Digestive problems can affect anyone during many stages of their lives. See your GP if you're finding your symptoms particularly troublesome, as treatments are available. Menopause is a stage in which the hormones of the body can become severely out of balance. Irregular periods 2. For some, it will occur … So, can the menopause cause stomach pain? Menopause and digestive problems Hormonal fluctuations can affect digestion, as oestrogen has an important relationship with cortisol, which is the body's fight or flight hormone. This might be what you notice first. ©Copyright 2020. Quite often it’s through over-indulgence or illness. The menopause can sometimes feel like a bit of a muddle but there are three distinct phases. While hormonal imbalances are a leading cause of digestive problems in women going through menopause, there are a number of other potential reasons why your stomach may be bothering you. The symptoms of digestive problems can include diarrhea and or constipation, cramps, gas, bloating, or the urge to have a bowel movement when you don’t actually have to go. Bacteria in the stomach, called Helicobacter pylori, can cause problems with the lining of the stomach and end up causing small, very painful sores in the stomach. It is a certain fact that the female hormones behave erratically in perimenopause … Although many people don't realize, the gastrointestinal tract and the hormones that control women's reproductive systems are closely linked. Nutritional therapist Susie Debice explains the importance of regular medical testing. If you're dealing with constant stomach problems, then you know about the difficulties, but there are a few more important things you should know as well. Subscribe & Save, Udo's Choice Menopause occurs when a woman hasn’t menstruated in 12 consecutive months and can no longer become pregnant naturally. As any woman going through the menopause will be able to tell you, the sugar cravings can drive you to distraction. Without oestrogen's calming effect, adrenaline levels can rise, which switches off digestive functioning. Often, gas causes pain and bloating. This causes a natural equilibrium. Learn more about the causes here. Retrieved June 19, 2017 from https://med Mayo Clinic lineplus.gov/stomachdisorders.html. When estrogen drops, cortisol (the stress hormone) levels rise. For women going through menopause, stomach problems can be a constant worry. However, not as many women tend to share their experiences with how the menopause affects digestion. Is it all down to menopause? Studies have linked late menopause to a lower risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis. Try setting your alarm clock 20 to 30 minutes earlier; this gives your morning hormone levels a little bit of extra time to settle; jumping out of bed to immediately rush your way through your morning routine is unlikely to help your tummy feel better. Tell-tale Signs that your Menopause is Finally Over. What this means — the hormones normally regulating your menstrual cycle also have an impact on your digestion. When our stomachs no longer seem so settled, it can become a cause for concern. Top 3 Causes of Digestive Problems in Women, Heitkemper, Margaret M. (2012). Menopause, also known as the climacteric, is the time in women's lives when menstrual periods stop permanently, and they are no longer able to bear children. The result: indigestion, bloating, wind, constipation and diarrhoea. In this way, the perimenopause period, which occurs 8–10 years before the menopause (the point at which we no longer have menstrual periods), can also be associated with digestive and stomach problems. Vaginal dryness 3. The hormone changes in a similar way as during the initial stages of pregnancy, with this process associated with morning nausea. Menopause and Acid Reflux/GERD By Menopause Now Editorial Team | Updated: Jun 18, 2020 As women are passing out of their reproductive years, it is not uncommon for digestive problems, such as acid reflux and GERD, to surface, adding to the laundry list of menopause symptoms they may already be experiencing. You should always see a doctor if you experience: However, less serious stomach problems can be alleviated by home remedies or lifestyle changes. The content of these informational pages is for educational purposes and health care support only and does not intend to be used for diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional. It is important to establish how you are being affected in order to find an effective solution for your symptoms. The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman's oestrogen levels decline. During our research, we carried out a study to learn more about the effects of wearing the LadyCare device 24/7 during perimenopause and menopause. Menopause isn't just hot flashes and mood swings. Burping So, number one is burping. In this blog, Susie Debice explains that dizziness, nausea, feeling lightheaded, woozy and a spinning or whirling sensation are all commonly experienced symptoms of the menopause. Menopause constipation is a byproduct of rapid changes in hormones and gastrointestinal problems during this transitional phase of a woman’s life. In those dim, and increasingly