04/04/2026
🎧 Comment 576 to listen to the full episode.
Constipation and bloating are often dismissed as minor inconveniences. In reality, they can reflect stress physiology, pelvic floor dysfunction, hormonal shifts, or even more serious conditions.
In Episode 576, I speak with Dr. Trisha Pasricha, gastroenterologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, about motility, the gut-brain connection, bowel frequency norms, red flags, and what women need to understand during perimenopause and menopause.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
âś… Why women tend to be more inhibited about their bodily functions than men
âś… The gut-brain connection and how stress can affect bowel movements
âś… What is normal when it comes to bowel frequency?
âś… The importance of treating both the central and enteric nervous systems to manage IBS symptoms
âś… Why fiber is essential, and various ways to incorporate it into meals
âś… How fiber improves bowel regularity and overall health
âś… Common issues women experience with bowel movements during perimenopause and menopause
âś… The role of pelvic floor dysfunction in constipation and how it can be treated
âś… Dr. Pasricha identifies three red flags for serious health conditions
âś… The potential link between environmental factors, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, and early onset colorectal cancer
Gut health conversations should be practical and stigma-free.
🎓 CEUs are available for this episode via SapienCE.
https://sapience-affiliate.peachs.co/a/cynthia-thurlow