Most women think menopause is a hormone problem. Today's guest says many symptoms may actually begin in the gut–years before menopause. The science could completely change how you think about hot flashes, weight gain, inflammation, sleep, and even autoimmune disease. Perimenopause and menopause affect nearly every system in the body, yet many women are told their symptoms are simply the result of changing hormones. But what if the gut microbiome is one of the missing pieces? In this episode of the Uncover Your Eyes podcast, Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, women's health expert, nurse practitioner, and bestselling author of The Menopause Gut, to explore the emerging science connecting gut health, hormones, metabolism, inflammation, immunity, and brain health during midlife. Together they explain why digestive changes often appear years before menopause, how the estrobolome influences estrogen metabolism, why food sensitivities suddenly develop, and how your gut may affect everything from sleep to weight loss. In this episode, you'll uncover: 🎧 Why menopause symptoms may begin in the gut 🎧 Why women become more sensitive to certain foods during perimenopause 🎧 The gut-brain connection affecting sleep, anxiety, and mood 🎧 Why women are 4–5 times more likely to develop autoimmune disease during perimenopause, and what may be driving that increased risk 🎧 Nutrition strategies that support gut and hormone health 🎧 Biomarkers that can provide deeper insight into metabolic health 🎧 The impact of glyphosate and environmental toxins on the microbiome 🎧 Practical steps to reduce inflammation and support healthy aging Whether you're approaching perimenopause, in menopause, or simply want to understand how your gut influences hormones, this conversation offers a science-backed framework that may change the way you think about women's health. At Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal brings you conversations at the intersection of longevity, women's health, mental health, self-advocacy, and healthcare innovation, helping you understand the hidden systems shaping how you feel, move, and heal. 🎧Tune in and join Dr. Meenal Agarwal as we reimagine what it means to be well in today's complex healthcare system. Because healing starts with understanding—and Uncovering Your Eyes. Learn more about Cynthia Thurlow at CynthiaThurlow.com, on Instagram @Cynthia_Thurlow, on her Substack, her Everyday Wellness podcast, and The Menopause Gut wherever books are sold. Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal

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