Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Do You Poop More on Your Period?Constipation Before Your PeriodOther Period-Related Stomach IssuesHow to Ease Period Poops
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Do You Poop More on Your Period?
Constipation Before Your Period
Other Period-Related Stomach Issues
How to Ease Period Poops
If you have ever had to race to the bathroom at the start of yourmenstrual cycle, then you have likely experienced period poops. Period poops or bowel movement changes during your period are common.
Period poops are likely due to hormonal shifts. You may experienceconstipation,diarrhea, orbloatingthroughout your menstrual cycle. These symptoms could be mild or severe.
This article explains why bowel movements may change during your period and what you can do to deal with it.
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During your period, it is common to experience changes the in the consistency, frequency, and smell of yourstool (poop). The cause is likely an increase inprostaglandins, chemicals that stimulate the smooth muscle in the uterus to contract and shed its lining.Right before your period, the cells that line the uterus begin producing higher amounts of prostaglandins to trigger menstruation.
When the cells in the uterine lining produce more prostaglandins than are needed, these chemicals can enter the bloodstream. When this happens, it affects other areas of smooth muscle, such as the gastrointestinal tract. When the bowels begin contracting more frequently, it results in more poop.
People who experience stress or anxiety during their periods may be at higher risk of period poops. Stress affects your bowel movement patterns, so pay attention to any mood changes during your period.
What About Constipation Before Your Period?
It is common to experience constipation between periods, usually in the middle of your menstrual cycle. Before your period, your body secretes moreprogesterone, a hormone that helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. Progesterone prepares the body forconceptionand pregnancy.
High levels of progesterone cause the cells in the uterine wall to grow and thicken. These higher levels can also lead to constipation and food cravings. Progesterone peaks right beforeovulation, so you may feel constipated around the middle of your cycle.
Have you ever noticed that your poop smells different before or during your period? This is likely due to a change in eating habits. High levels of progesterone have been linked to food cravings and compulsive eating. Eating more snack foods or calorie-dense foods may change the smell and consistency of your poop.
Many people experience stomach issues during or around their period. A study found that 73% of people who menstruate experience gastrointestinal symptoms right before or during their periods. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain anddiarrhea.
In addition to diarrhea and constipation, you may experience:
People who experience emotional symptoms such asanxietyordepressionaround their periods may be more at risk of having stomach issues. It is also common to experiencefatiguewith stomach symptoms as well.
People who menstruate may also experience higher pain sensitivity before their periods. This can exacerbate abdominal symptoms like cramping or soreness.
People withirritable bowel disease(IBD),Crohn’s disease, or other digestive issues may be more at risk of experiencing period-related poop problems. People with IBD are more likely to experience premenstrual symptoms likeheadachesand abdominal pain. They are also more at risk of having severe diarrhea and other IBD symptoms during their periods.If your IBD symptoms become unmanageable during your period, talk with a healthcare provider.
6 Tips to Reduce Period Bloating
You can take steps to ease the tummy troubles during your period. To feel more regular, consider tweaking your diet and activity level. If lifestyle changes don’t help, consider talking with a healthcare provider.
Eat a Clean Diet
It’s common to experience food cravings before and during your period. These cravings may lead you to eat more calorie-dense foods than usual. Eating more snack foods increases the risk of painful periods and changes in your poop.
To start feeling better, consider eating a diet rich in fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eat plenty offiberand drink water to prevent constipation. Consuming foods withmicronutrientslike vitamin E and calcium has been found to improve period pain and discomfort.
Stay Hydrated
Exercise
Engage in physical activity to ease period symptoms like cramps and bloating.Physical activityhas been found to improve PMS symptoms. It can also improve constipation.
Try OTC Medications
If changes to your diet and exercise routines have not helped, consider taking an over-the-counter (OTC) medication before and during your period.Advil (ibuprofen)can ease the pain of cramps. It has also may prevent the release of prostaglandins, the chemicals responsible for period poops.Talk with a healthcare provider about when to take ibuprofen and what dosage is safe.
