I’ve actually had IBS for 25 years so do already have a very sensitive digestive system.
However, since I turned 45 (5 years ago), my digestive system has gone haywire.
I have regular nausea, acid stomach, belching, stomach pain, bloating in stomach and intestinal area. I get awful gurgling and rumblings which even wake me through the night. I have alternating soft stool and constipation. All in all a very unhappy gut the majority of the time.
Since 2019 I have had a string of tests (a colonoscopy and gastroscope with biopsies, ultrasound scans, a ct scan, a pill camera endoscopy and a fit stool test) all come back clear, thank goodness.
I watch my diet so carefully and follow the low fodmap diet, I drink only water or mint tea, no diary or gluten/wheat, no fried or spicy foods. In fact I have an extremely boring/bland diet.
I have tried all medications for my digestive system but very little helps. I exercise and listen to gut directed hypnotherapy.
The doctors are stumped and say it’s just IBS but I am wondering if my peri hormones are causing this upset. I do also have many other peri symptoms and at 50 am pretty sure I am in perimenopause.
Has/does anyone else suffer with their digestive system like this during this time? It’s really getting me down as it controls my day to day life.
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rustydog
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Hi rustydog, yes it's very common for people going through the menopause to find their IBS changes and gets worse. I have had IBS nearly 40 year now, so have gone through most of the stages of my life with it, but the menopause years were very difficult. I was so pleased when they were over. Although IBS always seems to throw new things at you as time goes by!
But it's not just you, I have heard lots of people say the same on numerous sites on-line. Good luck and keep your chin-up.
hi Rustydog, yes I too found that my ibs flared up badly during menopause. It was obvious hormone flares affected me. I’m nearly through it. I did try some vitamins &herbs supposed to help but actually ended up sticking to evening primrose oil & magnesium . I have found that Biokult has helped me . You can sprinkle it on food. & although I can’t take dairy at all, the way it’s cultured is ok for me. It’s not too expensive either & you can buy it from Boots or some supermarkets. I did have a bad flare up recently & realised after, that I had run out of the probiotic and had forgotten to buy it so hadn’t taken it for a week. So for me it def helps. I hope you feel better soon . PS. No dairy, caffeine etc either
hello I am the same I’m constant pain down my left side and it goes into my groin and back with nausea . I feel so depressed by it and am exhausted . I hope you feel better soon
Hey Rustydog - I do! I developed Gastritis in December. Wasn’t sure what it was and it went away but then in January after a bad bout of flu it came back with a vengeance. I’ve had several blood tests, a gynae ultra sound and been put on Lansoprazole for 3 months. I am 53 and haven’t had a period since last May. I have also cut out Wheat, Dairy, Eggs and Milk as food intolerance tests highlighted these and being honest it was no surprise particularly with Wheat and Gluten.
Prior to age 40 my IBS was quite manageable. Into my 40s it became much worse. I didn't think that the menopause was the cause, just the digestive system getting more sensitive as I got older. Over that period I started the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet, which really helped, but there were hardly any FODMAPs that I could tolerate. This meant that I was low FODMAP for a very long time. Eventually my IBS pain got much worse to the point where I had it no matter what I ate. After doing lots of research I put this down to the fact that being low FODMAP, at the extent that I was for so long compromised my microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome helps IBS symptoms. This is catch 22. At this point I decided to help my microbiome by taking Alflorex probiotic (plus Linaclotide for IBS-C and my pain). Both helped me greatly with the pain and I became more tolerant to a much wider range of foods. I believe that having a more varied diet has also been helping my symptoms. So what I am saying, is if you are very low FODMAP for too long, this can make symptoms come back with a vengeance, eventually. The ideal is to try to treat the symptoms as far as possible e.g. probiotics, fermented foods etc., things to help manage pain and get yourself into a position where you can diversify your diet as far as possible. This can only help the vicious circle that is IBS. We may have been through this loop before, so apologies if this is the case.
Yes, everything you say makes complete sense. I have been on the low fodmap diet for far too long (6+ years) and am now actually fearful of High fodmap foods. I often think how I have probably comprised my gut biome which has made everything worse. I have been recommended alflorex in the past but have always been fearful of probiotics as I’m more prone to IBS-d and worry they will exacerbate my issue. I do need to try them as I will never know if they help or not.
I do understand. I ended up becoming fearful of all foods. I also delayed trying to change anything (foods, supplements etc.) whilst I was working, since I didn't want anything upsetting my system even more in case it meant I needed time off work. I don't know your situation, some people work from home now or if you're not working. When you are in your home environment, it is easier to try new things, whilst keeping a diary of your symptoms if you change anything.
Yep, that’s the vicious cycle. I drive for a living which is a nightmare in itself with IBS. I would love to work from home but sadly can not find anything atm, that is my goal.
Hi, yes I’m pretty sure hormones affect IBS , I had menopause at 50, and think I was peri from 35 lol!
I have had IBS 40 plus years, and it has affected all areas of life, good news is ,now I’m well into menopause it’s seems more acceptable, that’s not to say it’s gone ; far from it but it’s better. I’m not sure if it’s because I have a better handle on triggers etc, or because I’m leading a less stressed life; I feel the latter has a big impact.
you might find that when your hormones settle that your IBS might too.
My gut got considerably worse since menopause but it is a know fact it can affect your digestive system. I wish I had a cure for you but I don’t. Mine has also turned into acid reflux and suffer with constant burping after eating and IBS C.
Hi I could have written this ! I am 57 and sort of through the other side of menopause. I use to have terrible trouble at time of the month too before they started stopping.
I hope things improve for you . It’s so hard . I am having medication for another autoimmune condition so hoping it might help because of inflammation might have caused it. It’s definitely a guessing game. I was diagnosed with sluggish bowel and redundant colon … too long !
I hope you have some answers but definitely think hormones involved. I have under active thyroid which can cause issues too.
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