Hi,I have suddenly had to be SO careful about what I eat because spicy food, any starch with protein, etc., results in hours of pain.  It's tolerable, but pretty uncomfortable.    Gas-X isn't powerful enough to help.

So far, as long as I take care to eat slowly and watch what I eat, I'm fine.  Is this a premenopause thing?

I certainly have had more gas and digestion problems since starting perimenopause.  I've read that hormones definitely effect the digestive system, but so do a lot of other things.  I've always had Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but this was only diagnosed after extensive testing to rule out other things, and I believe that the hormones are making this condition worse.  I'd mention this to your doctor next time you see him/her, because other problems could be causing your gas and discomfort.  

Isn't this period of our lives something?  If it isn't one thing it's another.

Liz:  One of the things my doctor asked me was if I had unexplained gas.  Yuk!  Unfortunately, I did.  SOOOO, this is just another one of those little annoying symptoms of meno.  Was also very bloated at this time.  Just loved the incontinenance!!  I remember I would sneeze, laugh, cough, or even yell, and I would p----.  That did improve BTW.

Carol

Thanks Liz, I will be talking to my MD when I see her.   Unfortunately, she's been unavailable for a couple of months and I don't want to start with anyone else.  From your comments and Carol's, sounds like it's part of the deal.  sheesh.   Well, I haven't had any problems since I've been so careful what I eat, and not to eat much - maybe I'll lose this annoying buddha belly!! :biggrin:  There has to be a plus in this somewhere... Oh, and thanks Carol for mentioning that this improved for you - there is hope then.

Laurie....Hi sister I am exactly like yourself...have to watch everything I eat....it seems to have become worse now I am in peri ......and the budda belly...well enoughs enough......but its good to know we are not alone and this is one of the many varied symptoms we come to expect.....as for myself I love peppermint teas with a touch of honey....very soothing....Take Care:)

Hi Trish,Thanks :smile:  I keep thinking that since I have to be so careful not to overeat and so careful of what I eat....I ought to lose some weight, and consequently some of the buddha belly, right? There has to be a plus here somewhere!   The worst thing is to have any kind of starch with animal protein, so it's light dinners fo rme now.  

Good idea about the tea, thanks!  

LaurieP.S. I was an exchange student to Aussie a long time ago...spent a wonderful year in N.S.W. and got to travel a littl while I was there.  You have a beautiful country!

Hi ladies its me GGI'm Postmeno by 3 yrs now and I can relate to the increased bloats, gas, and the digestion problems.  I posted on this thread as well, under digestion problems constipation.  There might be help there for you as well.  GG

Tried acidophilus tablets???  I swear, they will help with any digestive problems, they seem to settle down whatever's going on down there.  

Sometimes I have gas as well.      Sometimes I'm constipated,sometimes I have diareea.  So I am glad to know I'm not the only one that has that problem.

I'm a big fan of Acidophilus too (like Joannaran)  All it does is put the good bacteria back in your intestines so that everything functions the way it's suppose to.  For me, it's been a real blessing.  While I take it, I don't get gas or acid reflux -- when I stop, I do!  Sometimes takes a week or two to really work -- so, don't give up!

Just want to add that it's also in yogurt (if you don't want to take any more pills)  I think you have to eat a lot though -- with no sugar or fruit juice. YUK!  Good luck!

This acidophilus discussion is quite interesting.  Eileen, I am wondering how much of it you take?  I have been taking it everyday for sometime now because I have to take a low-level antibiotic for periodontal disease, to keep from getting "the itch".  I am real interested because it doesn't seem to help me with gas or other stomach problems.  Hmmm... wondering what am I doing wrong here?  :confused:

Kalanie,  I doubt you're doing anything wrong.  I think it probably doesn't work as well because you are taking the antibiotics and it's hard to keep up with that.  When I take antibiotics, the best I can hope for is to stay sort of even.   When I go off them, it takes two or three months to get everything back to normal again.  Sayin all this, I wouldn't want to give the impression that I knew everything about why people get gas and reflux.  I think there can be a lot of reasons besides a lack of good intestinal bacteria.  I do take one or two tablets (depending on how I'm doing) with each meal.   LIke I said though, it works for me (the placebo effect?) but it may not be a solution for anyone else.Oh yah, it also has helped with my bladder inflammation problem! :biggrin:  When I stopped taking it in March, sure enough I had another bout!  Hope it didn't/doesn't sound like I'm "Miss Know it all" !   I'm still learning -- believe me! Take care my friend!

