How Does Menopause Affect Your Digestion and Cause Constipation?

Digestive health and menopause

Menopause happens when your menstrual cycles have ended for at least a year. This typically happens between 45 and 55 years as a natural part of biological aging.

It happens when there’s a drop in female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, both of which affect many areas of the body, including the digestive tract.

Some research is not conclusive that menopause causes constipation or leads to worsening menopause symptoms, But other research suggests that hormone changes and other related causes may affect your digestive health during menopause.

• Estrogen: When estrogen levels decline and stress-related cortisol rises, this can slow down the digestive process, lengthening the time it takes for food to break down. It can also make stool harder to pass.
• Progesterone: Too little progesterone can cause your colon to slow down. The longer food waste remains in your colon, the dryer it gets. Stool may also be drier when estrogen and progesterone levels are low.
• Pelvic muscles: Others may also have weakened pelvic floor muscles, making it difficult to pass hard or dry stool.
• Medications: As you age, your healthcare team may advise you about medications that may cause constipation. These medications include:
  • certain blood pressure medications
  • iron supplements
  • thyroid medication
  • antidepressants
  • calcium channel blockers

How do I treat constipation?

There are multiple ways to treat constipation, whether menopause is a factor or not.

While your doctor and healthcare team can best guide you on what’s best for your situation, the treatment options may include:

Dietary changes

Eating high fiber food and drinking lots of water may speed up digestion.

This can help reduce constipation. Try substituting foods you normally eat with high fiber options to see if there is a change. Some high fiber foods to eat include:

• whole grains, such as bran flakes and brown rice
• fruits, like raspberries, pears, and apples
• vegetables, such as peas and broccoli
• legumes, like lentils
• nuts and seeds

Medications

There are many over-the-counter and prescription medications that may help alleviate constipation.

Your doctor can best advise what medications might be an option for you. They can offer guidance on how long you should take them and the time of day they will be most effective. These medication options may include:

• stool softeners
• osmotic laxatives
• bulk-forming laxatives
• fiber supplements
• lubricants, such as glycerin suppositories
• prescription medications, such as lactulose (Enulose, Kristalose), linaclotide (Linzess), and lubiprostone (Amitiza)
• hormone replacement therapy, which may help reduce menopause symptoms, including constipation

Lifestyle changes

Daily exercise can help regulate bowel movements and reduce constipation. Strive for a minimum of 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise. Activities to try include:

• walking
• running
• swimming
• dancing
• cycling
• ice-skating
• rowing

Some of these exercises may help with menopause-related symptoms, including bladder health and bowel function. There are also many other exercise and fitness options you can try during menopause to also help with other symptoms.

You can work with your healthcare team to learn what exercise and fitness options may help you relieve constipation during menopause.

The takeaway

Constipation is common in postmenopausal women. It may result from declining hormone levels, such as estrogen and progesterone. Constipation may also worsen because of weakened pelvic floor muscles.

No matter its cause, you can often treat constipation with diet and exercise changes. Some medications, many of which do not require a prescription, can also help. If your constipation becomes chronic, does not respond to at-home treatment, or is accompanied by the symptoms above, consider talking with a doctor.