Menopause bloating is a symptom that can really get you down, not only are trousers and skirts becoming tight which in turn makes you feel like you’ve put weight on, but your body seems to have taken to getting rid of the bloating via flatulence and belching Just when you thought hot flashes were all you had to tolerate!

Menopause bloating is usually a sign that full blown menopause is on it’s way Progesterone and estrogen are the guilty parties for causing this disturbance in your bodies function. The bloating is very similar to that that you experienced prior to your period:the hormone levels altering cause you to retain water and feel heavy and uncomfortable. Hormones are surging around your body and their levels are fluctuating up and down with no particular pattern resulting in a pre menopausal state we call ‘perimenopause’.
The amount of bile that your liver produces to keep your intestines well lubricated is governed by the hormone estrogen. If your estrogen level drops then so does the amount of bile. When bile production is low this results in the stools slowing down their journey through the intestines, consequently, this usually ends up as constipation and menopause bloating. The increase in flatulence is a result of the changing hormone levels and the presence of bacteria in the bowel. 
Choosing the right diet is a must if you want to reduce menopause bloating, we all know that foods that have a high sugar content can lead to diabetes and kidney disease, but they also cause the bacteria in the intestines to increase which in turn produces an over amount of gasses.
Although bloating is uncomfortable and miserable the good news is that it’s usually a temporary symptom that occurs in the perimenopausal stage, it can easily be treated by tweaking your diet. Doctors who see cases of this type of bloating will usually advise that you modify your diet.
You can reduce the bloated feelings by cutting out or at least reducing your intake of foods such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, soft cheeses and milk and try to cut out salt altogether.  Yoghurts don’t fall into this list as there are many on the market that actually work in harmony with the intestines to reduce the bad bacteria’s naturally. Up your intake of fruit and fruit juices, bananas and grapes are really good and you could try to drink herbal teas and fruit juices instead of caffeinated beverages. If you’re finding that you’re suffering from constipation then increase your fruit and fibre intake and possible look at having a colon cleanse. Taking regular exercise has the effect of speeding up the bodies system, it naturally promotes a detox which will help reduce bloating and discomfort. It’s a good opportunity to drop a hint at a spa day when it’s your birthday, relaxation does wonders for reducing menopause bloating.
There’ll always be the exception to the rule and a small minority of sufferers will find that their menopause bloating continues for a long time, if you’re in this percentage and are experiencing abdominal pain or the presence of blood when you pass a stool then it’s wise to have a quick check at the doctors for piece of mind. In situation like these it’s always to ere on the side of caution although it’s most probably a direct result of haemorrhoids and constipation.