Perimenopause and Constipation: Causes and How to Get Relief

As somebody who travels typically, I am no stranger to the occasional travel constipation. The change to my routine, meals decisions, and time zones could cause me to really feel notably backed up. As I progress by the levels of perimenopause, although, I’ve observed this constipation has intensified and turn into extra of a relentless in my life.

Seems, constipation is an particularly frequent symptom for individuals in perimenopause. There aren’t present stats, however one 1998 research in Women & Health discovered that 14 % of individuals report adjustments in bowel perform throughout perimenopause. (That quantity rose to 38 % in individuals who’d already reached menopause.)

Fortunately, there are methods to alleviate it. Right here, study extra concerning the hyperlink between perimenopause and constipation, how one can get your intestine “going” once more, and when to see your physician.

Why does perimenopause trigger constipation?

There are a number of the explanation why perimenopause causes constipation, together with:

Hormone fluctuations

The commonest cause for intestine adjustments, and constipation specifically? Hormones. As your estrogen ranges start to drop in perimenopause, one other hormone known as cortisol (i.e., a stress hormone) can spike. Alternatively, being below a number of stress can increase your cortisol and have an effect on the quantity of reproductive hormones your physique makes, per the Cleveland Clinic.

“Cortisol surges can have an effect on digestion,” explains Taniqua Miller, MD, OB/GYN, a clinician at Evernow and founding father of TaniquaMD. “It’s a stress hormone, and any time we’re careworn we’re going to see an exacerbation of motility points within the intestine.” (In different phrases, stress can sluggish digestion means down.)

Between that and customary life stressors (like ageing dad and mom, teenage children, and/or difficult careers), it will probably add as much as the proper stress storm, grinding your intestine to a near-halt.

On prime of rising cortisol, drops within the hormone progesterone (generally seen throughout perimenopause) may trigger your colon to decelerate, based on an April 2022 evaluate in Physiological Research.

Dietary adjustments

Any dietary shifts you make throughout this time can worsen constipation, too. Dr. Miller says you are extra more likely to crave carbohydrates or consolation meals throughout this time, to assist address any bodily and emotional discomforts of perimenopause. However these meals (like fried meals or ultra-processed meals) have a tendency to take a seat in your digestive tract longer, inflicting constipation, she says.

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, chances are you’ll begin to eat much less in an effort to reduce weight gained throughout perimenopause. Not solely is that this unhealthy and unsafe, however it will probably make your intestine really feel even worse, too.

“Generally, when girls achieve weight throughout this transition, they’ll begin doing fad diets,” says Dr. Miller. “Or they begin doing intermittent fasting, however not in a means that truly promotes increased metabolism. That may really decelerate intestine transit.”

Pelvic ground dysfunction

Final however not least, there’s the pelvic ground to think about. Perimenopause could cause issues for the often-overlooked group of muscle tissues inside your pelvis—which assist help physique features like pooping, peeing, intercourse, and being pregnant, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Any irritation, muscle spasms, scar tissue, or tightness of the pelvic floor can negatively have an effect on your colon perform, resulting in potential constipation, per the Cleveland Clinic.

“Issues with the pelvic ground that girls have over time—like points with previous hysterectomies or different kinds of pelvic surgical procedures—can also create danger components for constipation,” says Asma P. Khapra, MD, a gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Fairfax, Virginia.

How you can deal with perimenopause-related constipation

Fortunately, irrespective of the trigger, there are protected and efficient choices to handle perimenopause-related constipation. These embody:

Get extra fiber

Probably the greatest methods to control your intestine is by consuming enough fiber, whether or not you are in perimenopause or not. Intention to get no less than 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day, from meals sources that assist improve wholesome micro organism in your intestine, per UCSF Health.

“Prebiotic high-fiber foods embody issues like oats, candy potato, onions, leeks, garlic, chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, asparagus, and apples,” says Susie Garden, BN, a medical nutritionist based mostly in Australia.

Transfer your physique

It is by no means a nasty concept to get shifting, particularly if you need your bowels to “get shifting,” too.

“Train is large,” says Dr. Khapra. “Your intestine motility simply slows down over time. However if you happen to consider your intestine as a muscle, you need to train it similar to you’d every other muscle, to maintain it energetic and shifting.”

