Normal? - YouLookFab Forum

This weekend we had Fall-like weather and I brought out my COH Elson's to wear. I could barely make it through a few hours - my jeans were much too tight! I could not wait to get home to switch out of them and into elasticized loungewear.

I weigh about the same - if not 1 lb *less* - than I did in the spring, when I wore these jeans with no problem. A little tight, but not unbearably uncomfortable to the point they left ugly red marks in my skin. And I wore these jeans no problem a few times this summer on cooler evenings, fairly recently. So I don't think fat is the problem - I think bloat is.

Question....

Those of you who've gone through menopause or are perimenopausal: did you have unusual bloating? It seems to be getting worse and more frequent for me - which is the reason I spent the summer in dresses! Please share your experiences (privately if you prefer). I'm trying to figure out if this is normal, or what.

Meanwhile, I'm seriously considering buying more COH jeans - in the next size up - to have on hand.

16 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I'm not in menopause Shiny, but I have bloating issues when I have too much dairy or gluten. I'm lactose intolerant but I still use some dairy (in coffee, etc). I have cut out most gluten, but had a fair bit over the last weekend. So I'm bloated today. Boo.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Shiny, have you tried measuring yourself to see if you are indeed bloated? My instant reaction is to say that the jeans shrunk! Is that a possibility? Are they just tight on the tummy area, or everywhere?

I am pre-menopausal (so my OBGN tells me). I don’t get bloated though so I’m sorry I can’t help out in that regard. But I TOTALLY encourage getting jeans that are more comfortable. Pack up the rest and store it for un-bloated days. I have plenty of clients who keep 2-3 sizes of the same item in their wardrobe for this very reason.

velvetychocolate

I am not in menopause either - but wanted to say that I also cut out gluten and dairy foods. Sounds kind of radical, but it turns out I'm gluten intolerant. Being gluten intolerant can sometimes cause a 'secondary' lactose intolerance. Initially, I dropped the dairy first, thinking it was the problem. Later on, I found out that it was gluten intolerance, and I haven't yet added back in the dairy foods. I will someday, but right now I'm focused in on getting to my goal weight, so I don't feel like testing dairy.

Anyway, I dropped ten pounds after dropping the dairy. Later on, when I dropped the last bits of gluten in my diet - more weight/bloat just seemed to fall off.

Meanwhile, there are other 'bloat inducing' foods on my list:

too much sodium - ie. last night I had some turkey jerky - up 1.5 lbs. this morning
Diet Coke
sugar
lower fat dairy foods (these have more lactose in them)
gluten

And yes, I do keep a spare pair of larger-sized jeans around. Not to give myself permission to gain weight, but sometimes that bloat just interferes with things.

Anonymous

Shiny, with menopause came an unexpected weight gain for me, especially around the middle. I'd always been thin and my lifestyle hadn't changed otherwise. Thinking of both myself and the experience of friends, I'd say that inconsistant spacing of periods and such that comes with menopause can cause bloating, but you should get a good check up if any change persists.
There are some good books out there on menopause and it's very important to educate yourself about what to expect, hormone replacement, etc. For bloating and menopause, here's a link that might help:
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/bloating.htm

edit: Be sure that DH gets educated too as to what to expect. You will probably change in ways that you never imagined. Study your mother and grandmothers.

taylor

Shiny,

I went through menopause about 31/2 years ago at the age of 48...I thought that was young..but no so say's my OBGYN. Anyway I think you are right this is meno related. Don't worry I don't think it is fat , but bloat. Have you seen your OBGYN lately? Alot of times women have uterine cysts that trigger swelling etc.

This is a crazy time for your body...but it does get better. Some days I was much more bloated around the waist...no rhyme or reason there ...just meno symptoms I guess. The strange thing is you could have 1 or all symptoms , so it is tricky to identify...educate yourself is the best advice...know what you are dealing with and what to expect.

Joy gave you some good advice, like her I just believe it is perhaps inconsistant periods...it was in my case also..not to worry Shiny you will get through this...although I haven't had a period in 3 1/2 yrs. I still sweat ALOT...the worst thing about meno. in my opinion...hang in there:)

I can gain and lose 2 or 3 pounds in "bloat" at certain points in my cycle. Pants that fit today could be too big or too small tomorrow. Its odd, but I can lose 3 or 4 pounds overnight. This is my new "normal"!!!

sinead

Active Member

Shiny, in the past year or so I've suddenly developed bloat and a tummy (I'm 52). I've always had a flat stomach and haven't gained weight- just can't wear stuff around my waist that I used to wear. Seems like it happened overnight. for you, it could also, as Angie pointed out, just be shrinkage in your jeans.
Either way- good luck with it!

Laura

Oh boy. I really hope it's your jeans that have shrunk. I had a baby 3 1/2 years ago so it just seems way too early to start facing pre-menopausal symptoms!! I'll be watching your thread with interest ...

shiny

My periods are still consistent as ever, but I have been having monster hot flashes. My mother went through an early menopause - she was already through it by my age. This bloating has been going on a few times a year for years and years now, but lately it seems to be getting worse and much more frequent.

Angie - I'm positive the jeans did not shrink, as I haven't even washed them in awhile! And yes I did get out the tape measure - my waist had expanded about 2 inches, but worse was at the belly button. It's usually 31 inches but was closer to 35-36 inches!! (Today it is back down to 31 inches). I really do look pregnant when this happens. DH teases me that he can feel it kick.

As for lactose, I don't drink milk because it makes me uncomfortable, but I find when I eat yogurt with active cultures daily it helps my tummy and acid reflux greatly. The gluten connection is interesting, considering I was craving sandwiches this weekend and ate several! I usually limit my carbs and very rarely eat bread, but I had a hankering....

Jaime

All of the sudden at about 40 I stopped being able to tolerate any fake sugars such as aspartame, xylitol, zorbitol and many more. Bloated me up like crazy and often left me gassy. Once I cut them out I was much better. Unfortunately the list is long of things to cut such as Diet Soda, gum, all diet foods and especially any kind of "bar". The bars are the worst (I am talking anything from protein bars to Fiber one bars). I would probably go up at least one size if I ate one of those. I also wonder if I have a soy intolerance as those bars are chock full of it.

From my research online this is a common thing and affects many people. I encourage you to check into it.

Jaime, I don't eat fake sugars and my intake of real sugar is pretty minimal. I don't drink soda of any kind. I do like nutrition bars - the kind with lots of protein - when in a pinch and my blood sugar gets too low but, I haven't eaten them in awhile. It does sound like you might have a soy intolerance?

My biggest weakness is anything salty! I know I can overdo it on the sodium. I do get bloating from salt binges, but nothing like this. And sodium bloat is not confined to just my tummy - it's all over.

I am thinking it was gluten + estrogen flux!

Forgive me if you already answered this , but have you spoke to your obgyn about the bloating issue?( I may have missed that in another thread)

A simple blood test can determine *where* you re in the process or even if you are in meno...so you can perhaps rule that out (or not) and maybe focus on the gluten factor:)

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