Our head doctor at Harley Street Health Centre, Dr Enam Abood, is very passionate about this subject. She says, “It’s a symptom so many women just live with, but it’s normal, and it’s sometimes a sign that something is seriously wrong. I am so committed to sending the message to women to see a doctor when they experience ongoing bloating, and insist on investigation and diagnosis.”

Why is taking bloating seriously important?

“We’ve all heard horror stories of women being dismissed as having ‘wind’ who ended up having advanced ovarian cancer. We have to stop the trend of dismissing women’s bloating. It’s either going to be nutritional in cause, related to stress, relating to lifestyle, hormones, endometriosis or something more sinister, so it’s always worth speaking to a doctor who cares.

Bloating is one of the most common and frustrating symptoms women experience. It can make clothes feel tight, cause discomfort or pain, and leave you feeling heavy, sluggish, or self-conscious. For some women, bloating is an occasional nuisance; for others, it is a persistent problem that interferes with daily life.

Importantly, bloating is not “just in your head” or something you should ignore. It is a physical symptom with many possible causes, and understanding those causes is the first step toward effective treatment.”

What Is Bloating?

“Bloating usually refers to a feeling of abdominal fullness, tightness, or swelling. Some women notice visible abdominal distension, while others mainly experience discomfort, pressure, or pain.

Bloating can be caused by excess gas in the gut, fluid retention, slowed digestion, hormonal changes, or inflammation of the digestive system.”

Do hormones play a role?

“Hormones play a major role in bloating, which is why women experience it more commonly than men. Many women feel bloated in the days leading up to their period due to rising progesterone levels slowing digestion and oestrogen-related fluid retention. Perimenopause and menopause can also affect gut motility and sensitivity.

Many people are diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Personally, I think this diagnosis is a cop-out. It doesn’t help patients and doesn’t give them any answers. Nutrition and intolerances are a very common cause of bloating in women, but so is inflammation, which can cause a whole host of gastric symptoms, commonly diagnosed as IBS. If we name the causes, we can address them.

Symptoms include bloating that worsens throughout the day, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, or alternating bowel habits. Stress often worsens symptoms.”

Tell us more about nutritional causes.

“Lactose, fructose, wheat, may ferment in the gut, producing gas and bloating. Artificial sweeteners are also culprits. Food intolerances differ from allergies and often require dietary assessment and elimination diets rather than testing. However, I run full-spectrum allergy testing where symptoms are more severe and often find low to medium-level allergies.”

Is constipation a common cause?

“It can be. Constipation leads to gas buildup behind stool, causing bloating. Even daily bowel movements do not always mean the bowel is empty. Improved fibre, hydration and avoiding inflammatory foods is key.”

You’ve written previously about the stress-gut connection…

“Absolutely important. Stress directly affects digestion, slowing gut motility and increasing sensitivity, which can cause bloating without dietary triggers. As a society, we completely underestimate the impact of stress. I don’t just mean really stressful periods, but low-level, chronic stress too. We all need to learn how to reset and not live in chronic stress completely.”

What about gynaecological conditions?

“Yes, women suffer bloating due to endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and fibroids, which can cause lower abdominal bloating and pain and should be assessed if symptoms persist. Bloating is also a symptom of ovarian cancer, so I really insist women get checked out.”

You mentioned inflammation. What is that caused by?

“Stress, sugar, and eating foods we are intolerant to regularly are common causes of inflammation. Salt intake, hormones, and medications can cause water retention, leading to abdominal swelling. Eating quickly, large portions, irregular meals, or late-night eating can overwhelm digestion and worsen bloating, too.”

Your final message?

“Please, take bloating seriously!”