Period Poop: Why Is It a Thing and Can You Stop It?

Most women notice that their bowel habits change throughout their menstrual cycle. This shift occurs because our bowel gets affected by the hormone changes related to our periods.

With each menstrual cycle, our body goes through many hormonal shifts and changes. All these changes are often referred to as PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome, which affects your whole body. They include mood swings, cramps, weird cravings, and period poop.

Our bowel movements keep changing during menstruation. This is the reason why we suffer from period constipation, period diarrhea, and frequent bowel movements.

A recent study concluded that 73% of women experience gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms can be referred to as “period poop.” Here is why you poop more on your period.

Why Does Period Poops Happen?

The occurrence of period poop is a topic that raises curiosity and questions.

But rest assured, this phenomenon is entirely normal and rooted in the intricate relationship between hormonal fluctuations and your digestive system.

To understand why period poop happens, it’s essential to delve into the hormonal changes that take place during your menstrual cycle.

These hormonal shifts, particularly the rise in prostaglandins and progesterone levels, can influence the way your digestive muscles function.

As a result, you may experience bowel movement, including increased frequency or altered consistency of stools.

Let’s delve into the connection between your body’s hormonal dynamics, your digestive tract, and the potential symptoms you may encounter.

1. Prostaglandins and Bowel Relaxation

You must be wondering what on earth prostaglandins are?

Before a woman’s period begins, the cells lining your uterus start making prostaglandins.

These hormones enable the uterus to contract and shed its lining every month.

In case your body produces more of these hormones, they enter your bloodstream and relax other muscles such as the bowels and giving you “period poops.”

Did we mention that you also get constipation, more cramps, and also diarrhea? Yep!

More prostaglandins equal more problems!

2. Increased Progesterone Levels

If you have weird cravings for sugary, fried, and processed foods, blame it on the hormone progesterone!

This hormone increases right before you get your period giving you PMS.

As our body has a hard time digesting junk food or processed foods, our digestive system gets affected negatively.

For some women, it can cause gastrointestinal problems and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation.

Thus PMS related changes in eating habits due to food cravings contribute to why you may be noticing a difference in the consistency, regularity, or smell of your poop throughout your menstrual cycle.

3. Increased Anxiety And Stress Levels

During our period or PMS, women are more likely to experience increased emotional changes, anxiety and increased stress levels.

This, in return, can also affect our bowel movements, giving you period diarrhea.

Some women also report greater sensitivity to discomfort and pain in their PMS as well as periods.

4. Underlying Chronic Illnesses

If a woman has IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease, it worsens menstruation.

With increased progesterone levels, women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-related constipation face severe constipation.

Furthermore, such women are more likely to face other PMS symptoms such as headaches, body pain, or menstrual cramps.

Other chronic illnesses such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts also affect your bowel movements and monthly cycle.

These can either cause period constipation, painful bowel movements during the period or period diarrhea.

Other Period-related abdominal issues

Apart from digestive issues, certain gastrointestinal symptoms you encounter during your menstrual cycle are not linked to your digestive system.

The hormonal fluctuations that naturally occur during menstruation can give rise to several uncomfortable experiences, including:

• bloating
• the retention of water
• painful cramps

These symptoms, though distinct from digestive concerns, are often interconnected due to the influence of hormones on various bodily functions.

Is it Possible to Stop Period Poops?

We as humans cannot always alter the way our body reacts to things.

The same can apply to period poop because it cannot stop completely.

On the bright side, we can reduce it by making diet and lifestyle changes.

Here are some changes you can make to manage your period-related bowel disturbances.

Ease Period Poop Problems

Laxatives

Many women suffer from period poop pain which can be extremely painful.

Thus if you have period constipation or more pain while pooping, which is unbearable, then make use of laxatives.

They help stool pass through more comfortably by relaxing your bowel muscles.

High fiber diet

Foods high in natural fiber such as grains and vegetables help you deal with constipation on period.

Not only that, they help with keeping your bowel and digestive regular.

Plus, they also give you energy on your heavy days.

Sunlight and exercise

Exercising on periods or getting a bit of movement may seem like a nightmare.

But trust us when we tell you it helps you relieve bloating.

One hour of sunlight can do wonders for you if you’re suffering from PMS and bad periods.

Furthermore, the vitamin D from the sun also helps in releasing good hormones such as dopamine and serotonin.

Medication

Ibuprofen helps relieve you of any period pain and discomfort and acts as a prostaglandin inhibitor.

Furthermore, sometimes it also helps you with period-related digestive symptoms such as period constipation, painful bowel movements during the period, or period diarrhea.

If you are experiencing severe pain make sure with the doctor that this is period poop rather than certain health conditions.

The doctor will tell you all possible treatment options.

Hydration

Persistent diarrhea can result in dehydration, causing your body’s tissues to lose vital water and nutrients.

This situation can escalate into a significant concern if not attended to promptly.

If you find yourself susceptible to loose stools during your menstrual cycle, prioritizing hydration becomes crucial.

Drinking water is essential to counterbalance fluid loss.

Moreover, it’s advisable to steer clear of coffee, given its known laxative properties that could exacerbate the issue at hand.

Conclusion

Period poop can occur for many reasons.

But if you cannot figure out why nothing is working, it is better to seek medical advice.

Underlying issues such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irritable bowel syndrome can be the reason too.

Only your doctor will help you analyze the problem better and give you the right solution.

Monitoring your diet and overall lifestyle changes, such as exercising more often or taking ibuprofen for pain relief, can help ease period poop symptoms.

Paying attention to hormones during PMS and avoiding processed foods high in sugar may also help.

FAQ

Is It Normal If I Can’t Tell The Difference Between My Period And Poop Pain?

Don’t worry! It is entirely normal.

Due to uterine and any bowel movement caused by prostaglandins, it is difficult to understand whether they experience period or poop pain.

This is also because cramps often get accompanied by anal pain in the lower back, pelvis, and butt.

Can You Poop With A Tampon In?

Some women poop with a tampon in, while others prefer to change it or take it out.

You may choose whatever works for you.

Although we would suggest changing your tampon or taking it out.

This is because sometimes you may push your tampon out, or it will catch bacteria. The bacteria can cause numerous diseases.

Thus it is better to be safe than sorry.

How To Wipe Period Poops Without Getting It Messy?

Period and poop! A messy and yucky combination.

Don’t worry, as we have the perfect manner of wiping your period diarrhea without making it look like a crime scene.

Make use of pre-moisturized wipes to get rid of your period poops

Search for wipes that are biodegradable and also chemical and perfume-free.

These wipes ensure that your skin doesn’t become dry or get irritated.

Also, we wouldn’t recommend “flushable wipes” for your septic system.