The Perimenopause Gutsy Talk podcast

You sailed through perimenopause without major gut problems. And now, years later, something has changed. Bloating you never had before. Bowels that have become unpredictable. A gut that just doesn’t feel quite right — and you can’t work out why. In this episode, Christel explains why gut symptoms can develop for the first time long after menopause. She covers why the pattern is often so gradual y...

Gut symptoms after menopause are more common than most women expect — and more common than most content actually talks about. In this episode, Christel answers the question she has been getting in her inbox: I'm on the other side now. Does any of this still apply to me? Whether you finished menopause two years ago or ten, this one is for you. Christel explains why bloating, constipation, and...

Perimenopause bloating isn't just about what you ate — and understanding why changes everything. In this episode, I share what I believe is the most important piece of the bloating puzzle: why your gut becomes more sensitive during perimenopause, not just slower. I explain why the same food can feel fine one day and cause bloating the next, and what to do about it. I also share Anna's st...

If your gut symptoms feel unpredictable in perimenopause, you’re not alone. Many women find themselves constantly searching for the next thing that might finally “fix” their digestion — new diets, supplements, or foods to avoid. But often the real question isn’t what to try next . It’s what your gut actually needs right now. In this episode of The Perimenopause Gutsy Talk Podcast , dietitian Chris...

If you’ve stopped over-reacting to every gut flare but still don’t feel settled, this episode looks at what actually helps the perimenopause gut calm long term. In Episode 19, Christel explains why quick fixes and elimination approaches often bring short-term relief but don’t last — and why structure and predictability matter more than effort in midlife gut health. This episode focuses on building...

Gut symptoms that improve, then flare again, are incredibly common in perimenopause — even when you’re trying hard to eat well and look after yourself. In this episode, registered gut health dietitian Christel Lyell explains why gut symptoms so often keep coming back in perimenopause, and why this is not a sign that you’re failing or doing something wrong. We explore how hormonal changes, stress a...

Have you noticed that your gut symptoms improve for a while… only to flare again out of nowhere? You’re not imagining it — and it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. In this episode, I explain a very common pattern I see in women in perimenopause:   - gut symptoms that settle temporarily after food changes or “being careful”, then return again weeks or even days later. We’ll talk about why...

As Christmas approaches, many women worry that a few festive days will undo all the progress they’ve made with their gut. In this short, reflective end-of-year episode, I talk about how to support your digestion over Christmas in a realistic, kind way — without restriction, guilt, or pressure to be perfect. If your gut has been unpredictable this year, especially in perimenopause, this episode is...

Diarrhoea and morning urgency are some of the most disruptive and least talked-about symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. If you've found yourself rushing to the toilet as soon as you wake, feeling terrified to leave the house, or planning your day around bathroom access… you are not alone. In this episode, I break down why diarrhoea becomes more common in perimenopause, the three main pa...

You've added more fibre, you're drinking water, eating well... so why are you STILL constipated? And worse — now you're bloated too? In this episode of The Perimenopause Gutsy Talk Podcast, Christel tackles menopause and constipation — one of the most common (and frustrating) symptoms she sees in her practice. This is your practical, food-first guide to getting relief without trigge...

You've been doing everything right—eating the foods that work for you, finally feeling confident again—and then you wake up bloated. That familiar panic sets in: "What did I do wrong?" Before you start cutting out foods and restricting again, listen to this episode. A bloating flare in perimenopause doesn't mean you've failed or lost your progress. Your gut is simply askin...

Picture this : It’s 1pm and you’re eating a healthy salad at your desk. By 3pm your stomach is tight. By 5pm you’re uncomfortably bloated and rushing home to change out of your work trousers. Sound familiar? In this episode of T he Perimenopause Gutsy Talk Podcast , Christel shares a simple, flexible framework for eating that supports your gut health, hormones, and energy in midlife — without rest...

