The Hidden Threads: How Your Gut, Brain & Hormones Connect

Your body is talking to itself all the time — through your gut, brain, and hormones. This week, we trace how these hidden threads shape health, pain, mental focus, and even policy momentum for menopause and endometriosis.

What You’ll Learn

The Gut Microbiome & Chronic Pain

New research shows your gut microbiome may hold “signatures” for chronic pain conditions — but personalized treatment isn’t there yet. What does an anti-inflammatory diet or SCFAs mean now?

ADHD as an Evolutionary Strength

Evidence supports the “hunter in a farmer’s world” idea: ADHD traits once helped our ancestors survive. So how do we design schools, workplaces, and mental health care to match that reality — especially for women affected by PMDD?

Menopause Policy Momentum

More than 15 states have introduced menopause bills this year — plus the NextGen Now initiative is training thousands of providers. But funding and policy only help if they reach real people.

Why Connecting the Dots Matters

When we silo gut health, neurodiversity, and hormones, people pay the price in misdiagnosis and costly, fragmented care. This episode shows why connecting these threads matters for patients — and for anyone shaping the system.

Listen If You’re:

• A patient, advocate, or startup founder working to make healthcare more whole
• Navigating ADHD, chronic pain, or hormonal shifts
• Curious about the intersection of science, policy, and real-world care

Resources & Related Links

• Read the newsletter The Threads We Keep Missing
• Listen to my interview with Dr. Caroline Mitchell on the Vaginal Microbiome
• Listen to my interview with Dr. Allie Sharma on Mental Health and Menopause
• Read about the $24 billion menopause opportunity
• Explore Fempower Health’s ADHD resources

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**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024**

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

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