Can Periods Cause Diarrhea?: Unveil the Connection Between These Distinct Problems
Periods are a biological phenomenon that woman tends to experience every month.
The hormonal changes in the levels of Estrogen and Progesterone during periods usually accompany mood swings, fatigue, and irritation.
But for some women, it can welcome an uninvited guest, Diarrhea.
According to a 2014 study on 156 women, almost 28% experienced Diarrhea during their monthly cycle and 24% before periods.
Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal problem and often goes away with effective medications.
But dealing with Diarrhea always around your periods can also indicate severe health conditions.
Therefore, learning more about Diarrhea and periods is crucial for preventing and seeking early treatment of severe conditions.
This article will help you understand ‘Can periods cause Diarrhea?’ and what easy self-care tips you can incorporate to prevent it.
Do periods cause Diarrhea
The answer is yes.
Some women can notice their periods often accompanied by Diarrhea. It is one of the symptoms of periods.
It happens due to hormonal changes in women’s bodies during menstrual cycle and other chemicals.
During the menstrual cycle, there is a drop in the level of Progesterone and Estrogen in the body.
This hormonal change can show symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and even constipation in some women.
What causes Diarrhea during or before periods
After learning about whether periods cause Diarrhea, let us emphasize the close association between these distinct issues.
The exact cause of Diarrhea during periods in some women is uncertain.
However, the following reasons can play a significant role in Diarrhea and periods:
Prostaglandin
Some experts believe that it is related to the high level of hormone-like Prostaglandin released during periods.
Prostaglandin causes contractions in the muscles and blood vessels that help in the shedding of the endometrial lining of the uterus.
Sometimes, Prostaglandin causes contractions in the intestinal region, which causes a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as Diarrhea.
Further, it can reduce the absorption of food in the intestine and make it pass to the colon faster, resulting in Diarrhea.
However, Diarrhea during periods lasts for a day or two until the level of Prostaglandin remains high.
Low levels of Progesterone
According to NCBI, Progesterone leads to decreased gastrointestinal motility.
Gastrointestinal motility is defined as the movement of food from the mouth to the large intestine and outside the body.
However, during the menstrual cycle, there is a drop in Progesterone level, thus can lead to increased chances of Diarrhea.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis can also lead to Diarrhea during your monthly periods.
It happens when the endometriosis implants and the uterus releases Prostaglandin that causes uterine contractions.
This can increase cramps in the intestine and contractions in the bowel, leading to Diarrhea.
Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor and get a medical diagnosis of the condition.
Delaying and mistaking the condition for a menstrual irregularity can increase the risk of developing serious complications.
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Are there ways to treat Diarrhea and periods
Fortunately, there are abundant ways to treat Diarrhea during periods.
You can treat them the same as Diarrhea in the absence of monthly periods.
Firstly, you can purchase over-the-counter medicines to treat Diarrhea, such as Loperamide.
In addition, you can also incorporate these lifestyle changes in your daily routine to treat menstrual Diarrhea effectively:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Eating foods with more fiber
- Add probiotics (yogurt) to your diet
- Consume foods with a source of Potassium (banana) and Sodium (carrot soup)
People should also avoid foods that can worsen Diarrhea, such as:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Dairy products
- Tobacco
- Spicy food
- Artificial sweeteners
- Fried foods
Also, if your Diarrhea remains longer than a day or two, you should talk to a healthcare professional and seek medical diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
Some women can notice their monthly periods often come with Diarrhea.
It can occur due to hormonal changes in women’s bodies during periods and the release of Prostaglandins.
During periods, the level of Progesterone and Estrogen drops in the body, which can lead to increased chances of Diarrhea.
Furthermore, a high level of Prostaglandin in the body can also cause muscular contractions, leading to Diarrhea.
Endometriosis implants can also release Prostaglandin that increases the cramps in the intestine and causes Diarrhea in women during periods.
You can incorporate some changes in your lifestyle and consume foods rich in nutrients to prevent menstrual Diarrhea.
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