Hi Eileen...  Well, your answer makes some sense to me, so you must know something!  :biggrin:  I do take the antibiotic all of the time, except have to go off of it for 3 months a year.  I think I will try taking 2 tablets a day... will double check with the dentist first, have an appointment in 2 days...eyukkkkkkk!!   Thx again!  

I used to suffer terribly with bloating, gas and constipation once I figured out the problem I was able to treat it , now have a normal digestive track again. This is what I found out;

Candida, short for Candid albicans, refers to yeast that usually lives companionably on our skin and (sometimes) our mucous membranes. On mucous membranes (mucus), candida form whitish patches visible to the eye., The patches do not scrape off easily and cause itching and irritation.  In the mouths of babies and young children, candida infection is called thrush. Under normal conditions our immune syst3m protects us very well from unwarranted yeast overgrowth. However, if our immune system is dysfunctional, candida overgrowth becomes rampant, infecting the mucous membranes of the intestinal tract, mouth and lungs. Another factor in candida control is the many helpful bacteria that live with us. Bacteria and yeast compete for sustenance. Bacteria suppress candida growth. When prolonged, potent antibiotics kill these helpful bacteria, candida overgrowth can result.

Candida likes to live in the vagina. They grown well wherever it is warm, moist, and well supplied with their favorite nutrient---glucose. Skin and vaginal mucus contains glucose. Estrogen dominance increases mucus glucose, thereby facilitating candida growth.

While numerous medications are very effective at suppressing candida growth, the conditions within the vagina are such that reinfection is probable. Successful treatment of candida includes a diet low in sugar and simple carbs.

Estrogen dominance is usually the culprit in women in premenopausal years. This correction is accomplished by supplemental natural progesterone. When hormone imbalance is restored  to normal balance using progesterone, candida growth is less likely to persist. The normal benign bacteria are restored and the body heals itself of its candida population.

Shyzelda... Thank you for that information!  :)

Hi Shyzelder,  Could you tell me what  supplemental nature progesterone you used for Candida, would be very interested to know.  Thanks Jen

A few years ago I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. I was 39 at the time and none of the doctors I saw suggested a connection with IBS and perimenopause. Now I've been learning, in part from this site, that IBS is often a side effect of perimenopause! My IBS symptoms went away with my pregnancy a year and a half ago, so I really believe it was hormone related! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will not return. Hopefully yours is just a temporary stage too. For what it's worth, I used to use activated charcoal tablets for a day or so during times of especially bad gas and also, sometimes I used beano along with a spicy meal, heh heh. Hey, it worked! Good luck. I hope you get some relief.

Hi, <br> &nbsp; &nbsp; My gastroenterologist said the hormonal<br>swings can mess up the neurotransmitters<br>in the gut. &nbsp;I know it affects the neurotransmitters in<br>my brain.<br> &nbsp; &nbsp; I've had painful gas particularly before my <br>period. &nbsp;Some natural remedies, I've found<br>helpful are fennel and charcoal. &nbsp;When it's<br>really bad I take prescription anti-spasmodics.<br>I've also heard low dose tricyclic anti-depressants<br>help. &nbsp;My tummy has been better lately, thankfully.

