Demystifying the Colonoscopy: What We Wish More Women Knew
Let’s talk about the thing no one wants to talk about.
Colonoscopy. Just the word can send people running, or at least Googling for ways to avoid it. But if you're in your 40s, have gut symptoms, or a family history of colon cancer, it's time to stop avoiding and start understanding. On She’s Got Guts, we recently opened up about our own experiences (one as a first-timer, one as a colonoscopy veteran with nearly 30 under her belt) and why this procedure deserves a lot less fear and a lot more respect.
Why It Matters
Colonoscopies aren’t just about detecting cancer. They prevent it. By finding and removing polyps before they become dangerous, this procedure can lower your risk of colon cancer by nearly 70%. That's huge. Yet, while 40 million mammograms happen every year, only 15 million colonoscopies do.
We get it. It’s invasive, it’s vulnerable, and the prep? Not exactly glamorous. But it’s also life-saving, especially as colon cancer rates are rising in younger adults. If you’re over 40 or have symptoms, this isn’t a “someday” thing. It’s a “put-it-on-the-calendar-now” thing.
Two Stories, One Message
Lara had her first colonoscopy at 48. She had all the same hesitations many women do: fear of the unknown, dread of the prep, and questions no one seemed to answer clearly. Molly, on the other hand, has been getting colonoscopies since she was a teenager due to Crohn’s disease. She’s had nearly 30. That means she’s seen the best and worst of prep options, recovery hacks, and what no one tells you at discharge.
Their biggest takeaway? You have more power and options than you think.
Let’s Talk Prep
This is the part that makes most people want to cancel the whole thing. But you’ve got choices:
Go Lightly (aka the gallon jug): The OG prep, but drinking an entire gallon of anything—even if it promises to “go lightly”—is rough.
MiraLax + Gatorade: A more tolerable option for many, but beware the sugar rollercoaster, especially if blood sugar crashes make you feel like you're dying.
Magnesium Citrate: More natural
SuPrep: Liquid prep but less volume
Subtabs (Pill form): Lara tried this and loved it. No gallon, no weird taste. Just pop the pills and chase with fluids. Check with your doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Hot tip: Don’t just follow generic instructions. prep based on your real-life habits. If you’re constipated often, your prep might need to start sooner. If you’re prone to hypoglycemia, skip the neon sports drinks and use broth, collagen water, or coconut water to stay hydrated and balanced. Talk to your doctor about all of your options, this is a medical procedure that may require a prescription.
The Procedure: Easy as a Nap
Honestly? The actual colonoscopy is the easiest part. You’re sedated, you wake up, and it’s done. Molly recommends pairing it with an endoscopy if you’ve got upper GI symptoms—maximize that sedation window, baby.
Recovery: Don’t Blow It with Cookies
This is where most people screw it up. You just did a full gut cleanse. Don’t refill it with processed sugar and garbage.
Lara’s go-to recovery plan includes cashew kefir, avocados, cooked veggies, and probiotic-rich foods. The goal is to gently nourish your system and start rebuilding your microbiome—not crash it with muffins from the hospital vending machine.
Advocate Like a Pro
Think you’re too young for a colonoscopy? Think again. If you’ve got symptoms (bloating, blood in stool, unexplained pain) or a family history, advocate hard. Molly has seen too many women under 40 dismissed, until they finally got scoped and everything changed.
Rethinking the Whole Experience
Colonoscopy prep doesn’t have to be hell. The procedure doesn’t have to be scary. And the recovery? It’s actually an opportunity to hit reset on your gut health. When approached holistically and on your terms, it can be empowering.
This isn’t about fear. It’s about informed action. Understanding your options, asking better questions, and walking into that appointment knowing what your body needs.
Closing Thoughts: Listen to Your Gut (Literally)
We know this procedure brings up all kinds of feelings: embarrassment, fear, avoidance. But it also opens the door to clarity, prevention, and in many cases, real healing. Whether you're staring down your first scope or sharing war stories with Molly, you deserve to feel confident and in control.
Let’s normalize this. Let’s talk about it. And let’s stop pretending gut health begins and ends with kombucha.
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As always… listen to what your gut is telling you, not what you are telling your gut.
You aren’t alone, and it’s not all in your head.
I am a registered dietitian helping women get to the root cause of diarrhea, constipation, and bloating so they can have predictable bowel movements.
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