Show Notes
Why Your Gut Changes in Perimenopause: The Truth About Hormones, Histamine & Bloating If you've been told your bloating is just a "cortisol belly," this episode is for you. On social media, it seems like every symptom in your 40s is blamed on cortisol. But the reality is much more complex. In this episode of Team Gut Girls, Dr. Christina Carew, ND, Dr. Whitney Baxter, ND, and Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND unpack what is actually happening inside your gut during perimenopause. You'll learn why estrogen and progesterone changes can dramatically affect digestion, gut motility, water retention, histamine release, and even how your brain interprets normal digestive sensations. We also explore the fascinating connection between the gut microbiome, the estrobolome, mast cells, and hormone metabolism—and why so many women suddenly feel bloated despite eating the same foods they've always tolerated. Most importantly, we discuss the symptoms that should never be dismissed as "just hormones," including persistent bloating, pelvic pressure, early fullness, unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel or bladder habits that deserve further medical investigation. Whether you're waking up with a flat stomach but looking six months pregnant by dinner, struggling with worsening IBS symptoms, or wondering why your body suddenly feels different, this episode will help you understand the physiology behind these changes—and what you can do about them. What You'll Learn Why "cortisol belly" is an oversimplification How estrogen affects gut motility and digestion Why progesterone protects your digestive system The connection between histamine, MCAS and perimenopause How the estrobolome influences estrogen metabolism Why bloating often worsens later in the day How hormones can mimic IBS and SIBO symptoms When hormonal bloating becomes a medical red flag Practical strategies to support gut health during perimenopause Questions to ask your healthcare provider
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Could your bloating, constipation, fatigue, or stubbornly low iron be a clue to celiac disease—even if you’ve never had diarrhea? And if you’ve already gone gluten-free, can you trust a negative celiac blood test? In this episode of Team Gut Girls, Dr. Whitney Baxter, ND and Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND unpack three common celiac disease myths that can delay diagnosis and make gluten-free living more confusing than it needs to be. We explore why what you eat before testing matters, why celiac symptoms can extend well beyond the bathroom, and where gluten cross-contact deserves your attention. Shared toasters and crumb-filled peanut butter jars? Let’s talk. Your shampoo? A different conversation. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why going gluten-free before testing can lead to a false-negative result • How celiac disease can show up as constipation, bloating, fatigue, iron deficiency, or symptoms outside the gut • What tTG-IgA and total IgA blood tests measure—and where an intestinal biopsy fits in • What to discuss with your healthcare provider if you’re already gluten-free • How family history and other autoimmune conditions can influence screening decisions • Which kitchen habits help reduce gluten cross-contact • Why ongoing symptoms after going gluten-free deserve another look You’ll also leave with practical questions to bring to your next appointment, so you can move from “Could gluten be the problem?” toward a clearer plan. RESOURCES Celiac Canada: https://www.celiac.ca More episodes and transcripts: https://www.teamgutgirls.com If this episode helped connect a few dots, follow or subscribe to Team Gut Girls and share it with someone navigating unexplained gut symptoms. Because better gut health changes everything. This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice. Speak with your healthcare provider before changing your diet or starting a gluten challenge. If celiac disease is suspected, discuss testing before removing gluten.
Bloating, constipation, and that “I went, but I’m still not empty” feeling—could your pelvic floor be part of the puzzle? In this episode of Team Gut Girls, pelvic floor physiotherapist Susannah Stewart joins Dr. Whitney Baxter, Dr. Christina Carew, and Dr. Dominique Vanier to explore an often-overlooked connection in gut health: how your pelvic floor, diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and nervous system work together to help you poop—and what happens when that coordination gets disrupted. If you’re dealing with persistent bloating, straining, trapped gas, or incomplete bowel movements, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what might deserve a closer look. And yes, you can poop every day and still have constipation. We unpack: How pelvic floor tension and difficulty relaxing can contribute to constipation and abdominal discomfort. Why stress, anxiety, and pain can influence bowel function. Toileting posture and habits that can make emptying easier. Pelvic organ prolapse and its potential role in incomplete evacuation. Dyssynergic defecation—when the muscles involved in pooping aren’t coordinating—and where biofeedback fits. Why “just do Kegels” isn’t helpful advice for every pelvic floor. What to expect from pelvic floor physiotherapy, including consent, comfort, and options beyond an internal exam. Postpartum body image, core recovery, and moving beyond pressure to “bounce back.” Expect practical insights, myth-busting, and an honest conversation about the things we don’t talk about nearly enough. Because understanding your bloating sometimes means looking a little farther south. Learn more and find episode transcripts at https://www.teamgutgirls.com. Follow Team Gut Girls for more conversations about gut health, hormones, and women’s health—and share this episode with someone who knows the frustration of a bathroom trip that feels unfinished. This episode is for education and does not replace individualized medical advice.
Should you take a probiotic for bloating? Are prebiotics better? And does a probiotic with 50 billion CFUs actually work better than one with 10 billion?
If you’re dealing with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, or other digestive symptoms, you may have wondered: Should I get a gut health test?
When Bloating, Bleeding & Indigestion Need a Closer Look