Is this normal - IBS triggered by Periods

[damnedchilblains]

I was diagnosed with having IBS about a year ago and it certainly hasn't got better to the point that I don't even bother going to the doctors anymore, as peppermint oil capsules and "watch what you eat" really do not work.

Anyway, I've come to realise that the symptoms the doctors attribute to IBS are actually triggered a few days before I'm due to start my period nd finish a few days after. Is this normal to IBS or should I be worried about the possible relation to hormones. Is it possible I've been misdiagnosed? Can somebody please help?

I don't know about IBS specifically but I've noticed that women who have retroverted uteruses (uterii?) tend to have their periods affect their bowel movements, maybe something to do with the fact that the uterus is in a different position to normal? No idea whether this is actually the case

Not a huge help but my IBS is definitely worse premenstrually. I've found that mine has improved since I lost weight (obviously have no idea about your own situation but I was nearly 3 stone overweight when my IBS was at its worst). I get flare ups if I eat too healthily (too much fruit/fibre) and also if I eat too much crap - takeaways etc. I haven't found any specific triggers, but I'd say the few days around my period I'm more 'sensitive'.
HTH

I have IBS and it flares up with my other PMS symptoms I do suffer with it right through the month but more mildly.

Maybe focus on soothing PMS symptoms rather than IBS. Am assuming there is some natural remedy out there for PMS you could try, am sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to advise.

I don't have IBS but I always have a dodgy stomach / guts just before and at the start of my period. It's not that bad though, but I know when it happens it means my period is about to start.

Interestingly I do have a retroverted uterus so this fits in with what Brahms said.

Like mysocalledlife, I don't have IBS but do tend to get diarrhea at the beginning of my period. I don't have a retroverted uterus as far as I know. Would I know if I did?

You need a doc to do an internal to tell whether you've got a retroverted uterus. it's quite common, 1 in 5 I think so some docs won't even mention it unless you ask or unless it is very retroverted (like mine) I never knew before I was told during coil fitting

I have a retro uterus and I definitely have loose (TMI ) movements before, during and right after my period. Nothing dietary improves it, it just happens.

yep definitely, I get loose movements and pain before and during my period. It took me aaaages to realise the two were related, so in the meantime I was diagnosed with IBS. Once I realised what triggered it I just accepted it really, but would be interested to know if anyone else has any other info

oooh another one here, glad im not a freak!!

I have IBS and it does seem to be alot worse/more sensitive just before my period. The doc prescribed me Spasmonil (sp) and it can be used for bad periods too.

Works like a charm :D

wooo well I'm glad I'm not the only one . I've just googled retro uterus and I may go to the doctors although I believe they can't do anything about it anyway. I guess it's good to have it on your notes.

Curiously enough since I had the implant fitted I don't suffer many other pms symptoms so I guess I'll just have to put up with it. Will ask about that spasmonil Dillie see if it can help or look at some natural remedies like silver said.

Endometriosis can sometimes be misdiagnosed as IBS.

Any symptoms that are cyclical and get worse up to and during menstruation should be checked further to see if endometriosis is present (this can play havoc with the bowels as women can suffer with instestinal endo).

Many women have a retroverted uterus and this in itself would have no bearing on the underlying problem.

You would need to find a gynae with a specialist interest in endo. Endo is normally only diagnosed through laparoscopy.

i to IBS sufferer diagnosed 4 years ago , always bad before and during period , i am worse when eat healthy and better when eat less ...
something iv learnt to just live with but at times is annoying ,i wish i could get balance right ....

triggers i find are mushrooms , onions , spinich , greens , apples

all things i love ..

Endometriosis was the first thing I thought when I read your post tbh

Agree with petitioner and Attila. I was misdiagnosed with IBS for 15 years turned out to be endo and a retroverted womb. Might be worth looking into Damned. Best of luck.

can i ask , what is a retroverted womb ?
i was told my womb/pelvis was tilted to left does this mean anything ?

definitely look into the endo thing.

I don't have IBS but I do have PCOS and have to steer clear of anything that put too much pressure on my bowels near my period/ovulation as it makes the pain worse. I tend to be more 'bunged up' than loose during this time.

Another retroverted uterus and pain and loose movements here.

I'd always put it down to the fact I'd had 2 sections, and they'd moved something they shouldn't, as it has been worse since I've had children.

Thinking back pre-dc's though I still had the symptoms but they were less pronounced . Also loose movements and nausea were my first pregnancy symptoms with both my dc's.

The only other problems I have with retro uterus is when I have my smears, they used to be really painful, till one nurse mentioned I had a retro uterus- I always mention it now to the nurses, and they seem to be less painful.

I have this too and have been told it can be linked to endometriosis.

If you google there's a lot of information.

Oh and I have a retroverted uterus which meant it took ages for them to diagnose the PCOS because the cyclical pain I have is higher than they thought my ovaries were - turns out they're a lot higher because of my uterus!

Endometriosis never really occurred to me I think I'll have to go to the doctors to rule everything out. Thanks for the advice

I have endo too... the symptoms are all very cyclical. Also have bleeding (definitely TMI)during loose movements, which is currently being investigated ???intestinal endo.

Endometriosis deposits can get onto the intestines causing both cyclical pain and bleeding.

Would urge anyone with such symptoms to get this properly checked out via a gynae with a specialist interest in endo. This is a problem that is outside a GPs remit and some GPs know next to nothing about endo anyway and would not therefore recognise it if presented with it.

Endo as well is usually diagnosed only through a laparoscopy - ultrasound scans and blood tests will NOT detect it.

Aunt Maggie - I have PCOS as well but this in itself did not cause me cyclical pain. I have endo as well and that certainly did. As I remained undiagnosed for many years till a gynae with some sense finally diagnosed me I feel streongly that no other woman should have to go through the same.

Symptoms of intestinal endo (which usually occur during menstruation) include:-

abdominal pain (which may be continuous)
distension and bleeding
constipation
pain on defecation
diarrhoea
back pain
rectal pain or spasm
rectal bleeding
symptoms similar to IBS