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Help!!! Going through Menopause and am having severe constipation
I am a 52 year old woman going through menopause with my hormones all out of wack. I also have Hypothyroidism. I am having severe problems with constipation. All the stuff that I read about this says that laxitives, enemas, and taking fiber (stuff that you normally would use for this) doesn't work. I am wondering what else could be used or what else could be done to help me with this problem, or is it something that I will always have to deal with? I am worried that something else may be wrong.
After writing this post, and using Oxy-Powder some more, I found that it's not as effective as I thought with repeated use. It's also difficult to use while working (you don't know when you're going to have an evacuation). What I started doing recently is a warm water enema every few days at night before bed, or in the morning on a weekend, and while that hasn't necessarily fixed the whole problem, at least I'm clearing out without taking something on a long-term basis. You need an enema/douche/water bottle that you can get at a drug store.
I've also found that if I take a large dose of Triphala, that is helpful, contrary to what I wrote above. A large dose is one tablespoon. Tastes really terrible, but it does help and has a few thousand years of evidence behind it.
Good luck.
I've also found that if I take a large dose of Triphala, that is helpful, contrary to what I wrote above. A large dose is one tablespoon. Tastes really terrible, but it does help and has a few thousand years of evidence behind it.
Good luck.
This is a great forum. I feel less alone after reading this - have been going through menopause for several years now and am on the tail end of it at the fairly early age of 48. No periods for over a year now. I've always been a healthy eater (aside from loving sugar a little too much, though probably a lot less than your average bear), and physically active. I'm a yoga teacher and energy work therapist and have huge amount of info re. herbs and natural therapies, but amazingly had very little understanding of what was going to happen when I hit perimenopause/menopause. It really is shocking - as several women have noted - how little information is available and how few doctors understand all the permutations of this major life change.
Among the better-known symptoms of menopause (such as anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes and low libido), I started having terrible nausea about two and a half years ago and ended up getting almost $2500 US of tests done - all came back negative and I still had no idea what the problem was, and no one ever said anything about menopause being a possible factor. I finally used my training and did some research and began eating even better - supporting my liver with milk thistle and burdock, taking herbs for menopause like motherwort (which is a beautiful and very easy plant to grow in your garden - make a tea from the leaves and flowers), not eating so much sugar, cutting alcohol and caffeine, eating more vegetables and less white bread, etc. That took care of the bulk of the hot flashes and insomnia. Then I realized that I'd also been becoming more and more constipated - not something I'd experienced except very occasionally in the past - I had started getting used to it, I guess, when I realized that my bowel movements weren't the same and that the tissues all around my perineum (vulva and anus) were becoming very sensitive (thin). I've concluded that the constipation is what's what's causing the nausea! May not be accurate, but it's the best conclusion I've got.
The one thing that I've found that really helps the constipation is the Oxy-Powder that others have mentioned. I took it for a week the first time and felt much better. I still have the constipation and some nausea, but it's not as bad because I take the Oxy-Powder when I can. The tricky part about it is that you have to leave three hours between dinner and when you take it (basically on an empty stomach) If you don't, you'll get cramps - I tried that once! So, if you go to bed at 10pm, you have to be done with dinner by 7 at the latest. I'm about to do another week - I think that taking it for an extended period like that is useful. It takes a few tries to find out how many caps to take so that you aren't pooping liquid all day long and instead are just getting good loose regular stools. I had to take a huge amount the first time - I need less now that I'm clearing out.
From my understanding, the Oxy-Powder is mostly magnesium with a little citric acid and organic Germanium-132. If you search the internet, you'll find some controversy over the germanium. The FDA and the American Cancer Society say it's not good for you, but nothing else has brought me any relief from the nausea/constipation, including both conventional and alternative medicine, so I'm taking it. Miralax has the same thing as antifreeze in it, so that's not too alluring, either!
I've tried Senna (in the Smooth Move tea), Psyllium seed husk powder, and Triphala (an ayurvedic herb) - none of them have given me anywhere near the good bowel movements that Oxy-Powder has. I've also tried Colosan, a similar magnesium product which is cheaper, but only comes in bulk and you have to take it with lemon juice or vinegar and it's a hassle that way. It seems harsher coming out the other end for some reason.
