The Gut-Hormone Connection: How Hormones Affect Your Digestion with Cynthia Thurlow

Why are you feeling more bloated, struggling with digestion, or noticing changes in your metabolism when your usual habits haven’t changed? During perimenopause and menopause, symptoms that seem unrelated may be part of a bigger conversation about hormones and gut health. What should you pay attention to, and where should you start?

In this episode of the As A Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford welcomes Cynthia Thurlow, a nurse practitioner, metabolic health expert, and author of The Menopause Gut. Cynthia explains how hormonal shifts can influence digestion and the gut microbiome, and how gut health intersects with inflammation and estrogen metabolism. She shares practical ways to support your gut, what to consider before trying probiotics or fasting, and why persistent bloating or changes in bowel habits deserve medical evaluation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 The Menopause Gut with Cynthia Thurlow

04:56 How Do Perimenopause and Menopause Affect Digestion?

07:39 What Is Leaky Gut?

11:07 Can Hormonal Changes and Stress Slow Digestion?

14:51 How Does Gallbladder Removal Affect Digestion?

16:24 How Does Fiber Support Your Gut Microbiome?

18:46 What Are Signs of Poor Gut Health?

20:41 Bloating After Meals vs. All-Day Bloating: What’s the Difference?

23:13 How Does Alcohol Affect Gut Health and Estrogen?