How your Poop Changes Throughout Your Cycle

We know better than anyone that your period can cause a lot of discomfort. Cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, fatigue, acne, or mood swings. But there's one thing we rarely talk about: your bowel movements during your period. And we get it, your bowel movements aren't exactly a pleasant topic to discuss at the coffee machine at work 😉. But it's important to talk about it, because our period can be quite strange. Understanding what's happening to our bodies is one of our goals at Guud Woman. So, however strange and uncomfortable it may be, it's time to talk about your period.

What's wrong with your bowel movements?

You might have noticed it before. Just before or during your period, your bowel movements change. Some women experience constipation. Others experience diarrhea. And still others don't experience any discomfort at all. Whatever's happening with your bowel movements, the changes are often due to hormonal fluctuations.

Do you feel constipated just before your period?

After ovulation, just before your period, your progesterone levels rise. This can cause food to move through your intestines more slowly, which in turn can cause constipation. If you experience constipation, you know this is the cause.

Do you have diarrhea or do you often have to go to the toilet?

Once your period begins, progesterone levels drop again. Simultaneously, prostaglandins increase. These are hormone-like compounds that regulate many different things: They cause your uterus to contract (yes, cramps).

But they don't just stay in your uterus; they can also end up in your intestines. This can cause diarrhea or increased bowel movements.

The severity varies from woman to woman. Some may never have experienced a change in bowel movements during their period (good luck!). But if you notice your bowel movements change around your period every month, it's likely due to prostaglandins.

Why does my stool smell so bad during my period?

This doesn't have much to do with your hormones, but mainly with what you eat. The hormonal changes before your period can cause you to crave certain foods. Perhaps you're stuffing yourself with foods you wouldn't normally eat, or you're eating a lot of processed foods and sugar. This can affect your bowel movements. Be kind to your body and nourish yourself with clean, whole foods (unprocessed). You'll notice a difference!

Why does it hurt when I have my period?

There are a few things that can make your period more painful:

• Constipation . Straining to have a bowel movement can be painful. This can also cause hemorrhoids, so be careful not to push too hard.
• Cramps . They generally feel awful, but even worse when you need to go to the bathroom.
• Diarrhea . This is often accompanied by stomach cramps. Menstrual cramps and stomach cramps are a tough combination. We feel you.

If the pain is so severe that it disrupts your daily life, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

What can you do about your changing bowel movements?

We believe it's important that you understand how your body works. Are you experiencing digestive or bowel problems? Then that's your body telling you something's wrong. Often, it can be resolved with some minor lifestyle changes.

• Eat more fiber . If you find yourself constipated before your period, try increasing your fiber intake. Fiber helps keep bowel movements soft and firm. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread, and oatmeal. But don't overdo it. Too much fiber can make you feel bloated.
• Skip the coffee. If you experience diarrhea around your period, skip your coffee. Coffee can make diarrhea worse. Drink green tea, or make a fruit and vegetable smoothie. Learn more about coffee in this blog post: Coffee, Please! – How Coffee Affects Your Hormones.
• Consider supplements. Try taking a daily multivitamin. Combine this with a balanced lifestyle to ensure you get all the essential vitamins and minerals. It can help regulate your hormones and support menstrual health.
• Exercise. You might not feel like it, but exercise helps your bowels. Exercise increases muscle activity in your intestines, which can stimulate bowel movements.
• Drink plenty of water. If you have diarrhea, this is important because you lose a lot of water with it. Water is especially important for constipation because fiber can only function effectively if you drink enough.
• Go! If you feel the urge, just go. Trying to hold it in can cause constipation and make your stool harder, making it even harder to go.

Still have questions? Talk to our experts via our live chat or send us a DM on Instagram . We're here to help, and trust us, there's no such thing as too much information for us. Not even about your bowel movements.