Register for my free masterclass: https://www.louisedigbynutrition.com/meno-belly

Louise Digby explains why many women over 40 see only temporary or inconsistent results from “hormone balancing” diets, supplements, seed cycling, adaptogens or even HRT, and why the missing piece is often the order of support. She outlines how fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone, reduced insulin sensitivity, lower stress tolerance and slower recovery can make the body more reactive, but argues that starting with hormones directly can backfire if the wider system is unstable. She describes a sequence: stabilise the nervous system so the body feels safe, improve gut health to support absorption and oestrogen metabolism, correct key nutrient gaps (e.g., B6, magnesium, zinc for progesterone; iodine, selenium, zinc, iron for thyroid), then add targeted hormone support. She invites listeners to her masterclass and shares how to register.

00:00 Why Hormone Fixes Fail
00:45 The Common Frustration Loop
03:03 Hormones Matter But Not First
05:23 When Hormone Support Backfires
07:09 The Healing Sequence
07:52 Foundation One Nervous System
09:06 Foundation Two Gut Health
10:01 Foundation Three Nutrients
11:10 Where HRT Fits In
12:40 Two Women Two Outcomes
14:16 Key Takeaway The Right Order
15:46 How To Get Help Next
17:12 Wrap Up And Subscribe

Register for my free masterclass: https://www.louisedigbynutrition.com/meno-belly

Louise Digby, a metabolism nutritionist, explains that frequent bloating, especially in women in their late thirties, forties and beyond, is common but not normal and is a clear signal that something in the body isn’t working optimally. She outlines why it often worsens in perimenopause and menopause: declining progesterone can slow gut motility, fluctuating oestrogen can affect gut bacteria and fluid balance, and a more impactful stress response can reduce digestion by lowering enzymes, stomach acid and movement. Louise breaks bloating into three main mechanisms—fermentation from poor breakdown/absorption, slowed gut transit, and fluid retention/inflammation—and warns against restrictive dieting and most food intolerance tests. She links bloating with stubborn weight via thyroid, blood sugar, nutrient absorption and stress, advocating root-cause testing and gut-focused support, and offers a hormone and metabolism quiz.

00:00 Why Bloating Isn’t Normal
01:39 Meet Louise and Her Method
02:47 Why It Worsens in Midlife
05:14 Three Causes of Bloating
08:32 What Bloating Reveals
10:02 Food Intolerance Test Myth
10:59 Stress and Metabolism Link
12:49 Testing and Root Causes
13:54 Client Case Study Turnaround
15:18 Fix the System Not Food
16:17 Next Steps and Wrap Up

Register for my free masterclass: https://www.louisedigbynutrition.com/meno-belly