Hi all,   I know that this original post is old, but I just saw it.  I have been having extra worse G/I problems for several months.  I'm in the middle-end of perimenopause.  I get the stomach muscle thing too!  It happens especially when I go to bed, but it's there alot during the day, especially after I eat.  It feels like Braxton-Hicks contractions to me.  I can actually feel my stomach/diaphragm muscles contracting.  It is very weird.  I personally don't think it's an anxiety/stress thing.  I think our wacky hormones actually make some of our muscles spasm.  It's VERY comforting to know that alot of you are also experiencing this.  Instead of freaking out and running to the GI doc and having a million dollars worth of horrible tests, I'm just going to wait it out.  Good luck to you all.

Hi Everyone,All of my perimenepause terror started with the gastrointestinal gas, bloating and spasms and constipation. I went through hell for a year with these symptoms before my other perimeno problems kicked in! I had tests, drugs , laxatives you name it. At the time I was only about 123 lbs. and I'm 5'8! I was afraid to eat anything and almost became anorexic. None of the Drs. I went to even hinted at perimenepause....  even now when I have numerous other symptoms, my Dr. calls it anxiety. I plan to have another FSH test this summer and hopefully something will show up this time to suggest I'm perimenepausal. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll get some of the acidopholis tablets tomorrow!

Suzie

cathyann i also feel this muscle tension thing but it is at the top of my stomach. Latley i feel like my stomach is raw and i have tons of gas.  It almost feels tight like i have been doing tons of sit ups.  is that what you feel.  I am alo getting acid relux-yuk

Hi Nina, I have upper abdominal sensations too.  I don't know if it is muscle tension as it feels more internal, but I do have the raw feeling that you mentioned and a feeling of tightness.  Flossie on another thread mentioned that she felt like she had a concrete football under her ribs.  Sometimes I feel like that!  No fun.  Kate

I have had a great deal of stress lately and thus a great deal of indigestion - often feels like someone is standing on my chest!!  Also get gas, constipation, etc.  At first I thought it was my heart as I also get missed beats, but the EKG showed everything normal.  I am also in perimenopause and my emotions are very raw.  Does anyone get this feeling like someone is standing on their chest or that their chest is just filled with gas and will not release?  And, if so, what do you find helps?  I seem to walk around in constant pain or heaviness and laying down makes it worse.  I know my stress level is affecting this, but any advice would really help.  Thanks sooo much.

ive gone to dr. with this sensation of tightness in my chest and she says it might be acid reflex or stomach problems. she told me to take enzeymes for better digestion and use something to reduce the acid and if this doesnt work she may have me take some tests to check my esophogus and stomach.

THANK-YOU    THANK-YOU    THANK-YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank-you you ladies for recommending the acidopholis tablets!!!! I went right out and  bought a bottle after I last posted and have been taking 2 or 3 a day! I did notice a slow improvement each day. Today, I must say I feel like my system is back to normal! If any of you are bothered by constipation it is just wonderful! I really hated taking the laxatives with the stimulants. Even the mild ones in senecot bothered me. Now I really feel like I can keep myself regulated with the acidopholis tablets!!!  I wonder , is it ok to just take the indefinately? or should I only take them if needed?  

Thanks again.Suzie

This GI problem has continued for me.  It makes me feel so full around my neck, that it gives me the sensation that I can't breath.  My intestines rumble 24 hours a day.  I couldn't get into my GI doc for 6 weeks.  I even went to the ER one day because my upper stomach felt so tight and my neck felt so congested.  They ran lab tests, EKG, and chest and abdominal cat scan and everything was negative.  I then went to a cardiologist for a stress test, but got so anxious my pressure was way to high to continue the test (anxiety being another wonderful perimenopausal symptom for me).  Now I'm on BP medicine.  Bummer.  I also have an appointment to see a psychiatrist to ask to have an antidepressant.    This time of my life is no fun at all!   Eating meat (steak in particular), seems to really make this upper GI problem the worst.   I am taking 1-2 enteric coated peppermint oil tablets a day, and it really seems to calm down all this constant rumbling.   I think eating lots of fiber helps too.  This is such a drag.  I keep hoping, one day soon, I'll wake up and all this stuff will be gone.  Yay!!!

