Why Do You Poop More While on Your Period?

When discussing period symptoms, we usually talk about bloating, tender breasts, and cramping. Your menstrual cycle's impact on your poop is often less discussed — the stuff of girl talk after a few glasses of wine. 

First: It’s not just you. Your period can have an impact on how much you poop. It can also have an impact on your poop quality; you may experience constipation or diarrhea, and sometimes both. Suffice it to say, you’ve enough going on down there around your period not to have to worry about poopy pants. Sorry! But it might help to understand what’s going on…

You Guessed it! Those Extra Bowel Movements Are All About the Hormones

While not all individuals experience increased bowel movements during their period, some people may notice changes in their bowel habits. There are a few reasons why you might poop more while on your period:

Prostaglandin Release 

Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that are released during menstruation. They help the uterus contract and shed its lining. However, they can also affect the smooth muscles of the intestines, leading to increased contractions and more frequent bowel movements.

Hormonal Fluctuations (Particularly Progesterone) 

Period-related hormone changes, specifically a decrease in the hormone progesterone, can affect the digestive system. Progesterone has a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles in the body, including those in the intestines. When progesterone levels drop before and during menstruation, the intestines may become more active, resulting in increased bowel movements.

But Stress & Anxiety Can Also Play a Role

Stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on bowel movements, and this effect can be more pronounced during your menstrual period. 

Whether you're already stressed or anxious, or your period makes you feel this way, there may be knock-on effects to your bowel movements.

Stress and anxiety can influence hormone levels in the body. During the menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations are already occurring, and added stress or anxiety can further disrupt the delicate hormonal balance. 

These interactions can contribute to any changes in bowel movements during your period.

Other Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Your Period

It’s not just *more* bowel movements—period poop problems can show up in all kinds of ways. Indeed, during menstruation, some people experience gastrointestinal symptoms in addition to typical menstrual symptoms. It's important to note that these symptoms can vary from person to person and some may not experience them at all. 

If your GI symptoms are severe, significantly impacting your quality of life, or if you have concerns about your symptoms, we recommend you consult with a healthcare professional.

Diarrhea

Some of us experience loose stools or increased bowel movements during our periods. This can be attributed to the hormonal changes and increased contractions of the intestines.

Constipation

On the other hand, some may experience constipation before or during their period. Hormonal fluctuations can affect the regularity of bowel movements and slow down the transit time of stool through the intestines.

Abdominal or Stomach Cramps

Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, can be accompanied by abdominal pain or discomfort. Yep, a double-whammy of awfulness. These cramps can affect the gastrointestinal system and cause sensations of pressure or pain in the abdomen.

Bloating

Hormonal changes and water retention during your time of the month can lead to bloating. This can cause discomfort and a feeling of fullness in the abdominal area more generally, which may be particularly noticeable after you eat — and is probably not helped by the kinds of foods many of us typically crave around our periods.

Nausea & Vomiting

Some individuals may experience mild nausea or even vomiting during their period. This can be influenced by hormonal fluctuations and the release of prostaglandins, which can affect the stomach and cause digestive disturbances.

Painful Bowel Movements

Constipation and/or diarrhea is not exactly a recipe for comfort. But even if you have regular bowel movements during your period, they may feel painful. There are a few things at play here:

• Bowel movements can exacerbate menstrual cramps
• If you’re pooping more or straining to poop, you may experience hemorrhoids

But there may also be gynecological conditions that factor into pain. These include:

• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts

If your bowel movements become particularly painful - during your period or beyond - it is time to talk with your healthcare provider.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Worsens

For those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), the hormonal changes and other factors associated with menstruation may impact their symptoms. According to this paper published in Gastroenterology Report “Worsened GI symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating or diarrhea are observed in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) during menses.”

Here are a few ways in which periods may affect people with IBS:

• Intensified gastrointestinal symptoms: IBS symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation, become more pronounced during their menstrual period. The hormonal fluctuations and increased prostaglandin release during menstruation can contribute to these heightened symptoms.
• Altered bowel habits: Menstruation can disrupt the regularity of bowel movements in individuals with IBS. Some may experience an increase in bowel movements (diarrhea-predominant IBS), while others may experience a decrease (constipation-predominant IBS). Hormonal changes and alterations in gut motility can contribute to these changes in bowel habits.
• Increased sensitivity: Individuals with IBS often have heightened sensitivity in their gastrointestinal tract. During menstruation, hormonal changes can potentially exacerbate this sensitivity.
• Emotional and psychological impact: Menstruation can also bring about emotional and psychological changes, including mood swings and increased stress or anxiety. These factors can influence the symptoms of IBS and potentially worsen them during the menstrual period.