distant days, when you felt bloated during your period, your stomach and intestines emptied at a slower pace in the latter part of your menstrual cycle - and this same digestive sluggishness can happen during menopause. However, researchers have discovered that cells in the intestine lining also have receptor sites for oestrogen and progesterone. It can cause these surprising conditions, too. Women's Health. Category: A lack of estrogen, which tends to occur during menopause, can be behind the symptoms of stomach problems. These sores tend to cause significant pain, especially during and after eating. Fluid retention can cause bloating (particularly at night), ankle swelling, facial swelling, headaches, leg discomfort and breast tenderness. There’s an inextricable link between the gut and the brain, so if you’ve got a menopause upset stomach, it’s certainly worth checking in on your tension levels. By taking time to still the mind throughout this stage in our lives, we can do our tummies a big favour. Learn about more ways to help by changing five habits for good digestion. Delivery & Returns Tension can leave your stomach feeling in knots. MenopauseNow.com is dedicated to providing reliable, up-to-date information and advice on the most common topics in women's health, including PMS, menopause, natural hormones, hormonal conditions, and fertility. Read about . Night sweats 6. The result: stomach pains, acid reflux, abdominal cramps, constipation, bloating and sluggish bowel. Contact Us, Contributors What causes Digestive Problems and Nausea? The result: indigestion, bloating, wind, constipation and diarrhoea. We all get an upset stomach now and again no matter what stage in our life we’re at. Although many are happy to be free of menstrual periods, menopause brings other symptoms that are difficult to manage. Sleep problems 7. Hot flashes 4. Many stomach problems can be helped by diet changes, such as drinking more water or eating more foods high in fiber. Reducing stress can also have a beneficial impact on stomach problems. Estrogen has an effect on the stress hormone, cortisol. In the months or years leading up to menopause (perimenopause), you might experience these signs and symptoms: 1. Digestive problems are a common symptom during perimenopause and menopause. The menopause may mask other problems, dyspareunia, erectile dysfunction, inhibited sexual desire. Menopause / Gender Medicine 6(2). During the stages before the menopause — the perimenopause — hormone levels begin to alter. Many women (and men) feel that their hormones must be responsible for the things that are going wrong in their sexual/daily relationships - this isn’t necessarily the case, but it’s easier to look at the menopause rather than at the underlying issues. Additionally, adding foods like peppermint and ginger that soothe the stomach can have an ameliorating effect. A particularly delicious, beneficial recipe involves blending up include yoghurt, oats, frozen berries, chia seed and plant milk! Perimenopause and menopause symptoms, … Women who are passing through periods of reproductive significance - such as menopause - are likely to suffer from digestive problems, such as sour stomach, due to … These friendly bacteria even produce B-vitamins which get absorbed into the body, contributing to a normal energy-yielding metabolism — required for all physiological functions and activities of the body, including exercise. Menopause typically occurs between 49 … One Nutrition Fortunately, there are always steps we can take to look after our mental health when life’s stressful situations threaten to get the better of us. As a result of imbalanced hormone levels during menopause, there may be times with high levels of cortisol in the body. It can be challenging to get the right foods on board. … This has the potential to affect the movement of food and waste products. Stress / One of the major problems that we do have in the menopause is vaginal dryness and this can cause a whole raft of issues. It can cause symptoms such as gas, bloating, or nausea, as well as weight loss and abdominal pain or cramping. When oestrogen levels drop, the natural rhythm in the gut can be disrupted. Vaginal dryness. You might have made it through life boasting a cast-iron stomach, with no food or drink causing so much as a single episode of indigestion or belly trouble. However, during the menopause, our hormone levels change and oestrogen levels drop, disrupting this natural rhythm. Once you’re up and about, your breakfast can play a role in combating these pesky perimenopause digestive problems. Again, if we're reducing the production of mucus, that will affect the friendly bacteria and that will reduce It can be For many women, these progress into panic attacks. 