Menopause is a stressful and inevitable period that all women dread.
What is menopause?
The female reproductive cycle is a period that extends from puberty to menopause through the fertile period. Menopause is marked by the definitive cessation of menstruation (or periods ) for more than a year and generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 . Despite the fact that this phenomenon is natural, it is very feared and above all punctuated by both hormonal and physiological upheavals.
Indeed, the ovaries no longer secrete the hormones that govern the menstrual cycle, namely estrogen and progesterone, preventing ovulation each month. This hormonal upheaval can cause symptoms such as the famous hot flashes, insomnia, sudden weight gain , chronic fatigue and irritability.
Why do we have a swollen stomach during menopause?
Hormonal upheaval
The swollen belly during menopause is above all a story of hormones. Estrogen, a very important hormone in women, drops sharply around the time of menopause. This real hormonal upheaval can lead to a change in the distribution of fats. During fertile periods, fat tends to be distributed around the hips, thighs and buttocks. On the other hand, after menopause, fat is generally stored around the abdomen. In addition, this hormonal upheaval can also affect intestinal transit and cause constipation , bloating and flatulence.
Water retention
One of the first reasons for a bloated belly during menopause: water retention in the abdomen. Fluid retention refers to the accumulation of fluid in the space between cells when the body absorbs more water than it eliminates. This can lead to swelling of the stomach, lower limbs and a feeling of heaviness. However, this phenomenon does not necessarily imply a gain in body fat.
But how to explain it? The fall in estrogen level weakens the filtration capacity of the lymphatic system and increases the permeability of capillaries and therefore leads to the formation of edema.
Slowing metabolism
A bloated belly during menopause is usually multifactorial and can be caused by a slowdown in basal metabolism. Basal metabolism, or resting metabolism, corresponds to the minimum daily energy expenditure allowing the body to survive.
During menopause, muscle mass decreases in favor of fat mass in our body. Due to the slowdown in basal metabolism, the body burns fat less efficiently and our caloric needs decrease. Therefore, it is important to readjust your diet and practice regular physical activity to avoid storing fat.
What solutions can you have for a less swollen stomach during menopause?
Limit salt consumption
Salt can be a real enemy. Excessive salt intake can lead to water retention, which makes you feel bloated and makes your belly look bloated. To limit this, try reducing your salt intake by avoiding processed foods and cooking at home with herbs and spices to enhance the taste.
Opt for anti-bloating foods
To prevent bloating and avoid water retention, there are foods that facilitate digestion and reduce hot flashes:
- Aromatic herbs (basil, oregano, chives): as a seasoning, as an infusion after a meal or as an essential oil for a belly massage.
- Water : favor water rich in bicarbonates which avoid water retention.
- Dried fruits (hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts): enhance your salads and effectively combat constipation thanks to their richness in fiber .
- Kefir : drinking a glass on an empty stomach in the morning allows you to provide probiotics to your intestinal microbiota and therefore improve and maintain digestion.
Practice regular physical activity
To combat weight gain and bloating, there's nothing like practicing physical activity! Indeed, sport has a thousand and one virtues for our body, particularly for our digestive system . During physical activity, the increase in heart rate allows a better supply of blood, and therefore oxygen, to the intestinal muscles.
Thus, regular exercise stimulates intestinal peristalsis characterized by all the muscular contractions facilitating the movement of food through the digestive system. Indeed, the digestive walk after a hearty meal is not a myth, it really facilitates digestion.
Increase your potassium intake
A diet too rich in salt and meat can cause potassium deficiencies and promote water retention. Potassium is a mineral known to effectively relieve bloating, a swollen stomach and transit disorders. Indeed, it maintains a good electrolyte balance and regulates the acid-base balance . In order to deflate your belly during menopause, you can focus on these foods rich in potassium: lentils (810 mg per 100g), dried dates (790 mg per 100g), prunes (732 mg per 100g), almonds ( 705 mg per 100g), spinach (662 mg per 100g), avocado (650 mg per 100g), chestnuts (600 mg per 100g), mushrooms (520 mg per 100g), walnuts (450 mg per 100g ), apricots (440 mg per 100g).
Deflate your stomach quickly thanks to DIJO
At DIJO, and to make your life easier, we have developed food supplements bringing together different plants to quickly deflate your stomach and fight against bloating . Our 5-day reset brings together all the essential elements to allow you to fight against these inconveniences and thus regain intestinal serenity. Thanks to its concentrated formula, find a flat stomach in just 5 days thanks to the action of its 4 carminative and antispasmodic plants.
For a total upgrade of your stomach, you can also find our 5-day reset associated with 3 other cures for more lasting effects. Indeed, we have thought of everything with our Dream Belly pack which includes 4 products: 5-day reset, Focus Slim , Detox Potion and the Essential probiotics . This pack allows you to both restore the balance within your intestinal flora, helping you to regain better weight management and to deflate your stomach quickly. This alliance of probiotics and flavonoids with prebiotic effects allows you to regain your figure and intestinal serenity.
