ASK THE DOCTOR

Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions

- DAWN HARPER

WILL PROBIOTICS HELP MY HORMONES?

The menopause is causing me to have flushes and night sweats, but I don't want to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as my mum and sister both had breast cancer. I've read that the gut microbiome can affect hormones. Could taking probiotics help?

Our microbiome can become less diverse in the perimenopause and it produces less beta-glucuronidase, which helps to 'recycle' any oestrogen in our bodies. There is ongoing research about how seeking to promote a healthy, diverse gut flora may help reduce menopausal symptoms. The role of the microbiome in both physical and mental wellbeing is huge, so definitely worth a try.

Can I trust my stool sample result?