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[Toasty123]

I’m 50 and been perimenopausal for three years. My periods are all over the place, I’m irritable and not sleeping but the worst problem is my digestion has gone completely. My gut gurgles all the time, I get constipated but then also out of nowhere I get bouts of regular diarrhoea which are horrible and I think are linked to my hormones. I’ve had blood tests and stool tests and seen a gastroenterologist who says it’s IBS which I did used to have but I’m still worried. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Flossieteacake]

I have seen many members on here develop IBS in meno. I am sorry you are experiencing this. I have IBS and it has become much worse since meno for me.

[CLKD]

IBS is a large expression for many bowel-related conditions.  I've had it since 1998, it almost killed me [long story short].  Basically I have the slow transit version; my GP gave me Colpermin peppermint capsules as well as Motillium to ease transit.  The idea being that I swallowed them within an hour of eating my main meals.  I was better within 5 days though it took 3 months B4 the bowel settled completely.

I also eat little and often which seems to help.  From the age of 11 my bowel hadn't been filled properly, so the spasm had slowed completely.  Gurgling may be a sign that the gut isn't full enough !

During my menstruating years I found that 10 mins B4 a bleed began, I would have to rush to the loo: no arguments    even if a period wasn't due.  Definitely hormonal and I guess that yours is probably related.  Now it's slow transit with the feeling of needing to 'go' all the while  but fortunately, no painful spasms.

As peri arrived my periods waxed and waned for years: would disappear completely then return for a few months 'regularly'  .  For 2-3 years until I noticed in 2002 that that they had disappeared completely .  Apart from dry skin and vaginal atrophy, I've been more or less fine since.

Don't despair. 

[Mary G]

Toasty123, most definitely!  In my case, the IBS is linked to silent migraines which developed at the onset of the menopause.   IBS often gets worse at menopause and I have read (sorry, can't remember where) that many women who use HRT go on to develop IBS.

Hormone changes, serotonin in the gut and migraines are all linked and very complex I'm afraid.  The best medication by far for IBS-D and migraine auras has been amitriptyline in my case.   I also use continuous combined HRT.

If you do a Google search for IBS and menopause you will see just how common it is.   It's a question that comes up on here all the time second only to problems with Utrogestan.

Depending on how bad the diarrhoea is, you might get relief with anti diarrhoea medication but if it's very severe, you might need to consider other medication.

I hope that helps.

[Jeanjeannie]

Hey 👋 I was diagnosed with ibs in my 20s (50) now. It generally has been flare ups over 30 odd years. I’ve gone months without it and then bam! Out of nowhere!

 As with most people - worse under stress
- which I guess our bodies are in peri even if we don’t feel it?
 My gut is one of the gurgliest I know! Tried isolation diets, had stool
Tests, barium meal scans and sent off different tests to see what might be aggravating. That turned out I was ‘irritated’ by almost everything! At that point I kind of just stopped and accepted it.


My issue is since being on hrt- I have experienced a change in poop colour?! Got lighter? Can’t think of anything else I’m eating/ doing and it’s happened at almost the same time as I started the hrt…?!

Anyone else had this?

[CLKD]

Bowels 

My pooh is lighter when I eat a lot of LIVE yoghurt.  Gut also reacts to oily foods - chutneys in particular as I found out recently 

Stress = particularly when planning or going on holiday: I can't go until home  which can lead to some unpleasant sensations.   

The gut is the 2nd brain.  It's my weakest place, always go off food the moment I'm stressed, anxious or under strain.  Brave to have a barium, not my fav idea!    Jean: what was the advice?

[Toasty123]

@Mary G - I’ve just started amitryptiline a few days ago so here’s hoping!

[Mary G]

Toasty123, that's great and I hope it works for you but be prepared to increase the dose if necessary.   I started on 10mg and titrated up to 50mg to get full relief and now I split the dose.

Please let us know how you get on.

[Toasty123]

Mary G - did you get any relief at 10mg? I’ve been taking that for a week and so far it’s not improving the rushing to the loo symptoms.  I’m wondering about going up to 20mg, although it does make me a little drowsy.

[CLKD]

Morning Toasty - what's the medication supposed to do?  It may take 2-3 weeks B4 any effects improve.

[Mary G]

Toasty, no, I'm afraid 10mg didn't do anything for me and I went up to 20mg after one week.   I eventually settled on 50mg and the migraine auras and IBS completely disappeared.  I did have some weight gain and bloating so I decided to try and reduce the dose and I now take 10mg in the morning and 25mg at night and so far so good.

The migraine specialist said that 40mg (ish) usually works for migraine and IBS but she (and every pharmacist I have spoken to) said it's OK to play around with it until you find the right dose.

If you feel drowsy, it's best not to split the dose and to take it 12 hours before you plan to get up. 

Amitriptyline takes about three weeks to work properly and you are supposed to stop increasing the dose as soon as your symptoms improve - maximum dose is 1mg per kilo on bodyweight.

Please let us know how you get on with the higher dose.