Can IBS be related to menstrual cycle?

Digestive health
1

Hi everyone,

I've been experiencing gut issues for about eight months and was officially diagnosed IBS-C in October. I've been trying lots of different things and not really got anywhere.

My latest thought is, is it related to periods? I have a dull discomfort/pain from being constipated pretty much all the time, but every so often I will get a particularly severe attack where I cramp very badly for several days. It is a noticeably different kind of pain. I have been keeping notes on a calendar of my symptoms, and as today is the start of a new attack, I thought I would look at my last attack. It was around a month ago. I am due a period in a few days. Could there be a connection?

I do not think it is food related, at least not majorly. I do not experience cramps after eating vast majority of the time, just pain from stretched bowels being constipated. I do not eat particularly healthily or plentifully, admittedly. I also have an anxiety disorder; I think there's a link here because I could go for a few days being able to open my bowes but if I get stressed everything locks up again.

I'd never had much PMS before my IBS began in April this year. I did take the pill for a month between

Feb - March which made me feel poorly so I stopped it. Couple of weeks later I started with pains which were eventually diagnosed IBS.

Sorry this post was so long but would appreciate anyone's thoughts smile Thank you.

2

Yes IBS can be hormone related.  I have the depo contraception injection which reduces my symptoms. I still have the food and stress related symptoms but no where near as bad as the hormonal ones. My specialist advised me that it can be hormonal.  With the injection you get contstant hormones so don't have a time of the month and don't have any of the other symptoms.  It does slightly increase the risk of cervical cancer but reduces the risk of overian cancer.

Hope this helps. 

3

Thanks very much Susan. I'm glad the injection helps you - will definitely look into getting it myself.

4

IBS can be related to periods.  My IBS started just before my periods so I naturally put the pain down to that at first.  Three and a half months later I found out it was IBS  It made the beginning of my cycle much more painful

5

Yup, the hormone changes that come with periods flare up ibs for a lot of women.

not a lot you can do except hot water bottles and anti spasmodics.