An overview of gut related menopause symptoms

We're here to support you during the menopause

Perimenopause and menopause can seriously impact your gut health. But there is lots that can be done to help!

My personal journey

Emma Cannings (THERA Nordic co-founder)

For the last year or so I have noticed my own gut issues change as well as watched many of my friends suffering with the symptoms of perimenopause.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence to show that many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can be improved through better gut health. Here we'll look at some of the common symptoms and the reasons behind them.

Bloating & Gas

Higher estrogen levels can increase cortisol, potentially leading to bloating and gas. Similarly, elevated progesterone levels may slow gut movement, exacerbating bloating.

There are a number of things that you can try including:

Identifying trigger foods
Introduce regular aerobic exercise
Consider herbal remedies
Take a prebiotic fibre
Use targeted supplements to boost your digestive health
Staying hydrated is crucial

Learn more

Constipation

The higher estrogen and elevated progesterone levels levels can also lead to constipation.

To address constipation, looking at your diet is the first step. But consider these steps to help:

Double your daily fibre intake
Take the right fibre (grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are a great source of fibre)
Consider supplementing your fibre
Drink one more litre of water per day

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Acid Reflux & Heartburn

During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal fluctuations can weaken the muscles, including the valve at the top of the stomach, which normally keeps stomach contents in place after eating.

Additionally, decreasing hormone levels often lead to reduced stomach acid production, which may be mistaken for over-acidity. This can exacerbate symptoms, as insufficient stomach acid fails to adequately break down meals, leading to fermentation and gas production, which in turn increases pressure on the stomach valve, causing acid reflux. In extreme cases this can lead to GERD (see below).

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