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Causes of Diarrhea During Period

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on
Period give me diarrhea

About a third of women suffer from diarrhea during menstruation and other associated symptoms such as gas, bloating, or abdominal pain. If you are one of them, pay attention to this FastlyHealarticle in which we will explain in detail why this happens. The fact that you go to the bathroom more frequently during the days when you have your period and suffer from diarrhea may be related to the hormonal changes that the body experiences at this specific time of the month, especially with the hormone progesterone and lipid compounds prostaglandins. Next, we will answer in detail the question of “why when my period comes, I get diarrhea,” We will see some measures that can help you combat these symptoms and improve your well-being during the days your menstruation lasts.

Diarrhea caused by menstruation: what is it due to?

Although the exact cause is not unknown, specialists point out that the hormonal changes that occur in the female body during the menstrual period could be responsible for the woman having diarrhea during her period, as well as the suffering of other digestive symptoms, such as gas or bloating.

Let’s see in detail below what hormonal changes can cause diarrhea during menstruation and the other associated symptoms.

Increased prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are responsible for promoting the movements of the uterus so that the endometrium detaches appropriately and can be expelled during menstruation. After the ovulation process, the uterus walls fill with prostaglandins. If their levels are high, the uterus contracts excessively and are subjected to overexertion, which causes suffering from menstrual pain, as the uterine contractions are more intense.

In addition to the above, prostaglandins travel through the bloodstream, and when an excess of them reaches organs such as the intestines, they cause the intestinal walls to contract in the same way they do in the uterus. Consequently, these bowel movements can cause diarrhea and another digestive discomfort, which are much more frequent during the first days of menstruation.

Decreased progesterone

In addition to prostaglandins, the hormone progesterone can also promote diarrhea during menstruation. This hormone is one of those in charge of regulating the menstrual cycle, and just before the period comes down, the levels of this hormone decrease a lot in the female body, and this makes both the uterus and the gastrointestinal tract move more freely, thus being able to give rise to diarrhea.

Although all women can suffer from diarrhea during their menstrual period, those with irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome are more likely to have frequent bowel movements, liquid stools, and more severe menstrual pain. This chronic disease causes changes in the intestinal rhythm, usually causing alternate episodes of constipation and diarrhea, and other intestinal discomforts. The following article explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of irritable bowel.

Diarrhea caused by menstruation

Diarrhea before menstruation: a symptom of premenstrual syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to all those physical and emotional symptoms that women experience from the middle of their menstrual cycle until their menstruation. Its exact cause is unknown, but it is believed that its manifestation could be due to the hormonal changes that the female body undergoes at this time of the month. And among the physical symptoms of PMS, we can find diarrhea but also others such as the following:

  • Constipation.
  • Gases.
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Headache.
  • Back pain.
  • Swollen, painful, or tender breasts.
  • Dry Skin.
  • Acne.

In addition to the physical symptoms, PMS also brings with it some emotional symptoms:

  • Mood swings
  • Irritability.
  • Sadness or depression
  • Low self-esteem.
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Difficult to focus.

If you want to learn more about this syndrome, see Premenstrual syndrome article: duration, causes, and treatment.

Tips for treating diarrhea and gas during menstruation

Now that we know the answer to the question of “why does my period give me diarrhea,” to get rid of this annoying condition and reduce the ailments associated with menstruation, you must put into practice recommendations such as those shown in the following lines:

  • Prostaglandins are pro-inflammatory hormones, so to counteract their effects on the body, it is recommended that on those days, you consume anti-inflammatory foods, such as papaya, pineapple, fish rich in omega-3, ginger, blueberries, etc.
  • To eliminate diarrhea quickly, you should follow a soft and bland diet and eat grilled or boiled foods without fat or highly seasoned.
  • Avoid consuming foods that produce gas and drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
  • You must drink plenty of water during the day and stay well hydrated to try to replace the fluids you have lost.
  • Try to do physical exercise daily to promote your emotional well-being and improve blood circulation, which will allow you to alleviate many of the discomforts associated with menstruation.
  • Rest the necessary hours, trying to sleep between 7 or 8 hours a day.
  • If you have menstrual and abdominal cramps, you can place a hot compress on your belly to relieve them.
  • Some natural infusions can also help you treat diarrhea during menstruation, improving your intestinal transit and relieving menstrual cramps at the same time. Among the most effective are chamomile and cinnamon.

_anti-inflammatory foods

When to go to the doctor

Although you have diarrhea during menstruation due to the hormonal changes mentioned above, you must pay attention to this condition and go to the doctor if:

  • Diarrhea does not stop and gets worse as the days go by.
  • You have stomach aches that don’t go away after a bowel movement.
  • Present symptoms of dehydration, such as dry mouth, dizziness, decreased urine output, sunken eyes.
  • Stools are very dark or bloody.
  • Present high fever.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Why does my period give me diarrhea, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.

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