Period and IBS! TMI

[RubySunset82]

Does anyone find when they’re on their period their IBS is worse? I can’t eat anything without it going through me in seconds! Alongside periods, cramping the diarrhoea is actually quite debilitating. I’ve been to the toilet three times this morning already, initially with period cramps and clots then twice with diarrhoea. It’s awful.

I do but I also eat a lot more rubbish when I am on my period so it is likely to be that

I was told it was hormone related. Always constipated 2 days before, then diarrhoea first 2 days of period. Rubbish.

Sorry you're feeling rough @RubySunset82

A hot shower helped a little bit. But yeah, hate this…almost darent eat

When my IBS was being diagnosed the doctor asked me immediately if it was worse when I was on my period. I was amazed that he asked it so matter of factly and indeed it was worse.

Apparently it's well known that it's driven by hormones.

I'm post- menopausal now and rarely ever get an attack.

every morning when I eat period or not I rush to the loo. I’ve tried low fodmap and I guess it does help a little. Major triggers are gluten, dairy and egg that’s not cooked enough. I avoid them on my period first thing!

I put it down to the period cramps combining with IBS 'spasms' so it's like everything is contracting at once. Have you tried Buscopan OP? I find it helpful as it relaxes all the muscles and helps stop the spasms, I know some people use it specifically for period cramps even if they don't have IBS. I use it for both and it pretty much stops the diarrhoea attacks for me whether I'm on my period or not.

If fodmap helped maybe try keto or carnivore. I read somewhere that both can help with IBS.

Thanks @Janetsmug i will try it! I have been recommended it in the past too and totally forgot.

@Unabletomitigate I imagine Keto would
help, especially cutting out gluten.

this evening is was a chicken curry (homemade even the spice mix is my own ground garam masala) not low fodmap cos of onions and garlic but gluten free (brown rice). Really helped me.

It's most likely prostaglandin-related. Do NSAIDs help the cramping? If so they could also reduce the lower GI symptoms, though of course they can cause upper GI problems...

I used to take omega 3 capsules as there's some evidence that they can be helpful. I also tried Buscopan but it wasn't very effective.

Buscopan did help for me. Years ago I went on a guided walk near the Angel Falls in Venezuela and the guide pointed to some lianas which had the basic ingredient of buscopan, given by the indigenous population to pharmaceutical industries.

I always think about that when I take it now.