Gut Health and Hormones: Why Digestion Feels Off in Midlife (and What to Do About It)
Bloating, irregularity, or discomfort after meals? Your gut health may be reacting to hormonal shifts—not just food. Learn how perimenopause and menopause affect digestion and what can actually help support your gut during midlife.
Your labs look “fine.”
Your meals are mostly healthy. You’re drinking the water, moving your body, and trying to stay consistent with the healthy habits that should be helping.
But your digestion still feels… off.
The bloating. The irregularity. That uncomfortable “something’s not right” feeling.
You’re doing your best—and yet your gut isn’t getting the memo.
Here’s the thing: it might not be just what you’re eating.
It might be your hormones—and the silent shifts that start to reshape how your whole system functions after 40.
What’s Changing in Your Gut After 40?
Your gut is deeply connected to your hormones—especially estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol.
So when those levels start to shift during perimenopause and menopause, your digestion often shifts too.
Here’s what that might look like:
- Estrogen helps protect the gut lining and support healthy bacteria. As it drops, you might notice more sensitivity, bloating, or irregularity.
- Progesterone helps keep things “moving.” When it declines, digestion can slow down—hello, constipation and that heavy, backed-up feeling.
- Cortisol, your stress hormone, spikes more easily during midlife. And when it’s high? Digestion slows, nutrient absorption decreases, and inflammation rises.
And it’s not just the hormones themselves—it’s the season of life you're in.
You’re probably juggling more stress, less sleep, and more to-dos… and your gut feels the ripple effects.
Signs Your Gut Might Be Struggling (Even If You’re “Doing Everything Right”)
🌀 Bloating after meals (even healthy ones)
⏳ Irregular or sluggish bowel movements
🌬️ Gas or discomfort that seems to come out of nowhere
🍕 Increased food sensitivities
💤 Low energy, mood swings, or brain fog
🌿 Skin issues or feeling like nutrients “aren’t sticking”
If any of this sounds familiar—again, you’re not broken. You’re just navigating a body that’s changing.
What Actually Helps
This part doesn’t have to be complicated. Supporting your gut in midlife can be simple and sustainable:
✔️ Focus on fiber and whole foods that keep digestion moving
✔️ Drink water with electrolytes to support cellular hydration
✔️ Add protein to stabilize blood sugar and support the gut lining
✔️ Incorporate collagen, which can help reinforce and soothe the gut lining
✔️ Lower stress and cortisol with gentle movement, deep breathing, and adaptogens
✔️ Support elimination with gentle herbal support or targeted gut supplements
Your gut wants to do its job—it just needs the right tools to keep up with your body’s new rhythm.
How I Support My Gut (Without Guesswork)
These days, I take a more intentional approach to gut health. For me, that includes focusing on hydration, fiber, protein, and regular movement— plus I include GLOW collagen to help reinforce my gut lining from the inside out.
Collagen is rich in amino acids that help support the integrity of your gut lining—especially important when things feel inflamed, sensitive, or just off. And hey, that's just one more reason I'm a collagen fan. (Remember my post on collagen?)
When I stay consistent, I notice:
- Less bloating
- More regularity
- Better energy and clearer thinking (because yes, your gut talks to your brain)
This isn’t about cutting out food groups or chasing gut “perfection.”
It’s about supporting your body as it changes—so you feel strong, steady, and more like yourself again.
Healthy Aging Starts in the Gut
If your digestion has felt off lately, and nothing seems to help, maybe it’s not just your food. Maybe it’s your hormones—and the shifts your body is already trying to work through.
Support your gut, support your hormones, support your whole self. ❤️
Because feeling good in your body isn’t just possible.
It’s part of aging well—and doing it on your terms.
GLOW | ADVANCED TYPE 1 COLLAGEN WITH SUPERFOOD ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT
Glow uses type 1 collagen to support healthy bones, muscles, organs, skin, and more. As we age, our ability to produce collagen begins to wane. Glow helps your body maintain its collagen levels and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe in. Thank you for supporting my work—and your own healthy aging journey!
