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Menopause Matters magazine ISSUE 76 out now. (Summer issue, June 2024)

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Author Topic: Perimenopause and Chronic Constipation  (Read 1346 times)

abbybaby14

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Perimenopause and Chronic Constipation
« on: April 13, 2020, 01:48:05 PM »

Hi,
  I am 44 years old childless women and I am in perimenopause phase for the past 3 years or so. Periods are regular. But past 6 months, I have been experiencing chronic constipation symptoms, worse around day 7, 14 , 21 and 28 of period cycle. Anyone else with these symptoms and what they did to help it?

Many Thanks.
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CLKD

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  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: Perimenopause and Chronic Constipation
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2020, 03:18:38 PM »

 :welcomemm:  we have many bowel-related topics here.  HORMONES  >:(  ::)

Browse round.

I suffer from slow transit.  Often I feel I need to 'go' but the bowel ain't playing  :(.  It's OK if I am at home 'cos I am able to nip to the loo when necessary but if we are out and about .........

I also find that if my bowel is slow and making me uncomfy, I stop all my medication for 24 hours.  Often works!
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Mogster71

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Re: Perimenopause and Chronic Constipation
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2020, 07:29:45 PM »

Hi Abby

I feel your pain, and the recent changes to everybody's "routine" doesn't make things any easier. I do find if I am less active then my transit slows. Recently upped my exercise to try and help that. I have heard some good things about Magnesium helping things along down there, as well as dietary changes - my mum swears by milled linseed or flaxseed. Also upping your fluid intake, especially if you are adding in fibrous foods.

If you do try magnesium then the advice seems to be to take it slowly and build up as it can cause laxative effects. If you have any at home, Andrews Liver Salts, or things like Fybogel could be worth a try? Hope you feel better soon x
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CLKD

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Re: Perimenopause and Chronic Constipation
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2020, 08:58:13 AM »

 ;DFybogel  :sick02:  :D I bypassed the middle woman and put it into the compost.

High dose magnesium helps awkward coughing, it relaxes the reflex muscle.  So it stands  :-\ to reason that it will relax the bowel too  :o

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Mogster71

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Re: Perimenopause and Chronic Constipation
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2020, 09:53:14 AM »

LOL CLKD, as long as it isn't at the same time  :o 

I agree, Fybogel is a bit like emptying the bottom of a Weetabix box into a glass of water. It does help gently though, I'm too scared to try things like Dulcoease!
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Baby

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Re: Perimenopause and Chronic Constipation
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2020, 11:40:08 AM »

It's strange but I always suffered with constipation before menopause but now I go every morning easily within 10 minutes of getting up.x
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nicky_boo

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Re: Perimenopause and Chronic Constipation
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2020, 02:16:06 PM »

Hi abbybaby14,
I took cow's milk out of my life, which helped. Also, try to add some oil and fruit in your diet. My son suffered from constipation. He had an operation for hernia when he was 3 and the specialist told me to up is fruit intake, especially fruit with skin on - like strawberries etc.. rather than oranges. He also told me that he needs at least one spoonfool of oil so I add vegetable oil to his wheatabix when I remember. He doesn't consume cow's milk either.
Another tip is to make sure your knees are higher than your hips on the toilet when you try. You can try to put some books on the floor to raise your feet?
I know this all sounds a bit weird, but I suffered badly after an endo operation and I tried it all.
Good luck!
nicky_boo
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abbybaby14

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Re: Perimenopause and Chronic Constipation
« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2020, 04:19:47 PM »

Hi All,
  Thanks a lot for all your posts and suggestions. I do take fybogel and was advised by the GP to take in the morning so that I have enough fluid intake for the rest of the day. I do eat bananas, but will start on fruits with skin on. I have also started on probiotics and hope that helps. I take vitamin supplements, so should be getting enough vitamins -magnesium. GP also suggested taking laxative, like senakot. I have tried it once with a lower dose, one tablet instead of two and did not have any side effects of laxative. Yeah, it tough to live with these change especially when one is working, but I guess that is life!
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