Loose poo during your period is really common: in one survey, more than one in four women had it. There's a clear reason for it, and you can make these days easier. People just rarely talk about it out loud.
Why do I poo more on my period?
Your uterus contracts because of prostaglandins, substances made in its lining. They're thought to affect the gut next door too, making it contract harder and absorb less fluid. That's why you go to the toilet more and your poo is softer.
Prostaglandin levels are highest on the first day of your period and drop after that. That's why cramps usually ease after the first few days. Researchers still don't know exactly how prostaglandins from the uterus reach the gut.
Can I get constipated before my period?
It happens, but less often: in the same survey, about 1 in 7 women were constipated before their period, while almost 1 in 4 had loose poo. One possible reason is progesterone, the hormone of the second half of the cycle, which can slow the gut down.
What helps on these days?
If your poo is loose, drink more, in small sips if you feel sick, and eat when you feel like it. Fatty and spicy food can wait for a few days. Coffee gets the gut moving, so you might skip the second cup.
For constipation, water, a walk and fibre added gradually all help: oats, linseed, apples. On the toilet, rest your feet on a low stool so your knees are higher than your hips.
A hot water bottle wrapped in a towel eases cramps. Ibuprofen lowers prostaglandins, and doctors at Cleveland Clinic say it may calm your gut too.
It works best taken at the first sign of your period. Don't take it without a doctor's advice if you have asthma, ulcers, stomach or liver problems, an aspirin allergy or a bleeding disorder.
Common questions
Is nausea in the first days part of this too?
It can be: in the same survey, about 1 in 7 women felt sick during their period. US gynaecologists (ACOG) note that for some women, severe period pain comes with nausea and diarrhoea.
Why do I have more gas before my period?
Constipation adds to it, and so do foods like cabbage and beans and the air you swallow while eating or drinking fizzy drinks. Eat slowly with your mouth closed, and cut down on fizzy drinks for a few days.
Is it just me?
No. In the same survey, almost three in four women had some kind of tummy trouble around their period: pain, diarrhoea, constipation or nausea.
Is there anything I can get from a pharmacy?
For diarrhoea, a pharmacist can suggest rehydration powder you mix with water, and for anyone 12 or older, loperamide, which stops diarrhoea for a few hours. For constipation there are laxatives. If you're peeing less than usual and your pee is dark and smelly, you're getting dehydrated: drink more and ask a pharmacist.
In short
- In the first days, drink more and cut back on coffee
- If you're constipated, put your feet on a stool and add oats
- Wrap a hot water bottle in a towel for your tummy
Source: ACOG: Dysmenorrhea: Painful Periods
Educational content; it does not replace professional medical advice.