Why Do I Have Diarrhea on My Period?
People with endometriosis, IBS, or Crohn’s may have worse symptoms
Medically reviewed by Monique Rainford, MD
If you notice you're having more frequent bowel movements during your menstrual period, then you're not alone. It's a relatively common experience to have what some have dubbed "period diarrhea," and there is an actual scientific explanation for why this happens.
During your period, your body releases more prostaglandins, chemicals that increase muscle contractions in your digestive tract that can lead to diarrhea. However, medical conditions like endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, and others may also contribute to period diarrhea.
In this article, learn more about period diarrhea, its causes, and how to cope.
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Period Diarrhea: Why Does It Happen?
You may be wondering what makes you poop more on the first day of your period. Unfortunately, scientists don't know the exact reason why, but the running theory is related to prostaglandins.
What Are Prostaglandins?
Prostaglandins are hormonelike substances made from fatty acids that affect physiological processes in the body. They most commonly affect inflammation, blood-clotting, smooth muscle contraction, vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels), and more.
Prostaglandins are released in the lining of the uterus before your period. They are important to the menstrual cycle because they cause your uterus to contract and release its lining, which is your period blood. Your prostaglandin level is very high on the first day of your period.
The prostaglandins produced in your uterus can also affect your nearby digestive tract. They can increase smooth muscle contractions in the intestines. They can also reduce absorption and induce the secretion of electrolytes in the small intestine. That is to say, your intestines are spending less time absorbing food and more time pushing food through.
All of these factors can lead to what you experience as diarrhea. Your prostaglandin level is highest when your period starts, and then it lowers throughout your period. This is why you may have more bowel movements on the first day or early on during your period.
Related: Prostaglandins' Impact on Inflammation and Pain
Does Everyone Get Diarrhea on Their Period?
Not everyone gets diarrhea on their period. However, diarrhea is one of the most commonly experienced period-related symptoms.
In one study of 156 people, 73% of participants had at least one gastrointestinal (GI) symptom during or before their periods. Diarrhea was the second most common symptom (after abdominal pain), affecting 24% of people before their period and 28% during their period.
Periods, Diarrhea, and Related Conditions
For some people, period diarrhea is a short-term response to the body's normal physiological fluctuations. But for others, an underlying medical condition may be contributing to period diarrhea.
Some medical conditions that may lead to diarrhea during your period include:
Endometriosis: In endometriosis, tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Many people with endometriosis report GI symptoms that worsen during their period. This includes both diarrhea and pain with bowel movements.
Irritable bowel syndrome: Symptoms of IBS, including diarrhea, are known to get worse during the menstrual period. Scientists aren't exactly sure why this happens, although changes in sex hormones, prostaglandins, and increased sensitivity to visceral stimuli could all play a role.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Studies show that people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have worse symptoms (particularly including diarrhea) during their periods. Researchers are unsure if this is a symptom of their period or an exacerbation of their disease.
If your period diarrhea is severe, and in particular if it hurts to have a bowel movement while on your period, then it's worth talking to a healthcare provider about the possibility of an underlying medical condition.
How to Deal With Secondary Symptoms of Diarrhea
If you have diarrhea during your period, especially if it's severe, you may have additional symptoms such as hemorrhoids, stress and anxiety, and dehydration, among others.
Some tips for coping with these symptoms include:
Stay hydrated with water or other liquids, such as electrolyte drinks.
Consider over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or discuss prescriptions with your healthcare provider.
Meditation, breathing techniques, and gentle yoga may help your stress and anxiety.
Planning and knowing where bathrooms will be can help if you're traveling.
What Helps When You Have Diarrhea on Your Period?
Unfortunately, there isn't a simple way to get rid of period diarrhea. However, there are some ways to cope with this uncomfortable symptom.
Generally, the best thing to do is follow advice for treating diarrhea and accompany that with home remedies or other treatments you typically use to manage period-related pain, cramps, and other symptoms.
Ways to cope with diarrhea during your period include:
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, tea, electrolyte drinks, broth, or other healthy clear liquids.
Use a heating pad on your pelvis or abdomen to relieve pain.
Maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid eating greasy, fatty, gas-producing, or spicy foods and dairy products while having diarrhea. Also, avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and drinks and foods containing fructose (including apples, peaches, and pears).
Consider taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) a day or so before your period begins. Importantly, NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) reduce prostaglandin production, and may, theoretically, impact diarrhea, although no studies have been done on this connection Seek approval from your healthcare provider if you are taking additional prescription medications.
Try relaxation techniques to calm your nervous system, such as progressive relaxation, meditation, gentle yoga, breathing techniques, sound bowl listening, and more.
When Does Diarrhea on Your Period Stop?
For most people, these more frequent bowel movements only last a day or a couple of days, usually on day one of their period. This is due to the high level of prostaglandins at the very beginning of your period, which gradually lowers once you start bleeding.
Consider talking to a healthcare provider if you have significant diarrhea lasting longer than three days.
Period Diarrhea Not Getting Better
If your period diarrhea is not improving after three to five days, something else may be at play, and it is beneficial to talk to a healthcare provider.
You may have picked up a stomach bug coinciding with your period, and you may need treatment from a medical professional. It is also possible that you have an underlying condition that may either worsen during your period diarrhea or be triggered by your period.
In either case, getting a professional opinion is best so you can receive proper treatment and prevent complications.
Summary
Over 25% of menstruating people experience diarrhea during their periods. This may be due to the natural increase in prostaglandins before your period or to underlying conditions such as endometriosis, IBS, and IBD.
Know that having more frequent bowel movements during your period is normal. But if this becomes severe, it is worth talking to a healthcare provider about other possible explanations and treatment options.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
