Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: This happens to almost everyone...

Hormone fluctuations seem to definitely be tied into IBS, though researchers haven't pinned down the precise reasons why. Typically, most women experience flares (particularly with diarrhea and cramping) in the days right before their period and when their period begins. This is when prostagladin production increases as prostagladins trigger uterine contractions - the problem is they can also trigger gut muscle contractions, and thus IBS attacks.

I found this to be one of the most frustrating things about my own IBS. No matter how rock solid I was for the whole month, it all went right out the window when I got my period unless I totally cracked down on my diet and started taking my soluble fiber supplement before I ate anything. Even then I'd sometimes have the diarrhea without the pain.

However, I have found that since I started yoga, this problem has completely disappeared. It took over 6 months for this to happen, but it's been miraculous. The strange thing is that I can still get pretty bad cramps (and I'm hoping the yoga eventually solves those too) but I never, ever have my IBS flare from the cramps at all. I don't know why this happened but I sure do appreciate it. I've always worked out regularly but other forms of exercise never had this effect.

The lack of sleep as a problem is also really common. Fatigue and stress of any kind can definitely worsen IBS or precipitate an attack. There is detailed information about this at http://www.firstyearibs.com/day5learn.html

Making sure you get enough sleep every night, and even naps as you need them, can be a great way to keep yourself stable.

- Heather

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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

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