Period FAQs

how to relieve period constipation

by Luther Hansen Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to manage it
  1. Eat more fiber. Fiber helps to increase the size of your stool, which can help it move easily through your digestive system. ...
  2. Drink more water. You may be more likely to have constipation during your period if you don't get enough water. ...
  3. Make time for exercise. ...
  4. Don't hold it. ...
  5. Try a mild laxative.
Jul 18, 2019

Full Answer

Why am I constipated during my period?

Certain health conditions can also increase your risk of having constipation during your period. Both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and endometriosis, for example, can make you more prone to being constipated during your period, especially in the first few days. Constipation may also be more common if you tend to have very painful periods.

How to relieve constipation naturally?

Here are 13 natural home remedies to relieve constipation. 1. Drink more water A person with constipation should try to drink more water. Being dehydrated regularly can make a person constipated.

How to relieve PMS constipation naturally?

How to Relieve PMS Constipation. Here are some PMS constipation remedies: 1. Make yourself a cup of senna/peppermint tea. The dosage of the herbs is one teaspoon of each of them in a cup of boiling hot water.

Can exercise help with constipation before your period?

Regular exercise not only alleviates constipation before your period, it could tackle other premenstrual symptoms as well. Remember that you can log changes in bowel movements, such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloating, in the Flo app.

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Why am I so constipated on my period?

Just before the onset of menstruation, the body has a surge of progesterone that falls away once you start to bleed. It is this hormone progesterone that can affect your digestive system by delaying the transit time of food through the intestines and can lead to constipation before your period.

HOW LONG CAN period constipation last?

If you aren't sure of what is and isn't normal regarding your period-related constipation, talk to a doctor or other healthcare provider. They can provide reassurance and may be able to offer advice. You should also see your provider if constipation lasts more than three days.

What happens if you let constipation go too long?

For most people constipation rarely causes complications, but people with long-term constipation can develop: haemorrhoids (piles) faecal impaction (where dry, hard stools collect in the rectum) bowel incontinence (the leakage of liquid stools)

Can I take a laxative while on my period?

Many healthy women experience some change of bowel function at the time of their periods. The problem usually lasts only a few days. If severe, an antispasmodic may help for cramping. If you become very constipated, a laxative is perfectly acceptable.

How does magnesium citrate help with period?

Supplementing with a starting amount of 300 mg of magnesium citrate in the evening before bed and increasing as needed may help you find period constipation relief.

What foods should I eat to get rid of constipation?

Include foods like fermented veggies (sauerkraut, kimchi), tempeh, miso, kefir, and yogurt. A high quality probiotic supplement may also be indicated. 5. Omega-3 for Period Constipation. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that anti-inflammatory properties and can help to promote beneficial bacteria in the gut ( source ).

What is the best food for constipation?

Fiber helps to add bulk to your stool so it moves through the digestive system easier. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds to increase your fiber intake to help relieve period constipation.

What are the benefits of Omega 3?

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that anti-inflammatory properties and can help to promote beneficial bacteria in the gut ( source ). The anti-inflammatory properties can help balance out prostaglandins that are anti-inflammatory products produced in the body and when produced in higher amounts can mean more severe cramping right before your period ( source, source ). Due to their benefits for overall gut health, these essential fatty acids can help with period constipation.

Can chia seeds help with constipation?

Chia seeds can help to relief period constipation naturally. They are a good source of fiber, which can add bulk to the stool, and they also form a gel-like consistency when mixed with water that can help promote a softer stool consistency for ease of passage through the digestive tract.

Does lemon juice help with constipation?

Just as we talked about the importance of hydration, warm lemon water, particularly first thing in the morning, can help ease period constipation. Adding lemon juice or lemon slices to warm water can serve as a natural period constipation remedy.

Why does my period have constipation?

Not only do these hormones affect when you ovulate, they can also impact your digestive habits. Some experts think that an increase in progesterone can lead to constipation .

What are some examples of laxatives?

Examples include lubricant laxatives, like mineral oil, or stool softeners, like docusate sodium (Colace). Always check with your doctor before taking these.

How to stop constipation and diarrhea?

Consider oral contraceptives. Birth control pills can help regulate your hormone levels. This may alleviate some of the more severe swings that cause extreme constipation one month and diarrhea the next.

How long does constipation last?

They can provide reassurance and may be able to offer advice. You should also see your provider if constipation lasts more than three days. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe cramping or any blood in your stool. Last medically reviewed on March 21, 2019.

How to prevent constipation during your period?

These tips may help keep period-related constipation at bay. Avoid dehydrating drinks, like caffeine and alcohol, around your period. These drinks are natural diuretics and can reduce the amount of water in your body.

What to do if you have constipation?

Talk to a doctor about prescription medication. If your constipation starts to become the rule instead of the exception, see a doctor. They can prescribe medications to reduce constipation, such as linaclotide or lubiprostone, if your at-home efforts don’t seem to be working.

How to get rid of sluggish intestines?

oats. pears. raspberries. split peas. Increase your water intake. Drinking more water can make your stool softer and easier to pass. Add in some exercise. Movement via exercise can also stimulate sluggish intestines. An example could be taking a walk after you eat.

How to get rid of constipation from roto rooter?

Try prune juice. Drinking a large 8-12 ounce portion size of prune juice can blast away the constipation, working about the same as Roto-rooter does. However, for some people, this may not be the answer, as the blast can be pretty explosive. 4. Schedule a colonic hydrotherapy session.

How to relieve constipation from PMS?

Here are some PMS constipation remedies: 1. Make yourself a cup of senna/peppermint tea. The dosage of the herbs is one teaspoon of each of them in a cup of boiling hot water. 2.

Why do my bowels feel sluggish?

If you have a low-functioning thyroid, then your bowels will be sluggish. Remember that one of the things that causes a low thyroid is birth control pills. This doesn’t mean you should necessarily go off the birth control pills, but do spend some time considering the alternatives.

How to start a day off?

The answer here is to start your day off by drinking a quart of water. It’s one of the easiest health strategies to start and stick to during the rest of your life. Drinking a quart of water will reset the body’s thirst mechanism for the day.

What are some good foods to eat to help with constipation?

Some of the best high fiber foods are lentils, black beans, red beans, any type of beans, pears and apples. Not enough water consumed during the day.

What vitamins are good for colon?

Your period vitamin will have vitamins and minerals in it that support your colon function. For example, it will contain extra magnesium, a mineral crucial for the colon.

What hormones affect your period?

Fluctuating hormone levels. Estrogen and progesterone levels cycle during your period and the rest of the month. Some of these changes can affect the GI tract; however, what you’re eating in your diet can override hormonal influences.

A few at-home tips can help you avoid the need for harsh laxatives

We often make light of constipation, but it's no laughing matter. When you can't go to the bathroom for days on end, you feel bloated and miserable. Straining day after day can also lead to more serious problems, like hemorrhoids or even prolapse (bulging) of rectal tissue.

Disclaimer

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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