Sandhya Raghavan
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Written By: Sandhya Raghavan | Published : November 10, 2017 5:35 PM IST
Dear doctor,
I am a 30-year-old mother of two. I have a rather embarrassing problem. Every month, during my periods, I find it particularly difficult and painful to pass stools. It hurts very badly and it feels like a painful menstrual cramp, although I know that menstrual cramps are never this painful. The pain is particularly unbearable on the first and second day of my periods. I have asked my friends if they also experience something similar, but none of them feels any pain during those days. I wanted to know whether it normal to feel pain during bowel movements.
This query is answered by Dr Veena Aurangabadwala, Gynaecologist, Zen Multispecialty Hospital, Chembur.
Many women face gastrointestinal symptoms around the time of their menses. Problems like abdominal pain and bloating are quite common. The fact is that menstruation often causes alterations in bowel patterns. Blame it on the hormones, but the constant fluctuation of oestrogen and progesterone can cause some changes in your digestive system. Some women experience constipation while others get loose motions due to hormonal changes.
More women than men are affected by constipation and progesterone is the hormone that is to be blamed for causing this problem, especially around the time of periods. When you are constipated for a longer time, evacuation becomes difficult. In such cases, passing stools can become painful for the woman.
Excessive surge of the hormone-like chemical prostaglandins released during periods also causes gastrointestinal trouble. As a result, women experience hasted, painful bowel movements. Such cases of bowel movement pain during periods are normal.
However, if the pain has been relieved by painkillers or analgesics each time, it could be a sign of underlying endometriosis involving the pelvis and adjoining bowel, or it could be a case of pelvic inflammatory disease. If this is the case, you should immediately seek medical attention.
Also read: Is it normal to have fever during periods?
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