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[juliaC]

Hoping to hear from anyone in the know about diarrhoea in menopause or anyone experiencing it for the first time in menopause.

I've had it on and off now for 2 weeks.  I think I've just had shingles though (similar symptoms to before when diagnosed, though no diarrhoea then)

Since I've been on hrt (5 years) I've had the odd bout of diarrhoea but not like this.  It has been something I've wanted to sort out but life, and then it's gone again. 

But last two weeks, while I think it's an infection, I think it's just exacerbated what I'd be getting anyway.

So, anyone here had diarrhoea with menopause?  What's helped?  Perhaps I need more estradiol now, I'm only on Evorel 50.  (I will speak to my GP)

[Jules]

I would see a doctor just for peace of mind. It could be IBS. But if it's lasted 2 weeks, you probably should get checked out.

[CLKD]

What R your periods up to?   10 mins B4 a bleed began I would have to 'dash', no arguments  even when a period wasn't due.

It is rare to get shingles twice, have U had the jab against?  When DH showed symptoms it took 3 days B4 I clicked what it might be , confirmed by the Pharmacist and prescribed medication.   Triggered by the chicken pox virus, which U probably know already.

[jaypo]

Like Jules said,I’d see a Dr,so many reasons for diarrhoea, intolerances,diverticulitis,or just simply a inflamed gut for whatever reason but only medical intervention will be able to tell you x

[Mary G]

HRT (oral and transdermal) changes bile composition which affects how the gallbladder functions/empties and releases bile acids into the gut which act like a laxative.  It's very common and not discussed nearly enough because women need to be aware of bowel consistency changes with prolonged use of HRT.  It may not be pleasant but it's not dangerous and unlike bog standard bile acid diarrhoea, it's not harmful to the gut because the type of bile it releases into the intestines is not carcinogenic.  Apparently oestrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect that counteracts cancer development in the gut.  The bile also excreets cholesterol so your cholesterol levels usually decrease.  A lot of post menopause women using HRT are simply diagnosed with IBS but it's more specific than that and there is a very good reason for it.

I've had IBS forever but HRT gives me (non problematic) loose stools so I consulted and gastroenterologist a few years ago who explained everything.  I had stool tests which didn't reveal blood and my calprotectin (an important marker that is high with inflammation and disease) were very low.

I would ask for a comprehensive stool test but you will probably find the diarrhoea comes and goes. 

I hope that helps.

[CLKD]

  IBS is usually when GPs can't give us a diagnosis.

[jaypo]

IBS is just a huge blanket,there’s ALWAYS a reason your gut spasms

[Jules]

IBS is just a huge blanket,there’s ALWAYS a reason your gut spasms

You're right. The medics sometimes refer to it as something different now that covers the whole digestive system. I was told I had IBS but the gastric doctor said I actually have a sensitive digestive system, it's one long pipe. I don't think we should always attribute symptoms to menopause just like we shouldn't attribute them to stress, because something important could be missed. I think anything that's lasted longer than 2 weeks should be checked

[juliaC]

HRT (oral and transdermal) changes bile composition which affects how the gallbladder functions/empties and releases bile acids into the gut which act like a laxative.  It's very common and not discussed nearly enough because women need to be aware of bowel consistency changes with prolonged use of HRT.  It may not be pleasant but it's not dangerous and unlike bog standard bile acid diarrhoea, it's not harmful to the gut because the type of bile it releases into the intestines is not carcinogenic.  Apparently oestrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect that counteracts cancer development in the gut.  The bile also excreets cholesterol so your cholesterol levels usually decrease.  A lot of post menopause women using HRT are simply diagnosed with IBS but it's more specific than that and there is a very good reason for it.

I've had IBS forever but HRT gives me (non problematic) loose stools so I consulted and gastroenterologist a few years ago who explained everything.  I had stool tests which didn't reveal blood and my calprotectin (an important marker that is high with inflammation and disease) were very low.

I would ask for a comprehensive stool test but you will probably find the diarrhoea comes and goes. 

I hope that helps.

Interesting, thanks MaryG

It does come and go, but it just stayed for about 3 weeks.  It's now gone again. When I've got it I can't eat foods known to make it worse. When it's gone I can eat those foods.

I've so much anxiety about medical assessments atm partly because a lot of problems with the GP surgery.  I'm not saying I won't go to them about it but when I can't even get my hrt sorted out with them, I would rather get the most obvious problems sorted out first ideally.

The last 3 weeks I did have symptoms of a virus and a blistering rash suggestive of shingles.  The only other change was that I took a break from progesterone and been on estradiol the whole time (but that usually would inhibit diarrhoea, just for the record I don't do this usually, it was a one off)

[juliaC]

IBS is just a huge blanket,there’s ALWAYS a reason your gut spasms

You're right. The medics sometimes refer to it as something different now that covers the whole digestive system. I was told I had IBS but the gastric doctor said I actually have a sensitive digestive system, it's one long pipe. I don't think we should always attribute symptoms to menopause just like we shouldn't attribute them to stress, because something important could be missed. I think anything that's lasted longer than 2 weeks should be checked

You are right Jules, thankfully it's gone now and since I was very 'viral' at that time as well I'll see how things go for a while.

[juliaC]

What R your periods up to?   10 mins B4 a bleed began I would have to 'dash', no arguments  even when a period wasn't due.

It is rare to get shingles twice, have U had the jab against?  When DH showed symptoms it took 3 days B4 I clicked what it might be , confirmed by the Pharmacist and prescribed medication.   Triggered by the chicken pox virus, which U probably know already.

good question, I'd taken a break from progesterone and period hasn't arrived yet.

I think I was viral, though maybe it wasn't shingles, the rash looked suspiciously like it but it was a small area.  I haven't had the jab for it.  Didn't know you rarely get shingles twice, thanks CLKD

[juliaC]

Like Jules said,I’d see a Dr,so many reasons for diarrhoea, intolerances,diverticulitis,or just simply a inflamed gut for whatever reason but only medical intervention will be able to tell you x

You are right Jaypo, there are just so many frustrations with my surgery and as I'm not happy with the hrt treatment they want me on, I feel like I'm bound to be having symptoms if I haven't got the basics (like hormones) right.  But you are right I shouldn't leave it.  For now it's gone and I will see how things are for a while.