The menopause, and the time leading up to the menopause, known as perimenopause, is a natural part of aging for women. It is a time of hormonal chaos due to the fluctuating and overall decline in levels of the female hormone oestrogen and can cause a wide range of symptoms that can differ person to person.
Symptoms occur because we have various tissues and cells through-out our body which respond to oestrogen. Due to this, when oestrogen levels start to drop, it not only affects our reproductive system, but also affects heart health, joints, muscles, bones, the body’s response to food intake, energy levels and mood. The digestive system can also be altered by the change in hormone levels, causing symptoms similarly to irritable bowel syndrome in some people, including bloating, stomach cramps and a change in bowel habits.
Dietary changes have the potential to help ease some of these menopausal symptoms, including those associated with the gut. Diet can also have a significant impact on reducing the risk of diseases associated with aging and post menopause, due to its protective role. And finally, with a growing body of evidence demonstrating the integral role the gut environment (known at the gut microbiome) plays in development of health and disease, including during the menopause, dietary changes to promote good gut health are also important.
In our appointment we can spend time understanding how this life stage is affecting you, and then support you in feeling more confident in navigating your way through the dietary recommendations during the transition to perimenopause or menopause.
