In a word, yes.

“As women transition into perimenopause, a range of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms can develop or worsen due to fluctuating hormone levels,” says Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp, an NHS GP. “These symptoms can be distressing and often go hand-in-hand with other changes, such as hot flushes and mood swings.”

So, why is this?

According to Anna Mapson, a nutritional therapist and founder of Goodness Me Nutrition, this is down to the cell receptors for our sex hormones being housed in our gut. “There are cell receptors for our sex hormones in the gut, so fluctuations in oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone will affect processes like digestion, as well as mood, skin and energy,” she tells Strong Women.

And even if you’re not perimenopausal, you might still be susceptible to the hormone-gut relationship. “We know that almost twice as many women experience irritable bowel symptoms as men, possibly down to the effect of female sex hormones,” continues Mapson. “Unfortunately, women with IBS are twice as likely to experience premenstrual anxiety and painful periods as those who don’t have irritable bowel syndrome. This seems to be because microbes in your digestive tract can interact with female sex hormones, potentially increasing pre-menstrual symptoms.”

Are perimenopause hormone fluctuations causing your digestive problems?