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In Menopause, Problem With Flatulence. Having Bowel Movement, Had Constipation. Taking Advil. Permanent Cure?
Question: I am a 55 year old woman who is menopausal. Since I became menopausal I have problems with flatuence and many times there is no warning. It does not happen all the time. I have tried beano and some probiotics but they did not help much. I have always struggled with constipation and it is normal for me to have a bowel movement every 2-3 days and at times it can be 4 days. This problem just came along with hot flashes and menopause, so I wonder if the cause is more hormonal. The meds I take right now are metropolol (bp med), singular, baby aspirin and a daily vitamin. I have not taken any type of hormone supplement. I would like to know if there is anything that I can take or do that might help eliminate the flatuence. I have my yearly GYN checkups and all has checked out fine. Also, I think it is important to share that my job also became much more stressful during this time too. We have downsized and a year and 1/2 ago I was given more management responsibilities. I work as a Director of HIM, PFS and admissions at a rural 125 bed hospital. The HIM dept was the addtional responsibilites. I do have hot flashes, especially at night, and I take one Advil PM every night to help me rest better. I would appreciate any advice you can offer. I work so closely with our doctors and this is an embarrassing subject for me. I know it should not be, but it just is hard to work with them and share this problem. Thanks.
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The excessive flatulence that you have is less likely to be due to the hormonal changes after menopause but more likely to be due to stress and anxiety that you are going through.
Severe flatulence is a chronic problem and prevention is the best treatment.The main factors responsible for this are-
1.Overeating.
2. Eating hurriedly without chewing properly.
3.Food allergies like beans, onions, etc.
4.Lack of exercise.
5. Improperly cooked food.
Try to avoid all these causative factors.
Avoid overindulging in alcohol, drinking carbonated beverages or eating while stressed, since all of these can just worsen the problems
Stop smoking and lose weight if you need to.
Some foods to be avoided include certain fermentable short-chained carbohydrates that are degradable by intestinal bacteria yielding large amount of gases, like hydrogen or carbon dioxide, thus causing belching and flatulence. Such foods include
1. White bread, pasta, pastries, cookies, onions, and asparagus, leeks, garlic, chicory roots and chicory based coffee substitutes.
2. Legumes (soy, beans, chickpeas, lentils), cabbage and brussel sprouts.
3. Honey, dried fruits like prunes, figs, dates, or raisins, apples, pears, sweet cherries, peaches, agave syrup, watermelon, papaya.
The treatment in severe cases would be with prescription medications (Haloperidol, Reglan, chlor ) which can be provided by your primary care provider.
In the mean time, Use of OTC medications mentioned below can be used to have some relief.
1. Activated charcoal (Charcocaps) , will absorb the excess gas produced.
2. Antacids, such as Di-Gel, Maalox Anti-Gas, and Mylanta Gas, allow gas to be belched away more easily.
You can also have a few drops of peppermint oil after every meal for relief.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Thanks for posting your query.
The excessive flatulence that you have is less likely to be due to the hormonal changes after menopause but more likely to be due to stress and anxiety that you are going through.
Severe flatulence is a chronic problem and prevention is the best treatment.The main factors responsible for this are-
1.Overeating.
2. Eating hurriedly without chewing properly.
3.Food allergies like beans, onions, etc.
4.Lack of exercise.
5. Improperly cooked food.
Try to avoid all these causative factors.
Avoid overindulging in alcohol, drinking carbonated beverages or eating while stressed, since all of these can just worsen the problems
Stop smoking and lose weight if you need to.
Some foods to be avoided include certain fermentable short-chained carbohydrates that are degradable by intestinal bacteria yielding large amount of gases, like hydrogen or carbon dioxide, thus causing belching and flatulence. Such foods include
1. White bread, pasta, pastries, cookies, onions, and asparagus, leeks, garlic, chicory roots and chicory based coffee substitutes.
2. Legumes (soy, beans, chickpeas, lentils), cabbage and brussel sprouts.
3. Honey, dried fruits like prunes, figs, dates, or raisins, apples, pears, sweet cherries, peaches, agave syrup, watermelon, papaya.
The treatment in severe cases would be with prescription medications (Haloperidol, Reglan, chlor ) which can be provided by your primary care provider.
In the mean time, Use of OTC medications mentioned below can be used to have some relief.
1. Activated charcoal (Charcocaps) , will absorb the excess gas produced.
2. Antacids, such as Di-Gel, Maalox Anti-Gas, and Mylanta Gas, allow gas to be belched away more easily.
You can also have a few drops of peppermint oil after every meal for relief.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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