If you are a woman over 40+, you may be going though perimenopause stage. It is a phase before menopause when your periods start to become irregular and eventually stop.
During this time, your ovaries naturally produce less estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones can affect many parts of your body and cause many disturbing symptoms.
Women commonly ask: Can perimenopause cause nausea? The answer is yes, you may experience nausea due to a multitude of causes. While not extremely common; Nausea has been reported by numerous women in their 40’s.
Nausea and Perimenopause
Nausea may also be a symptom during the perimenopause phase, and it feels like a queasy or unsettled stomach. It may also cause mild bloating or no appetite.
It is mainly caused by hormonal changes, stress, or certain foods, especially those that are spicy, greasy, or processed meals, caffeine, or carbonated beverages. These can all trigger a feeling of nausea. Skipping meals or staying dehydrated can also lead to the experience of nausea.
Besides the experience of nausea, other symptoms of the perimenopause include the following:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Irregular periods
- Mood changes
- Sleep Problems
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
- Frozen Shoulder
- Anxiety
Nausea during the perimenopause phase is not a reason for concern. But it should not interfere with your daily activities. Consult with your healthcare provider if your nausea is consistent.
Why Nausea Happens During Perimenopause?
In perimenopause, your body is going through unpredictable estrogen and progesterone hormone fluctuations. It is these hormonal fluctuations that cause this nausea. Hormones do not just control your reproductive functions. They also help control your digestion. In addition to regulating the menstrual cycle, hormones have a direct influence on your ability to digest food.
When estrogen levels drop in your body, they can slow down gastric emptying. This means that food will move more slowly from the stomach into the small intestine. Slowed gastric emptying can lead to feeling full and bloated as well as nauseous.
A study of research found that women who experience larger hormonal swings reported a greater number of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea. than women experiencing fewer hormonal fluctuations.
The decline of progesterone during perimenopause affects digestive function. When progesterone decreases, smooth muscle throughout the body relaxes. The relaxation of smooth muscle in the digestive tract makes it more susceptible to irritation and thus causes some women to feel nauseous or experience indigestion.
In addition to hormonal fluctuations, other factors can exacerbate nausea during perimenopause.
Anxiety and stress commonly increase during hormonal transitions. These can activate the gut-brain connection that increases the sensitivity of the stomach. Poor sleep, a common symptom of perimenopause, can exacerbate all types of digestive issues.
Caffeine, alcohol, and specific foods can also be triggers for increased nausea during perimenopause
How to Get Relief From Nausea in Perimenopause?
Nausea during perimenopause can come on suddenly. But you can follow a few simple steps to settle your stomach naturally.
- Eat smaller meals instead of big meals that can cause stomach upsets.
- Rest in a slightly upright position instead of lying flat. You can lie back on your couch.
- Put a cold cloth or compress on your neck or forehead to calm your body.
- Drink water in smaller amounts instead of drinking lots of water at once.
- Get some fresh air by opening a window or sitting near the fan.
- Drink warm herbal tea like ginger or peppermint tea to calm your stomach.
- Breathe slowly and deeply to calm your stomach.
- Use acupressure bands on your wrist to relieve nausea.
- Work on your sleep routine. Try to get quality sleep every night.
- Eat more foods like chickpeas, bananas, fish, poultry, cereal, cottage cheese, and winter squash to avoid nausea.
- Avoid Spicy and over-processed foods.
- Take supplements like Vitamin B6, magnesium, or probiotics to avoid morning sickness.
Does Medications Cause Perimenopause Nausea?
Yes, it can happen. Sometimes, perimenopause nausea is not only caused by hormonal changes in your body but also by some medications that you might be taking on a regular basis.
Some drugs that can irritate your stomach and/or interfere with your digestive system include:
- Hormone therapy
- Antidepressants
- Antibiotics
- NSAIDs Pain relievers
- Supplements like iron and magnesium in high doses
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is often used to manage perimenopause symptoms, can also cause nausea in some women. This is because your body is adjusting to hormonal changes.
You can easily identify if your nausea is caused by drugs or by perimenopause. One way to understand this is to observe when your nausea starts. If nausea starts after you have taken a new drug or altered the dose of a drug you have been taking, it is more likely that the drug is causing nausea.
If you think that the medicine you are taking is causing you nausea, do not stop it right away. Consult your provider, as he can adjust the dosage or change the drug to one that does not cause nausea.
Conclusion
Can perimenopause cause nausea? Yes, nausea is one of the signs of perimenopause. Nausea can be caused by your hormonal changes and many other reasons. Unlike normal nausea, your perimenopause nausea often comes and goes, and it may have other symptoms like hot flashes or irregular periods.
To avoid nausea, you must lead a healthy lifestyle and adjust your eating habits and window.
If you experience continuous nausea, you should consult a healthcare expert. At Kairos Health and Wellness, Lola, one of our functional nurse practitioners, is here to help women across Houston and Texas manage perimenopause symptoms with a personalized and holistic approach.
Book your appointment today!
