Perimenopause & Digestive Problems

Constipation, diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, difficulty swallowing...

All of these symptoms can have many causes. However, there is actually a hormonal link with constipation. Progesterone can slow down the time food moves through your bowel. And evidence suggests that estrogen speeds up the transit time. So, less estrogen may cause bowel problems.

As estrogen levels change when you go through perimenopause, there can be a change in your bowel habits. Please do not discount the stress that your hormones cause during this period having an effect on your bowels.

Warning: See your doctor if you experience a change in your bowel habits. Always discuss any medication or supplement you intend to take with your health care practitioner.

Irritable Bowel

It is not uncommon for women in perimenopause to develop Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There are two types of IBS, one with constipation and the other predominantly diarrhea. For constipation irritable bowel in women, the current treatment of choice is Zelnorm. This medication has been recently studied extensively, using patients from 1500 doctors nationwide. Studies are ongoing, but the consensus has been that this medication will allow sufferers to finally experience gentle relief from their symptoms. If you have this condition, check with your healthcare practitioner to determine if this is the best medicine for you.

Note: D-IBS is a type of irritable bowel that causes diarrhea.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The main symptoms are:

Persistent heartburn

Acid regurgitation (feel it coming back up in the throat)
Some people have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they experience pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning, or trouble swallowing. You may feel like you have food stuck in your throat or like you are choking or your throat is tight. GERD can also cause a dry cough and bad breath.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)

From the San Diego Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders:

"Laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR, is the backflow of stomach contents up the esophagus and into the throat. The difference between GERD and LPR is that most patients with LPR do not experience heartburn, stomach aches, or have pain after eating. Instead, they may have a feeling of fullness in the throat, and other symptoms, as described in the table below:

The vast majority of patients will LPR do not have esophagitis or heartburn. They usually do not complain of stomachache or have pain associated with meals which is typical for GERD."

Generally, an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor can diagnose and treat LPR.

Symptoms of LPR include:

• Hoarseness
• Thick or too much mucous
• Chronic throat irritation
• Chronic throat clearing
• Heartburn
• Chronic cough
• Cough that wakes you from your sleep

Tips for Relief