About the author: Laura is an experienced freelance Dietitian and health writer. She has written for many brands, magazines and has been a regular columnist for Women’s Health magazine for several years. Laura’s specialist interests include digestive health, performance nutrition and eating disorders. She is trained to deliver the low FODMAP diet.

Target audience: For healthcare professionals working in primary care, as well as those with an interest in managing digestive health

Learning objectives:

By the end of this article, you should:

1. Recognise the factors that influence the gut microbiome and the role that female hormones play across the lifespan

2. Understand the hormonal shifts across a woman’s lifecycle and its impact on digestion and associated symptoms

3. Take away practical considerations to implement in your practice