IBS and menstruation....can it help symptoms?
#241169 - 01/24/06 12:41 PM
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If menstruation were to have any effect on IBS symptoms, would it always be negative? I'm wondering for this reason: Two years ago I went on a diet and lost a LOT of weight. I was so thin that I lost my period for 1/2 a year. During that time I had a lot of D. Pretty much every single night actually. Once I gained weight and my period came back, my stomach got better. Also, when I got pregnant (and I lost my period obviously!) I also started getting IBS symptoms. They continued and got worse after giving birth. I have been breastfeeding exclusively for 10 months and have been without my period until now. My son has started eating more solids and nursing less and I got my period about 3 days ago. I have been feeling exceptionally good now and have been feeling even better for the last week or so. Do you think it is possible that my hormones play a big role in my symptoms? And maybe I do better when I am menstruating because of the hormonal stuff? I'm still going to keep up w/ my SF supplement, pepp. tea, and diet because I think it is just a very healthy way to live. Just thought I'd see if anyone had input regarding this topic...maybe menstruation helps my IBS!
Thanks
Amber
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I was actually wondering the same thing. I usually feel better during my period. It was the opposite befor, but the last few months it has actually been better and not much bloating. So now I look forward to it.
Isn't that weird? That's why I am beginning to think I may not have IBS now and that it is something else. My stool is much more formed and normal and no D, I just gets pain & cramping in my stomach now.
Anyone have any idea what it may be?
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My IBS symptoms actually get really bad around the time of my period. 2-3 days before is when it is the worse, other then that I am pretty stable. I am sure for everyone it is different.
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IBS is strongly correlated to hormone levels, so it might just be that your normal cycle has a mix of hormones that work well for you. I doubt that its the menstruation itself - it's probably the hormonal changes that go along with your cycling.
For me, the last 3 days of the pill, I have a great metabolism and no IBS symptoms at all. Once I'm on my week off, my stomach gets pickier but I'm more regular. Then I get back to "normal" the first 2.5 weeks I'm back on again.
--AC
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