The key to easing common menopausal woes such as hot flashes and mood swings may lie deep within your gut.
Emerging research has found a delicate connection between the microbiome and hormones. Restoring gut health can help women navigate the challenges of this natural life transition with greater comfort.
The Microbiome–Hormone Link
The relationship between gut microbes and menopause—during which estrogen levels drop significantly—is anything but simple, and our understanding of it is still evolving. However, research supports several key points:- Estrogen helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome. As estrogen levels drop during menopause, women often develop dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut bacteria.
- Beneficial gut microbes are instrumental in maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier. Dysbiosis can cause “leaky gut,” which causes the intestinal lining to become permeable, potentially leading to systemic inflammation.
- Leaky gut is linked to hot flashes.
- Rebalancing the gut through diet and a healthy lifestyle that lowers stress can help alleviate hormonal symptoms.
