Women Have More Frequent & Severe GI Issues Around Menopause: Here's What To Do

The bodily changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause make many women feel like they're on a hormonal roller coaster. It's common to feel out of control and like you're not quite sure what's around the next bend.

Symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and hot flashes tend to get a lot of attention during these phases of life, but according to one study1, women over 50 also often experience more severe gas and bloating than they do during other times of their lives. 

Published in the journal Menopause, this study analyzed data from more than 1,000 women to explore the link between menopause status and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. It found a statistically significant association for both the number and severity of symptoms.

The results showed that women are statistically more likely to experience nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, heartburn, weight gain, and bloating during premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal states. Interestingly, the only GI symptom that wasn't more prevalent and more severe during these states was weight loss. 

Some of the study's most striking observations were racial and ethnic associations. For example, Asian participants reported a lower number and lower total severity of GI symptoms, while non-Hispanic white participants had higher total severity scores than other groups, especially for nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and loss of appetite.

The hormonal changes that accompany menopause typically start well before age 50 and are characterized by a gradual loss of female sex hormones—mainly estrogen. As the primary female sex hormone, estrogen plays a role in breast development and mood and menstrual cycle regulation, as well as other more surprising aspects of well-being like bone, heart, and skin health.

As you near menopause, your ovaries produce less estrogen, causing your body's estrogen levels to decline. According to the study, this change in estrogen levels likely explains the flair in GI symptoms experienced during this time. 

As it turns out, there's a well-known link between estrogen and digestion. For example, a review of 18 studies2 found a clear link between times of declining or low ovarian hormones and an increase in GI symptoms, suggesting that estrogen (and progesterone, the other main female sex hormone) withdrawal may contribute either directly or indirectly to GI distress. If you've ever found yourself running to the bathroom before or during your period, you've already experienced this connection in action. 

There's still quite a bit of mystery surrounding the ins and outs of the relationship between hormonal health and gut health, but previous research has shown that there's a lot of interplay between sex hormones and the microbiome. The authors of one study3 explain that sex hormones influence the gut microbiota due to their involvement in microbial metabolism, and in turn, the gut microbiota influence sex hormone levels. 

According to the North American Menopause Society, levels of cortisol (often referred to as the main "stress" hormone) also increase during menopause. This can initiate an increase in adrenaline, which can lead to changes in digestive function.

So, now on to the most important issue at hand: If there's a link between hormonal health and gut health, how do you promote a healthy relationship between the two? Fortunately, there's a superpower tool at your disposal to simultaneously support both hormone and gut health. Enter: probiotic-rich foods and supplements.

You've probably heard about probiotics before. These "friendly" bacteria are found naturally in fermented foods (think kimchi, yogurt, and kefir) and can be a powerful tool for promoting overall health. A well-formulated probiotic supplement can also ease digestive distress and holistically support your gut microbiome throughout all stages of your life, regardless of your age or gender.