At mbg, we believe uncovering the root cause is paramount, so we got to the bottom of what exactly menopause bloat is all about, and what you can do to find ease and renew comfort in your body. These shifts in hormones can directly affect your well-being. “Initially, the reduction and cessation of ovulation leads to a reduction of progesterone, accompanied by fluctuations in estrogen levels and eventually a reduction of estrogen below the threshold necessary for menstruation,” notes holistic OBGYN Eden Fromberg, DO. “Menopause is, by definition, the cessation of menstruation for a full year accompanied by these hormonal shifts.” During this time, the body may retain more fluid than usual, resulting in what is known as menopause bloating. Therefore, in order to ease these changes within your body, it can be useful to target fluid retention, in particular. That might look like cutting down on sweets and processed snack foods while replacing them with probiotic-rich ingredients such as live culture yogurt, fermented foods like kimchi, and even sauerkraut. However, regular exercise, good sleep, breathwork, and allowing yourself to rest and recover are all excellent methods for relieving stress and supporting your overall well-being.