What's the best thing you've done for yourself in midlife so far?

+ Stop farting around: Why are we so gassy in peri/menopause?

Flatulence facts

Why do women get gassy in menopause and perimenopause? 

By Rebekah Brown, Founder of MPowder

Gas, wind, or flatulence and menopause is rarely spoken about and yet research shows that around 60% of us will experience a change in digestive health during our menopause transition.

Although its potential for a little slapstick humor is obvious, this symptom is pernicious. It impacts not just our physical self but how we feel about our bodies too. We know that, if we don’t feel comfortable that our gut will ‘behave’ in social situations, we’re less likely to eat out and attend social occasions. Flatulence leads to a loss of confidence and feelings of unattractiveness. We may avoid intimacy too.

So, what is the science behind increased gassiness in midlife? And what do we, as midlife women, have the power to do about it?

What is the science behind increased gassiness in midlife? 

Researchers now know that our gut microbiota can be disrupted by our menopause transition. We also know that menopause can lead to increased gut permeability. Also known as ‘leaky gut’, this condition results in a weakening of our intestinal walls, which results in toxins and bacteria effectively leaking into the body via our bloodstream. This can trigger inflammation in the gut and cause a host of issues and associated symptoms, including gas and increased food sensitivity.

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Let’s compare notes

By Amy Cuevas Schroeder, Founder of The Midst

When we asked The Midst community “What’s the best thing you’ve done in midlife so far?” we heard “traveling to Spain with my BFF," “writing my first book,” and “starting therapy.”

For me, now just a couple months shy of 48, starting The Midst is one of the best things I’ve done in midlife. I feel reawakened, like I’ve found a new calling. Sure, running a bootstrap startup can be time-consuming and stressful, but it’s also invigorating and so fun to meet other women my age in the midst of all the things.

How about you? What’s the best thing you’ve done for yourself in midlife so far? Chime in here on our Instagram or below in comments.

“At age 45, I signed up for life coaching school. At age 46, I became a coach and a published author for the first time. At age 47, I launched my small but growing coaching business. At age 48, I quietly went through menopause. And now, at age 49, I’m exploring next steps and also giving myself time to just breathe and dream.”

— Vanessa Novissimo Wright, Raleigh, NC

P.S. I’ll be at SXSW on Saturday, March 9, for a hot second. Email me at amy@the-midst.com if you want to meet up.

Hope to see you here …

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