Painful Bloating

[MMili]

Hi.. 2 years post menopause. Having a lot of bloating and gas. Had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, lower abdomen MRI... everything seems normal but I cant get rid of this issue. The GI, GP and Gynac does not think its related to hormones but everything started years ago during peri...

any suggestions ?

[Prance]

I'm a bloke so different circumstances but I get periods of gas related excessive painful bloating. I'm going through one now this past week. Had lots of tests years ago including colonoscopies. Just put down as another symptom of my IBS. Have to find ways to relieve the gas, not as simple as it sounds. Although not serious constipation, bowel movements are irregular, but give some relief.

[Lolomac]

I have had the same issue, I found peppermint tablets and have changed to decaf tea/coffee, which has really helped. I still get occasional gas and painful cramps but not on the same scale as before.

Hope this helps.

[angelwings52]

Have you tried keeping a food diary to see if there are any food triggers? I found that I had to stop all carbonated drinks and change to brown bread instead of white. I also found peppermint oil tablets can help - the capsules gave me heartburn.

[xjrs]

I have definitely heard that menopause can mess up your guts. I've just done a quick google search and found many scientific studies that menopause can induce gut dysbiosis (a dominance of bad bugs in the gut that can cause IBS symptoms and food intolerances). Here is one study:

bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentr...

Perhaps try a well studied probiotic in the first instance. Alflorex worked best for me and I have tried many - maybe try that and see how you get on. The Bifdobacterium in it reduces gas producing bacteria in the gut. It may make you more tolerant to different foods too. If that helps to a degree or not at all, try the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet via dietitian referral from a GP if needed. You'll need to keep a food diary.