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[Caroline Mackenzie]

Hi all,
I've been taking HRT for a few years now and I'm now post menopause and on everol 50 everyday and utrogestan tablet every night.
My problem is my digestion has really changed.
Used to go everyday but not it's every 2nd or 3rd day and by then my stomach is so bloated and uncomfortable I feel terrible.
Also poo is lots of rabbit poo not normal anymore.
I eat really well and drink water etc etc but nothing seems to work.
Is this likely to be the HRT?
My mood has been pretty low too and generally just not feeling myself!
Any ideas folk??
Thanks in advance  x

[jaypo]

Hi,our digestive system definitely slows as we age but I suffer slow transit and have done for years, my Dr prescribed Cosmocol,it's a very gentle laxative, I can't take senekot as it just causes cramps.
It DOES make you feel very sluggish not "going " for a few days.
Any changes in your bowels you should really speak to your dr but it probably is just all to do with meno,aging etc x

[CLKD]

Ask your GP for a poo test kit.

In the last 3-4 years we have changed our diets drastically.  I've had slow transit for years++ but the bloating became troublesome to the point of being unable to eat our evening meals.

Cutting out processed foods i.e. the monring croissant, bun, scone really made a difference.  That mid-afternoon bloating became less.  In November we were away which meant no muesli with milk: no bloating!  Have gone back to two rounds of white toast with butter for breakfast. 

Recently I ate too much pizza  not my best idea.  Too much cheese, grease etc.! 

MayB it's time for you to note down everything you eat/drink day/night for 5-7 days/nights to see if anything is aggravating the bowel.  I know miss at least 1 day a week then the next it's twice ...... with 4 hours between each visit. 

Let us know how you get on.  True constipation is painful, aged 11 I suffered for nearly a week. [long story short 2 protect the sensitive  ]

[bluebird68]

I am post meno. My digestion is slow and constipation. Stool softener every day helps and exercise and fruits and veg all help. Check with gp.

[Caroline Mackenzie]

Thanks everyone,I'll check in with doc,before I was taking progesterone everyday I was absolutely fine so wondering if vaginal progesterone might be easier , the problem with my GP is there is no one menopause savy so it's very ,they gave me lactulose last time which I can't take as it made my stomach so sore and gassy.
Thanks for the advice x

[CLKD]

With regards to altered bowel habits 1 should not rely on anything over the counter for more than 3-4 weeks.  A GP may suggest such products but the digestive tract needs to be checked .........

Hormones may well be a factor, reading this reminded me of how, 10 mins B4 a bleed began, I would have to dash: no arguments  : even if a period wasn't due  and how my bowel would slow up in the week prior to a bleed. 

[bombsh3ll]

Progesterone is definitely constipating - as the pregnancy hormone it relaxes smooth muscle and slows peristalsis.

I would definitely try taking it vaginally in the first instance (the same dose as you would take orally is usually recommended).

Also I would consider a blood test to exclude hypothyroidism - this is a common cause of slow digestion in middle aged women and often overlooked.

If you do turn out to require a regular laxative, there's no shame in this (I have used daily movicol for decades) however lactulose is not a suitable choice as it is very sugary and gassy, and not good for GI health at all.

I also take a spoonful of psyllium husks twice daily - this is game changing.

Psyllium is the active ingredient in fybogel, but taking it naked without all the additives is cheaper, healthier, more effective and produces less packaging waste.

However if you get free prescriptions you may prefer fybogel.

Magnesium citrate powder is another good supplement to consider - it helps with constipation and has a whole host of other health benefits as most of us are magnesium deficient - palpitations anyone?

[CLKD]

Fybogel  - opened the packets and the powder went into the compost 

Keeping well hydrated and exercising regularly can ease transit too. 

[Arya Underfoot]

I've struggled with constipation throughout menopause. First I started blending 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed in to my morning juice, that got things moving again. Then I started taking pre-pro biotics to improve the gut, which I also think has helped.

Since becoming post-menopausal it got worse again, so my naturopath gave me a recipe for Chia Porridge ( 2T Chia Seeds, 50ml Prune Juice & 100ml water, mix for 5 minutes, allow to set for 15 minutes). You can make up a big batch and keep it in the fridge for a week. I take a couple of tablespoons before bed and never have trouble going anymore. Highly recommend giving it a go, much better than taking laxatives. 

[Aprilflower]

Two moist dried figs everyday.

 I have been doing this for a while and they work a treat.  A natural food as well.