Women's Digestive Health Specialist

Expert Gastroenterology Care Designed Around Women’s Unique Health Needs

Why Women's Digestive Health Is Different

Women experience digestive issues more often than men due to hormonal changes, reproductive health factors, and increased digestive sensitivity. These can affect bowel habits, bloating, abdominal pain, acid reflux, food sensitivities, constipation, and general digestive discomfort.

Symptoms often fluctuate during key life stages such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause, and menopause. Understanding these influences is important for creating an effective and personalized treatment plan.

Common Digestive Conditions Affecting Women

Women commonly experience digestive issues such as IBS, chronic bloating, constipation, acid reflux (GERD), and abdominal pain more frequently than men. These conditions may cause symptoms like abdominal discomfort, gas, changes in bowel habits, heartburn, and a feeling of fullness or pressure. They are often influenced by hormonal changes, stress, pregnancy, diet, or underlying conditions like food intolerances, SIBO, or inflammatory digestive disorders, making proper evaluation important for effective treatment.

How We Evaluate Women's Digestive Health

At Shaya Digestive & Liver Clinic, evaluation begins with listening.

We take time to understand:

Symptom patterns
Medical history
Family history
Dietary habits
Lifestyle factors
Hormonal influences

Depending on your symptoms, evaluation may include:

Blood testing
Stool testing
Colonoscopy
Upper endoscopy (EGD)
SIBO breath testing
H. pylori testing
FibroScan®
Anorectal manometry
Advanced digestive testing when appropriate

Dr. Saranya Addepally

Dr. Saranya Addepally is a board-certified gastroenterologist with six years of clinical experience, treating a broad range of digestive and liver conditions. She is especially passionate about women’s GI health—areas where patients often feel overlooked or hesitant to seek care.

Her medical journey began in India, where she completed her training before moving to the United States to pursue advanced education in medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of Arkansas.

After several years in practice, she relocated to Houston to continue serving patients in the community. Following two years with a local group, she established her own practice, grounded in the principles and core values she believes are essential to delivering thoughtful, patient-centered care.

Our Services

Expert care for chronic digestive symptoms
Integrative treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, including infusion therapy
Evaluation and management of liver conditions
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) evaluation
Colon cancer screening and preventive care
Open access Colonoscopy
In-office procedures and diagnostic testing

Our Signature Care Experience:

Care Beyond Visits

Symptom monitoring and proactive check-ins
Review of lab results and test findings
Medication guidance and adjustments when appropriate
Nutrition and lifestyle reinforcement
Early support when symptoms change

Helping Patients Throughout Houston, Tomball, Cypress, Willowbrook, and The Woodlands Overcome Chronic Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and GERD with Compassionate, Comprehensive Gastroenterology Care.
Digestion and Liver Function

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do women experience IBS more often than men?

Hormonal differences, digestive sensitivity, and gut-brain interactions may contribute to higher rates of IBS among women.

Can hormones affect digestion?

Yes. Hormonal fluctuations can influence bowel habits, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and digestive sensitivity.

Is bloating normal every day?

Occasional bloating is common, but persistent daily bloating should be evaluated to identify potential digestive causes.

Can menopause affect digestive health?

Yes. Many women experience increased bloating, constipation, reflux, and digestive changes during menopause.

Should I see a gastroenterologist for chronic constipation?

If constipation is persistent, worsening, or affecting your quality of life, a gastroenterology evaluation may be beneficial.

Can digestive symptoms occur during pregnancy?

Yes. Pregnancy commonly affects digestion, but persistent or concerning symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Take Control of Your Digestive and Liver Health with Expert Gastroenterology Care, Advanced Diagnostics, Personalized Treatment Plans, and Ongoing Support Designed Around You.

Why Expert Care at Shaya Digestive & Liver Clinic Matters

Fatty liver disease spans a broad range of severity: from early, reversible fat accumulation to forms with significant inflammation and fibrosis. Because this condition is often silent and intertwined with metabolic health, it requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach.

At Shaya Digestive & Liver Clinic, we provide:

Comprehensive risk assessment evaluating metabolic contributors and liver-specific factors together.
Advanced, noninvasive monitoring including in-office FibroScan® testing to accurately quantify steatosis and fibrosis without routine biopsy.
Coordinated, long-term follow-up focused on preventing progression and optimizing overall metabolic health.
Expert guidance from a gastroenterologist, grounded in current clinical guidelines and individual risk profiles.

Our Wholesome Management Approach

There is no single “quick fix” for fatty liver disease. Sustainable improvement comes from structured, long-term care. At Shaya Digestive & Liver Clinic we do not rely on extreme diets or fear-based recommendations. Instead, our care is practical and individualized. Your care plan may include:

Personalized nutrition guidance (realistic and sustainable)
Weight management strategies focused on metabolic health
Exercise recommendations that fit your lifestyle
Optimization of diabetes, cholesterol, and insulin resistance
Medication review and evidence-based therapies when appropriate
Ongoing monitoring with labs and FibroScan®

Comprehensive Digestive and Liver Care Focused on Accurate Diagnosis, Effective Treatment, and Ongoing Support.

Offering Fast Track GI appointments

Specialized Gastroenterology Appointments Within 3–5 Business Days