Can menopause cause digestive problems?

menopause

Learn more in our Menopause and Gut Health Guide

There’s been lots of talk and media attention about menopause in recent years and I applaud and welcome this shift towards encouraging open conversations among women. Once considered a taboo subject, menopause is now being brought to the forefront, with more women sharing their experiences and seeking support. This increased visibility is helping to break down barriers of misinformation that have long surrounded menopause. It’s encouraging to see women becoming more empowered to discuss their symptoms and explore various avenues for managing them.

That said, there are still many women who do not realise the profound connection between hormonal changes and gut health. I know this from the number of enquiries I receive from peri-menopausal, menopausal and post-menopausal women struggling with digestive and gut symptoms, and not knowing what is causing these issues. Understanding the intricate link between hormone levels and the health of our gut is a crucial part of the menopause conversation, as it opens new possibilities for relieving discomfort and enhancing wellbeing during the menopause years.

This is one of the reasons I put together my Menopause and Gut Health Guide. If you haven’t already downloaded it, you can do so here.

Hormonal changes and your digestive health

The decline in oestrogen levels during menopause significantly impacts gut health and stomach acid production, leading to symptoms such as acid reflux, bloating, and constipation. Oestrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by promoting the production of stomach acid and ensuring proper motility of the intestines. As levels drop, there is a corresponding decrease in stomach acid production, which is essential for the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

When we don’t have enough stomach acid to break down our food, this can lead to improper digestion, causing food to stay longer in the stomach and leading to discomfort, acid reflux symptoms and a gassy, bloated feeling. Low levels of stomach acid can also allow parasites, bad bugs and viruses to get into the gut, causing pain, bloating and diarrhoea. Stomach acid can usually destroy most pathogens before they get to the gut, but if levels of stomach acid are low, the stomach can be a gateway for such infections. Additionally, oestrogen helps regulate the balance of our gut microbiota, so when levels decline, the balance of gut bacteria gets disrupted, resulting in bloating and changes in bowel habits. Women who have never experienced digestive issues before often find these symptoms appearing ‘out of nowhere’ or worsening during menopause. A healthy gut microbiome is crucial, not just for gut health, but for immune health and to reduce the risk of bowel cancer as we age.

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Navigating menopause with confidence

As I receive more and more enquiries from menopausal women struggling with acid reflux, bloating and constipation, I know that there is still a need to raise awareness about this often-overlooked connection between hormonal changes and gut health. The women who contact me are usually unaware that the decline in their oestrogen levels has disrupted the delicate balance of their gut bacteria, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. By sharing my Menopause and Gut Health Guide, I hope to educate more and more women about how these hormonal shifts impact their digestive system, and offer advice, support and recommendations to manage and alleviate symptoms.

The Guide is a comprehensive resource – as well as offering insights into the relationship between menopause and gut health, it includes dietary recommendations that focus on foods known to support your gut microbiota and improve digestion; lifestyle changes that can improve your gut health and overall wellbeing, and natural supplement recommendations to address specific deficiencies and support hormonal balance.

I hope that by following the advice in the Guide, women can learn more about how to maintain a healthy gut and feel empowered to take control of their health in ways that will ensure that their menopause years are not marred by pain, worry, misery and discomfort.

No woman should have to endure unnecessary pain and discomfort – I hope that the Guide will empower you to approach this natural life stage with confidence and clarity and enjoy a higher quality of life during your menopausal years.

If you have any questions about a digestive and gut health issue or would like to know more about a tailored supplement protocol, please get in touch.