Prevention solutions and treatments for bloating during menopause

Menopause is a significant period of transition in a woman's life, marked by the cessation of menstruation and the end of fertility. This natural process is accompanied by a whole series of physical and emotional changes, among which bloating stands out as a particularly common and uncomfortable symptom. Why, then, do so many women experience this swollen belly feeling during menopause? In this article, we give you all the answers to your questions and above all, all the solutions to relieve bloating during menopause. Great reading!

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Why do we have a swollen stomach during menopause?

Why do so many women experience this bloated feeling during menopause? The answer is complex and multifactorial: hormonal imbalance, slowing metabolism, little physical exercise and poor diet! Let's see all this in detail.

Our hormonal balance is upset

Who do you think is to blame? The famous hormones estrogen and progesterone of course :)

During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, causing a whole lot of turmoil in our bodies. These hormones play crucial roles in regulating the menstrual cycle and affect various bodily functions.

Their reduction creates a real hormonal upheaval and can lead to symptoms such as:

• hot flashes,
• sleeping troubles,
• mood changes,
• vaginal dryness,
• Water retention
• and of course, digestive system disturbances like bloating.

But don't panic, these changes reflect the body's adaptation to these new hormonal levels.

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Our metabolism is slowed down

And as if that wasn't enough, our metabolism adds another layer! In fact, as we age, our metabolism, which is the process by which our body converts what we eat and drink into energy, naturally begins to slow down. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the drop in estrogen levels during menopause.

So a slower metabolism means the body uses calories less efficiently, which can lead to weight gain and, in turn, bloat our bellies .

Additionally, this slowdown can affect how quickly our body digests food, which again contributes to a feeling of heaviness and bloating .

We have bad eating habits

Even before you go through menopause, eating habits play a big role in feeling bloated. So, imagine a little during the menopause period?

High consumption of processed foods high in salt, simple sugars, or fats can worsen bloating symptoms. Likewise, certain foods that cause gas or are difficult to digest, such as legumes, certain cruciferous vegetables, and carbonated drinks, can contribute to the problem. Alcohol and caffeine can also unbalance the digestive system, leading to a feeling of bloating.

So all of this should be avoided!

We do little physical activity

You won't be surprised if we tell you that regular physical activity is essential to maintaining good general health? It can particularly help manage menopausal symptoms, including bloating.

Doing some exercise helps boost metabolism and promotes healthy bowel movements, which can help reduce bloating. Additionally, physical activity helps control weight, thereby reducing pressure on the abdomen and decreasing the likelihood of feeling bloated.

And unfortunately, as we age, we tend to become less active, which can make feelings of bloating worse.

Do we all experience bloating during perimenopause and menopause?

No, not all menopausal women experience bloating. So maybe you will escape it.

It is important to emphasize that every woman experiences menopause differently, and symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. For example, some menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, severe fatigue, trouble sleeping, hormonal acne, breast pain, and mood changes, are quite common, but that doesn't mean all women experience them.

6 tips to prevent bloating

Menopause brings its share of inconveniences, including that unpleasant feeling of a swollen and bloated stomach. Fortunately, there are many natural remedies available to us to prevent digestion problems during menopause. For this, we recommend a naturopathic approach to relieve your menopausal symptoms. Here are 6 practical tips to try!

Eat slowly and chew food well

Taking the time to eat slowly and chew food thoroughly helps with digestion and reduces air intake, which is one of the main causes of bloating. By adopting this simple habit, you will promote better assimilation of nutrients and limit the formation of gas in the stomach.

Eat well

Eating well involves adopting a balanced diet , but not only that! Avoid eating late at night, as this can overload your digestive system when it is least active. Include enough fiber in your diet to promote healthy intestinal transit , but do so gradually to allow your body to adapt. Also avoid foods known to increase bloating, such as legumes, certain cruciferous vegetables, high-lactose dairy products, certain types of breads, and very fatty or very sugary foods.

Drink enough water

We often forget that good hydration is important to avoid bloating. Water helps digestion and the proper functioning of intestinal transit. This helps prevent constipation, which can cause bloating or the “bloated belly” effect. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, avoiding drinking large quantities of water during meals so as not to dilute gastric juices and hinder digestion.

Stop soda and chewing gum

This is something you should banish from your habits! Soft drinks and chewing gum can greatly increase air ingestion, and therefore, bloating.

Practice regular physical activity

As mentioned later, regular exercise stimulates the digestive system and helps prevent constipation and bloating. Practicing physical activity, even moderate ones such as walking, yoga, or cycling, can really improve your digestive well-being. Ready? Go!

Manage your stress

Stress too can have a negative impact on your digestive system and contribute to a bloated belly. And yes ! When we are stressed, our body is on alert, which can reduce the production of gastric juices necessary for good digestion. Additionally, stress can promote shallow breathing, which increases air ingestion and, therefore, bloating. So we learn to relax and take care of ourselves.

What natural treatments to stop bloating?

There are several natural treatments that can help relieve a bloated belly during menopause. For immediate or long-term relief, we have the solution for you!

Treatment with immediate effect

Activated charcoal

For immediate relief from bloating, activated charcoal is an effective option. Thanks to its ability to absorb gases in the digestive system, it can quickly reduce the feeling of bloating. However, its use should be occasional.

Long term treatment

Infusions and herbal teas

Treat menopause symptoms with plants? We validate! Infusions and herbal teas represent a gentle, natural and above all effective method for managing digestion problems in the long term. They help improve intestinal transit and reduce gas formation.

🌈Gapianne’s favorite product:

Some infusions are specially designed for digestive comfort during menopause, such as the Bodhea Living Well Menopause Infusion which we particularly love. It combines 3 super plants, sage, chamomile and lemon balm, known for their numerous benefits on female health.

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Probiotics

Probiotics are of paramount importance in maintaining healthy intestinal flora. Having healthy flora is essential for good digestion and reducing belly bloating. They facilitate digestion, reduce gas production, strengthen the intestinal barrier, balance the intestinal flora, support the immune system and help prevent diarrhea. Incorporating probiotics into your diet can therefore be an effective strategy for improving digestive health and reducing bloating during menopause.

🌈Gapianne’s favorite product:

At Gapianne and according to customer feedback, we fell in love with the probiotic treatment: intimate and intestinal flora from Miyé . This probiotic complex was designed specifically for women subject to intimate and/or digestive discomfort. In a 1-month course of 2 capsules per day, you will finally feel relieved of your discomfort.

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