Bloating and the menopause

Bloating is a feeling of tightness in the abdomen, experienced frequently by those going through the menopause

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In this page, our menopause expert Eileen Durward will be talking about one of the more common menopause symptoms, bloating. Often caused by changing oestrogen levels, bloating can be very uncomfortable and worrying for some women, however, there are a vast range of natural treatments available as well as self-help exercises.

An introduction to bloating and menopause

Bloating is one of the most frequently experienced menopause symptoms. Although it can affect any menopausal woman, it is most common among those who have experienced the symptom when suffering from PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome).

Bloating is characterised by a feeling of tightness in the abdominal area. It can last from a couple of hours to several days. You may also experience increased levels of wind or flatulence.

Bloating can also be a side effect of HRT. If this side-effect is severe enough you may want to consider alternatives to HRT.

Why does menopause cause bloating?

Bloating is most commonly experienced during the peri-menopause. During this stage, fluctuation of hormones causes all sorts of symptoms.

The hormone oestrogen is important for maintaining the correct amount of water and bile in the body. As levels begin to change, the body tends to store more water, making you feel bloated. In addition, the amount of bile produced alters – this affects the way you digest fats, leading to more wind or flatulence being produced in the digestive system.

However, there are other causes of bloating ranging from poor dietary habits to serious health problems such as Crohn’s disease. If bloating persists for more than two weeks you should visit the doctor to eliminate any underlying health issues.

What home remedies are there for bloating?

Looking after your digestive system correctly will help reduce bloating. Certain foods can cause flatulence. Beans and soft cheese are notorious for producing gas. Many menopausal women try to lose weight and eat more healthily. While this isn’t a bad thing, sudden changes in diet or crash diets can also lead to bloating.

You may find that eating small meals regularly will prevent your metabolism from slowing down. This means that you will be able to digest food more efficiently, preventing bloating and weight gain.

Be careful what you drink. Alcohol and caffeine can have an adverse affect on your digestive system, particularly if taken in quantity or regularly. Water, while this can seem boring, can do wonders for your digestive system by flushing out any toxins. A glass of water can be a temporary quick fix for bloating.

It is important to keep exercising. A daily walk or holding some yoga poses can move the gas around the digestive system and prevent it building up and causing bloating. Exercise can also help reduce stress. This is worthwhile as stress can have a negative impact on your digestive system.

Are there herbal remedies to help me?

If your periods are still more or less regular, and you experience other symptoms such as period pains, try Agnus castus first. This herb is normally used for PMS in younger women, but is also beneficial for women at the early stages of menopause (known as the peri-menopause) when the hormones start to become imbalanced.

TIP: If you are on hormonal contraceptives, Agnus castus may not be suitable for you.

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If your periods have more or less stopped, use a supplement containing soy isoflavones. This will also help with other menopausal symptoms which you may experience.

TIP: A.Vogel’s Menopause Support contains isoflavones from fermented soy, hibiscus and magnesium. It is a general supplement that can see you through all stages of the menopause.

"Helped to eliminate all the unpleasant moments of my menopause."
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Of course, bloating can come about with other conditions such as digestive problems and unrelated to the menopause. If your symptoms are unexplained, or do not resolve despite your attempts at treating them, seek advice from your doctor.

What about conventional medicine?

If you do not find that home remedies or herbal remedies help with your symptom then it may be worth looking into conventional remedies. There are some over-the-counter treatments for bloating available. It is advised to speak to a pharmacist to establish which of these would be most suitable.

Occasionally bloating can have an underlying health condition. It is advised that if you have continued bloating for more than two weeks you should go to a doctor. This is especially so if your bloating is accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting or blood in the stools.

