Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesIncidenceRelated ConditionsSelf-CareWhen Does It Stop?When to Seek Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Incidence
Related Conditions
Self-Care
When Does It Stop?
When to Seek Help
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 moreprostaglandins, chemicals that increase muscle contractions in your digestive tract that can lead to diarrhea. However, medical conditions likeendometriosis,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.
Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images
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 theexactreason why, but the running theory is related toprostaglandins.
What Are Prostaglandins?Prostaglandinsare 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.
What Are Prostaglandins?
Prostaglandinsare 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.
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.
What Is the Role of Prostaglandins in Pain and Inflammation?
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.
Why Period Poops Happen and How to Deal With It
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:
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 DiarrheaIf you havediarrheaduring your period, especially if it’s severe, you may have additional symptoms such as hemorrhoids, stress and anxiety, and dehydration, among others.Some tips forcoping with these symptomsinclude: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.
How to Deal With Secondary Symptoms of Diarrhea
If you havediarrheaduring your period, especially if it’s severe, you may have additional symptoms such as hemorrhoids, stress and anxiety, and dehydration, among others.Some tips forcoping with these symptomsinclude: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.
If you havediarrheaduring your period, especially if it’s severe, you may have additional symptoms such as hemorrhoids, stress and anxiety, and dehydration, among others.
Some tips forcoping with these symptomsinclude:
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:
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.
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.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: painful periods.
Bernstein MT, Graff LA, Avery L, Palatnick C, Parnerowski K, Targownik LE.Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women.BMC Women’s Health. 2014;14(1):14. doi:10.1186/1472-6874-14-14
Ek M, Roth B, Ekström P, Valentin L, Bengtsson M, Ohlsson B.Gastrointestinal symptoms among endometriosis patients–a case-cohort study.BMC Womens Health. 2015;15:59. doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0213-2
Bharadwaj S, Barber MD, Graff LA, Shen B.Symptomatology of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease during the menstrual cycle.Gastroenterol Rep. 2015;3(3):185-193. doi:10.1093/gastro/gov010
Lim SM, Nam CM, Kim YN, et al.The effect of the menstrual cycle on inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective study.Gut Liver. 2013;7(1):51-57. doi:10.5009/gnl.2013.7.1.51
Saha S, Zhao YQ, Shah SA, et al.Menstrual cycle changes in women with inflammatory bowel disease: a study from the Ocean State Crohnʼs and Colitis Area Registry.Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 2014;20(3):534-540. doi:10.1097/01.MIB.0000441347.94451.cf
National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for diarrhea.
National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for diarrhea.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
