142: Female Hormones, Immune System, & Exercise: Research Roundup

Today, hosts Tiffany and Katja discuss current research on female hormones, the immune system, and exercise. Both the female hormones as well as the immune function are intricate systems – bringing them together adds even more complexity! In this episode, we try to boil down the immune system and inflammatory response and explore recent research that sheds light on the relationship between the menstrual cycle, immune responses and exercise. We also discuss the nuances of inflammatory processes, individualised responses, and potential implications for peri- and post-menopause.

Listen in as we talk about the influence of female hormones on immune processes and share why inner wisdom is an important part of understanding our bodies better.

“It is important at this point in time where we see more and more research emerging specifically on female hormones, that we pay tribute to the nuance and gray scales that we see there. ” – Katja Bartsch

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“Pro- or anti-inflammatory responses are to, per se, good or bad and they also may be different for someone with an autoimmune condition or someone without such a condition, so it really depends.” – Katja Bartsch

Show Notes:

Disclaimer – complexity of the immune system and menstrual cycle research [1:52]
Inflammation and the immune system – bird’s eye view [4:18]
Influence of female hormones on immune and inflammatory processes [6:47]
Potential changes in second phase of the menstrual cycle [14:16]
Current meta-analysis and systematic review on female hormones and immune function/ inflammation [15:43]
Relationship with exercise [22:41]
Current state of menstrual cycle based training research [29:33]