Cathy, You sound alot like me with intestinal, anxiety and B/P problem. I know my b/p problem is caused by my  constant anxiety and panic attacks. Do you get those too? It really stinks. I have found the acidopholis tablets are really helping my digestion and constipation  significantly. I would give it a try if I were you. Take one after each meal for a few days and see if it helps. Sometimes it makes me gassy after I take one, but it usually releives the pressure feeling - which is alot of gas.

Suzie

Greetings ladies......for those of you dealing with bloating, gas and other intestinal issues and more fiber is reccommended consider Psyllium Husk capsules.  They offer the fiber we need and are very effective in relieving the discomfort of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, bloating etc.  I have several clients who have added Psyllium Husks to their daily supplements and feel much improved.  Just a suggestion.  Hope you all feel better soon.

Blessings and be well.

Thanks Irene! I'll plan to add that to my list! I'm bound to find a cure for all my ailments sooner or later! Ha ha! Are you busy at your wellness center? It looks so wonderful on the web site. Just what we need at this time of our lives.Hugs,Suzie

Hi Susie........I'm so glad you enjoyed my website...I'm very happy with how it turned out.  Business is very good at the wellness center thanks.  Its just so wonderful to be able to go to "work" everyday at something that you are passionate about and also be able to help others to feel better.  Having my center right next door to my home is not so bad either...really cuts down on traveling time. LOL

Blessings and be well.

I am post menopausal now for 1 1/2 years (since last period).   I take no harmones.   I have experienced at least 32 of the 34 symptoms I think!!      Yikes!    Most have leveled off but I am curious to hear from any other "post meno" if the sudden bloating, gas, and discomfort will also go away eventually???

Hi,Well, I'm sitting here with tears running down my face - thank you for being there!  I have awful digestive problems - have for many years, but recently they've gotten very bad.  I'm bloated & nauseated to the point of having trouble eating.  I've had IBS for a long time, but recently, with the onset of hot flashes, brain fog, etc., it's gotten much worse.  This is the first "menopause" connection I've seen, and it's so comforting!  I don't see that it's better or worse at any point in my cycle - tho' these days my cycles are ranging from 28 - 60 days.  I will definitely try the acidophilus. Is this apt to pass when I finally am through with perimenopause?Thanks so much,Sweetcrone

I am postmenopausal 3 years.  For a months now I have been having heartburn and belching a lot.  I have never had this before. I also have had problems with constipation for a long time. Will acidofilus tablets help these problems?   I really don't know what the tablets are supposed to do.

sweetcrone,   I'm sorry to hear of all your worsening symptoms!  I've heard that our GI tracts are also called our "second brain" because they actually produce neurotransmitters, just like our brains.  Well......I can believe it!!  When my GI tract is messed up, I go crazy!!  I become anxious and panic alot.  I wake up in a horrible state at night.  It's just so very strange.  So......I think we should concentrate alot more on our digestive health.    I think we're all praying that these horrible symptoms fade away after menopause is well established.  I think what happens (hopefully) is that they slowly fade away and we forget about them, rather than us just waking up one day and the symptoms are all gone.    I have given up dairy and corn.  I'm also finding that my symptoms are much worse after eating red meat (darn!).   Elitha, the acidopholus tablets are the good bacteria that are usually in our intestines.  They help with digestion and also fight off the bad bacteria and yeast.It's important to get the really good tablets.  I get mine at a local health store.  The good stuff is usually kept in the freezer.  Also, you can eat yogurt, but be sure it says it has "live cultures" in it.    And don't eat it with a ton of sugar, or you sort of defeat the purpose.    Our usual American diet of high carbs and sugar and not enough vegies  can cause an imbalance in our intestines.     I have discovered a very strange thing........ I am on aciphex (a proton-pump inhibitor).  It is usually prescribed for people with severe heartburn from reflux.  Well, I don't have much heartburn, but I have nausea, constant belching, hyperactive bowel sounds, rumbling, and diarrhea.  The aciphex helps with all of these symptoms.  When I miss it for just 1 day.............everything falls apart.  I can't believe how dependent I am on this one medication.  The doctor doesn't know why it's helping so much, but it is.   Good luck to both of you.  I never hear too much from older women on these kinds of forums, so I'm hoping it's because they're all better!!

