The Gut–Hormone Connection: What happens to the gut microbiome in menopause | Felice Gersh, MD

In this talk, I explain how menopause impacts the gut microbiome and why it’s one of the most overlooked aspects of women’s health.

Estradiol and progesterone are vital for maintaining gut integrity, microbial diversity, and immune balance. When these hormones decline, gut permeability (aka “leaky gut”) increases, inflammation rises, and the microbiome shifts toward a less diverse, male-like pattern. This disruption contributes to everything from brain fog and osteoporosis to autoimmune disease.

I also discuss the estrobolome—the group of gut bacteria that help recycle estrogen—and how lifestyle, phytoestrogen-rich foods, fiber, and circadian-friendly eating patterns can support gut and hormone health through menopause and beyond.

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I am a full time practicing doctor. I see patients in my office in Irvine, CA and worldwide via telemedicine. If you need more healthcare assistance than I can provide in a video series, please contact my office:
https://integrativemgi.com/​​

#GutMicrobiome #MenopauseHealth #LeakyGut #Estrogen #Progesterone #HormoneHealth #Estradiol #GutHealth #IntegrativeMedicine #DrFeliceGersh

---- Contents of this video --------------------------

00:00 The Gut Microbiome and Why It Matters
01:00 How Estradiol and Progesterone Influence Gut Health
04:00 Leaky Gut: What Happens When the Gut Barrier Breaks Down
07:00 Inflammation, Autoimmune Disease, and Menopause
10:00 How Hormones Regulate Gut Integrity and Mucus Production
14:00 Estradiol, the Vagus Nerve, and Gut Motility
17:00 Circadian Rhythms and the Gut–Brain Axis
21:00 The Estrobolome: Recycling Estrogen in the Gut
27:00 Progesterone’s Role in Gut Health and Inflammation Control
32:00 Supporting the Gut: Hormones, Diet, and Lifestyle Strategies