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Periods. They’re great fun, no? There’s the bloating, the acne, the clumsiness, the mood swings, the memory lapses… and for many of us, there can also be a noticeable change in digestion.
Some women experience overly rumbly tummies, others diarrhoea. Either way, the question remains: why do our bowel movements go funny around our periods?
You can place some of the blame on your prostaglandins — these are chemicals which regulate the female reproductive system and are involved in the control of ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
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“They are released when you have your period. When you get a surge of estrogen during your period, you also get prostaglandins. You need them to keep everything in check,” explains Dr Sara Baqar, an endocrinologist based in Melbourne.
Prostaglandins, especially if present in excess, can result in the uterine cramping and discomfort many women experience during their menstrual period. (Post continues after gallery.)
All your period supplies.
“The body produces prostaglandins which make the muscle of the uterus contract at period time to help expel the lining which gives the bleeding each month,” Dr Ruth Hand, a Melbourne-based GP explains.
However, that’s not the only side-effect they can contribute to.
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“The prostaglandins can also work on the muscle cells in the bowel, making them contract as well as giving diarrhoea. They can also cause headaches and nausea and vomiting,” Dr Hand adds.