What Causes A Bloated Stomach?

Fluctuations In Hormones

Some individuals may experience stomach bloating caused by fluctuations in their hormones. Bloating is a common symptom that occurs when a female is going through the process of menstruation every month. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone make a sharp increase following the two-week phase of ovulation. Estrogen is a hormone known to cause an increase in the retention of water in an individual's body, which can result in bloating.

Increased levels of progesterone have been proven to slow down the normal movement of food through the affected individual's digestive system. Progesterone does this by slowing down the natural contractions of the intestinal muscles responsible for healthy stool movement. Slower movement causes the affected individual to become constipated and bloated due to the accumulation of stool in their intestines. Bloating is also a common occurrence in women going through menopause due to the erratic fluctuation of hormones.

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