Peri and digestive problems

[RoadToPlants]

I’m peri menopausal and still figuring out the right dosing regimen for me. I’m 40 so relatively young for this, didn’t absorb patches/gel well so now on 2mg tablets.

All was well for a few months but recently all my symptoms are back with a vengeance, including the palpitations and insomnia.

I’m also really struggling with my digestive system. I get really bad stomach pain (not bloating) and lower right quadrant pain. I’ve tried various antacids but nothing helps. I get a bit sluggish so thought it could be constipation, however I took a load of dulcolax, cleared myself out, and the problem persists.

I don’t really know what else it could be. GP mentioned a scan next, but it will be ages before I get an appointment for a referral.

Has anyone else had this and has anything helped? My belly is so sore!

Anyone?

Hi OP.

I'm 49 and about a year ago I realised that whenever I had milk or yogurt I would get a hot red rash on my face and neck and would feel bloated and heavy.

I cut out dairy and feel a lot better. As well as the rash not happening anymore I also realised that other symptoms have disappeared.

Apparently, food intolerances can be a menopause symptom as hormone changes can slow the digestion, meaning that food is held in the gut fir longer.

I wondered if this could be the case for you too?

Thinking about it now, I always had diarrhoea when I got my period so those hormones definitely play havoc with digestion.

Same as Taylormiffed. And DD has that too.
I think hormones play havoc with digestion.

Actually me too, now you come to mention it. I didn't realise it was a thing, thought it was just me!

It does make me cross, all the stuff we weren't/aren't told.

This is interesting, thank you! I eat LOADS of dairy, however apparently I was lactose intolerant as a baby (and in special formula) but my parents thought I grew out of it. It can’t hurt to cut it out for a bit and see!

Hi @RoadToPlants. On Evorel Sequi I developed such bad stomach issues that I was in despair. Cramps, pain, bloating, sharp pain, period type pains, gas, diarrhea and constipation etc. I was scared I had stomach cancer. My GP suggested I might have developed IBS or IBD and I had three stool tests (FOB, FIT and one other - I can't remember but it might have been for stomach ulcers). They all came back clear and in fact I had very low scores. A couple of months later, I saw my gynaecologist who I go to see (privately) once a year for a checkup. When I told her about the stomach issues she said that they were almost certainly caused by norethisterone, the synthetic progesterone in Evorel. I stopped the patches soon after and within two weeks the pains disappeared and have not returned. She prescribed me utrogestan tablets as apparently they are easier on the stomach and told me to to take them vaginally (to bypass the stomach) but it took me ages to get the GP to change my prescription so I've actually had 3 months off HRT and don't think I'll bother to start again. Look on the patient information leaflet that comes with your HRT tablets, it may be that digestive issues are one of the main side effects.