Survey study, 1990
Do bowel symptoms get worse during menstruation?
Yes. 34% of women without IBS reported gas, diarrhea, or constipation during menstruation, and women with IBS were significantly more likely to experience these symptoms during their period.
What they did
Cross-sectional study. 369 women from a Planned Parenthood clinic and a gastroenterology clinic were asked whether they had gas, diarrhea, or constipation during menstruation.
What they found
Of 233 Planned Parenthood clients without IBS, 34% reported menstruation-related bowel symptoms. Women at the gastroenterology clinic with IBS were significantly more likely to experience each of these symptoms during menstruation, especially increased gas.
What it means for you
Bowel symptoms during menstruation are common, especially in women with IBS. These symptoms were not explained by psychological factors like stress or mood changes. This was a study from 1990 in Maryland and cannot prove that menstruation causes these symptoms.
34%
Planned Parenthood clients without IBS who reported bowel symptoms during menstruation
233
Planned Parenthood clients surveyed
369
Total women surveyed
About the study
- Original title
- Evidence for exacerbation of irritable bowel syndrome during menses
- Authors
- Whitehead WE, Cheskin LJ, Heller BR et al.
- Journal
- Gastroenterology
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Survey study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(90)91079-l
Topics
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