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)

Peachie - new business launches tasty toppings to take on the menopause

A new business specialising in tailored nutrition for the menopause has launched its first product, a breakfast topping, to coincide with October’s World Menopause Month.

Launched by a group of four female founders who have backgrounds in the food industry, Peachie has worked with a chef and a nutritionist to develop the breakfast topper, which combines hand-baked nuts and seeds with 14 specially selected vitamins and minerals tailored to support women during their menopause.

The combination of wholefoods with the bespoke supplement blend delivers 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for women and a third of other key nutrients such as magnesium, biotin and vitamins B12 and C. 

The blend of nuts and seeds contributes five of the now recommended 30 plants and seeds per week and, in one daily serving, contains as much fibre as a banana and the same amount of protein as an egg white.

The vitamins and minerals selected contribute to the maintenance of normal bones, the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal cognitive function and, whilst served with the recommended kefir or live yoghurt, can help to promote a healthy gut microbiome.

Becky Horrocks-Taylor, co-founder of Peachie explained: “For too long, menopause has been seen as a taboo subject. It’s time for this to change and for our needs to be met in a more positive way. At Peachie HQ we’ve combined our love of good food with the nutritional know-how of experts to make a product which is both delicious and can help to deliver essential nutrition tailored to the menopause.

“We’re excited to share our first product during World Menopause Month as the first step in our mission to create foods that are an enjoyable and easy way to look after our evolving day to day health needs,” she said.

Peachie’s menopause products are available online at feelingpeachie.co.uk at £11 GBP per pack (10 servings). As a launch offer, Peachie is offering up to 20% off a month’s supply (£24 GBP). The team plans to start rolling out to more retailers and through hotels and spas in the new year.

(Image courtesy of Silvia from Pixabay)