CathyAnn,Thanks so much for your response - how good to know there are caring people out there!  I'm praying things will fade over time as menopause finally arrives.  I'll be 50 in September and I am SO READY!!  I hear that some people grieve for their "menstrual years" at menopause, but I'm going to have the biggest party!!!  The days that are worse GI-wise, I'm also having hot flashes galore, headaches, and just feel fatigued and buzzy.  I got some acidophilus the day I posted, and I have felt a little better today, finally able to eat a good lunch for the first time in about a week.  Finding this site was the best thing that's happened to me in ages.  THANK YOU, ALL, FOR BEING THERE!!!!Sweetcrone

Hi again Sweetcrone,   I wish I wouldn't eat when my GI tract is so messed up, but unfortunately, my big appetite never quits!    I just wanted to mention something I tried when I was having the worst rumbling and diarrhea.  I went to a local reputable health store and bought "enteric coated peppermint oil" tablets.  It really helped.  The only down side is it can really burn coming out!  But it helped calm things down.  I only took 1 pill a day and it seemed to help.  Fiber supposedly helps too.   I know what you mean about not being sad when menopause is finally complete!  I have had sooooo many problems because of this time of my life.  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was about  45 (I'm 52 now), and now I'm wondering if it is ALL just this crazy hormone thing.   My memory has gotten sooooo bad.......well, actually, I don't even have a memory!!  I never know when I'm going to have panic, or a bad headache, or feel like I'm going to pass out, etc., etc., etc!   I have constant fatigue.   I have been sleeping in a chair since January, since my epigastric pressure gets soooooo bad when I  ly  down.    My friend likes to remind me that they used to send some women going through menopause to the insane assylum.  I think I would be one of those!!   I'm so sorry that life has been so hard on you with IBS and now perimenopause.  Do you have someone around you can lean on?  I hope so!  This can get pretty scary going through it alone.  Hang in there Sweetcrone!  :)

Just a couple of comments here.  I'm nearly through meno now, and am finally able to eat foods that gave me a lot of bloating, cramping, and occasional diarrhea just a few years ago.  Now that I'm  through the hormonal roller coaster, I can actually eat a salad, dairy products, and a whole host of foods that used to give me bad irritable bowel symptoms, usually a combination of constipation and diarrhea.  It was so bad for awhile that I couldn't even eat a few bites of lettuce, and I couldn't handle any dairy at all.  It should improve for you later on.The other thing is that while on an antibiotic recently I had a lot of intestinal gas and cramping, with irregularity. I was told to take a special strain of acidophilus, a good bacteria that lives much longer in the colon that the regular kind of acidophilus.  It's called Culturelle GG, and was discovered by two doctors at Tufts University.  I took Culturelle, one capsule a day, and within three days my bowels were normal, even though I was still on the antibiotic. The gas and cramping were gone. And the oral yeast infection I had from the antibiotic cleared up in only three days!  I was amazed.  I still take Culturelle,  and am so happy.  I can eat anything I want.  The irritable bowel problems are gone.  Even the gas.  And no more yeast infections, at least not in the 6 months I've taken Culturelle.  You can go to *** and learn about it. You can order it there, or get it a little cheaper through most local  pharmacists.  I get mine through Walmart or Shopko, and it usually is there in a day or two.  Just thought I'd mention it.  I plan to keep on taking it.  Haven't felt this good in years.

Board Moderator Note:  Commercial website has been removed.  For more information, please contact the author or this post.

Madge,   Thanks so much for your words of hope!!  It's hard to believe that fluctuating hormones can cause such GI problems, but I'm a believer!!  Thanks also for the info about the acidophilus.....I will look at the website.  I'm happy for you that many of your symptoms have subsided.  I will think of your story when I start feeling like these symptoms will never end and it will give me hope!  Thanks again.

