Discover 10 Significant Causes Of Stomach Bloating In Females

Dear ladies, have you ever felt the most uncomfortable sensation in your stomach, as if your stomach were a balloon about to pop? Well, that uncomfortable sensation is bloating, which affects up to 80% of women at some point. 

Bloating is a feeling of fullness or tightness in the abdomen, often accompanied by gas and discomfort. It can significantly impact daily life, from social gatherings to exercise routines. But what causes this frustrating feeling? 

Understanding the root causes of bloating will help you control your digestive health. This blog dives into ten significant causes of stomach bloating in females, helping you identify the culprit and find relief! To know more, keep reading! 

Table OF Contents

1. 10 Significant Stomach Bloating Causes In Females 

2. Symptoms And Complications Of Stomach Bloating In Females

3. Dietitian's Recommendation

4. The Final Say

5. FAQs

6. References

10 Significant Stomach Bloating Causes In Females 

The gastrointestinal tract is a long tube that runs from the mouth to the anus and includes the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. If excess gas becomes trapped anywhere in this tract, the stomach may feel tight and bloated. 

If you have abdominal bloating, finding a way to sit or lie comfortably may be challenging because air can get caught in the folds of your colon, causing pain. Stomach bloating in females may also cause burping or flatulence, which can be socially uncomfortable. 

Here are the common causes of abdominal pain and bloating in women include:

1. Swallowing Too Much Air

The medical term for excessive and recurrent air swallowing is aerophagia. It may be linked to both physical and psychological issues and be either acute or chronic (long-term). It can be one of the causes of stomach bloating in females.

2. Dietary Intolerance

Believe it or not, bloating is a common gut problem that could be caused by an intolerance to specific foods. Because of these, women are more likely to experience bloating from foods such as gluten, dairy, FODMAP, caffeine, etc. These foods can also contain fat, sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, and artificial additives.

3. Food Sensitivity

Food sensitivities and allergies can trigger bloating in women by irritating the digestive system. When the body encounters a problematic food, it may release inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals can inflame the gut lining, leading to bloating and gas. 

Lactose intolerance, a common food sensitivity, is a prime example. Lactose intolerant women lack sufficient lactase, an enzyme needed to digest lactose (milk sugar). Consuming dairy products can cause bloating, gas, and discomfort as the undigested lactose ferments in the gut.

4. Menstruation

One typical early menstrual symptom that many women encounter is bloating. It usually appears long before the onset of your period and goes away after a few days of menstruation.

5. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is the term used to describe an excess of colonic bacteria in the small intestine. This overabundance of organisms brings numerous intestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.

6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a group of symptoms, including cramps, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach bloating in females that are together referred to as irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. Layers of muscle that line the walls of your intestines contract to help food pass through your digestive tract. More muscular and longer-lasting contractions can result in diarrhoea, bloating, and gas.

7. Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, a condition that weakens stomach muscles, can cause bloating in women. This happens because food isn't emptied from the stomach efficiently, leading to fermentation and gas buildup, causing the stomach to swell and feel tight.

8. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease triggers an immune response in women who consume gluten, wheat, barley, and rye protein. This attack damages the small intestine, hindering nutrient absorption and causing inflammation. This inflammation can irritate the gut and trap gas, leading to bloating and discomfort.

9. Endometriosis

Endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows elsewhere, can cause bloating during menstruation. It has nowhere to go when this misplaced tissue breaks down and bleeds (like the uterine lining). This trapped blood and tissue can irritate the surrounding area, leading to inflammation and bloating.

10. Hormonal Imbalance And Water Retention 

One possible hormonal imbalance in females could occur when the body retains more water and sodium (salt) due to fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen levels. As the body's cells expand to accommodate the water, this may also add to the sensation of stomach bloating in females. 

Also Read: 8 Common Menstrual Irregularities: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment Options 

Symptoms And Complications Of Stomach Bloating In Females

The most common symptoms of flatulence are a feeling of fullness and discomfort in the stomach, but other symptoms are also essential to understand to identify the disease correctly. Gas symptoms can vary from a slight burning feeling in the gut to excruciating pain. Although the slight burning sensation can be ignored, the pain becomes difficult to bear. Other symptoms of stomach bloating in females are:

• Nervousness
• Unrest
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Severe headache or weakness
• Unpleasant odour when releasing gas
• Stomach bloating and acid belching
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Continuous hiccups
• Stomach cramps
• Fever
• Constipation
• Change in the colour of the stool or bleeding in the stool

The last two symptoms mean that your problem has become severe, and it is not right to ignore it. 

Also Read: Daily Vitamins For A Woman: 7 Best Vitamins For Women's Health 

Dietitian's Recommendation

Bloating is often a feeling of tightness, pressure, or fullness in the abdomen. This usually goes away with time, but it is a recurring problem for some people. Suppose the bloating occurs during that time of the month. In that case, you can resolve this issue with the help of ToneOp Care's Period Care 360 or opt for ToneOp Care's Digest 360, which helps reduce the fermentation of undigested food and gas production.

Dt. Lavina Chauhan

The Final Say

After identifying the causes of stomach bloating in females, you can make dietary changes in case of any allergies and be watchful for intolerances. Paying focused attention to the problem to identify the cause can pay off. Try journaling your symptoms and possible triggers. However, if the problem is frequently increasing and affecting your daily life, it’s better to consult a doctor in case of any underlying health issue.