Menopause can affect everyone differently, but around 85% of women experience at least one uncomfortable symptom.
更年期对每个人的影响各不相同，但约85%的女性至少会出现一种不适症状。
Alongside the more talked-about changes, many people notice shifts in digestion - like bloating and changes in bowel habits - as they navigate this phase.
除了更常见的生理变化，许多人在此阶段会发现消化功能改变——例如腹胀和排便习惯变化。
So why does this happen, and what can you do about it?
这种现象背后的原因是什么？我们又能做些什么？
The link between your hormones and gut is stronger than you might think.
激素与肠道之间的联系比人们想象的更为紧密。
为什么我们对更年期知之甚少？
Menopause is chronically underfunded and under-researched.
更年期长期面临资金不足和研究匮乏的问题。
Less than 1% of pre-clinical studies using mice or cell cultures include menopause models.
使用小鼠或细胞培养的临床前研究中，不足1%纳入了更年期模型。
Most species don't experience prolonged menopause except certain whales and chimpanzees.
除部分鲸类和黑猩猩外，绝大多数物种不会经历漫长的更年期阶段。
Results from animal studies often fail to translate to humans, underscoring the importance of human research.
动物研究结果往往难以直接应用于人类，这凸显了临床研究的重要性。
更年期与肠道症状
Bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, and indigestion are common complaints.
腹胀、便秘、腹泻和消化不良是常见症状。
Declining oestrogen levels slow digestion, reduce gut muscle contractions, and may contribute to constipation.
雌激素水平下降会减缓消化速度，减弱肠道肌肉收缩，可能加剧便秘。
Hormonal fluctuations can paradoxically cause diarrhoea in some individuals.
激素波动也可能导致部分人群出现腹泻现象。
更年期肠道菌群变化特征
- 微生物多样性降低（多样性通常被视为健康标志）
- 特定菌群变化与体重增加、心血管代谢问题及炎症风险相关
- 女性菌群特征逐渐趋近男性模式
雌激素分解组：微生物的激素调节机制
The estrobolome refers to gut microbes that recycle oestrogen metabolites.
雌激素分解组指能够回收雌激素代谢产物的肠道微生物群。
These microbes reactivate oestrogen for reabsorption, potentially alleviating menopausal symptoms.
这类微生物可重新激活雌激素并促使其再吸收，可能缓解更年期症状。
Lower levels of these microbes correlate with increased risks of osteoporosis, cardiovascular issues, and weight gain.
该类菌群减少与骨质疏松、心血管疾病和体重增加风险上升存在相关性。
植物雌激素与菌群互作
Phytoestrogens in soy, tofu, and flaxseeds mimic weak oestrogen effects.
大豆、豆腐和亚麻籽中的植物雌激素可模拟弱效雌激素作用。
Equol-producing microbes convert isoflavones into active compounds.
能产生雌马酚的微生物可将异黄酮转化为活性物质。
Women in Asian countries with regular soy consumption show 50-60% equol-producer prevalence versus 20-35% in Western populations.
亚洲规律食用大豆的女性中50-60%具备该菌群，而西方人群仅20-35%。
实用健康建议
- 优先咨询医生制定个性化治疗方案
- 增加植物雌激素食物摄入（大豆制品、亚麻籽）
- 通过益生菌和膳食纤维支持肠道菌群健康
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