Increased IBS

[Jennybeans401]

I've been having more IBS symptoms recently (49 and no period for two to three months). I suffered with IBS badly with my three pregnancies due to the hormones and I seem to be like that now during menopause.

Is anyone else finding they have more IBS?

I’m following as my IBS was triggered at 45, it’s gradually got worse. I suspect it’s linked to hormones. I’m still seeing regular periods age 50 and the IBS is not improving

I think my IBS is getting worse! It's definitely related to my cycle and ovulation time is brutal. Am early fifties and periods still regular as clockwork.

I am only 34 but peri menopausal (YEY). My IBS has become more frequent the last 12 months, around the time my periods became sporadic.

I was terrible in my teens so mine is definitely hormonal. And got worse in peri.

Low carb diet and I get no symptoms now.

I’ve only just stumbled across this thread and can totally relate. I am 51 and have had IBS half my life but it was kind of manageable but since hitting 45 it has become daily and is destroying me. Nothing I do helps.

Op, have you managed to find something which helped you?

I have found some improvement with daily oral progesterone. It seems to slow things down.
Also digestive enzymes before each meal. I think hormonal issues wreak havoc on your guts.

Do you take it alone or with oestrogen? I have an appointment with a hrt specialist next month, I’ll ask her about this.

Healthy eating sorts mine, if I start binging the carbs or drinking alcohol it sets it off.

What does YEY stand for?

I'm trying that Rheal Gut Health stuff at the moment. It's disgusting but worth a try.

I've got one of those (balance tonic) and if you put it in a smoothie you can't taste it at all.

I'm dubious about doing that as it says take before breakfast? I can just about stomach it in reduced sugar squash but the contents of the glass look like something you'd produce with a bad case of dysentry.

Only 100mg Utrogestan daily at the moment. Oestrogen makes me feel depressed and anxious every time I’ve tried it. My cycles are very regular so I feel I have enough oestrogen at the moment. Just progesterone has dropped which is apparently what happens first in peri.

I think that’s my issue. Did you get the progesterone only from the NHS? Neither my GP or gynae will prescribe utrogestan on its own but I keep reading about women who take it without oestrogen and wondering if they go privately.

The one I have suggests adding it to a smoothie, but perhaps the Gut Health one works differently.

I just take the prescription for a low dose patch too and just don’t apply it. I guess it is a waste but probably I will need oestrogen at some point and then I’ll have a stockpile (patches fall off so always good to have spares)