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WHAT HAPPENS TO THE GUT DURING MENOPAUSE?
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ALL OF MY TESTS WERE NORMAL—SO WHY DO I FEEL THIS WAY?
During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels decline, and that hormonal shift doesn’t just affect the reproductive system—it impacts the gut as well. Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining the health and diversity of gut bacteria. When levels drop, the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria can become disrupted, a state known as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis weakens the gut barrier, allowing unwanted particles and inflammatory compounds to pass into the bloodstream, triggering immune responses and inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation doesn’t stay confined to the digestive tract. It can spread systemically, worsening other midlife concerns such as fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, weight gain, and even autoimmune conditions. Many women notice their digestion changes—bloating, constipation, food sensitivities, or irregular bowel patterns—right around the same time their hormones start to fluctuate. These symptoms are not coincidental; they reflect the intricate relationship between hormones and gut health. By understanding how hormonal changes influence the gut microbiome and inflammation, we can begin to see why so many “menopause symptoms” are actually connected to gut imbalance. Addressing the gut is often a key step in restoring overall balance, improving energy, and reducing the cascade of symptoms that emerge during this transitional stage.
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Many women with digestive issues hear “everything looks normal” from their doctors, leaving them frustrated and unsure why they still experience bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort. Traditional tests often focus on ruling out major diseases, but they don’t capture functional gut disorders—conditions where the digestive system appears normal on standard labs or imaging but doesn’t function optimally. Many women receive a diagnosis of IBS or irritable bowel syndrome which describes a pattern of symptoms rather than a specific disease. At InHerBalance, we assess for root causes of your digestive symptoms rather than just treating them with temporary fixes. By evaluating gut bacteria balance, digestion, inflammation, food allergies/sensitivities, and absorption issues, we can identify underlying problems and develop a personalized plan to restore digestive health, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve your overall wellbeing.
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LAB TESTING TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSES OF DIGESTIVE SYMPTOMS
To get to the bottom of persistent digestive issues, we use specialized lab testing that goes beyond standard blood work. One of our most valuable tools is comprehensive stool testing, which evaluates how well your body is digesting food—poor digestion can contribute to bloating, abdominal pain, and other discomforts. This test also measures markers of gut inflammation that may indicate leaky gut, screens for pathogens like H. pylori, yeast overgrowth (candida), and other bacteria, and examines the overall composition of your gut microbiome. We can also test for SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), a condition where excess bacteria in the small intestine interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption. Many people diagnosed with IBS actually have undiagnosed SIBO, which commonly presents with bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating bowel habits. Additionally, we can screen for food allergies as well as absorptive disorders like celiac disease, helping us uncover hidden contributors to your symptoms and create a precise, personalized plan for gut health and overall wellness.
OUR APPROACH TO HEALING THE GUT
Once we have your lab results, we create a tailored plan to address the root causes of your digestive issues. Every plan is personalized to your unique gut, lifestyle, and symptom profile — there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Diet is the foundation of gut health. We may guide you to eliminate inflammatory foods — refined oils, added sugars, fast foods, ultra-processed foods, and sometimes dairy or gluten — even if tests don’t show an allergy. In place, we focus on nourishing your gut with lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich foods, and whole grains that feed healthy gut bacteria. For those sensitive to fiber foods, we introduce changes gradually and may use digestive enzymes to support comfort and digestion. We may recommend supplements designed to reduce inflammation in the gut and systemically, support digestion and motility, and strengthen the gut lining. Probiotics, prebiotics, and other targeted therapies are used strategically to rebalance the gut and optimize overall digestive health. Our approach emphasizes lasting improvements, not just short-term symptom relief. We provide continued guidance, adjustments, and support to ensure your gut stays healthy, your digestive symptoms improve, and your overall wellness is maintained.
Why Digestive Issues Occur in Menopause and Perimenopause
Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can slow digestion, alter gut bacteria, and increase sensitivity to certain foods. These shifts often lead to bloating, constipation, and discomfort that weren’t issues before.
Our Approach
We focus on restoring balance through targeted nutrition, gut-healing protocols, and hormone optimization. By addressing the root causes, we help you feel comfortable, regular, and confident in your body again.
