IBS and cycle: Just wondered if any women... - IBS Network

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IBS and cycle

littlemissbee profile image
10 Replies

Just wondered if any women suffering from IBS had noticed a link between their cycle and their flare ups? I seem to get bad diarrhea and bloating during and towards the end of my period. Because my IBS is linked to anxiety I find that I am anxious a lot around this time of the month too. It does flare up around other times too but I wondered if it could be linked to hormonal changes? Has anyone else made this connection?

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littlemissbee profile image
littlemissbee
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10 Replies
jodyray profile image
jodyray

Yes I to experience the same exact thing:(

Chili_b profile image
Chili_b

Me too!

shbowker profile image
shbowker

I am the same at the time of month. Dr's have actually said that this is a normal reaction

megben profile image
megben

Hi, I have the same problem and found the book 'Irritable Bowel Solutions' by Professor John Hunter really helpful. He has a whole chapter on the menstrual cycle and IBS with suggestions about how to deal with it. Like you I was becoming anxious during these flare ups, but understanding that this can be 'normal' has really helped.

1250 profile image
1250

Yes what happens to me when I was younger x

04Lily profile image
04Lily

Yes, my IBS gets worse at certain times of the month and is particularly bad just before and during my period. I do think there is a definate link to hormonal changes. I also get blood sugar drops just before and during my period, if I dont snack regularly I get the shakes and feel light-headed. I am 47 and the symptoms seem to worsen each month.

london81 profile image
london81

yes 100% I get 10 times worse before and during period

foxkennedy21 profile image
foxkennedy21

Hi littlemissbee, yes this is very common, my i.b.s worsens every couple of weeks, once around that time and also when I ovulate, I get awful pain across my left hip.

glitterstorm profile image
glitterstorm

I experience similar flare ups when I get my period (although it usually happens in the first few days of it, and a couple of days before it arrives too). Are you taking hormonal contraception? Some people find that helps control their symptoms a bit. For me, taking the pill exacerbates my IBS, although it has helped a bit changing to a very low oestrogen pill. I stopped taking it for a while, but I get very heavy, painful periods too, which the pill does help with. So at the moment, the costs of taking it seem to outweigh the benefits!

trixiebluebell profile image
trixiebluebell

Yes I tend to have ibs d around my period. It is definitely linked to hormones I think especially as it tends to be more prevalent in women.

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