3 surprising digestive problems you may experience during menopause 1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A balanced breakfast stabilises your blood sugar levels, helping to resolve the nausea as well as get you fuelled up for the day. (2014).Irritable bowel syndrome. Digestive issues. As a result of fluctuating hormone levels, the menopause is associated with a range of stomach problems. This condition is a disorder that affects the large intestine. Declining oestrogen levels can cause cortisol to increase, raising blood pressure levels and reducing the production of essential stomach acids. N. utritionist Susie Debice reveals the tell-tale signs that your menopause has finally completed. Wellness / Menopause is the time in a woman’s life that signals the end of her menstrual period and childbearing ability. Digestive troubles, stomach problems and the menopause - are they linked? Oestrogen and progesterone imbalances can cause rhythmic muscular activity within the gut to be disrupted, resulting in digestive problems. Increased anxiety is a very common symptom of the menopause, as is a tendency to get flustered during stressful or high-pressure situations. Savant Distribution, FAQs Chills 5. There are many tools at your disposal to help ease and release the stress and tension which naturally comes with the menopause. Thankfully, it’s possible to take action. There are dozens of stomach problems that may be at play, but some of the most common are: Gas. (2017).Stomach Disorders. Why … They’re going to the doctor and the doctor is actually giving them stomach medication. We’re all braced to expect hot flushes, night sweats, fatigue, a loss of libido and changes to our periods. Another hormone called cortisol may be linked to stomach problems as well, most likely because raised levels of this hormone - which can occur due to low levels of estrogen - influences the stomach and digestive system to cause pain and other problems. Change in your period. Tribest Though underlying conditions or lifestyle choices could factor into the equation, persistent GI issues and slow-moving intestines are frequently linked to unpredictable estrogen and progesterone levels. Retrieved June 19, 2017 from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/basics/causes/con-20024578, Medline Plus. MenopauseNow.com. Importantly, some of the B-vitamins, such as B6 and B2, help to support hormone balance. Staying hydrated helps with nutrient transportation, so make sure a glass of water is on hand. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis is often diagnosed in people between the ages of 15 and 35. . So how does menopause affect digestion, and what can you do to Top 4 Essential Health Tests for Menopausal Women. Naturally, you may think that your sex hormones are only active within your reproductive area. It is known to impede digestion and create digestive problems, among other adverse reactions, such as anxiety. Hot flushes, a quintessential menopausal symptom, can also sometimes feel quite overwhelming. All Rights Reserved. Menopause and Stomach Cramps: Psychological Counseling A nutritionally balanced, healthy diet, regular physical exercise, sufficient rest, cutting back on alcohol intake and cigarette smoking also helps in reducing stomach cramps during menopause. In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51. It’s also linked to a longer life expectancy. Definitely one of the least talked about symptoms of the menopause is dizziness! Click here to learn more. Mood changes 8. If possible, losing weight can help, but sometimes the dose or type of HRT may be changed if the problem persists beyond the first few months of treatment. Digestive problems during the menopause come in many forms, ranging from excess wind or constipation to weight gain and abdominal pain. Manuka Health 71% of women reported a reduction in up to 24 different symptoms. Cleanmarine Again, this is down to hormones. Stomach problems can be difficult to manage because of how hard it is to ignore distress in your gastrointestinal system. Gut Health / Does menopause cause digestive issues? As hormone levels change through the menopause this puts you at higher risk of some common health conditions. What Can I Do to Avoid Digestive Problems? The direct link between our mind and our tummy means that any worries, stress or anxiety are mirrored in your stomach, with muscles in the gut becoming tense. Many menopausal women notice that digestive problems like indigestion, acid reflux and constipation seem to appear or worsen during this stage of life. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a lifelong condition, and therefore will continue to affect women who are experiencing menopause. - symptoms — PositivePause. When waking in the morning, many women approaching the menopause begin to report feelings of nausea, often reminiscent of morning sickness experienced when pregnant. It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat it — make sure to chew slowly and thoroughly; this means your body has to work less hard to digest the food. If, like many people, you find it hard to eat so soon after getting up, a breakfast smoothie might prove easier to stomach. Dizziness during the menopause – it’s a thing! While stomach problems are never fun to deal with, knowing more about the possible conditions and how to treat them can help you manage. What’s happening is that an awful lot of women are getting these problems. Can LadyCare help with Menopause Related Digestive Problems? Hormones / Getting the right type of friendly bacteria in your microbiome supports gut function and the maintenance of bowel regularity, thereby playing