If you have IBS and notice that your symptoms worsen during your period, it can be helpful to track your symptoms and menstrual cycle to identify any patterns or triggers.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease May Also Worsen

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a term used to describe chronic inflammatory disorders that primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract. The two main types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

According to the same paper referenced above: “Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) also have exacerbated symptoms during menses; however, it is unclear whether this relates to physiological variation or disease exacerbation in IBS or IBD.“

7 Things You Can Do to Help Relieve Period Poops

While it's not possible to completely avoid all period-related changes in bowel movements, there are some strategies that may help minimize discomfort and manage period poops.

1. Stay Hydrated 

Drinking an adequate amount of water can help maintain regular bowel movements and prevent dehydration, which can contribute to constipation. Aim for at least eight glasses of water per day.

2. Eat a Balanced Diet

Okay, we know the junk food cravings are real. But try to focus on consuming a well-balanced diet rich in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Adequate fiber intake can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. However, if you have IBS, be mindful of your trigger foods and adjust your diet accordingly.

3. Manage Stress

Stress can worsen gastrointestinal symptoms, including those related to periods. Engage in stress-reducing activities such as exercise, deep breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, or any other activities that help you relax and unwind.

4. Consider Over-the-Counter Remedies

Depending on your specific symptoms, over-the-counter medications like anti-diarrheal or laxatives may provide temporary relief. Painkillers may also help with general pain, whether it’s menstrual cramps or abdominal pain. However, remember it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional before using any medications to ensure they are safe and suitable for your situation.

5. Try Heat Therapy 

Applying a heating pad or hot water bottle to your lower abdomen may help alleviate menstrual cramps and associated bowel discomfort.

6. Track Your Symptoms

Keeping a menstrual diary or tracking your symptoms using a smartphone app can help you identify patterns and better understand how your bowel movements are affected during your period. This information can be helpful when discussing your symptoms with a healthcare provider.

7. Seek Medical Advice

If your period poop problems are significantly affecting your quality of life (e.g. if you’re canceling social plans or not able to go to work), it's important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide a proper evaluation, offer personalized advice, and suggest appropriate treatment options based on your specific needs.

In particular, talk to your doctor if you experience:

• Heavy periods or periods with clots bigger than a quarter coin
• Muscle contractions, cramps, or abdominal pains are severe or interfere with daily life
• You experience rectal bleeding (this may be hard to tell if you’ve got menstrual bleeding) but you may notice blood on your toilet paper when you’re not on your period

Other Tips & Advice

Tampon Removal When You Poop

Depending on your pelvic muscles, for some people, tampons come out when they poop. This is normal nothing to be concerned about and it gives you the opportunity to insert a clean tampon when you’re done.

If, however, your tampon stays in, you’ll want to be careful when wiping. This can be difficult if your stools are loose. If you get fecal matter on your tampon string, you should remove the tampon and replace it. It can help to hold the tampon string out of the way when you wipe. And, as always, wipe from front to back.

Wiping Period Poop

Menstrual blood and diarrhea can make for a messy scene and it may make wiping (and feeling like you’re clean) difficult. Moist wipes can offer a little more of a thorough clean than toilet paper. Just make sure they’re biodegradable (and note that some products that are labeled “flushable” are not kind to the septic system!) Remember that your vulva is a delicate area, so it’s also good to stay away from perfumes and harsh chemicals. There are a number of products on the market that are pH balanced for vulvar skin.

Period Poop Is a Thing, But It's Usually a Manageable Part of Your Menstrual Cycle

If you’ve sometimes felt like you’re the only person who gets constipated in the run-up to her period and experiences diarrhea when your period begins, now you know: You’re definitely not alone!

The good news is that these symptoms usually end with your period. If symptoms are more severe or don’t respond to dietary improvements, you may want to explore options including birth control with your doctor. But for most of us, it’s just another reality of our monthly menstrual cycle.

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.