We are made up of more gut bacteria than body cells. It is estimated that the number of bacteria in our gut is even ten times greater than the number of cells in our body. This diverse community plays a crucial role in maintaining your health, as these bacteria perform essential tasks. Your gut influences your immune system, metabolism, and hormonal balance, making a healthy gut flora particularly important during menopause.
What is the link between your gut flora and your hormonal balance? And how can you support a healthy microbiome through your diet?
You may not always consider it when you eat, but your gut flora does much more than just digest food. Scientific research into the human body shows that our gut is involved in processes such as the conversion of hormones, particularly in breaking down and excreting used oestrogens.
A healthy gut flora breaks down these oestrogens effectively. However, an imbalance in the gut flora (also referred to as a disrupted gut microbiome) can hinder this process, causing broken-down oestrogens to accumulate. This can disrupt hormonal balance during menopause.
Oestrogen influences the gut flora, and in turn, the gut flora affects oestrogen levels. A vicious cycle.
Research also shows that from around the age of 40, the diversity of bacteria in the gut tends to stagnate or decline. Studies on ageing suggest that women in their younger years have a more diverse gut flora compared to men, but this advantage diminishes with age.
This means that ageing can affect the composition of your gut flora. As you grow older, your gut flora may become less robust and less diverse. However, maintaining a healthy gut remains essential, as it can help ease menopausal symptoms such as low mood, tension, and fatigue.
Greater gut biodiversity is associated with better health and healthy ageing, including during and after menopause.
Furthermore, sex hormones, particularly oestrogen, influence how the gut communicates with your brain. The more balanced your hormonal system, the more stable this communication. If your gut health is not optimal, it can contribute to or worsen hormonal complaints such as mood swings, irritability, poor sleep, and even weight gain.
A healthy gut flora can significantly support your hormonal balance, but sometimes additional help is needed. Don’t continue to struggle with persistent symptoms—consider exploring treatments that can help restore balance to your body.
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