Are Your Period Poops Normal? Causes & How to Treat

Key takeaways:

• It’s normal to experience changes in bowel movements during menstruation.
• Changes in bowel habits are most noticeable during the first few days of your period.
• Bowel habits are expected to return to normal once you’re no longer menstruating.

If you’ve noticed that your bowel movements seem different during your period, you're not alone. Changes in your digestive health are common when you’re menstruating.

Understanding why your body behaves this way – and what is considered normal – can minimize concerns associated with bowel movements during your period.

In this article, we discuss the causes of changes in bowel movements during menstruation and how to find relief, as well as if and when this symptom means you should see a doctor.

Is it normal for bowel movements to change while menstruating?

Yes, it’s normal to experience some changes in bowel movements while you’re menstruating. Normally, these changes are minimal and do not cause much disruption in your daily life.

Why bowel movements can change while menstruating

Changes in dietary preference and fluctuating hormone levels are the main factors responsible for shifts in bowel movements while you’re having your period.

Hormone levels and changes

During your menstrual cycle, you’ll experience fluctuations in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. When you’re having your period, these hormone levels drop.

This causes changes in your digestive tract and often leads to more frequent bowel movements. Those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome may be especially prone to changes in bowel movements during menstruation.

Prostaglandin levels and changes

Fatty compounds that impact different parts of the body are known as prostaglandins.

Those made in the uterus help it contract and shed its lining during your period. Prostaglandin levels are highest on the first day of your menstrual cycle. When prostaglandin levels are high, it affects muscles in the digestive tract. This can lead to more frequent bowel movements and loose stools, especially during the first few days of menstruation.

Dietary and lifestyle changes

During your period, you may crave different foods – and dietary changes can affect your bowel movements.

For example, foods high in sugar, fats, or caffeine can lead to changes in stool consistency. These foods can also cause you to poop more often when you’re menstruating. Along with diet, lifestyle factors can affect how your digestive system functions when you’re having your period. These include stress, reduced physical activity, or changes in sleep patterns

Normal vs. abnormal changes in bowel movements while menstruating

It’s important to recognize what changes in bowel habits are normal during menstruation, and which changes are more concerning.

Normal changes

More frequent bowel movements and loose stools, especially at the start of your period, are normal. You may also have more bloating, gas, and mild stomach discomfort.

Abnormal changes

While occasional changes in your poop are normal, some changes are not. Diarrhea or constipation that lasts beyond your period may be a sign of a digestive issue that needs medical attention.

Also, watch for blood in your stool. You may see a small amount after straining due to constipation. However, a significant amount of blood in poop or black, tarry stools are not normal.

How to get relief from uncomfortable bowel movements while menstruating

As uncomfortable as they can be, normal symptoms typically last only a few days. Following are some treatment methods you can use to get relief.

OTC meds

Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help relieve pain during your period. Ibuprofen has the added benefit of reducing inflammation that can contribute to pain.

If you are having diarrhea, over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications such as Imodium or Pepto Bismol may be used. These should only be taken for a few days, however. See a doctor if your diarrhea lasts longer than that.

Watch your diet

Giving in to food cravings during your period can contribute to changes in bowel movements. Foods that are high in fat and sugar, for instance, may lead to diarrhea.

You can help avoid this by eating bland foods and foods that are easy to digest. Also remember to eat foods that are part of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.

Heating pad

Digestion system changes, along with contractions occurring in the uterus, can cause abdominal pain and cramping during your period.

For some individuals, this cramping can be severe and debilitating. Applying a heating pad or warm compresses to the abdomen can help ease pain and muscle contraction.

How to prevent uncomfortable bowel movements while menstruating

Although you can’t control the fluctuation of hormones during your period, there are some ways you can keep your bowels functioning as normally as possible.

Increase hydration

Due to hormone fluctuations, you’ll likely poop more during menstruation. So, you may experience looser stools or even diarrhea.

Because diarrhea is one of the main causes of dehydration, it’s important to stay hydrated during your menstrual cycle.

Avoid trigger foods

Certain foods can make period-related bowel changes worse. Try to avoid foods that are known to cause bloating, gas, or discomfort, such as caffeine, dairy, and processed foods. If you have serious diarrhea, the BRAT diet is recommended.

Read our guides on different types of stool and stool colors for more.

When to see a doctor about bowel movements while menstruating

As stated previously, changes in bowel habits are to be expected when you’re having your period. So, these changes usually don’t merit a trip to the doctor. However, some situations should prompt you to seek medical advice.

You should see a doctor if:

• Your bowel changes last longer than your period;
• You have blood in your stool;
• You are vomiting or experiencing other digestive symptoms.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You have a significant amount of blood in your stool or very dark stools;
• You have severe abdominal pain;
• You’re having severe diarrhea and aren’t able to tolerate fluids.

Questions to ask your doctor about bowel movements while menstruating

• Why do my bowel movements change when I have my period?
• Should my bowel movements return to normal after my period is over?
• Will birth control help with my symptoms?
• Are there any changes to my diet I could make during my period to help?

How a doctor may help treat uncomfortable bowel movements while menstruating

Much of what a doctor recommends for uncomfortable bowel movements during your period is similar to what you can try on your own. In some cases, prescription medication may be needed.

Diet and lifestyle counseling

Your doctor may talk with you about healthy dietary choices to make during menstruation.

That will likely include suggestions about what to eat if you’re having diarrhea or are constipated. Healthy lifestyle habits, like regular exercise and drinking plenty of water, can also help maintain healthy bowel movements.

Hormonal contraceptives

Oral contraceptive pills, particularly combination pills, can help reduce hormonal fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone.

When hormone levels are steady, they’re less likely to spike, drop, and/or cause variations in bowel habits. If you’re experiencing significant bowel changes during your period, your doctor may prescribe hormonal contraceptives to reduce symptoms.

Frequently asked questions: period poops

If you’re troubled by changes from hormone fluctuations during your period, you probably have many questions about it. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.

Do you have to change your tampon every time you poop?

Not necessarily – although it’s not a bad idea. If you’re straining during a bowel movement, pelvic pressure can force the tampon to partially come out.

That increases the risk of cross-contamination and makes it easier for harmful bacteria like E.coli to enter the vagina. If bacteria gets into your urinary tract, it can cause an infection.

How should you deal with diarrhea while on your period?

If you’re suffering from diarrhea, focus on eating foods that are easy to digest. Also, choose foods that will not worsen diarrhea symptoms.

This includes eating bland foods and avoiding foods high in fiber, fat, and sugar. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration so be sure to increase your fluid intake. If diet and hydration alone are not helpful, over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications can be used – but don’t take these for more than a few days.

Why do you poop so much on the first day of your period?

Prostaglandins released during menstruation stimulate the muscles in your intestines.

This, in turn, can lead to more frequent bowel movements. Prostaglandin levels are at their highest on the first day of your period. They gradually decline as the uterine lining sheds.

In summary

Changes in bowel habits during menstruation are common and mainly due to changes in hormones and body chemistry. Fortunately, an increase in pooping, as well as bloating and cramping, are temporary.

These symptoms should improve as you near the end of your cycle. Staying on top of your hydration, diet, and exercise is important. If needed, you can take over-the-counter pain medication for relief. If your symptoms don’t go away, and especially if they get worse, be sure to see a doctor.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

Sources

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