Did you know your gut and your hormones are not two separate conversations? They are the same conversation, and most women in perimenopause are only being handed half the story.
You can be doing all the right things, the protein, the workouts, the supplements, even hormone replacement therapy, and still feel bloated, foggy, exhausted, itchy in weird places, and like your body is suddenly working against you. The missing piece for so many women is the gut.
In this episode of Hello Hormones, I sit down with my dear friend Cynthia Thurlow, nurse practitioner, two-time TEDx speaker, host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, and author of the brand new book The Menopause Gut, to break down why the gut microbiome is the most underappreciated player in midlife health, what your symptoms might actually be telling you, and the foundational shifts that can completely change how you feel.
Cynthia has spent over 25 years in women's health, and she has a gift for taking incredibly complex science and translating it into something you can actually use.
We talk about what is really driving bloating, brain fog, mood changes, joint pain, and even those quirky symptoms nobody warns you about. We also dig into why the gut is one of the most malleable systems in your body, meaning every small change you make really does count.
This is the conversation I wish every woman could hear before she gets dismissed one more time.
What's Discussed:
(01:30) Why most women have no idea their gut and hormones are directly linked.
(03:15) How the gut quietly ages alongside the rest of you.
(04:45) Rapid fire: the most common GI symptom in perimenopause.
(06:00) The very unsexy low estrogen sign nobody is talking about.
(08:30) Why itchy ears, itchy nipples, and ringing ears might all point to the same thing.
(10:15) Rosacea, eczema, and what your skin is trying to tell you about your gut.
(12:00) The gut brain connection and the role of the vagus nerve.
(14:00) What the gut microbiome actually is and why it matters more than you think.
(16:30) The "three Ps" of a woman's microbiome: puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause.
(19:00) Why bloating, mouth issues, and gum problems can all be connected.
(22:00) Sudden constipation, brain fog, joint pain, and other red flags.
(25:30) The gut bone connection and what it means for osteoporosis risk.
(28:00) Mood, anxiety, depression, and the gut neurotransmitter conversation no one is having.
(32:00) Estrogen recirculation, the estrobolome, and why detox starts with pooping.
(36:00) Where to actually start: sleep, stress, nutrition, exercise, and trauma work.
(42:00) Fiber, the new F word, and how to actually add it without misery.
(47:00) Cynthia's favorite gut supplements and why TUDCA is at the top of her list.
(50:00) How estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone influence your gut.
Thank you to my sponsor!
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✍️ FREE GUIDES:
Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: www.drcarriejones.com/myths
Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: www.drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101
The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: www.drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist
The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: www.drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom
Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: www.drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause
Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones:
Website: www.drcarriejones.com
Newsletter: www.drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter
Instagram: @dr.carriejones
Facebook: @drcarriejones
TikTok: @drcarriejones
YouTube: @drcarriejones
Pinterest: @drcarriejones
Find more from Cynthia Thurlow:
Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/
Instagram: @cynthia_thurlow_
YouTube: @CynthiaThurlow
Twitter/X: @_CynthiaThurlow
Substack: https://cynthiathurlownp.substack.com/
Facebook Community: The Midlife PAUSE (TM)/Cynthia Thurlow, NP
New Menopause Gut Book: https://themenopausegut.com/book-bonus
Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.
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