---
title: Do bowel symptoms vary with the menstrual cycle in women with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease?
description: Yes. About two-thirds of women with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis reported that their symptoms got worse with their cycle. Women with IBS and inflamm
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-menstrual-cycle-an-important-but-often-overlooked-player-in-bowel-disorders-1999/
---

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- Do bowel symptoms vary with the menstrual cycle in women with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease?

Survey study, 1999

# Do bowel symptoms vary with the menstrual cycle in women with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease?

Yes. About two-thirds of women with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis reported that their symptoms got worse with their cycle. Women with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease reported more cyclical changes in bowel habits than women with normal bowel function.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with ulcerative colitis (49), Crohn's disease (49), IBS (46), and normal bowel function (90)

## What they did

Researchers interviewed women by telephone about bowel symptoms and menstrual cycles. They compared groups: 49 women with ulcerative colitis, 49 with Crohn's disease, 46 with irritable bowel syndrome, and 90 with normal bowel function. Interviews covered premenstrual symptoms, bowel changes in pregnancy, stress effects, and symptom patterns with the cycle.

## What they found

Two-thirds of women with active ulcerative colitis and women with active or quiet Crohn's disease reported a link between disease symptoms and menstrual cycle. Almost all women reported premenstrual and menstrual symptoms. Women with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease reported more cyclical changes in bowel habits than women with normal bowel function.

## What it means for you

The study shows that menstrual cycle effects on bowel symptoms are common in women with gastrointestinal disease. The main limitation is that women were asked to recall symptoms by telephone, which may not be accurate. The study looked back at history rather than following women forward.

2/3

reported menstrual cycle effect

49

women with ulcerative colitis

49

women with Crohn's disease

## About the study

Original title THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE: AN IMPORTANT, BUT OFTEN OVERLOOKED, PLAYER IN BOWEL DISORDERS Authors Wendy Biddle Journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Year 1999 Study design Survey study Participants 90 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00054725-199911000-00014](https://doi.org/10.1097/00054725-199911000-00014)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/)[IBS and gut symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ibs-gi/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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