IBS and Menstruation
Many women who have IBS complain that their symptoms are much worse whilst they are menstruating. One reason that this may be so is that abdominal cramps and bloating is already more pronounced during menstruation. Another reason why menstruation may make IBS symptoms worse is the effect of hormones and whether changing levels of oestrogen and progesterone influence the passage of stools through the intestines.
Symptoms associated with menstruation
- Abdominal bloating and cramps
- Increased frequency of bowel movements
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Low mood
During a period, many women complain of an increase in the frequency of bowel movements so if diarrhoea is already a dominant symptom in their IBS then of course any increase in bowel frequency will make the IBS worse. Similarly, abdominal cramps and bloating are common during a period so again, if these are troublesome aspects of their IBS then no doubt these symptoms will feel worse during a period.
IBS and women
Women are certainly more predisposed to IBS than men and although hormonal influences no doubt contribute to this, there are other factors too. Stress and depression are known to exacerbate IBS symptoms and as more women than men suffer from stress and anxiety, particularly around the time of menstruation, this too can be a contributory factor. However, there is another issue worthy of consideration. Women are more likely than men to seek help for symptoms of IBS and as such, there could be a much higher incidence of IBS amongst men that is never reported.
The fact is, no one really understands IBS including the role that hormones may play in triggering IBS. There are no tests for IBS, no cure for it, and treatment involves dealing with the most dominant symptoms.
The effect of menstruation on IBS
One study was carried out by the University Hospital of South Manchester in the UK. 29 women with IBS were monitored throughout four phases of their menstrual cycle. The first phase were days 1 to 4 – their actual period. The second was around the time of ovulation, or days 8 to 10. The third was post ovulation or days 18 to 20 and finally the premenstrual phase of 24 to 28 days.
During each of these four phases each woman had a catheter inserted into their rectum to detect changes in sensitivity and they were also asked to record in a diary their symptoms and their moods. During the time of their period, the women complained of more frequent bowel movements, increased bloating and pain and generally felt less well than during other phases. Their rectal sensitivity was also more pronounced during this time.
The indication is that menstruation can affect the severity of IBS symptoms in some women.
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