There you have it - my tome on pooping and menopause. May the movement be with you!
Among the better-known symptoms of menopause (such as anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes and low libido), I started having terrible nausea about two and a half years ago and ended up getting almost $2500 US of tests done - all came back negative and I still had no idea what the problem was, and no one ever said anything about menopause being a possible factor. I finally used my training and did some research and began eating even better - supporting my liver with milk thistle and burdock, taking herbs for menopause like motherwort (which is a beautiful and very easy plant to grow in your garden - make a tea from the leaves and flowers), not eating so much sugar, cutting alcohol and caffeine, eating more vegetables and less white bread, etc. That took care of the bulk of the hot flashes and insomnia. Then I realized that I'd also been becoming more and more constipated - not something I'd experienced except very occasionally in the past - I had started getting used to it, I guess, when I realized that my bowel movements weren't the same and that the tissues all around my perineum (vulva and anus) were becoming very sensitive (thin). I've concluded that the constipation is what's what's causing the nausea! May not be accurate, but it's the best conclusion I've got.
The one thing that I've found that really helps the constipation is the Oxy-Powder that others have mentioned. I took it for a week the first time and felt much better. I still have the constipation and some nausea, but it's not as bad because I take the Oxy-Powder when I can. The tricky part about it is that you have to leave three hours between dinner and when you take it (basically on an empty stomach) If you don't, you'll get cramps - I tried that once! So, if you go to bed at 10pm, you have to be done with dinner by 7 at the latest. I'm about to do another week - I think that taking it for an extended period like that is useful. It takes a few tries to find out how many caps to take so that you aren't pooping liquid all day long and instead are just getting good loose regular stools. I had to take a huge amount the first time - I need less now that I'm clearing out.
From my understanding, the Oxy-Powder is mostly magnesium with a little citric acid and organic Germanium-132. If you search the internet, you'll find some controversy over the germanium. The FDA and the American Cancer Society say it's not good for you, but nothing else has brought me any relief from the nausea/constipation, including both conventional and alternative medicine, so I'm taking it. Miralax has the same thing as antifreeze in it, so that's not too alluring, either!
I've tried Senna (in the Smooth Move tea), Psyllium seed husk powder, and Triphala (an ayurvedic herb) - none of them have given me anywhere near the good bowel movements that Oxy-Powder has. I've also tried Colosan, a similar magnesium product which is cheaper, but only comes in bulk and you have to take it with lemon juice or vinegar and it's a hassle that way. It seems harsher coming out the other end for some reason.
There you have it - my tome on pooping and menopause. May the movement be with you!
i have to submit this. I am peri i am real sure. i suffer severe bouts of constipation especialy before my period. i go 2 to 3 weeks without a bowel movement ... feel so horrible ....how long does it last is it hormones an when will it stop....going to see a dr. mood swings severe eaating binges etc.....
michelle
michelle
I have been in tears for days thinking something is terribly wrong with me. Thank goodness I stumbled upon this forum. I am 50 yrs old, had endometrial ablation 4 years ago.
My issue...I have such severe constipation...BUT...the stool is soft...it is as if there is something blocking the free flow??? Rarely have had constipation...healthy eater, active. Now I am so bloated! I go for a colonoscopy consult on Monday. Am seeing my GP on Friday to run blood test..hopefully :) and check hormone levels. Okay, my other issue...I seem to be in a constant state of "wet"....no discharge. Anyone have similar symptoms?
My issue...I have such severe constipation...BUT...the stool is soft...it is as if there is something blocking the free flow??? Rarely have had constipation...healthy eater, active. Now I am so bloated! I go for a colonoscopy consult on Monday. Am seeing my GP on Friday to run blood test..hopefully :) and check hormone levels. Okay, my other issue...I seem to be in a constant state of "wet"....no discharge. Anyone have similar symptoms?
Try asking for a TSH thyroid stimulating hormone test as part of a full thyroid panel. Thyroid is one of the least recoginised diseases in women.
The only thing that has helped me is colonic irrigation and/or enemas. Its a nightmare... What I want to know is... does it ever get better? Please someone come back from the other side of menopause and let us know?
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