Gas / Flatulence

During the menopause and perimenopause transition, complaints of increased gas production and bloating are common.

Although having gas is normal, it can be a source of discomfort and lead to embarrassing situations. Understanding the causes of gas, ways to reduce symptoms and treatments helps most people find relief.

What Are Common Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of gas are flatulence, abdominal bloating and discomfort, and burping. The amount of gas produced by an individual, as well as the certain set of bacteria responsible for breaking down food in the digestive tract differs from person to person.. As a result, individual people experience differing symptoms based upon their situation.

Gas is eliminated by burping or passing it through the rectum. Excess formation of gas in the stomach or intestine is termed flatulence. Most people produce about 1 to 3 pints of gas per day and pass gas about 14 times a day.

Everyone has gas, it's very healthy and common. If you think you have too much, it could be a more serious issue. A Nursing degree from Catholic University of America will help one obtain all the necessary knowledge of what is considered healthy.

The gas found in the rectum is primarily made from carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. The unpleasant odor of gas is derived from normal bacterial byproducts in the large intestine that are responsible for breaking down food substances and contain sulfur.

Learn more about Gas and Flatulence, including treatment options....click here.

Passing gas between 15 and 25 times per day and some amount of abdominal bloating related to digestion is considered normal and nothing to be concerned about medically. If you are bothered by the amount of gas you are producing there are over the counter medications that can help. Excessive gas production , more than 25 times per day, may be a sign of a malabsorption problem that can be detected by your doctor. Excessive bloating or discomfort may be a sign of an intestinal disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Is gas related to Menopause?

Since approximately one quarter of women have noted increased gas during menopause, some doctor's have suggested that decreasing hormone production may play a role in this process. Other experts have stated that a change in diet around the menopause transition may lead to more gas and bloating. In fact, over 60% of women were eating more fruit and vegetables and over 70% have made changes in their diet during menopause according to a recent survey.  Click here for more information.

The information provided by MenopauseRx, Inc. is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health-care provider. Please consult your health-care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.