Bowel Changes During Menopause

Menopause is a stage of a woman's life when she has her last menstrual period. The average age that menopause affects women is 51. Some of the symptoms of this change are well-documented, such as hot flashes, mood disturbance, irritability, fatigue and loss of sexual desire. Along with these complications there are also problems with bowel function.

Weak Muscles

• When menopause starts, the muscles of the pelvis lose strength. As their function is to control the bowels and bladder, the muscles will not be as effective as they were previously.

Excess Weight

• As the muscles controlling the bowels are often weakened at the start of menopause, any excess weight will strain the muscles even more, making it that much more difficult to control bowel functions.

Diabetes

• Women suffering from diabetes may be at risk for becoming incontinent. Loss of nerve function is a common symptom of diabetes, and if the nerves that supply the bowels are damaged, then incontinence can result.

Anal Damage

• Giving birth can cause the muscles around the anus to become damaged, which can lead to bowel control difficulties for women going through menopause.

Prevention

• Eating a balanced diet, including five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, can help keep incontinence at bay. Also, staying hydrated and exercising regularly can help improve bowel function during menopause.