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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.
I have just stumbled onto this site - and am VERY HAPPY to learn that I am not crazy! I have never been so bloated, constipated and uncomfortable in my life and I am so happy to learn of the 'sisterhood" of similiar complaints :) I'm a 44 (will be 45 in October) year old, reasonably in shape, concerned woman. I was on the pill for 18 years and have never been pregnant. My gyno seems to think I will hit hte big "M" a little early because of that. Right now my main concern is resolving my constipation. I read in a earlier posting of one woman stating she feels like a stuffed turkey. Well, I second that feeling. I do have some movement going on, but only in the morning. By the end of the day, my abdomen is so distended that I seriously look like I'm about 3 months pregnant. I drink about 75 ounces of water a day (I'm 5'6 1/2" and weigh 130 - in the morning), take digestive enzymes and probiotics (1 capsule) with each meal. I don't want to get in the routine of drinking the Smooth Move Tea every day - but I'm getting desperate!
I find eating Ryvita, plenty of bulky veg such as potatoes and carrots...every single day to build up bulk in your bowel to push the waste out your bowel. Do you change your diet a lot this can also cause constipation. Consistency is the key. Do you go every single day? I go at least once a day like clockwork.....
The menopause plays havoc with your body.
The menopause plays havoc with your body.
I tell you what works with this.... I too have had the same Peri-pausal and Hypothyroidism. go to the health food store and get you some tea called "Smooth Move", Drink it before going to bed on an empty stomach, make sure you drink it after the tea bag has been steeped for 10 minutes in the hot water. And you will go the next day. If you are severely plugged up then you will have to drink another one in the am before you eat anything. And don't eat anything for about an hour and you will go sometime that day. Works for me everytime without fail....
Supplement should read L glutamine not glutamate. Sorry for any confusion! And in case anyone was wondering, no, it does not contain gluten. It is an amino acid which helps promote gastro intestinal health.
I too am relieved to find I'm not alone with a problem that can rule and ruin your life.
Last year (aged 50) I self diagnosed myself with gluten intolerence and my symptoms subsided after following a strict gluten free diet. Then, a few months ago out of the blue, I became horrendously constipated. Knowing the answer my gp would give me, I did my own investigations and narrowed my constipation down to one of four possible reasons- Celiac constipation, menopause constipation, problems due to adhesions following surgery for a twisted bowel five years ago. (prob caused by gluten intolerence that the drs failed to pick up on), or, worse case scenario, ovarian cancer. I luckily stumbled upon a website with a natural remedy for constipation which I have now followed for 14 days and (think) I am now cured.
Every morning before you eat, take psyllium husk either in tablet or powder form with 250ml warm water. Right after take a supplement of slippery elm bark, L glutamate and flax seed oil. Sometime in the day take a probiotic supplement. (tablet form).With these it goes without saying, 2 litres of water a day must be drunk. Persevere, it does work, (I did increase my psyllium to 2 doses a day and that seemed to do the trick). You must give it at least 2 weeks to 'kick in'.
Not only has it cured my constipation, my hair feels thicker and 'lusher' my skin clearer and my eyes shine like a new born babies! I also don't have as many hot flushes. This is a lifestyle change I am happy to keep, knowing its a natural remedy makes it so much better. I do hope it works for all the other sufferers out there and if it helps just one of you this post will be worthwhile.
Last year (aged 50) I self diagnosed myself with gluten intolerence and my symptoms subsided after following a strict gluten free diet. Then, a few months ago out of the blue, I became horrendously constipated. Knowing the answer my gp would give me, I did my own investigations and narrowed my constipation down to one of four possible reasons- Celiac constipation, menopause constipation, problems due to adhesions following surgery for a twisted bowel five years ago. (prob caused by gluten intolerence that the drs failed to pick up on), or, worse case scenario, ovarian cancer. I luckily stumbled upon a website with a natural remedy for constipation which I have now followed for 14 days and (think) I am now cured.
Every morning before you eat, take psyllium husk either in tablet or powder form with 250ml warm water. Right after take a supplement of slippery elm bark, L glutamate and flax seed oil. Sometime in the day take a probiotic supplement. (tablet form).With these it goes without saying, 2 litres of water a day must be drunk. Persevere, it does work, (I did increase my psyllium to 2 doses a day and that seemed to do the trick). You must give it at least 2 weeks to 'kick in'.
Not only has it cured my constipation, my hair feels thicker and 'lusher' my skin clearer and my eyes shine like a new born babies! I also don't have as many hot flushes. This is a lifestyle change I am happy to keep, knowing its a natural remedy makes it so much better. I do hope it works for all the other sufferers out there and if it helps just one of you this post will be worthwhile.
Thank God I am not the only woman with this problem. Hypothyroid and menopause. For the last 3 years I have been in menopause and since then chronic constipation. Was just check for colon/rectal cancer, negative thank God, and biopsy of stomach to try to figure out why so constipated all the time. Will enlighten Dr. in June of other women and this problem. Thanks to all who have commented on this topic.
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