Bowels

[Schoolrunmum81]

Possibly a post of TMI

43 here so not entirely sure if what I'm experiencing lately is peri hence my post !

I'll start by saying over the last 12 months I've had a whole host of tests and scans for various reasons, most have been normal, within range or not a cause for concern.

My one big ongoing concern though is my bowel movements. I generally go once a day within 15 minutes of waking up, and it's an urge, I can't hold it or I won't make it. There's very little effort needed and although it's formed it's very soft and comes out all in one go. I've been like this for well over 12 months now. I had a fit test a year ago that was within the normal range. So my question is, are bowel movements affected in peri?

I've had hormone blood tests a few months ago, they were within normal range but I know they aren't very reliable. My periods are shorter and lighter, anxiety through the roof (unfortunately been through some stuff last few years) no hot flushes but im definitely not feeling the cold as much as I used to. My sleep is awful, occasional night sweats, fatigue, my muscles twitch, I have constant nausea, burp a lot, low vitamin D, my hair in thinning, brittle nails, pulsatile tinnitus, the list goes on ....I look like I've aged 10 years in the last two!

Does any of this sound like peri?

It sounds like peri so why not consider HRT?
The risks of HRT don't apply to women your age. They only start once you're over 50.

Bowels- mine are the same. Can't say it's peri, as I'm way beyond that and on HRT long term. Might be worth looking at your diet and seeing if dairy or wheat make it worse?

Thank you for replying. I didn't know that about HRT and the risks not applying under 50! Why is that?

Re my diet I've been on lactose free milk for about 6 months now, recently started kefir drinks and yogurts and ive reduced the amount of gluten in my diet. Part of me wonders if all the changes have upset the gut microbiome but then that's just a phrase I've picked up off Google that I don't really understand 😂

. I didn't know that about HRT and the risks not applying under 50! Why is that?

because you're topping up hormones you'd usually have until 50/52 anyway.
HRT now is mainly body-identical, meaning the same as our own (unlike the Pill.)

I've never heard that about HRT either... and sorry but that explanation doesn't make any sense to me. Hormones fluctuate differently for everyone, they don't know how old you are. Where are you getting that info from? I'd be interested to read the source.

@Schoolrunmum81 perimenopause can have an impact on how your body digests food so what you're describing could be a perimenopause symptom. It's worth talking to your GP about looking at your symptoms from that angle.

The kefir is perhaps the cause, I cannot tolerate these sorts of things anymore in any quantity, was fine until mid 40's. Yes hormones have a lot to answer for! You could try dropping the kefir from your diet and see if it helps

I have similar symptoms. Food passes through my gut much quicker than it used to - sometimes too quick. 😬My doctor denied it was anything to do with perimenopause but I always seem to have awful diarrhoea the day before my period, so I don't believe it's not hormone related in some way. Some menopause website suggest that lack of oestrogen speeds up digestive transit....

I had this a few yrs ago. There is something called the morning rush.

Thanks for all the replies ☺️

@BCBird did you do anything in particular to "fix" it?

You could try a low fodmap diet for diarrhea

Perimenopause has had the opposite effect on my digestive system. Hormones are such a pain!

This post could have been written by me! I'm 42 and have the exact same issue. Had all the tests done including FIT test and hormonal tests etc (everything within normal range). Have all the other symptoms you do too but the bowel movements issue worried me the most.

I was referred for a colonoscopy and during the consultation the doctor said having urgency and soft stools once a day (with a negative FIT test) doesn't even fit the criterea for a consultation let alone a colonoscopy and was confused as to why I was referred, He told me to wait it out and revisit in 3 months.

I tried FODMAP diet and it helped a LOT but it's very restrictive. I ended up cutting out diary and not overeating (which is hard lol) which seems to help. I now have it maybe once or twice a week.

He told me to stop worrying about it and it'll get better. Honestly I'm none the wiser about whether peri menopause causes it or not, but my hunch is that it might trigger or worsen intolerances which explains why it feels very sudden onset.

Anyway it feels good to know I'm not the only one facing this, though im sorry you're going through it too! Hope you are able to figure it out 💐

P.s I tried kefir and psyllium husk and probiotics (everything I could see recommended on Reddit and mumsnet lol) but none of it worked, I think it made it worse.

The only thing that helped within just 2 days was FODMAPS but like I said it's very very restrictive and hard to get right because even if a food is allowed, it's only allowed at a certain amount. Try the Monash app which is the best, most accurate resource..

I was like this for months (post meno now, just). FIT test normal.

Started HRT 3 months ago and it's stopped.

I have this problem. I have my dads funeral on Thursday and im considering eating nothing and just drinking water from tomorrow

@JenniferBooth

Maybe a pre-emptive Imodium to get you through? I find that sometimes helps.

My condolences on losing your Dad.

In peri I became a person who went first thing every day. If I’ve had a lot of fruit/veg then the urgency is worse, and once or twice I’ve had a small accident.

@TeamPolin Thank You Im considering doing that on Wednesday night

I was on HRT over the summer but that seemed to make it worse. It made it go sludgy

I was like that for about two years (44-46) and had to rush to the loo every morning with ribbon-like poos. Not nice. So I went for tests and everything was ok. I decided to go gluten-free to see if it would help, and it really did seem to, but now I am on HRT and do eat gluten-y things with no negative effects. This leads me to conclude the HRT has fixed it rather than the gluten-free. I might be wrong, but I reckon the HRT has helped at the very least.