Hormonal Constipation: Symptoms and How to Get Rid Of It
Published April 21st, 2023
Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. Almost all of us had suffered from it at some point, and needless to say, it’s something we’d rather not happen again.
Unfortunately, for women, constipation can be inevitable. Most of us tend to feel constipated before our periods. Bloating and constipation are also common symptoms during menopause. This kind of constipation is what we commonly refer to as hormonal constipation.
If you’re not sure whether your constipation is hormonal or due to other factors, we’re listing down the symptoms you need to watch out for and how you can get rid of it.
What is Hormonal Constipation?
As you can deduce from the name, hormonal constipation happens when you’re experiencing hormonal imbalance. It’s more common in women since our hormones are more prone to fluctuations.
During a woman’s reproductive years, her hormones start a roller-coaster cycle that repeats every month. Throughout this cycle, our estrogen and progesterone are in a constant tug of war over who gets to dominate.
Imagine a seesaw where on one end is your progesterone and on the other is estrogen. When estrogen level rises, progesterone levels fall, and vice versa.
This constant battle for supremacy not only affects your ovulation process. It also causes gastrointestinal problems like constipation.
During ovulation, your ovaries release eggs into your uterus. When that egg isn’t fertilized, your progesterone level suddenly drops. This causes your estrogen to “dominate” your reproductive process.
In a study conducted on mice, researchers found that increased levels of estrogen resulted in slower digestion. This, in turn, leads to bloating and constipation.
This is why you tend to feel constipated in the days leading to your menstruation because that’s when your estrogen level is at its highest.
Hormonal Constipation Symptoms
Like most types of constipation, hormonal constipation symptoms will include:
- hard, dry, and lumpy stools that are difficult or painful to pass
- passing fewer than three bowels a week
But since it’s caused by hormonal imbalance, it may also come with other symptoms like:
- bloating
- fatigue
- irritability/anxiety
- headaches/migraines
- loss of muscle tone
- mood swings
- joint and back pain
- breast tenderness
- acne breakouts
- insomnia
- hair loss
How to Treat Hormonal Constipation
In general, hormonal constipation goes away when hormone levels stabilize. But if it becomes chronic, you can try the following:
1. Eat fibrous foods.
Foods that are rich in natural fiber help boost your digestion. The fiber absorbs and retains water which prevents the stool from drying out, making them easier to pass.
Some of the most common high-fiber foods you can add to your diet are:
- whole grains
- nuts
- avocados
- broccoli
- beans
- chia seeds
- pineapples
- dates
- banana
- berries
2. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
Lack of moisture in your intestines makes your stool dry faster. That’s why increasing your water intake can help you put an end to those moments of painful straining.
3. Eat foods that restore hormone balance.
Since hormonal constipation is caused by changing hormone levels, restoring hormone balance may help you find relief. Some of the foods that are good for hormonal imbalance are:
- eggs
- chicken breast
- fish
- avocados
- almond
- hazelnuts
- peanuts
- broccoli
- macadamia
- spinach
- kale
4. Lower food intake.
Have you noticed that when you’re on your period, you tend to eat more? That’s because hormonal imbalance can worsen your food cravings and make you less satisfied after eating. As a result, you tend to gulp down food like a hungry orca.
But what you don’t realize is that eating more food can only worsen your hormonal constipation.
As mentioned, changing hormone levels slow down your gut’s digestive process. Meaning, it digests less food than normal. The more you eat, the longer it will take for your stomach to digest all that food, worsening your constipation.
If you want to feel less bloated and pass stool more frequently, you should watch how much you’re eating.
5. Eat slowly.
As you know, the digestion process starts the moment you start chewing your food. That’s why eating slowly can help with your digestion. It allows you to chew your food more thoroughly. So by the time they reach your gut, they’ll be easier to digest and excreted out of your body as stool.
6. Consider taking laxatives.
Also known as purgatives, laxatives are substances that induce bowel movement and loosen the stool. To put it simply, they’re substances that make you poop.
Laxatives are often prescribed for people suffering from constipation. They typically come in pills, capsules, suppositories, or enemas.
However, laxatives tend to have side effects. When abused, they may also lead to:
- severe dehydration
- chronic constipation
- electrolyte imbalance
- laxative dependency
- increased risk of colon cancer
So if you’re planning to take laxatives, make sure to talk to your doctor first.
7. Talk to your doctor about hormone therapy.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or simply hormone therapy is a treatment designed to restore balance in your hormones. Since the root cause of your constipation is hormonal imbalance, addressing it can also make you pass stool easier.
Commonly used to relieve menopausal symptoms, HRT may also be applied to women with chronic hormonal imbalances. Talk to your doctor to see if you’re an ideal candidate for hormone therapy.
If you’re in Boca Raton, our competent and professional medical professionals can also help you figure out if you’ll benefit from hormone replacement therapy. If you are, we will work with you to plan and create a personalized HRT treatment tailored to your exact needs. This ensures that you get the best possible results. Talk to us today.
Choose Boca Raton’s Finest IV Therapy & Hormone Replacement Therapy Specialists
Experience exceptional health and well-being with personalized IV therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Discover a new level of vitality personalized for both men and women. Let us be your dedicated healthcare partner in providing support and guidance as we work together towards well-being. Contact us to book a consultation at our Boca Raton offices.
About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional blogger for the South Florida Allied Health website. She lives in the Philippines and enjoys quality time with her friends and family when not working. She is committed to providing the most up to date, expert approved, factual content on the topics she writes about.
