Mastering hormones at every stage of life: teens, new mums and menopause. Your gut health is vital to your overall health. The health of your digestive system is especially connected to your hormone levels. At every stage of life your hormonal situation will present new challenges.
Controlling your hormones as a woman through adolescence, motherhood and menopause can be difficult. Many studies in recent years have emphasised the impact of the brain-gut axis and the importance of being aware of your gut health. There is a link to keeping your digestive system healthy and your hormones in control.
Below we will look at gut health and female hormones throughout adolescence, motherhood and menopause.
Teenage years
Our teenage years are a particular hormonally confusing time. There have been a number of studies that link hormonal imbalance to gut health. The dynamics of the brain during adolescence are in constant motion and it is difficult to attempt to balance hormone levels.
Recent studies have emphasised how “adolescents are exposed to such a vast array of external challenges and stressors, all with known effects on the intestinal microbiota”. Regularly consuming probiotic snacks or supplements is a great way of stabilising your gut microbiome. With a healthy gut it is easier to manage disruptive teenage hormones.
New mums
During and following pregnancy maintaining good gut health is important for the health of the mother and the baby. Similar to your adolescent changes, pregnancy induces large hormonal shifts. You can help your hormonal stability by taking care of your gut health.
Exercise and stress are difficult things to control for new mothers. It is best to look elsewhere for gut health solutions. Consuming appropriate food and supplements are the best way for you to keep your gut healthy and your hormones in check. Increasing your levels of magnesium by eating leafy greens, dark chocolate and fruit is good way for new mums to get healthy again too.
Menopause
It is common to experience intestinal issues during menopause. The decline of estrogen during menopause is significant because it regulates cortisol. Studies have shown that “ramped-up cortisol has the add-on effect of slowing down digestion of food. That can lead to a host of digestive disorders like gas, constipation, and bloating.”
To combat the decline of estrogen and the impact on your gut health you can eat foods high in phytoestrogens. These can be found in a variety of sources including: vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds and soy products.
As with everything to do with improving the gut, it is important to consume a healthy amount of fibre and do regular exercise. A natural healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep your hormones balanced and your gut strong during menopause.
Maintaining your health
Having a good gut health and balanced hormones will be integral to your physical and mental wellbeing. Regardless of age you can make certain dietary and exercise changes that can greatly impact your gut and hormonal health.
Whether you are a teenager, a new mum or someone going through menopause maintaining hormonal balance is key to your health. Understanding the health of your gut is a great way to combat some of the problems you may be facing.
