What Everybody Ought to Know about Constipation in Menopausal Women
Constipation in menopausal women is not a new thing. Constipation in menopausal women is mainly due to the fact that menopausal women undergo a series of hormonal changes. Stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, worrying over menopause further adds to the complicated condition that is constipation.
Constipation in menopausal women may manifest on the first stages, mid stage, or final stages of menopause. Whichever stage it decides to reveal itself, constipation in menopausal women will have these signs and symptoms:
- infrequent bowel movements that are noticeably fewer than the normal consistency;
- smaller, harder and drier stools that are generally harder to pass out;
- feeling bloated and sluggish;
- feeling of incomplete elimination of stools even when you’re done doing the deed;
- excessive and extreme straining during bowel movements; and
- specks of blood on your stools.
The Causes of Constipation in Menopausal Women
Cause of constipation in menopausal women varies. It may be because of one reason, two reasons or a combination of both. Some of the most common causes that are associated with constipation in menopausal women are: the aging factor, slow activity of the intestinal tract, plus the intense requirements of the aging liver.
In addition, a lot of the medications that are used by women for alleviating menopause have adverse effects and can cause constipation. Medications used for maintaining blood pressure, heart medication, iron and calcium supplements, antidepressants, tranquilizers and pain killers are the usual suspects.
Add to that a woman’s poor eating habits with ample amount of processed and fast foods, inactive lifestyle and low fluid intake. Plus most women if not all, are notorious for pigging out on comfort food and junk food when stressed, and you can only imagine how stressful it is for a woman to go through menopause.
Furthermore, going through menopause and battling constipation at the same time is a serious balancing act. In addition to battling constipation, they are battling the unfavorable effects of menopause with hot flashes and mood swings at the top of the list. And if not coped with, may lead to insomnia and depression.
To balance constipation and menopause, there are some constipation remedies menopausal women should avoid. These are remedies that contain senna, cascara sagrada and aloe since these have adverse effects on menopause medications.
Your best bet would be to stick to a high fiber diet rich in vegetables and fruits, upping you fluid intake and adequate exercise. Prune juice or prunes, figs, psyllium seeds, dandelion, rhubarbs and other high fiber natural foods should be consumed.
