170: Why Your Gut Changes in Menopause and the Nutrition Mistakes Making It Worse with Cynthia Thurlow

What does your gut have to do with your hormones, mood, weight, and menopause symptoms? Potentially more than you realize. In this episode of Confessions of a Male Gynecologist, Dr. Shawn Tassone sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, NP, to explore the complex relationship between gut health, hormonal changes, nutrition, and weight management during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Cynthia shares how a personal health crisis changed the direction of her work and led her to take a deeper look at the gut microbiome. Together, she and Dr. Tassone discuss why digestive symptoms often change during midlife, how chronic stress can disrupt the gut, and why weight-loss resistance is rarely caused by one single issue. They also address some of the most common nutrition mistakes women make, including under-eating protein, relying heavily on processed foods, consuming more carbohydrates than their bodies tolerate well, and overlooking the impact of alcohol on sleep, metabolism, and weight-loss goals. You'll also hear their perspectives on restrictive diets, gut testing, supplements, fermented foods, plant diversity, and the importance of choosing high-quality dietary fats. This conversation is not about following another rigid wellness protocol. It is about understanding how your gut, hormones, nutrition, stress, and lifestyle work together—and making informed choices that support your health during midlife. In this episode, you'll learn: Why gut health can change during perimenopause and menopause How the gut microbiome may influence hormones, mood, and digestion Why chronic stress can affect both digestive and metabolic health The many factors that can contribute to weight-loss resistance Why women need adequate protein to preserve muscle as they age How alcohol can interfere with sleep, metabolism, and weight management Why processed foods can make overeating easier The potential limitations of highly restrictive diets, including carnivore diets How gastrointestinal testing may uncover concerns such as H. pylori Why supplements should be selected based on individual needs The benefits of adding fermented foods to your diet Why Cynthia recommends aiming for 30 different plant varieties each week What to consider when purchasing olive oil How women can feel more empowered, not restricted, by their nutrition choices Gut symptoms, hormonal changes, and weight concerns should not automatically be dismissed as an unavoidable part of aging. By looking at the full picture, women can better understand what their bodies need and make more sustainable decisions for their long-term health. Listen now, share this episode with a woman navigating midlife, and subscribe to Confessions of a Male Gynecologist for honest, evidence-informed conversations about women's health, hormones, menopause, and wellness. About Cynthia Thurlow, NP Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, author and international speaker, with over 15 million views for her second TEDx talk (Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique). With over 25 years of experience in health and wellness, Cynthia is a globally recognized expert in perimenopause/menopause and intermittent fasting, and has been featured on ABC, FOX5, KTLA, CW, Medium, Entrepreneur, and The Megyn Kelly Show. Her mission is to help empower women to live their most optimal lives in perimenopause and beyond. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Instagram | @cynthia_thurlow_ Listen to the Everyday Wellness Podcast Purchase The Menopause Gut by Cynthia Thurlow, NP Episode Resources: Work with Dr. Tassone | Tassone Advanced Gynecology Dr. Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible Dr. Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Archetype Quiz | Learn Your Hormonal Archetype Medical Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.