Why is it that when i get my period, i am ALWAYS constipated?

Question

It's really frustrating!!! it hurts to poop when i have my period, and to add to the pain, i CAN'T seem to poop. other times of the month, i'm regular in my bowels.

what's going on?

Answer 1

Hormonal changes cause the constipation. Some women even experience diarrhea. Lucky me, I had both. Constipation about a week before I started and then diarrhea the first few days after it came on. (I had a hysterectomy a few years ago so thankfully I don't have that issue anymore) Try adding some more fiber rich food into your diet around that time as well as more water. It may help to ease the symptoms.

Answer 2

ok, I'm going out on a limb here and assuming you are serious.
I have gone through this for years
you are anemic. not to worry - just take an iron supplement. here's the kicker - taking iron will aggravate the constipation so here's what you do - eat one stalk of celery and one whole orange EVERY DAY. You will likely never have a problem again.
If you are usually regular except while you have your period, you may only need to do this starting about 3 days before your period starts and through the duration.... but it can't hurt if you do it every day cause it's very healthy

if you are in doubt about being anemic, see your doctor.
if you know you are NOT anemic, then simply follow the diet suggestions outlined and you are "good to go"

Answer 3

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
PMS includes both physical and emotional symptoms that many girls and women get right before their periods, such as:

acne
bloating
fatigue
backaches
sore breasts
headaches
constipation
diarrhea
food cravings
depression or feeling blue
irritability
difficulty concentrating
difficulty handling stress

Different girls may have some or all of these symptoms in varying combinations. PMS is usually at its worst during the 7 days before the period starts and disappears once it begins. But girls usually don't develop symptoms associated with PMS until several years after menstruation starts - if ever.

Although the exact cause of PMS is unknown, it seems to occur because of changing hormone levels. During the second half of the menstrual cycle, the amount of progesterone in the body increases. Then, about 7 days before the period starts and right around when PMS occurs, levels of both progesterone and estrogen drop.

Answer 4

Its hormonal. Estrogen fades as you get ready to start a period. Estrogen helps keep insulin under control. Insulin, thus, can go wild. The purpose of insulin is to open the "cell's mouths" to let food and water in. Thus, right before your period, insulin is madly tucking food and water in cells, which takes it away from the eliminating system and also, incidentally, causes bloating and weight gain.

The food insulin tucks in cells is blood glucose. If there is too much insulin (a condition known as hyperinsulinemia), it can result in there being too little blood glucose in the blood stream for the rest of the body to use during the day (a condition known as hypoglycemia). If the brain senses a low blood sugar condition, it requests food, lots of it, high carb food like chocolate and potato chips and french fries and such.

This is why some women binge before periods.

Low blood sugar also help PMS be more PMSssy and cramps can be worse too.

Answer 5

if you drank more water and ate more fiber, you wouldn't have that problem. honestly.

try it for a month before your period comes, and I'll bet you wont have a problem next period. but be carefull with the fiber. Just add oatmeal to your diet the first month, and start learning more about fiber and it's benefits. You'll be glad you did..

Answer 6

regular exercise, more fiber and plenty of water may help. Herbal supplements are very effective and safe. This site has great info.

Answer 7

every womans body is different... i get diarrhea on mine.... just another part of pms systems in overdrive......

Answer 8

Yep...just as I have always said.... Those that have periods are full of ..............