IBS/IBD and Premenstrual Syndrome

If you are a woman who may have been diagnosed with either irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, you will probably be aware of a link between IBS/IBD and your menstrual cycle. Not every woman who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome or an inflammatory bowel disease will have diarrhea during her period, but it is a common occurrence. Some women who have not been properly diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome will complain of diarrhea just before or during their period.

So what does this mean?

Doctor's Lee, Hunter and Cotterell hypothesized that fluctuation of hormones levels at the time of a menstrual cycle, lead to an increase in symptoms that were connected in a double blind crossover trial of evening primrose oil. Women with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease both saw an increase in diarrhea in the days leading up to and during their period.

The doctor's theorized that this was due to two possible compounds causing the increase in irritable bowel symptoms, which are prostaglandin's and progesterone. The body has many types of prostaglandins but with different functions through the body.

To read more on this topic please click on the following link.



This is a community web site that discusses all issues about irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Support is given to those who are suffering and we hope that everyone will learn more about their illness and learn how to regain their life. Members gain access to a free monthly newsletter and message forum.