Menopausal gut issues

I see many ladies in hormonal chaos and menopause and often they experience gut issues as well as all the other symptoms associated with hormone imbalances. I have been asked many times, can menopause cause constipation? Because during the peri years, we experiencing a slow drop in hormones, they fluctuate up and down and slowly decline.

Estrogen receptors are present in the mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestines. Fluctuations in progesterone and estrogens could be to blame for constipation as the hormones can inhibit the muscular movement in various sites of the digestive tract.

Helpful habits to counter these symptoms are:

Activity and getting up in time for the signals to start – waking cortisol helps with the first bowel movement, sitting around in bed will blunt the effects
Drinking plenty of fluids – not just water, soups, herbal teas, ginger tea
Eat a fibre rich diet; flaxseeds, chia seeds, wholegrain, nuts, pulses and fruit like figs, blueberries and apples
Improve your pelvic floor muscles – Pilates is brilliant
Find a pre and probiotic that supports you
Epsom salt baths
Chew your food really well
Eat 3 regular meals per day
Abdominal massage with lavender before bed – massage right to left (your right and left)

We have linked constipation with worse night sweats, hot flushes, sleep disturbances, cravings and mood swings, so keeping the gut healthy, moving and in balance, with the ground work above is the basis of getting this improved. There can be other causes of gut issues, if you have already incorporated these habits and you are still struggling book your free discovery call and we can discuss options for working together. It is also important to discuss any changes in bowel habits with your Doctor.