Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Menstruation, lack of sleep and IBS

And if I know that!!

In my case hormone fluctuations seem to be my main IBS trigger these days!! Somehow the symptoms get even worse when I get bad PMS! The last two cycles were a nightmare. Okay, my symptoms start flaring up when estrogen levels start rising. Around the estrogen peak I have one or two very bad days of bloating, cramping. Then a short break, then very different symptoms (mainly rectal and sigmoid cramps) around day 12/13 when I also feel my uterus/cervix kind of moving/cramping. Then it gets better again, but around day 15-18 I get this PMS anxiety (along with chocolate cravings even though that's the last thing I can eat).

This state of mind seems to tear down the barrier between my mind and gut - the tiniest annoyance or misunderstanding does immediately lead to severe colon cramps. I tell you, that's the scariest bit, I think I go crazy then. For the remainder of the cycle (average 23 days) it's 'just' a very delicate balance, the fact that I eat or drink, too much or too fast or whatever, triggers more cramps (alongside tender breasts etc). But then, miracuously, about one day before my period, all ! symptoms stop completely and I'm completely symptomfree until about day 5 or 7 of the next cycle!!! Wonderful BMs during my period! It's so weird! But thanks to the PMS and detailed diary keeping I am now very sure of this connection and I'm hoping to cut the problem by the roots and take birth control pills or so. I just pray that they won't have any adverse effect on the IBS, because I know my situation is very much on the edge, I am being quite ill, really, and I can't risk it getting worse...

By the way, lack of sleep also triggers my symptoms but that's easier to avoid than the hormone fluctuations....

Would love to hear more on this from other people!

Susaloh

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