Consider Oral Contraceptives
For moderate tosevere period symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend trying an oral contraceptive. Hormonalbirth controlmethods can reduce the frequency of your periods and improve cramping pain. Birth control pills can cause new symptoms of their own, so discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.
Summary
Period poops occur when you experience loose stools or diarrhea during your menstrual cycle. During your period, it is common to experience digestive tract changes thanks to changing hormone levels. Before your period, your body produces more progesterone, which may lead to constipation. During your period, your body releases prostaglandins that also affect your gastrointestinal tract.
To ease stomach issues during your period, eat nutrient-dense foods and drink plenty of water. Aim to get physical activity daily, and consider taking an OTC medication. If these tips do not help, talk with your healthcare provider about hormonal birth control.
8 SourcesVerywell 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.Bernstein MT, Graff LA, Avery L, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:14. doi:10.1186/1472-6874-14-14Racine SE, Culbert KM, Keel PK, et al.Differential associations between ovarian hormones and disordered eating symptoms across the menstrual cycle in women.Int J Eat Disord. 2012;45(3):333-344. doi:10.1002/eat.20941The Endocrine Society.Reproductive hormones.Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.Najafi N, Khalkhali H, Moghaddam Tabrizi F, et al.Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):69. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0558-4Saei Ghare Naz M, Kiani Z, Rashidi Fakari F, et al.The effect of micronutrients on pain management of primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Caring Sci.2020;9(1):47-56. doi:10.34172/jcs.2020.008Ma S, Song SJ.Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2023;6. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006586.pub5
8 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.Bernstein MT, Graff LA, Avery L, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:14. doi:10.1186/1472-6874-14-14Racine SE, Culbert KM, Keel PK, et al.Differential associations between ovarian hormones and disordered eating symptoms across the menstrual cycle in women.Int J Eat Disord. 2012;45(3):333-344. doi:10.1002/eat.20941The Endocrine Society.Reproductive hormones.Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.Najafi N, Khalkhali H, Moghaddam Tabrizi F, et al.Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):69. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0558-4Saei Ghare Naz M, Kiani Z, Rashidi Fakari F, et al.The effect of micronutrients on pain management of primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Caring Sci.2020;9(1):47-56. doi:10.34172/jcs.2020.008Ma S, Song SJ.Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2023;6. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006586.pub5
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.
Bernstein MT, Graff LA, Avery L, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:14. doi:10.1186/1472-6874-14-14Racine SE, Culbert KM, Keel PK, et al.Differential associations between ovarian hormones and disordered eating symptoms across the menstrual cycle in women.Int J Eat Disord. 2012;45(3):333-344. doi:10.1002/eat.20941The Endocrine Society.Reproductive hormones.Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.Najafi N, Khalkhali H, Moghaddam Tabrizi F, et al.Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):69. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0558-4Saei Ghare Naz M, Kiani Z, Rashidi Fakari F, et al.The effect of micronutrients on pain management of primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Caring Sci.2020;9(1):47-56. doi:10.34172/jcs.2020.008Ma S, Song SJ.Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2023;6. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006586.pub5
Bernstein MT, Graff LA, Avery L, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:14. doi:10.1186/1472-6874-14-14
Racine SE, Culbert KM, Keel PK, et al.Differential associations between ovarian hormones and disordered eating symptoms across the menstrual cycle in women.Int J Eat Disord. 2012;45(3):333-344. doi:10.1002/eat.20941
The Endocrine Society.Reproductive hormones.
Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.
Najafi N, Khalkhali H, Moghaddam Tabrizi F, et al.Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):69. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0558-4
Saei Ghare Naz M, Kiani Z, Rashidi Fakari F, et al.The effect of micronutrients on pain management of primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Caring Sci.2020;9(1):47-56. doi:10.34172/jcs.2020.008
Ma S, Song SJ.Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2023;6. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006586.pub5
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