NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR IN ONTARIO
IBS, Hormones, and Women’s Health
Why Your Gut Acts Up with Your Cycle
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Hormones
If you’ve noticed that your IBS symptoms flare just before your period, during ovulation, or around perimenopause, you’re not imagining it.
IBS is more common in women than in men, and hormones are a big part of that story.
Why IBS is more common in women
Research suggests that female sex hormones—especially estrogen and progesterone—affect gut motility, sensitivity, barrier function, and even the microbiome.
These hormones influence:
How fast or slow the gut moves
How sensitive the gut is to stretching and gas (visceral sensitivity)
How “leaky” the intestinal barrier may become
How we respond to stress, which is a major IBS trigger
This helps explain:
Why women are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with IBS
Why many women report changes in bowel habits and pain across their menstrual cycle
IBS and the menstrual cycle
Many people with IBS notice:
More bloating, cramping, or loose stools just before their period
Changes in constipation/diarrhea pattern around ovulation or menstruation
Heightened pain sensitivity when hormones are shifting
These patterns are linked to cyclical changes in estrogen and progesterone and their effects on the gut and nervous system.
IBS in perimenopause and menopause
The relationship between IBS and menopause is complex.
Some research suggests IBS symptoms may decrease after menopause, likely due to fewer hormonal fluctuations.
Other studies have found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase IBS prevalence or prolong symptoms in some women, while clinical experience and newer data suggest that, for others, HRT can help by stabilizing hormones and supporting the gut in different ways.
As with most things in women’s health, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Your personal history, hormone patterns, and gut profile all matter.
How a naturopathic approach can support IBS + hormones
At Sequence Wellness, we often see women where IBS and hormonal symptoms collide—PMS, heavy or irregular cycles, perimenopausal changes, hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood shifts, and gut issues all at once.
Our approach may include:
Cycle tracking to connect gut symptoms with hormone phases
Support for estrogen and progesterone balance using nutrition, herbs, lifestyle, and in some cases bioidentical hormone therapy (within Ontario ND scope)
Thyroid and adrenal (stress) assessment, since these strongly interact with both hormones and digestion
IBS tools like low FODMAP, microbiome support, and gut–brain strategies—adapted to your hormonal phase and life stage
In perimenopause and menopause, we also consider how declining estrogen, sleep disruption, and stress might be interacting with IBS, and we tailor care accordingly.
When to seek help
It may be time to reach out if:
Your IBS flares predictably with your cycle
Gut symptoms worsened around perimenopause or menopause
You feel like your “hormones and digestion” are tangled together
You’re unsure whether to explore HRT, and want to understand the gut implications
A naturopathic doctor who works at the intersection of IBS, hormones, and women’s health can help you map out what’s happening and create a plan that considers both your gut and your hormones—not just one or the other.
Dr. Sarah Goulding, Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Sarah Goulding is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Ottawa Ontario and has a BSc in neuroscience and biology from Dalhousie University (2004), and did her 4-year naturopathic training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (2010). She’s since accumulated over a decade of clinical experience, and refined her practice to focus on women’s health and digestion. She is licensed and registered as a Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario by The College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and is a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND).
Dr. Sarah Goulding blends science and compassion, and acts as a personal health researcher to help you navigate your health. Tools that she uses include nutrition, supplements and botanicals, bioidentical hormones, and lifestyle modifications. The closer you get to the root cause, the gentler the therapies needed to resolve the issue.
Dr. Elizabeth Miller, Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Miller completed her doctor or naturopathic medicine degree at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, and holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s of science in Human Health and Nutrition from the University of Guelph. Her extensive knowledge of nutrition and her strong foundation in scientific research allows for a very thorough approach to your care. She is licensed and registered as a Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario by The College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and is a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND).
She is passionate about teaching holistic health to help women understand their bodies and get to the root cause of their health issues. Her areas of special interest include women’s health, hormonal health, gastrointestinal health, and pediatrics.
Dr. Janna Fung, Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Janna Fung is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a special interest in dermatology and women’s health. She has a passion for evidence based preventative medicine and strives to empower patients with the knowledge to achieve their optimal health. She understands collaborations is the only way to develop realistic sustainable health/wellness results and strives to develop individualized health goals with patients.
