My Perimenopause Gut Health Journey

I was dealing with bloating and digestive issues that had started along with my perimenopause symptoms. I assumed it was related to hormones and that I just had to live with it. Then my therapist mentioned that gut health is connected to mental health and that it might be worth looking at my digestive system. She recommended a functional medicine doctor who specialized in gut health. That recommendation changed my understanding of perimenopause and how I could manage my symptoms.

How I got here

The bloating had been a constant issue. I would eat and feel uncomfortable for hours. My bowel movements were irregular. Some days I was constipated. Other days I had loose stools. I also had more anxiety and brain fog than I had expected from perimenopause alone. My therapist suggested that my anxiety might be partly related to my gut health because the gut is often called the second brain. That comment intrigued me enough to look into it further.

What I actually did

I saw a functional medicine doctor who specializes in gut health. She did detailed testing of my microbiome and she found that my gut health was compromised. I had low levels of beneficial bacteria and high levels of pathogenic bacteria. She explained that perimenopause affects gut health because hormones affect the composition of your microbiome. She recommended dietary changes to support my gut bacteria, specific supplements to help restore balance, and elimination of foods that were inflammatory for my system. I removed processed foods. I added fermented foods and fiber. I started taking probiotics and prebiotics. Over the course of three months, my bloating decreased significantly. My bowel movements became more regular. My anxiety improved. My brain fog improved. I was shocked by how much my symptoms improved by addressing my gut health.

What actually changed

My digestive symptoms improved dramatically. The bloating went away. My bowel movements became regular. My energy improved. My anxiety improved. My brain fog improved. I had not realized that my gut health was such a significant factor in my perimenopause symptoms. The anxiety and brain fog I had attributed to hormones might have partly been due to my compromised gut health.

What my routine looks like now

I eat an anti-inflammatory diet that supports my gut health. I take probiotics and prebiotics. I include fermented foods in my diet. I manage my stress because stress affects gut health. I do not eat processed foods. My gut health has stabilized and my symptoms are significantly better managed.

If you are experiencing digestive issues or anxiety or brain fog during perimenopause, I would encourage you to consider that your gut health might be a factor. Your gut bacteria are affected by your hormones and addressing your gut health might help with your overall perimenopause symptoms. What worked for me is not medical advice, and what your body needs may be completely different. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your specific situation before making changes.