If your bowels changed in your 40s and no one warned you... you're not imagining it. Perimenopause doesn't just affect mood and periods. It affects your gut. Here's why:

• Oestrogen influences gut motility

• Progesterone can slow transit time

• Stress sensitivity increases

• Sleep disruption alters microbiome balance

The result? Bloating. Slower bowel movements. New-onset constipation.

And yet most women are told: "It's just ageing." So what can you do?

• Add 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed daily

VInclude 1-2 kiwi fruits

• Aim for 2L of water daily

• Go for a 20-minute walk daily after dinner

• Nervous system regulation

• Reviewing medications

If this resonates, you're not alone.