Myths vs facts: Helicobacter and Wechseljahre

There is no strong evidence that Helicobacter pylori infection directly causes menopause or significantly influences its symptoms. H. pylori is a stomach bacterium associated with gastritis, ulcers, and increased gastric cancer risk. Some observational studies suggest a possible link between H. pylori and iron deficiency anemia, which could indirectly worsen fatigue – but this is not specific to menopause. Menopause is a hormonal process driven by ovarian decline. A common myth is that H. pylori causes hot flashes or mood swings; no scientific basis supports this. Another myth is that eradicating H. pylori alleviates menopausal symptoms – also unsupported by trials. Women in menopause should consider H. pylori testing if they have persistent gastrointestinal issues, but not every symptom should be attributed to it. Evidence is mostly mechanistic and observational; randomized controlled trials are lacking. A healthy diet and lifestyle are more impactful than focusing solely on H. pylori.