Diarrhea during your period

introduction

Your period can bring a variety of symptoms and ailments. Many women experience period pain, fatigue, and fatigue.

Digestive disorders can also occur. Some women suffer from flatulence and diarrhea, as well as abdominal cramps. These complaints can be very annoying, but this is a natural process that is controlled by hormones.

causes

The cycle is controlled by different hormones, which are more or less produced and released depending on the half of the cycle.

In the second half of the menstrual cycle, i.e. before the menstrual period, the concentration of the hormone progesterone is particularly high. This increases the body temperature and slows down the bowel movement, so that in some cases it can also lead to constipation. The female body is now preparing for the implantation of an embryo.
However, if the egg is not fertilized, the progesterone concentration drops rapidly and bleeding occurs. This hormonal crash stimulates the intestines again and can lead to overactivity. In addition, other tissue hormones, the prostaglandins, are released from the walls of the uterus. These cause the smooth muscles to contract so that the unfertilized egg and uterine lining are expelled. These contractions cause the well-known menstrual cramps. However, when prostaglandins enter the intestinal muscles via the bloodstream, these contractions also take place in the intestine. This also leads to faster emptying of the bowel and thus to diarrhea.

All important information on the topic can be found on our main page "Menstrual Period".

Can diarrhea cause you to miss your period?

A severe or long-term diarrheal illness can make the period miss, in professional circles this condition is called "Amenorrhea". For example, a chronic diarrheal disease can result in malnutrition with the loss of vital trace elements and minerals. In this situation, the body only works on the back burner - and does not waste energy on strenuous processes such as the menstrual cycle.

But severe, infectious diarrhea can also cause amenorrhea.

Mentally stressful situations or a lot of stress can also lead to diarrhea and amenorrhea.

Overactive thyroid can also cause these symptoms.

If you miss your period, you should always consider pregnancy. That should be excluded in the first place.

You may also be interested in the following article: These are the causes of diarrhea.

Concomitant symptoms

Accompanying symptoms of an infectious diarrheal illness can be, for example, fever, intestinal cramps, nausea and vomiting. In such a case a medical consultation may be necessary.

Further information on the subject can be found on our main page "Gastrointestinal infection".

If there is a psychological cause, the living conditions of the person are often the cause of the physical complaints. The severity of these complaints is also called "psychosomatic"- the psyche is responsible for the illness in these cases. Sometimes sleep disorders or palpitations occur. If these symptoms persist, psychotherapeutic treatment may be necessary.

The following article explains the topic in detail: "Abdominal pain through psyche".

Hyperthyroidism (Hyperthyroidism) In addition to diarrhea, it also causes weight loss, hair loss, rapid heartbeat, sweating, restlessness and sleep disorders. In this case, a doctor should be presented immediately, as the overactive thyroid must be treated.

Abdominal pain

As is known, periods are often accompanied by abdominal pain. In most cases, they are strongest in the first two days.

You will be through the so-called "ProstaglandinsThe muscles tense up to reject the unfertilized egg and the uterine lining. Most of the time this pain is normal, but there are conditions such as fibroids or endometriosis that can make the pain worse An annual gynecological examination is very important for the early detection of such diseases. Sudden changes in the intensity or duration of the pain, as well as bleeding, are reasons for a visit to the gynecologist.

stomach pain

Abdominal pain during your period is not uncommon. As mentioned above, prostaglandins can stimulate bowel movements, causing abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

Seldom, severe pain can also cause nausea. If the abdominal pain doesn't stop when the bleeding stops, there could be another cause. You should also see a doctor if you have unusually severe abdominal pain.

therapy

As a treatment for diarrhea during menstruation, you can first eat light foods: For example, rice, jacket potatoes and white bread are helpful and you should avoid fatty and spicy food.

It is also advisable to drink enough water.

But if the diarrhea is very debilitating, you can also use medication such as Loperamide take in. The anti-diarrheal medication should be taken with caution as it can quickly lead to constipation. Therefore, taking such drugs should be approved by a doctor.

Another cause of the diarrhea should be ruled out. If you have persistent diarrhea or additional symptoms, you should see your doctor.

There are several options available for treating abdominal pain during your period. Applying heat using a hot water bottle or a cherry stone pillow can have a beneficial effect. Sometimes, however, the pain is very severe, so that medication is also necessary. Normal pain relievers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or novalgin are suitable here. It is advisable to start with small doses and take as little of them as possible. If you have pre-existing illnesses or are taking other medications, you should choose pain reliever therapy in consultation with your doctor.

Also read our article: "Drugs for diarrhea".

Duration and forecast

The duration of diarrhea during the period should not last longer than the period itself. Usually the diarrhea should stop towards the end of the bleeding. If this is not the case, an illness is probably the cause. In this case you should contact your family doctor.

The duration of pain during your period should be most severe during the first few days of bleeding and then subside.