Managing Food Sensitivities And Inflammation During Perimenopause

I was experiencing digestive issues I had never had before. Certain foods were making me feel terrible. I was bloated. I was having pain. I felt inflamed constantly. I went to a gastroenterologist who suggested it might be hormonal. She was right. My food sensitivities were directly related to my perimenopause.

How I got here

During perimenopause, my digestion changed. Foods that I had eaten for years without problems started causing issues. Dairy would cause bloating. Wheat would cause pain. Processed foods would cause inflammation. I could not understand what was happening. I thought I was developing allergies or intolerances but it seemed more complicated than that.

What I actually did

My doctor explained that during perimenopause, hormonal changes affect the gut microbiome and gut inflammation. This can make us more sensitive to certain foods, especially inflammatory foods. She recommended an elimination diet to identify my specific triggers. I removed the most common inflammatory foods for two weeks. Then I slowly reintroduced them one at a time. I could see exactly which foods caused problems. I eliminated the worst offenders. I also increased my intake of anti-inflammatory foods. I added probiotics to support gut health. I reduced stress which improves digestion. Within a few weeks, my digestive symptoms improved significantly.

What actually changed

My digestive symptoms improved. My bloating decreased. My pain decreased. My inflammation decreased. I had energy again. I felt so much better once I removed the foods that were triggering my symptoms.

What my routine looks like now

I eat a diet focused on anti-inflammatory foods. I avoid my specific food triggers. I take probiotics. I manage stress. I track my digestive health and food choices using PeriPlan. My digestion is healthy and my inflammation is low.

If you are experiencing new food sensitivities or digestive issues during perimenopause, an elimination diet can help you identify your specific triggers. Removing inflammatory foods and adding anti-inflammatory foods can help. A registered dietitian can help you navigate this. This is not medical advice about food sensitivities or digestion. Please talk to your doctor about your specific symptoms.