Let's talk about that mysterious, relentless bloating that seems to appear (or worsen) as we step into midlife. If you feel like your jeans fit differently by the end of the day, or you're suddenly experiencing tummy troubles you never had before, you're not alone – and you're not imagining things.

Hormonal shifts during perimenopause don't just mess with our moods or energy levels—they can have a huge impact on our gut. Our estrogen, progesterone, and even thyroid hormones all play critical roles in gut function. When those hormones start to fluctuate, the gut can become more sensitive, digestion can slow down, and inflammation levels can rise.

Bloating is your body's way of asking for detective work. Maybe it's a case of poor transit time, low stomach acid, SIBO, or certain bacteria (hello methane or hydrogen sulfide producers!) making themselves at home. That's why it's so important to get personalized testing and work with someone who truly understands the microbiome—not one-size-fits-all protocols or quick fixes that can do more harm than good. In this episode:

1. How Your Hormones Mess With Your Gut: Learn how shifts in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid can trigger bloating and impact digestion.

2. Transit Time Matters: Find out why pooping daily isn't enough—you need to understand your transit time for true gut health.

3. Thyroid's Surprising Role: Get the scoop on how sluggish thyroid function can slow things down and lead to major bloating (and exactly which labs to ask your doctor for!).

4. Enzyme & Stomach Acid Secrets: Discover Tara's favorite enzyme supplement, plus the critical role of stomach acid (and how to spot signs of deficiency).

5. Testing, Not Guessing: Why stool testing is THE gold standard for uncovering the real root of your bloating—and how to choose the right practitioner.

Watch on Youtube HERE.

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You may also want to check out these episodes:

EPS 111: Gut health IS health. How many approach gut health incorrectly & why the right testing matters with Dr. Jason Hawrelak.

EPS 112: Why we stopped using the GI MAP in my practice & how we are approaching gut testing these days

Mentioned in this episode:

HRT Made Simple™ - Learn how to confidently speak to your doctor about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy so you can set yourself up for symptom-free, unmedicated years to come without feeling confused, dismissed, or leaving the medical office minus your HRT script.

Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple™ – This course will teach you the best natural, highly effective, and safe solutions for your hair loss so you can stop it, reverse it, and regrow healthy hair without turning to medications.

The Perimenopause Solution™ – My signature 6-month comprehensive hormonal health program for women in midlife who want to get solid answers to their hormonal health issues once and for all so they can kick the weight gain, moodiness, gut problems, skin issues, period problems, fatigue, overwhelm, insomnia, hair/eyebrow loss, and other symptoms in order to get back to the woman they once were.

[FREE] The Ultimate Midlife Perimenopause Handbook - Grab my free guide and RECLAIM your confidence, your mood, your waistline and energy without turning to medications or restrictive diets (or spending a fortune on testing you don't need!).

[BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE]