The Overlap of Perimenopause and Celiac Disease: A Look at the Shared Symptoms

Deciphering Symptoms and Empowering Your Health

When you're living with celiac disease, it’s easy to assume every new or strange symptom must be from getting glutened. But what if that’s not the full story?

Over the years, I’ve spoken with so many women who tell me they’re still not feeling quite right—even when they’ve been gluten free for ages. They’re tired all the time, they’re getting headaches, their mood’s all over the place, and they’re noticing skin or gut issues flaring up again. And yep… I’ve been there too.

For a while, I thought it was just my body being sensitive, or maybe I’d accidentally eaten something I shouldn’t have. But the truth is, for many of us, these symptoms have nothing to do with gluten exposure at all.

Instead, they’re signs of perimenopause.

What Is Perimenopause and Why Should You Care?

Perimenopause has been gaining a lot of attention lately, but it's still full of misconceptions. Perimenopause is the phase leading up to menopause, and it can last for years—sometimes even a decade. It usually starts in your 40s, but it can creep in earlier, especially if your body’s been under stress or dealing with chronic health issues (hello, celiac disease).

During perimenopause, your hormones start to shift.

That can cause:

• Hot flushes or night sweats

• Anxiety or mood swings

• Low energy and poor sleep

• Changes in digestion

• Brain fog and forgetfulness

• Heart palpitations

• Joint and muscle pain

• Changes to your skin or hair

  
  

If you’re thinking, "Hang on, aren’t those celiac symptoms too?" - you’re right. And that’s where things get tricky.

Celiac or Perimenopause… or Both?

So many of the symptoms of perimenopause overlap with celiac disease - especially if you've been glutened in the past or you’re still working on healing your gut. Bloating, nausea, fatigue, headaches, skin breakouts, even mood changes… they’re common in both.

That’s why it’s easy to miss what’s really going on.

I’ve had clients who had spent months before seeking my help thinking they were reacting to food, when really, their hormones were shifting, and no one had told them what to look out for.

I've been there too. When I spoke up about my hot flushes, I finally got some answers from my doctor.

If you’re feeling like your symptoms don’t quite add up, or your gluten free diet isn’t solving everything, it might be time to consider perimenopause as part of the picture.

How to Support Your Body Through It All

When you’re dealing with celiac disease and perimenopause, it’s important to take a whole-body approach to your health. There’s no quick fix, but there are absolutely things that can help.

Here’s what I focus on personally and what I support my clients with:

• Eating a nutrient-dense gluten free diet that supports your energy and blood sugar

• Strength training to protect your bones and muscles (it makes a massive difference with energy and mood too!)

• Supporting your sleep and nervous system so your body can rest and repair

• Tracking your symptoms to find patterns and better understand your body

  
  

And most importantly - giving yourself grace. You’re not imagining things, and you’re not just “getting older.” There are real, physiological changes happening, and you deserve support through them.

Skin Issues? Mood Swings? It’s Not All in Your Head

Let’s talk about a few symptoms that get brushed off way too often.

Hot flushes or night sweats can feel really uncomfortable - and can hit you out of nowhere. Mood swings or low mood can make you feel like you’re not yourself anymore. And even changes in libido or confidence can creep in and mess with your sense of well-being.

Your skin might also flare up with dryness, acne, or irritation - especially frustrating if you’ve already dealt with celiac-related skin problems like dermatitis herpetiformis.

These changes are real, they’re common, and they’re nothing to be ashamed of. But sadly, a lot of women are told to just "ride it out" or "wait for menopause to pass."

You deserve better than that.

Start Tracking What You’re Experiencing

If you're feeling off and you’re not sure where to start, I always recommend using a daily health tracker. Not only does it help you notice patterns (like when symptoms pop up in your cycle), but it also gives you something tangible to talk about with your doctor or practitioner.

You can grab my Daily Health Tracker here and start using it today.

Ready for Real Support?

Celiac disease is already a lot to deal with. Add in perimenopause, and things can feel completely overwhelming. But the good news? You don’t have to keep guessing and Googling on your own.

Inside the Healthy Celiac Collective, I support women who are doing all the right things - but still don’t feel like themselves. Whether it’s low energy, trouble shifting weight, mood issues, or navigating hormonal changes - we cover it all.

This is your space to get expert guidance, community, and the tools you need to feel better in your body again.

If you're ready to stop guessing and start feeling good again, click here to learn more about how the Collective can support you.