Periodic pile of problems

Premenstrual syndrome ( PMS ) can manifest itself in a variety of ways – abdominal pain, swollen breasts, mood swings or a sudden craving for a cucumber sandwich, crisps and chocolate are just a few. Another period-related condition, less often mentioned, but affecting many people and women, is diarrhea.

However, for some reason (the choice of words is not accidental ;)) intestinal problems are rarely mentioned when it comes to menstruation . Okay – not “for some reason”. We know the reason: excretion is simply not the sexiest topic in the world. And of course – in our beautiful patriarchal reality, girls don’t fart or poop, of course. They don’t have periods either, or at least “on those days” they don’t “flaunt” them. This is the same reality that is full of advertisements for intimate hygiene products, where a woman dances on the beach in a white, airy dress, and instead of blood from the uterus, we have a suspicious blue fluid. It’s hard to take this information seriously, and yet somewhere deep inside, we involuntarily feel ashamed.

I guess I don't have to tell you that during your period you have the right to bleed red, not feel light and refreshed, to argue with your intestines, in short - to just be human?

Abdominal pain during menstruation - causes, or what is this stomach

It is worth remembering that our menstrual cycle and digestive system are closely linked. It is no wonder that hormonal fluctuations have a direct impact on how often we visit the toilet before or during menstruation.

As you've probably noticed, premenstrual symptoms can appear up to 2 weeks before your period and last up to a week after it starts. I know - nature has hopelessly concocted this. It turns out that we're exposed to a lot of unnecessary pain for almost the entire month just because... we have a uterus and ovaries. Maybe you can find some comfort in the fact that we're (yes, another pun) in this together. Diarrhea before your period? Stomach aches? Constipation? Gas? Remember - you're not alone.

During menstruation, you can see differences in progesterone and estrogen levels. Their receptors are located in the digestive tract, so it's only natural for it to sense and respond to these changes.

Hormones aren’t the only ones responsible for our stomach revolutions. Another cause may be an increased amount of prostaglandins, or pro-inflammatory substances. They affect the contraction of the smooth muscles of the uterus (which is why it hurts so much). If there are too many prostaglandins, there is a risk that they will get into the bloodstream and the adjacent muscles lining the intestines – and here we have cramps again, and diarrhea is ready.

Are you in a risk group?

Before and during menstruation, our digestive system has an increased tendency to go into extremes. It's not just about diarrhea. We can also experience abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, or vomiting.

It's not like everyone experiences these types of periodic symptoms. However, if your intestines are particularly sensitive on a daily basis, there is a high probability that the symptoms will get worse before the first days of bleeding and also during menstruation.

You can learn about other period symptoms in our article: all possible period symptoms .

How to alleviate symptoms?

I'm sure all the questions that are on your mind right now are about prevention. I get it - farts, constipation, or diarrhea during menstruation are probably not on anyone's bucket list.

As if the fact that the bleeding was returning wasn’t enough…

Please don't kill the messenger, but... if you're not using hormonal contraception and you experience cyclical gastrointestinal symptoms, getting rid of them can be a very difficult, and sometimes even impossible, task.

However, there are some methods that, even if they do not completely eliminate the problem, will help alleviate the symptoms.

Increased fiber and water intake

If you suffer from painful constipation before your period, try increasing your intake of high-fiber foods in the second half of your cycle. Dried plums are a great choice here, as they contain – interestingly – seven times more fiber than fresh plums. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to help combat bloating. A healthy diet is key – didn’t they teach us that in kindergarten? But don’t beat yourself up if you indulge in a chocolate bar or three as part of your pre-period craving. That’s because…

Avoiding stress

…negative feelings, such as stress or anxiety, can also disrupt the functioning of our stomach and cause pain, constipation or diarrhea. How to deal with this, apart from a candy bar? ;) Well, correct breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, massage, and sometimes even – imagine – letting go and showing empathy to yourself can really work wonders!

Physical activity during menstruation

Remember – just like water, movement is your friend. No, you don’t have to work up a sweat at the gym or choke on the next kilometer. That probably won’t be good for your poor belly. A walk or some light exercise at home or outdoors will also be perfectly fine.

Limiting caffeine intake

You may think I'm a monster - and believe me, I understand. However, it's hard to argue with the facts - caffeine is a natural laxative. So if you often have diarrhea when your period starts, seriously consider swapping black tea for green tea and cutting back on the amount of coffee you drink each day. It's also worth doing the same with alcohol, sugar and salt - at least around your period.

Monitoring bowel movements

I suspect you have an idea of ​​when you can expect your next period, more or less. Perhaps you write the changes down somewhere on a calendar or use a mobile app. If diarrhea or constipation is a concern for you, consider monitoring this area of ​​your life as well. Monitoring your symptoms will allow you to recognize certain patterns (for example, what is harmful and what is helpful), and also to prepare appropriately in advance.

Oral contraceptives (last resort!)

As I mentioned a moment ago, the effects of some birth control pills can significantly reduce the symptoms mentioned here. They release a constant dose of estrogen and progesterone throughout the month, controlling the hormone levels, and as we already know, they are the main culprit of all the toilet chaos. You can learn more about the pill here: birth control pills and periods - facts and myths!

However, using hormonal contraception only because of digestive problems is not recommended. If in doubt, it is best to consult a doctor directly. It is also worth trying natural methods that do not require interference with our hormones.

Learn about other contraceptive methods in our articles:All contraceptive methods and The morning-after pill .

When to worry?

A little reminder: every body is a little different. The changes in our bodies are completely normal and healthy, many of them do not require medical intervention at all. However, you can monitor your toilet habits - this will allow you to anticipate possible stomach problems, as well as sensitize you to various anomalies. If you notice something very specific that worries you and/or significantly impedes normal functioning, it is worth making an appointment with a gynecologist for a consultation.

And finally, cyclical gastrointestinal issues are frustrating, yes, but remember that they are also, thankfully, temporary.

PS: As we know, there are two types of people – those who find poop jokes funny and those who don’t. My friend is on the first team. She’s the one who introduced me to the Bristol Scale, “the coolest scale in science,” as she puts it. It’s a classification of human feces into seven types, based on shape and consistency (I recommend Googling it for those interested).