Declining oestrogen in menopause can cause constipation

oestrogen & constipation

During perimenopause and menopause our oestrogen drops.

This can contribute to constipation, largely through the impact of low oestrogen on our gut.

• Motility - As oestrogen levels decline, smooth muscle contractions in the gut can slow, leading to reduced intestinal motility. This can result in stools moving slower through our digestive system, increasing constipation

• Mucous - This lubricates the digestive tract and aids stool passage. Lower oestrogen can reduce its production, resulting in drier, harder and harder to pass stools

• Microbiome - Oestrogen influences the composition and function of gut flora. Altered levels can disrupt gut bacteria balance, which can affect digestion and bowel movements, increasing constipation

• Fluid - Oestrogen influences fluid in our body, including retention and distribution within the digestive system. Changes can cause stool dehydration and reduced bulk, making it harder to pass them

• Pelvic Floor - Oestrogen helps the strength and elasticity of pelvic floor muscles, which play a role in bowel control and defecation. Declining levels can lead to weakness and/or dysfunction, making it harder to expel stools

• Lifestyle - Other things associated with menopause like changes in diet, reduced physical activity and greater stress can also exacerbate constipation

What can we do?

Improve health our gut health to ensure not just adequate age-appropriate hormone levels, but good nutrition levels, and improved immunity and health

How do we do that?

Eat plenty of fibre-rich and fermented foods, hydrate with clean water, do gut testing and a healing protocol, avoid over the counter drugs and using antibiotics only when necessary, limit alcohol, manage stress, move regularly and sleep well.