Digestive Problems

The term “digestive problems” refers to any distress of any part of the digestive system. Because the digestive system is very complex and carries a vital function in a woman's body, its problems can appear in very different, and sometimes even contradictory, ways.  One of the most important factors in the increased incidence of digestive problems among women is hormonal imbalance.

Although many hormonal fluctuations are normal an expected as part of any menstrual cycle, there are certain delicate transitional periods in a woman's life - puberty, pregnancy, the post-partum period, and the arrival of menopause - that cause severe hormonal disruptions, which in turn cause a wide range of digestive symptoms.

In addition, many unhealthy habits, especially regarding diet, can trigger or worsen many of these problems.

Identifying Digestive Problems

It is difficult to determine all sorts of symptoms that can appear as a result of digestive problems, since the individual experience of them can be drastically different and depends on which particular organ of the digestive system is not functioning properly. However, the most common types of digestive problems are heartburn, constipation, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

In order to understand the processes behind digestive problems, continue on to the next section to read about their hormonal and non-hormonal causes.

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Learning more about the causes of digestive problems provides the key to understanding how to prevent and treat these troublesome attacks. While the exact causes of these symptoms are complex, most doctors agree that for women, hormonal changes are the primary cause of digestive problems, especially during PMS, pregnancy and right before menopause. In addition to these completely normal hormonal causes, other factors and medical conditions can, in more rare instances, cause digestive problems.

Continue reading to learn more about both the hormonal, and other, causes of digestive problems.

Hormonal Causes of Digestive Problems

Hormones are the chemical messengers that control every organ in the body. When fluctuations occur, organs don't receive the correct signals to function adequately, so hormonal disorders occur. In this sense, we can say that digestive problems are caused largely by the hormonal fluctuations during the transitions women go through during their reproductive life.

Medical researchers have found that the hormone progesterone is vital in regulating peristalsis, or the synchronized contractions of the intestinal muscles that make food pass along through the digestive tract. On the other hand, fluctuating levels of estrogen can affect the way the body handles stress, causing it to produce excessive levels of cortisol, a hormone that aims to control the body's “fight or flight” response. 

Cortisol stimulates and inhibits many functions around the body; including appetite, moods, metabolism, and digestion, in order to better prepare it for extreme or life-threatening conditions. Because the production of cortisol depletes the body's stores of progesterone, these two hormones can engage in a vicious cycle where bowels take most of the toll.

Hence the reason why more women experience these symptoms during times of significant hormonal imbalance - puberty, PMS, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause. The estrogen deficiency and the extra cortisol during these stages cause digestive problems.

Furthermore, there are also specific hormonal causes according to the stage of a woman's reproductive life in which this disorder appears. These specific hormonal causes, combined with other factors, can influence a woman's individual experience of digestive problems, as shown below:

Hormonal Causes during Different Phases in a Woman's Life

PMS is collection of symptoms, typical to the last days before menstrual bleeding begins. It is a consequence of the hormonal fluctuations between estrogen and progesterone linked to the menstrual cycle, and may include constipation and cramping, among others.

Puberty is the stage in which a girl's body begins to produce reproductive hormones; these and other factors, such as family and dating pressures, contribute to a teenage girl's experience of digestive symptoms.

Pregnancy leads to extreme changes in the production of reproductive hormones, which along with other factors, like morning sickness or bodily changes, can lead to digestive problems.

Postpartum and breastfeeding is another stage where reproductive hormones can become imbalanced, leading to different symptoms.

Other Less Common Causes of Digestive Problems

While hormonal imbalance is the major underlying cause of digestive problems during a woman's life, it is wise to keep in mind that these disturbances can be caused, less commonly, by other underlying conditions, including gastric infections, food intolerances, or autoimmune conditions like Crohn's disease.

Keep reading to learn more about risk factors and triggers that can worsen a woman's experience of digestive problems.

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Risk Factors for Digestive Problems

Some women are more likely to experience digestive problems as a symptom of hormonal imbalance. There are several risk factors that can affect a woman's hormone levels and may make her more susceptible to experiencing this symptom.

Triggers of Digestive Problems

Sometimes, specific foods, substances and activities can directly cause digestive problems. All of these things can be classified as triggers. Identifying and avoiding these habits or substances as much as possible can provide significant relief for women who suffer from frequent digestive symptoms. However, not all triggers work for every woman and some women do not have any triggers at all.

Generally, it is recommended that women struggling with digestive problems avoid the substances or situations that trigger them. However, not all triggers will be the same for every woman. Therefore, it can be useful for women to make note of when digestive symptoms occur so they can identify their own individual triggers. A written record will also be helpful if a woman decides to seek medical attention.

To be able to correctly identify digestive problems, it can be useful to become familiar with all of their symptoms. Keep reading to learn all about the signs and symptoms of digestive problems.

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There are different types of digestive problems, and the severity and frequency of each one of them will make every woman to experience digestive problems differently. However, many of their symptoms are common among women undergoing hormonal imbalance.

Common Symptoms of Digestive Problems

• Heartburn or a feeling of warmth that spreads through the chest
• Frequent loose stools
• Regurgitation
• The feeling of a “full stomach”, even if no food has been consumed
• Defecating less than three times a week
• Needing to strain oneself and “push” in order to defecate
• A false urge to have a bowel movement

Signs of Digestive Problems

As opposed to more noticeable symptoms, medical signs are measurable criteria that are usually assessed by a physician. The following medical signs of hormonal imbalance will most likely be taken into account by a physician when diagnosing the disorder:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Fluctuating blood pressure
• Slightly elevated or reduced body temperature
• Abnormal blood levels of reproductive hormones
• Abnormal bone density reading

Diagnosis of Digestive Problems

To diagnose and identify these symptoms, the doctor usually must perform two procedures: a review of the patient's medical history and then a physical exam. In some cases, if necessary, the doctor may also order some tests.

Complications of Digestive Problems

In rare cases, when digestive problems become chronic and are left untreated, they can lead to certain complications, which are more risky for a woman's emotional and mental health. However, it is important to remember that in the majority of cases, digestive problems will not require any serious medical intervention. These possible, but uncommon, complications of digestive problems can include hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, and food absorption problems.

Women who experience frequent digestive problems that are interfering with their daily lives may wish to treat or learn how to prevent them. Keep reading below to learn useful techniques and habits that will prevent digestive problems or make them more manageable.

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