: worse brain fog, more intense rage, and a mountain of physical symptoms (joint aches, headaches etc) that I'd never connected to my cycle until I started really paying attention.

As it turns out, my leaky gut had a root cause and it was the excact same cause for my PMDD.

What Actually Helped Me

I want to be clear: I'm not a doctor, and gut healing is not a PMDD cure for everyone. Genetics and many factors can play a role, but a balanced gut is the asnwer for many. It can take a long time to heal. Here's what helped me while I went through the process of healing my gut.

• Low-histamine eating during luteal phase — especially cutting fermented foods, processed foods, alcohol, and aged cheeses in the two weeks before my period

• DAO enzyme supplements — taken before meals during luteal phase

• Eating more low histamane Whole Foods — gut bacteria thrive on fiber and whole foods

• Avoiding inflammatory  foods that include gluten and processed foods.

• Black Seed Oil - this helped me with inflammation & worked as a natural anti-histamine (ask your doctor before taking any supplements)

Little by little, as I made these changes, I started to see a decrease in my symptoms. 

 Remember I'm not a doctor and I can't recommend anything for you to take but I can tell you what helped me when I was suffering.

Black Seed Oil even had a postive impact on my ADHD symptoms as well, so that was a major win. 

If you want to follow the full story of how I figured all of this out, the hard way, one luteal phase at a time ... read my real and raw encounter of living with and finally surviving PMDD.

Click the link The PMDD Chronicles to begin reading.

If you have any questions, comment below. I may turn your question into my next article. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

I hope you feel better soon.