Menopause Matters Forum

General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Em71 on November 26, 2018, 06:35:39 PM

Title: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Em71 on November 26, 2018, 06:35:39 PM
Hello everyone,

I joined here a while ago but this is the first time I've written anything so let me tell you a bit about what I've been going through with regards to all this.  I have just turned 47 and my periods were always all over the place and at the beginning of this year I started getting hot flushes.  I thought I could cope with them as I was only having maybe 3/4 an hour which would last for 3 or 4 minutes but as time went by and I was getting no sleep I finally went to the doctor.  Fast forward a few months and I have been put on transdermal patches which kicked in within 2 weeks and I am SO happy I did cause I no longer suffer any hot flashes  :).  However, I now suffer from quite a bit of weight gain around my tummy which is making me feel very uncomfortable.   I have always been thin and my eating habits have not changed, yet I feel tight and bloated all the time which is just horrible.  I joined the gym last month but so far I'm still the same.  I don't eat much at all and I have a pretty healthy diet - so does anyone have any advice for me with regard to how they may have tackled this issue?

Thanking you in advance if you reply  :)
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: CLKD on November 26, 2018, 07:04:50 PM
Bloating is the pits  >:(

 :welcomemm:  have a browse round.  Make notes.  I'm sure someone will be along with advice.
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Em71 on November 26, 2018, 07:10:20 PM
Thank you for the welcome CLKD :-)
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Taz2 on November 26, 2018, 07:23:59 PM
Hi Em71 - someone always replies - even if it's just to welcome you.... which is what I am doing as I'm in the middle of cooking dinner but didn't want you to feel that no-one was listening  ;D

Taz x  :welcomemm:
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: jaypo on November 26, 2018, 07:29:36 PM
I'm like you em,eat well etc but a bloated stomach,I guess it's partly to do with aging but can also be food intolerances,which we seem to get more of as we go through this menopause,I now take peppermint tea,which definitely calms the tummy,can't advise on the transdermal patches im afraid but someone will definitely know here.
Anyway,welcome 😊
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: CLKD on November 26, 2018, 07:36:05 PM
Thinking about this: I often had bloating prior to a bleed.  Once the period was over, it felt better.
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Em71 on November 26, 2018, 07:43:18 PM
Hi Em71 - someone always replies - even if it's just to welcome you.... which is what I am doing as I'm in the middle of cooking dinner but didn't want you to feel that no-one was listening  ;D

Taz x  :welcomemm:

Hi Taz,

Thank you for the warm welcome and hope you enjoy your dinner x
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Em71 on November 26, 2018, 07:44:47 PM
I'm like you em,eat well etc but a bloated stomach,I guess it's partly to do with aging but can also be food intolerances,which we seem to get more of as we go through this menopause,I now take peppermint tea,which definitely calms the tummy,can't advise on the transdermal patches im afraid but someone will definitely know here.
Anyway,welcome 😊

Hi Jaypo,

I was tested for food intolerance but was clear, I used to drink peppermint tea so might start that again.  Thank you for taking the time to read, reply and welcome me :-)
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Em71 on November 27, 2018, 02:20:41 PM
Could be due to low oestrogen but you can try taking a good probiotic too.
I have actual fat on my belly. It bloats too. I have started using Symprove and eating fewer carbs.
I believe oestrogen is made by belly fat cells as our ovaries begin to retire. So our bodies decide it needs to hold onto some fat there. Not sure if any of that is actually true mind you.
Hello! 🙂🙂🙂

Hi Birdy,

Thank you for your message.  I think I'm going to give probiotics a go too :-)
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: CLKD on November 27, 2018, 02:44:46 PM
Don't change too much at once or you won't know what is working/not  ;)

As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax.  My apron dropped so I look fatter but I haven't put on weight.  Altered shape  >:(  :D the belatedness for me is different.  I notice when I eat shop made cakes, pastries, egg custards that it becomes a problem.  When I cut those out my gut and stomach feels better.
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: AnnieR66 on November 27, 2018, 06:11:59 PM
Hi Em,
I have found the chewable strawberry acidophilus tablets to be very helpful with bloating.
I was getting to the point when eating a tiny amount made be look 6 months pregnant!
You could give them a try, they are half price at the moment at well known health shop in the high st.
Annie x
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Conolly on November 27, 2018, 06:56:26 PM
Hello Em71,


Welcome aboard!
I also have the awful bloating. Have tried many different approaches: Wind-Eze tablets, charcoal tablets, changing diet, eating earlier in the evening, walking after meals, drinking more water, lactose free products. I'll try peppermint tea, although I have a sort of intolerance to all things peppermint related, even toothpaste. It's another menopause joy, but IBS is more likely in my case.


Conolly X
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: CLKD on November 27, 2018, 06:57:08 PM
I have IBS - we have several threads too  ::)
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: crazycatlady on December 09, 2018, 01:13:24 PM
Oh yes, I've passed peri stage but still get long periods of bloatedness although like you, have historically always been trim in the belly area. I find it's much worse on holiday and my belly can seriously balloon out (my holiday photos definitely do not show me at my best!!), probably because I eat things I'm not used to when I'm away and my body finds it harder to process? It's not about over eating (I don't). In my case, the bloatedness builds up over a number of days, then hangs around for a bit, then just goes of its own accord. Not worked out whether it's related to what would have been a monthly cycle or whether it's food related or something else. I just sit it out in elasticated/larger clothes until it passes and then swap over to my smaller clothes!  ;)
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Joaniepat on December 09, 2018, 02:56:34 PM
Oh yes, I've passed peri stage but still get long periods of bloatedness although like you, have historically always been trim in the belly area. I find it's much worse on holiday and my belly can seriously balloon out (my holiday photos definitely do not show me at my best!!), probably because I eat things I'm not used to when I'm away and my body finds it harder to process? It's not about over eating (I don't). In my case, the bloatedness builds up over a number of days, then hangs around for a bit, then just goes of its own accord. Not worked out whether it's related to what would have been a monthly cycle or whether it's food related or something else. I just sit it out in elasticated/larger clothes until it passes and then swap over to my smaller clothes!  ;)
It's your gut microbiome not coping with foods you are not used to! I wonder if a probiotic would help while on holiday?
JP x
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: crazycatlady on December 10, 2018, 11:09:52 AM
Good idea, JP, thanks.

In UK, I wish the little probiotic yogurt drink bottles & yogurt pots had less sugar added - they are way too sweet for my liking.

Trying to find probiotic in middle of nowhere in a foreign land in a foreign language might be a challenge, but worth trying!

Btw, never thought/realised it was possible to buy probiotics in tablet form until now!
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Joaniepat on December 10, 2018, 12:12:35 PM
Yes crazycatlady, the little drinks are horrible, way too sweet! I sometimes get probiotic capsules from OptiBac, you can find them online. They do quite a good range, including one for hotter climates.
Best wishes,
JP x
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: crazycatlady on December 10, 2018, 05:13:21 PM
Oh wow, there's even special probiotic tablets for different climates?! So much to learn  ;)
Thanks for the info, JP.
Title: Re: Newbie saying hello *waves*
Post by: Em71 on January 07, 2019, 06:03:39 PM
Thank you everyone that took the time to reply  :)