That is why it is extraordinarily vital for perimenopausal people to exercise if coping with constipation, she provides.

Keep hydrated

Staying hydrated helps preserve stool comfortable and reduces your danger of constipation. For total well being, purpose to drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Or you possibly can select different hydrating drinks like prune juice or tea, based on Penn State College of Medicine.

Attempt over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription laxatives

If weight-reduction plan, motion, and hydration adjustments do not make a lot distinction, turning to sure drugs may also help, too. Ask your physician concerning the most secure OTC laxatives or stool softeners, which may also help present non permanent reduction, per Penn State Faculty of Drugs.

In case your constipation is persistent or extreme (i.e., you often have fewer than three bowel actions per week, per the Mayo Clinic), your physician might be able to provide a prescription-strength laxative or stool softener.

Think about supplemental estrogen

your perimenopause signs in a extra holistic means can also lead you to making an attempt a low, supplemental dose of estrogen. This will likely not solely provide constipation relief, however might deal with different signs like scorching flashes and vaginal dryness.

“I see the constipation as a byproduct of every little thing else that’s occurring,” Dr. Khapra says. “If I’ve somebody who’s telling me her sleep is poor, she feels irritable, her temper is worsening, I’m going to know that’s in all probability an estrogen deficiency situation, and we’ll discuss what it seems like to present again a little bit of estrogen. In my thoughts, if I offer you again a little bit, now you’re sleeping nicely. Now the cascade of occasions reverses, you’re feeling higher, and consuming higher.”

You may simply be pooping higher, too.

A notice: Estrogen and different types of hormone substitute remedy (HRT) will not be finest for everybody. Discuss to your physician about whether or not or not HRT is best for you, and ask about various therapy choices if not.

How lengthy does perimenopause-related constipation final?

The literal and figurative pressure of perimenopause and constipation could make life depressing, so it’s pure to marvel when issues will begin “shifting” once more. Sadly, each physique is completely different, so there is not any clear reply.

“It’s all around the map,” says Dr. Khapra. “Generally, any acute adjustments even out, however a affected person’s new ‘baseline’ could turn into completely different. It’s not like one huge blip after which every little thing normalizes—it’s extra like you could have a change after which a ‘new regular.’”

What’s extra, sufferers with pre-existing intestine points may discover their situations worsen as perimenopause progresses. Dr. Miller says a few of her sufferers with IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome-constipation) or IBS-D (irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea) typically have flares resulting from stress within the digestive tract throughout this transition.

Personally, I’ve discovered my very own signs have worsened and final significantly longer, notably after I’m on the street. I’m normally indulging diet-wise and understanding far much less. Add to {that a} disrupted sleep schedule, all of the stresses of journey, and having to “maintain it” if I’m on-the-go…and nicely, you get the image.

Symptom administration for me seems like taking further precautions after I journey, or after I’m notably careworn at dwelling, to forestall constipation within the first place. This implies all the time having a water bottle available, exercising as typically as I can, selecting probiotic-rich food for breakfast, and making time for meditation each day, to alleviate stress.

And if you happen to do not assume life-style adjustments might probably work, Backyard says they go a good distance in relation to relieving stress-induced constipation.

“It’s very simple to get overwhelmed in perimenopause, so girls should be sort to themselves,” she says. “Seeing a therapist to assist throughout this time is right, however in any other case, consuming nicely, respiration deeply, ingesting your water, and working towards self-care will assist.”

When to see a physician

Constipation could be very regular in the course of the transition to menopause. In the event you’ve tried making the above adjustments and are nonetheless backed up, attain out to your physician for help.

Moreover, in case your constipation is extended and comes with alarming signs like rectal bleeding, extreme ache, and speedy weight reduction, get to your physician as quickly as doable. They will doubtless run some assessments to assist rule out any severe underlying situations like inflammatory bowel illness (IBD) or colon most cancers.

And lastly, if different perimenopause signs are getting you down, there is not any disgrace in reaching out for assist, says Dr. Khapra.

“I do nonetheless assume girls are available in a little bit embarrassed to speak about it, doubtless as a result of the stigma still remains (although it’s getting higher),” provides Dr. Khapra. She says sufferers will preface the dialog by saying “I do know that is embarrassing…,” however she all the time replies, “That is what I do all day, you by no means should apologize!”