I just want all of you to know that I wasn't trying to plug any product by mentioning a certain website.  I just thought that since I occasionally have seen references to other products (like Revival) &  websites , I could mention this product. It is obtainable almost anywhere. I have no financial interest in it or any  other product, and just wanted to help others deal with what was a pretty bad experience for me. I thought that telling them about it would be the kind thing to do.

That's okay Madge....... I know you were just trying to help.  I think they just have to be consistent, though, and not allow websites that sell things.  Are you still feeling good?  I hope so!

Yes, Cathy.  I no longer have the gas and bloating problems.  It feels wonderful after having this problem for quite a few years.

I'm having a lot of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes constipation along with funny colored looking stools. This started when my meno symptoms started in May. I read a lot of posts and see this is due to the lack of neurotransmitters in the gut. I can't take NHRT's or HRT's. I tried acidophilus w/ bifidus the other day w/ garlic and it hurt my stomach. I just started low dose Prozac which is an ssri not a trycyclic. Has anyone else tried Prozac and has that helped?  How much nausea, vomiting is normal? This feels like a morning sickness. I just don't want to have to go see another dr.! Most don't understand meno symptoms and I don't want another battery of tests. Also, would like to hear more about those who have been through this...about how many years before this may subside? Does it get better as one goes through perimeno or do I have to wait til the 'end'? Thank you so much--seeking detailed encouragement.

&nbsp; &nbsp; My doctor gastroenterologists uses low dose<br>tricyclics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. &nbsp;Anti-Spasmodics can be helpful, as well. &nbsp;I took Zoloft<br>before my period for years but it never helped the<br>premenstrual stomach maladies. &nbsp;Zoloft and Prozac,<br>like all the SSRIS, have basically the same<br>method of action. &nbsp;Try the Prozac, &nbsp;for a 6 week trial.<br>Good luck, hope you feel better!

Yikes, I think I was sleeping writing that post. &nbsp;Meno<br>Fog!!!!!! &nbsp;Sorry!

Chriscarol, Thanks for the thumbs up on the Prozac. I feel better already after only a couple of doses. It's going to take time. I don't have an official diagnosis. The drs. aren't taking me seriously about all the abdominal discomfort. I am going to try therapy too. Heard that is good for IBS too and is a preferred treatment over Prozac, found that on Webmd.

Is/has anyone else lost weight due to this gut/neurotransmitter/estrogen relationship? I have lost and am still losing little by little and am very scared about this. I am eating the same whole foods day in and day out. I also find that I am sensitive to alot of other foods that I never was to before. I am fearing for my life to be honest. I've asked every dr. I see and no one can seem to help me. Will this level out before I lose too much weight? Can anyone give me insight or point me in the right direction? I do have abdominal cramping, some n/v, distention, etc. Need hope....This is my biggest dilemma. I hear that some women do lose weight w/ perimeno and would like to hear from you so I feel more comfortable with this. I want to know that my eating habits are only temporary. All of a sudden I can't enjoy the foods that I crave and enjoy.

Hi Kristee, I am wondering if you may have Candida, an imbalance of bad bacteria in the stomach.  It may well be worth looking it up on the internet to see if your symptoms match.  I understand that hormones can affect the balance.  Hugs Jen

Hi Kristee, I have the same problem with the bowels and losing weight. I lost so much weight 3 years ago, that the dr.s thought I was anorhexic. I have gained some weight since then, but still tend to lose weight very easily. I feel like my metabolism is in overdrive. I eat all the time. I had my thyroid checked when this all started and they said it was normal. It does make it hard when digestion is a problem . I also suffer with constipation. The acedopholis tablets help alot, but now I find I still need the laxatives. It really stinks!Suzie

Suzie,Do you attibute your weight loss to hormones, stress, or otherwise? How long did it take to even out. Were you not able to tolerate certain foods? Thanks, need to know I'm not the long ranger. I tried the acidophilus and for some odd reason it 'hurts' my gut really bad. Not sure if I have an inflammatory process going on.