If your digestion feels different since hitting midlife — more bloating, sluggish bowels, or a stubborn shift around your middle — you’re not imagining it.  In this episode of The Perimenopause Gutsy Talk Podcast , Christel explains how menopause changes your gut microbiome and what you can do to feel better. You’ll learn:  Why falling oestrogen slows digestion and increases bloating  How your gut...

Ever wondered why some women breeze through perimenopause while others struggle with bloating, mood swings, and unpredictable symptoms? The answer might be in your gut. Meet the Estrobolome -- a little-known part of your gut microbiome that regulates how much oestrogen gets recycled back into your system. And in perimenopause and menopause, this can make a huge difference to how you feel. In this...

Wondering what to eat for gut health in perimenopause and beyond? In this episode, I’m sharing your everyday food list — simple, real-life foods that reduce bloating, support digestion, and help you feel more like yourself again in midlife and later life. Forget restrictive diets and expensive supplements. Instead, discover how to use fermented foods, gentle fibre, anti-inflammatory choices, and h...

Are you still feeling bloated in perimenopause even though you’re following all the “right” gut health advice? You’re not alone. In this final part of my three-episode fibre series, I’m talking about what to do when fibre backfires — and how to gently troubleshoot without giving up on your gut. You’ll hear two very different client stories: one about what happens when you push too hard, too fast,...

In part two of the fibre series, Christel shares a gentle, step-by-step method to add more fibre without triggering bloating, gas, or digestive discomfort — especially during perimenopause, when your gut can become more sensitive. You’ll discover why fibre often causes bloating (spoiler: it’s not the fibre itself!), the five golden rules for gut-friendly fibre increases, and how one client transfo...

Confused about fibre? You’re not alone — especially if you’re in perimenopause and navigating IBS, bloating, constipation, or a sluggish gut. In this first episode of the 3-part Fibre Series , we’re going back to basics: what fibre actually is, why it matters so much in midlife (especially for women with IBS), and the three main types of fibre you need to know about — including the one that feeds...

Are you feeling bloated, gassy, or stuck with unpredictable digestion in perimenopause — no matter what you eat? Maybe you’re wondering: “Why does my gut feel so out of control — and is it really just food causing this?” In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reason your gut feels chaotic in midlife — and how your mind, stress levels, and hormones work together to shape every bite you eat. ✅...

Feeling bloated, constipated, or just off? Your gut might be crying out for movement—but not the intense, sweaty kind. In this episode of The Perimenopause Gutsy Talk Podcast , we explore the second pillar in the 3M Method: MOVEMENT —and why small, gentle actions can make a big difference to your digestion, hormones, and energy. Here’s what we cover: Why your gut responds so well to movement (hint...

If your gut feels more reactive than ever and you’re tempted to try yet another diet—pause right here. In this episode of The Perimenopause GUTSY Talk Podcast , we're diving into the first pillar of the 3M Method: MEALS . You’ll learn why constant dieting and elimination plans can actually make bloating, constipation, and gut sensitivity worse in perimenopause—and what to do instead. Whether...

Struggling with bloating, unpredictable bowels, or gut flare-ups that seem to come from nowhere? You’re not alone. I’m Christel Lyell, registered dietitian and gut health specialist — and I know how exhausting it is when no one seems to take your IBS or digestive symptoms seriously. In Gutsy Talk , we go beyond generic advice to explore the real-life challenges women face in midlife — from hormone...

Bloating, Constipation & Food Sensitivities in Midlife? Are you suddenly bloated, battling constipation, or finding your usual foods no longer agree with you? You're not imagining it—and you're definitely not alone. In this first full episode of Gutsy Talk , gut health dietitian Christel Lyell dives into how perimenopausal hormone shifts—especially the drop in estrogen—can disrupt di...

Understanding Midlife Bloating, Constipation & Food Reactions Do you feel like your gut suddenly turned on you in your 40s or 50s? Maybe foods you’ve always tolerated now leave you bloated, your bowels are unpredictable, or you’re constantly uncomfortable—especially around your cycle or after stress. In this short but powerful episode of Gutsy Talk , gut health dietitian Christel Lyell explain...