a key role in keeping a menopause upset stomach at bay. Retrieved June 19, 2017 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3322543/#, Mayo Clinic . By ensuring you're hitting all your vital B-vitamins and nutrients, you’ll be able to support your body as much as possible during the menopause. Terms & Conditions, Sign up to our newsletter for 15% off your first order; oh and we'll also send you recipes, hints, tips and loads of inspiring content straight to your inbox. A pear-shaped organ about the size of a fist, your uterus is made mostly … These diseases are not curable, which means that they affect people throughout … Electric shocks. The menopause can also increase your risk of developing certain other problems, such as weak bones (osteoporosis). Your periods may no longer be regular. Here’s how the menopause process causes trouble for our tummies, with some tips to help menopausal women say ‘see ya, sore stomach’. Consider exploring a course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), joining up with a local meditation group or treating yourself to regular relaxation massages — perhaps even all of these! For some women, this can become a more persistent and prominent health concern. Although many people don't realize, the gastrointestinal tract and the hormones that control women's reproductive systems are closely linked. All along the intestine, there’s a multitude of bacterial activity collectively known as the microbiome. Our Mission In addition to hormone imbalance, menopause stomach issues can be triggered by other factors, including stress, a poor diet, certain medications, bad eating habits, and excessive consumption of nicotine or alcohol. It usually begins … Do Fluctuations in Ovarian Hormones Affect Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irregular uterine bleeding. This is when you're sitting there, your stomach feels really, really full, and you just want to let that air out. However, for menopausal women, digestive problems can become particularly prominent. These symptoms can become very uncomfortable and troubling. The answer: yes — there are 34 symptoms associated with the menopause, and hormonal changes are known to give rise to gut and digestion discomfort. A lack of estrogen, which tends to occur during menopause, can be behind the symptoms of stomach problems. They’re not associating them with menopause. Women might see an increase in bowel changes, causing discomfort and embarrassment. Menopause usually starts between the ages of 40 and 58 years in developed countries, where the average age is 51 years. Menopause is a part of life that all women eventually experience. 34 symptoms associated with the menopause, The menopause, water retention and bloating often go hand-in-hand, sugar cravings can drive you to distraction. Menopausal digestive problems can greatly impact your daily life. Menopause can lead to digestive problems. Thinning hair and dry skin 10. During perimenopause and after menopause, the natural lubrication of your vagina … The menopause, water retention and bloating often go hand-in-hand. Oestrogen tends to stimulate the muscle that lines the length of the intestine; progesterone has a more relaxing effect. Needless to say, avoid junk and processed food as much as possible. Sometimes, stomach problems can be as simple as a case of gas. Ulcers. Oestrogen keeps the stress hormone cortisol in check; when this sex hormone runs low during the menopause, blood pressure rises and your digestion slows down. You may get a sense or feeling that you just aren’t able to cope as well as you used to be able to. Weight gain and slowed metabolism 9. This raises your blood sugar and pressure levels, and lowers the production of stomach acids, causing an upset stomach. Menopause and digestive problems Dr Stephanie Goodwin, The Menopause Guru 2017-06-170 on Mon 19 Jun Take a look at any menopause forum and you will probably see comments like this Certain foods are more likely to cause gas than others, and swallowing air - which can happen easily because of the way we drink or eat - may also be behind an abundance of gas. This can include changes to the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which regulates the function of the ovaries. There are many potential causes of digestive problems: For women going through menopause, stomach problems can be a constant worry. I should imagine there’s very few of us who haven’t regretted that second helping or picked up a tummy bug at some time. Now, some of Some conditions that cause constant stomach problems need medical intervention quickly in order to prevent any long-term damage or complications from arising. PharmaHemp, Privacy & Cookies Policy The result is a rather upset stomach. Sitemap Savant Distribution It can be behind the symptoms of stomach problems can greatly impact your daily.... Abdominal cramps, constipation, bloating, wind, constipation and diarrhoea bloating often go hand-in-hand oestrogen tends to the. Systems are closely linked do have in the gut can be a constant worry reducing the of. Progesterone imbalances can cause rhythmic muscular activity within the gut to be free of periods! 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