Pooping on Period

[Reallyembarrassedd]

Sorry I won't go into TMI but I'm so embarrassed to ask anyone in real life.

About a week before I'm due my period, I'm constantly pooping! I know there's a reason for it but I'm wondering if anyone knows anything to help calm it down. It's more constant this time and I'm just so fed up. I just want to hibernate at home because of it.

It's also not normal but not so it's actual diarrhea. I'm avoid going places where there's not an enclosed toilet. I hate using cubicles where you can hear everyone else.

I think it is a hormonal thing. I read about it somewhere ages ago but I can't remember the details. It is completely normal.

Sorry, I just noticed you asked for advice on how to stop it happening. I think the only thing would be to eat foods that create less waste. Otherwise, just see it as a monthly clean out?

So in the run up to your period, the progesterone increase slows the digestive tract so poop builds up a bit longer.
Then as your period nears, the release of progestins causes smooth muscle contractions, this is help the cervix soften and often the uterine lining to contract ans shed. It also affects yours bowels so they get a nice kick start. Hence you end up shitting a weeks worth in one night.

You can get some NSAIDs to help (they're anti inflammatory) sometime it helps with pain and cramps. I'd ask your GP about them and then also anti-motility (anti diarrhoea) meds as well. If you find the cramps and pain really bad, antispasmodics drugs can help as well.

But I'd just start with anti-motility ones - ask so that you have it a few days before your period starts and then during it to help.

Is this Javelin arse? (Or have I been on MN too long?)
Period poops are real - you are not alone

This is very usual it is hormone related. Not particularly a lot you can do I would imagine.

Ahh the period shits. Yes, it's annoying.

Period poos. Totally normal.

Thank you @OverlyFragrant for that explanation! It totally explains why, now I'm post menopause, my digestive system has died on its arse.

Yes, @Reallyembarrassedd sloppy period poos are completely normal. I also found that a couple of days after my period, I had the opposite problem (ie. quite, erm, compact, poos).