Women's Wellness

Women-to-Women Care for Your GI Health

Your digestive health is deeply personal, and so is the provider you choose to discuss it with. At Northeast Digestive Health Center, we know that many women feel more comfortable talking openly about their GI concerns with another woman. Whether you're navigating symptoms tied to pregnancy, hormonal changes, menopause, or a long-standing condition like IBS or Crohn's, our female gastroenterologists and physician assistants are here to listen, understand, and provide expert care in an environment where you feel at ease.
‍
We offer the full range of GI diagnostic and treatment services, and when you prefer, you can receive that care entirely from a female provider.

• Abdominal bloating
• Anorectal dysfunction/Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Constipation
• Fecal incontinence
• Malabsorption/Celiac disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Ulcerative colitis/Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Rectal bleeding
• Colon cancer

GI Health Across Every Stage of a Woman's Life

A woman's digestive health doesn't exist in isolation; it's connected to hormones, reproductive health, and the physical changes that come with each stage of life. Our providers are experienced in recognizing and treating GI issues that show up differently in women, or that are directly tied to life transitions.

Reproductive Years
Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can trigger or worsen GI symptoms, including bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and constipation. Conditions like IBS and inflammatory bowel disease often flare in response to these changes. Many women notice their symptoms follow a monthly pattern, something our providers are trained to identify and address.

Pregnancy & Postpartum
Pregnancy brings significant changes to the digestive system, from early nausea and food aversions to constipation, heartburn, and hemorrhoids in later trimesters. Postpartum, some women experience new onset of pelvic floor dysfunction or fecal incontinence following delivery. Our team can help evaluate and manage these conditions in coordination with your OB/GYN.

Perimenopause & Menopause
As estrogen levels decline, many women experience changes in gut motility, increased bloating, and shifts in bowel habits they've never had before. The connection between menopause and the gut is well-documented but often overlooked. Our providers take a whole-body approach to help you understand what's changing and why.

Ongoing & Chronic Conditions
Conditions like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBS affect women disproportionately, and they often require different management strategies across different life stages. If you've been managing a chronic GI condition for years, or if you've recently been diagnosed, our female providers offer continuity of care tailored to you.

Did You Know?

• IBS is 2–3 times more common in women than in men, and symptoms often worsen in the days before and during menstruation due to hormonal changes that affect gut motility.
• Women experience GI disorders unique to hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, and delivery, including nausea, bloating, constipation, and pelvic floor dysfunction that can emerge postpartum.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including both Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, occurs at roughly a 2:1 ratio in women compared to men, and can be significantly affected by pregnancy and hormonal contraception.
• Colon cancer is the #3 cancer in women in the United States. Screenings for women require special consideration due to anatomical differences, previous surgeries, or pregnancy history, making an experienced provider essential.
• Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones, due to naturally slower gallbladder emptying and the influence of estrogen on bile composition.
• Menopause is associated with significant changes in gut health, including increased intestinal permeability, shifts in the gut microbiome, and new or worsening symptoms in women with previously managed GI conditions.

Danielle M. Sykes

PA-C

Bio

Raegan Swaringen

FNP

Bio

Megan E. Quigg

PA-C

Bio

Emily Propst

PA-C

Bio

Paige Keough

PA-C

Bio

Jade Kimble

PA-C

Bio

Ava Ward

PA-C

Bio

Celine Christiansen

PA-C

Bio

Sara K. Hawes

M.D.

Bio

Geanina Anghel

M.D.

Bio

Meet Our Female Physicians

Digestive health doesn't always begin and end in the GI clinic. For many women, lasting relief comes from a team-based approach that addresses the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Northeast Digestive is proud to connect our female patients with trusted care partners in complementary areas, including:

Acupuncture
Increasingly supported by research for conditions like IBS and chronic abdominal pain, acupuncture can be a valuable complement to conventional GI treatment for women seeking integrative options.

Biofeedback
A non-invasive, highly effective therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction and fecal incontinence conditions that disproportionately affect women, particularly following childbirth. Biofeedback helps patients retrain the muscles and nerves involved in bowel control.

Nutritional & Dietary Counseling
Diet plays a central role in managing conditions like celiac disease, IBS, IBD, and GERD. Our nutrition partners can provide personalized guidance, including low-FODMAP protocols, elimination diets, and support for managing GI symptoms during pregnancy or menopause.

Psychological & Emotional Support
The gut-brain connection is real and well-documented. Anxiety, depression, and stress are closely linked to GI symptoms in many women, particularly those with IBS or IBD. Our behavioral health partners can help address the emotional dimensions of living with a chronic digestive condition.

Ask your provider about a referral to any of our care partners.