22 Comments

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Brenda Hill — 26.04.2021 05:14
My periods had disappeared for 6 months and back now regular enough but I bleed for up to 14 days. The bloating is awful and I feel my digestive system so slow, Im going to get optibac and yarrow but afraid to try meno support should I have stopped bleeding to go on it? Thanks in advance
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- Emma — 27.04.2021 12:57
  Hi Brenda, the Menopause Support is suitable and often helpful during all stages of the menopause, so this shouldn't be a problem and may be worth a try. Although having periods back is often quite common, it would just also be worth running this past your doctor. Best wishes, Emma
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Sharon Farrelly — 03.10.2017 11:54
Hi, I am in menopause, I am 47 and for the last week been very bloated, have been doing lots of exercise to try to lose weight before hand, but have stopped as stomach bloated and I feel like I am going to have a period? Any advise
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- eileen — 04.10.2017 10:12
  Hi Sharon Please can you let me know if your periods have stopped yet, thanks! You can answer me privately if you wish Eileen@bioforce.co.uk
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Jean — 04.08.2017 09:35
I have been taking soy isoflavons and have recently started eating a lot of soya products as I have stopped dairy I have become very bloated could this be why?
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- eileen — 04.08.2017 10:40
  Hi Jean Yes, more than likely! Whole soya foods such as soya milk can be really hard to digest so I would avoid them, I don't recommend these foods at all. However, soya supplements made with fermented soya (such as our Menopause Support) are usually OK, the soya in them has already been broken down by the fermentation process so shouldn't pose a problem.
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JO — 24.07.2017 15:05
Hi, I haven't had a period since March. I am 45, my doctor has done bloods and i have had a scan on my ovaries, all normal. I am hugely bloated, its persistent and is getting worse, i feel pregnant and have had a lot of symptoms however all HPT are negative. My doc has put it down to menopause and told me to go back when I haven't had a period for two years!! I'm struggling with the weight gain, bloating and lack of energy, it feels out of control, i don;t want to leave the house. Advice on supplements would be gratefully received. I am generally pretty active however since April have not had much energy, I do walk a lot and eat (i think) pretty healthily. Many thanks
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- eileen — 26.07.2017 07:48
  Hi Jo Bloating is very common in the menopause and can be caused by several factors. Falling levels of oestrogen can affect the digestive process, causing bloating. Falling oestrogen levels can also have an effect on carbohydrate metabolism, making it more difficult to digest starches and sugars, and this can often lead to bloating. You may find a combination of Molkosan and a good probiotic can help. Try to avoid white bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits and also white rice if you don't already. If your bowel isn't moving at least once per day (preferably twice) then this can contribute to bloating too. Remember to drink plenty of water as dehydration can make this worse! You may also find cutting the carbs right down can help with weight control as the falling hormones can interfere with your blood sugar control leading to quicker weight gain and then being unable to lose the weight. You can check out books on the Low GL Diet, the Paleo Diet (or similar) or the SIRT Diet. Fatigue is really common too, basically the hormonal changes can really drain you of energy and this is your body's way of saying you need to rest to allow the body to re-energise and re-balance. Getting lots of rest and relaxation is vital! If you don't feel like exercising then don't force yourself as this will tire you out even more but just try to keep generally active every day and you can step up your exercising when your energy returns.
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Elizabeth — 22.07.2017 07:57
What is the best way to treat bloating
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- eileen — 24.07.2017 10:32
  Hi Elizabeth Please check out my video blog on this for more info on bloating. https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/videos/bulging-menopausal-tummies-and-period-pains-without-the-period/
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- Michelle — 22.08.2017 17:56
  Hi I have the same problem 4 months without a period then I will have one then none for a few months. This has been going on for 12 months . This is bad enough as i get the period symptoms just no period. However the worst is the permanent bloating and wind that I constantly seem to have. I eat healthy and drink lots of water, but I am constantly bloated. I have gone up a dress size in the last couple of months which is really getting me down. Can you suggest any supplements that may help. I am also experiencing excessive belching which I am waiting for an endoscopy, not sure off they are related. Any suggestions or similar experiences would be grateful
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- eileen — 23.08.2017 09:08
  Hi Michelle Digestive problems are really common in the menopause affecting both the stomach and the bowel. You may find Centaurium can help to ease the belching and a probiotic supplement is often good for belly bloating. However, it is still important to get all of this checked out in case it is not related to the menopause. You may also find cutting down your carb foods such as bread, pasta, cereals and rice can help as these tend to cause bloating. Try not to drink a lot whilst eating as this can dilute your gastric fluids making symptoms worse.
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Deb — 14.07.2017 10:59
I am 54 and had a break of 7 months without a period and now had 3 on the trot as normal. I have been suffering with tummy pains most days for the last couple of months feeling bloated and very windy! My Dr is going to send me for some tests but they wont be for many weeks so have turned to you for advice...could this be hormonal please.. can you have pain with bloating? Many thanks
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- eileen — 14.07.2017 13:15
  Hi Deb Good to hear that your doctor is looking into things for you. Digestive problems are very common in the menopause, falling oestrogen can affect both stomach function and slow everything down which can result in bloating, wind, cramping and constipation! I would suggest Milk Thistle Complex to help with liver function which will affect the bloating. I would also recommend a good, general probiotic. Some women also find cutting out carbohydrate and high sugar foods can be helpful as these can bloat you very quickly. Remember to drink lots of plain water throughout the day as dehydration can be a big factor too! Do let me know how you get on.
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Ssrah — 13.07.2017 08:45
Hi I'm 51and going through menapulse. I'm bloated in my stomach is can't handle this it's mentally dragging me down.in haven't had periods for 2 months.I'm on a healthy diet where I've lost 2 stone since February
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- eileen — 14.07.2017 13:15
  Hi Sarah Well done for losing the weight and being on a healthy diet! Unfortunately, falling hormones can affect the digestion often causing bloating, wind and cramping. You may find taking Milk Thistle Complex can help and remember to drink lots of plain water as dehydration can be a big factor here! Some women find cutting carbs right down can help too. However, if the bloating has been going on for more than a few weeks it is important to get it checked out by your doctor as well
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Jackie — 05.07.2017 13:39
Hi, I'm 53, my periods have stopped (over a year and a half ago)
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- eileen — 05.07.2017 14:11
  Hi Jackie Weight gain is common in the menopause but if it has been quick then it is best to see your doctor. Low thyroid function can often appear in the menopause and weight gain is often one of the main symptoms. Your doctor can test for this just to rule it out. Falling oestrogen can affect your digestion as well, often slowing everything down and this often causes bloating or constipation or general digestive discomfort. Usually cutting carbs right down can help, go more for protein, loads of veg, a little fruit and healthy fats and remember to drink lots of water as dehydration can be a factor too. However, just mention the bloating to your doctor, just in case it is not related to the menopause.
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Jackie Groves — 04.07.2017 17:27
Fast weight gain, bloating and digestive discomfort
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- eileen — 05.07.2017 13:09
  Hi Jackie Please can you let me know how old you are and if your periods have stopped, thanks!
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laura — 02.07.2017 21:03
I am 48 and having heavy periods or no period at all.
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- eileen — 03.07.2017 13:20
  Hi Laura This is a common scenario as you approach the menopause and usually caused just by the way your own hormones are falling. However, heavy bleeding is not good for you and can cause low iron. This in turn can trigger fatigue, low mood/anxiety, poor sleep joint pain etc so if you get another heavy period it is a good idea to get it checked out by your doctor.
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