Facts and Causes of Menopause Bloating
There are numerous unpleasant symptoms that arrive with the onset of menopause; bloating may not be the worst of all but certainly ranks as one of the most detested. Fortunately, the effects of bloating are temporary and can, to some degree, be avoided or decreased.
As women age, their bodies begin to change once again. During the teen years, the systems in the body were gearing up toward the reproductive stages of life; during the later years, the body does an “about face”, and begins to prepare accordingly by slowing hormone production. This process is called menopause. As production of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone wane, they fall out of balance. There are many symptoms that result from the lower hormone levels; the most common and recognizable of which being sweating, hot flashes, irregular periods, mood swings, vaginal dryness and lessening interest in sex. Other symptoms can also afflict some women, like weight gain, incontinence, constipation, flatulence, burping, irritability and depression. The duration of menopausal symptoms can vary as widely as do the symptoms themselves.
While all of the symptoms can be annoying and inconvenient, one of the most frustrating is that of menopause bloating. There are a few different causes for the bloating. It can be very similar to premenstrual bloating, as it generally involves those fluctuating hormones once again. Levels of progesterone fall quickly, leaving higher levels of estrogen in the system. This causes the body to retain water, resulting in that heavy, bloated feeling that is not only uncomfortable but also makes our clothes fit tighter. It also makes women gain weight, even if only temporarily. For women who use hormone replacement therapy to ease menopause symptoms, there will likely be surprise and consternation when they discover that bloating is actually a side effect of the therapy.
Another area of the body that is affected when the hormonal downturn begins is our digestive system. Bile is a substance that is influenced by the production of estrogen; bile is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder where it is dispersed to act as a lubricant for waste products in the intestines. With less estrogen in the system, fewer signals are made to produce bile, which in turn means less lubrication of the intestines. The waste materials moving through the intestines are dry and hard. Constipation is the result, along with bloating that accompanies this condition.
Intestinal gas is yet one more reason that menopause bloating occurs. For reasons that are not clear, the onset of menopause seems to produce more intestinal gas in about half of all menopausal women. It may be due to diet; certain foods are notorious for producing gas, such as beans, high fiber vegetables, carbonated beverages or dairy. Women who experience this embarrassing condition can try to alleviate the bloating caused by the gas by modifying their diets. Trying to keep a food journal will help to pinpoint what foods may be creating the gas. If nothing seems to help, there are some over the counter products that help to break up gas in the intestines.
Fortunately, menopause is a temporary condition. Most women will have satisfactory results in reducing the amount of bloating they experience by simply changing their lifestyles. Dietary modifications help with bloat that is associated with intestinal gas; exercise will help the body to eliminate excess water and gas from the body; relaxation techniques can alleviate stress and addressing the imbalance in hormonal levels can get the system back in sync.
Menopause does not need to be a period in a woman’s life that is continually unpleasant. Recognizing the symptoms, such as bloating, and what is causing them can give clues as to how to deal with and alleviate the condition so the woman can get on with her life.