Digestive problems at the menopause

Tummy pain? Running to the loo? Feeling bloated? Many women develop an irritable bowel when they reach their 40s and beyond. 

But how do you know if this is the reason for your change in digestive symptoms, or whether there could be another underlying cause?

In the Winter 2023-24 issue of The Menopause Exchange newsletter, Dr Jeni Worden, Dorset GP, writes about digestive issues at the menopause and how your hormone fluctuations can affect your symptoms. She specifically talks about irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones and inflammatory bowel disease.

“For many women, their digestive symptoms come and go throughout their menstrual cycle,” says Norma Goldman. “When they reach the perimenopause and their periods become more irregular, it can be more difficult to know what’s affecting their digestive symptoms. HRT is known to make gallstones worse, but its impact on irritable bowel disease and inflammatory bowel disease is less clear. It’s important to discuss any changes in bowel habits with your GP.”

Other articles in the Winter 2023-24 issue of The Menopause Exchange quarterly newsletter include Menopause in the workplace, Progestogens in HRT and Osteoporosis after the menopause, as well as news, Ask the Experts Q&As and information about Norma Goldman’s webinars, talks and workshops.

The Menopause Exchange, which was established in 1999, is unbiased and independent and isn’t sponsored by any companies or organisations. Our free quarterly newsletter contains articles written by top UK medical experts, including menopause consultants, GPs, specialist menopause nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and complementary practitioners. We also include news, book reviews and our ‘Ask the experts’ page. Each issue of The Menopause Exchange’s free quarterly newsletter is emailed to over 13,000 people, including women, men, healthcare professionals, complementary therapists, workplace managers and journalists.

Menopause webinars: readers may be interested in organising a webinar for their family and friends or workplace. For over 24 years, Norma Goldman has been presenting menopause talks and workshops. Her in-depth knowledge has helped thousands of women enjoy a more comfortable menopause. She’s now hosting her own regular webinars via Zoom. 

Norma’s ‘Understanding the menopause’ webinar is suitable for women at or approaching the menopause, women who have had a premature menopause (before age 40) or a hysterectomy, or anyone with an interest in women’s midlife health. Post-menopausal women can attend presentations too. If women join the webinar, they’ll be able to ask questions, receive a factsheet and hear about other women’s experiences. To attend a webinar, arrange one for a group of friends or to find out more information, women should e-mail norma@menopause-exchange.co.uk or call 020 8420 7245.

To join The Menopause Exchange, anyone can sign up for free on their website, http://www.menopause-exchange.co.uk. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter (@MenopauseExch).

(Image courtesy of Silvia from Pixabay)