Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) includes symptoms of physical and psychological discomfort in many women, mostly between ovulation and the onset of menstruation. According to various studies, if you aren’t pregnant, your oestrogen and progesterone levels fall dramatically in the days after ovulation, which causes PMS.
Among many PMS symptoms, a nasty one is constipation. Let’s get into the details of what may cause this issue.
PMS: Common Symptoms
Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) vary from one woman to the next. You might have either physical signs, such as bloating or gassiness, or emotional ones, like sorrow. It is possible that your symptoms will evolve as you become older.
Mostly, there is a regular pattern to the recurrence of symptoms. However, the physical and emotional changes associated with premenstrual syndrome can range from hardly perceptible to dramatic, depending on the individual.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including:
- Breasts that are painful or swollen
- Stomach issues, either constipation or diarrhoea
- Discomfort caused by excess gas or bloating
- Cramping
- Pain in the neck or the back
- Clumsiness
Some of the psychological or emotional manifestations of premenstrual syndrome are
- Aggression or irritability
- Exhaustion
- Disturbed sleep (sleeping too much or too little)
- Alterations in one’s hunger or desires
- Difficulty remembering or focusing
- Stress or nervousness
- Feelings of melancholy, depression, or frequent bouts of sobbing
- Mood swings
- Decreased libido
However, talk to your doctor or nurse if your symptoms are severe or persistent.
What Causes Constipation Before A Period?
Let’s clear up the mystery of why a woman’s bowel habits fluctuate during her cycle.
In the second phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs around day 14.
A higher than average level of progesterone, a hormone that aids in pregnancy preparation, is present throughout this time.
This hormone’s levels rise if the egg is fertilised but fall if it isn’t around day 20 of the cycle, just before bleeding begins.
Because of its muscle-relaxing properties, progesterone is to blame. The organs become so at ease that the wavelike peristalsis contractions of the digestive system, which are responsible for keeping things moving in the lower digestive tract, become sluggish.
And this is why constipation is a possible side effect of PMS, so be aware of the possibility of it occurring before your period starts.
When To Seek Professional Help?
Consult a medical professional if you have doubts about whether or not your period-related constipation is normal. Constipation during your period is often safe.
However, you should consult your physician if it happens every month, lasts more than three days, and may not be related to your menstruation.
How To Deal With Constipation During Your Period?
It’s not nice to fall victim to constipation, but if you’ve, for instance, got your back. Here are a few ways that can help you deal with constipation while you’re menstruating:
Increase Your Fibre Intake
Toilet fibre increases stool bulk. This improves the quality of your waste, making it more straightforward to pass. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to increase your daily fibre intake.
Foods high in fibre include beans, oats, carrots, broccoli, apples, almonds, bananas, peas, and raspberries. And don’t forget to experiment with some tasty recipes for high-fibre meals and snacks.
Get Hydrated By Drinking More Water
In a recent literature review, constipation, dizziness, and exhaustion are some of the adverse effects of inadequate water intake.
To keep your digestive system functioning correctly, drinking the recommended quantity of water daily is essential. Stools are loosened and passed more easily.
Find A Solution
Exercising can coax a slow-moving bowel movement into the spotlight. You shouldn’t force yourself to do exercise if it’s not something you like. Calm post-meal exercise like yoga or walking might help.
Let It All Out
When nature calls, one must answer. The body-brain link can become disrupted if emotions are repressed. Also, when fluids are reabsorbed, the stool becomes more solid the longer it stays in your system. The difficulty level just went up.
Take Laxatives Into Account
Although occasional laxatives may be helpful, doing so regularly is not recommended. Make sure you check with your doctor first to get their approval. Stool softeners, mineral oil, and docusate sodium are examples of lubricant laxatives that are widely used.
Tips for Avoiding Future Constipation
Getting constipated isn’t a joy ride, and every sane woman would want to avoid it if she could. Here are some tips that may help prevent constipation that occurs with your period.
- Eat healthily and regularly. Maintaining a diet rich in raw vegetables, fruits, and whole grains is a worthwhile endeavour any time of the year, not just during the menstrual cycle.
- Think about using a birth control pill. Hormone levels can be controlled using birth control tablets. As a result, this might help reduce the severity of excessive constipation one month and diarrhoea the next.
- Around the time of your period, you should stay away from caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. These beverages have natural diuretics that might help you shed some water weight. This reduces the amount of water your faeces have to draw from. A positive change is possible if water is treated as a top concern.
- It’s time to contact a doctor if constipation is becoming more commonplace. If you find that home remedies for constipation, such as linaclotide and lubiprostone, aren’t helping, talk to your doctor about getting a prescription.
Conclusion
Constipation is treatable by increasing fibre intake, whether or not it occurs during menstruation. High-fibre cereals, whole wheat breads, and a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are all great options for a healthy diet. Stay regular by avoiding sugary and greasy meals and consuming lots of drinks.
Exercise and other types of physical activity may also aid in constipation prevention. Due to the increased oxygen and blood flow, physical activity aids in maintaining regular bowel movements. Constipation is one of the premenstrual symptoms that can be addressed with regular exercise.
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