Frustrating hormonal imbalances & hormone-related conditions seem to
be more and more prevalent in our society today. Hormones can be
influenced by many factors including chronic stress, poor sleep,
nutrition, genetics, and environmental stressors.
Ongoing exposure to toxic mold is an environmental stressor that can
play a major role in the sudden onset or worsening of hormone-related
conditions. Certain mycotoxins have been studied for their potential
effects on the liver, the gut microbiome, oxidative stress, inflammatory
pathways, immune function, and other systems in the body. These
systems can all interact with hormone regulation.
Toxic Burden & Impact on Liver
Certain species of toxic mold release mycotoxins into the air, which can create a cascade of inflammatory processes in those who are sensitive or genetically predisposed to having a harder time detoxing.
Toxic Mold Can Affect Women’s Hormones
Chronic mold exposure may contribute to the body’s overall toxic “bucket load” and may impact liver functioning. When the body is dealing with an overwhelming toxic burden, the liver may become stagnant, as it tries to process them out. Liver stagnation can make it more challenging for the body to detox out excess estrogen, sometimes leaving women with hormone challenges. Conditions related to too much estrogen can include (but aren’t limited to): PCOS, PMS, fibroids, and endometriosis.
Toxic mold may also negatively impact the gut microbiome, which is closely related to the liver. The liver receives much of its blood supply from the gastrointestinal tract. Some research suggests that various mycotoxins can alter intestinal barrier function and the microbiome, potentially affecting gut–liver signaling. The interconnectedness between the body’s toxic burden, gut health, and liver may explain why chronic exposure to toxic mold may impact the regulation of various hormones in the body.
Chronic Stress May Affect Cortisol Production and the HPA Axis
Dealing with chronic illness, poor sleep, and inflammation due to an unhealthy indoor environment can place a lot of stress on the body. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis helps regulate cortisol production and stress response. When bodily stress is prolonged, normal cortisol rhythms and other stress-related signaling may become altered. The HPA axis communicates with other hormonal systems, which means that chronic physiological stress may contribute to symptoms involving menstrual cycles and other hormone related conditions. During significant physiological or psychological stress, HPA-axis signaling can suppress reproductive signaling at the hypothalamus and pituitary gland (which both play a role in healthy hormone production).
Inflammation may Impact the Endocrine System
Exposure to toxic mold may leave sensitive individuals with chronic inflammation. Because the immune and hormone systems are closely connected, ongoing inflammatory signaling may interact with endocrine signaling throughout the body.
One important area that chronic inflammation may negatively impact, is the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. This axis is responsible for communication between the reproductive organs and the brain. It helps to regulate ovulation and the production of progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. When inflammatory cytokines interfere with signaling along this pathway, there may be an impact on reproductive function. Ongoing inflammation may also interact with insulin sensitivity and how thyroid hormones are metabolized, further exemplifying how interconnected the immune and endocrine systems are.
The Bigger Picture
Hormonal health is complex and involves constant communication between the thyroid, adrenal glands, reproductive system, brain, gut, liver, metabolism, and nervous system. This is why when somebody is experiencing worsened or new symptoms related to hormones, it is imperative to look beyond hormone levels alone.
If symptoms pertaining to hormonal health began or worsened around the same time as chronic mold exposure, it is worth investigating if mycotoxins may be playing a role. When the body is constantly under stress, sleep is lacking, and there is chronic inflammation, these effects can take a toll on the various systems that regulate hormones.
Instead of thinking of mold as simply affecting one hormone, it might be useful to consider how chronic exposure to mold may affect the body’s broader regulatory systems.