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IBS and period mishaps??

Posted , 5 users are following.

meghan86445
meghan86445

So I've read a few posts on the forum that relate to this topic, but haven't really answered my questions, so am hoping somebody will be able to help me out? I'm 18 years old and for the past few months, I haven't had a "proper" period as such. I randomly get spots of brownish coloured blood, but nothing major, (TMI I know) but this then isn't followed by an actual period? Coincidentally, I've been having IBS symptoms that have started around the same time as my periods messing up, and whenever I am "due on", that's when I get a bout of diarrhea (but this isn't sustained, I'll get diarrhea once and then thats it). I already know that periods can make IBS worse, but that's not what I want to learn about more. I want to know if anyone knows of whether or not IBS (diarrhea predominantly) can be CAUSED by periods/hormonal imbalances etc and whether or not IBS symptoms can be confused with something that is actually more to do with menstruation. Thanks to anyone who offers any insight!

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 meghan86445

    Posted

    You can get diarrhoea during your periods without having IBS and hormones can influence IBS so IBS can feel worse during your periods.  I haven’t heard of IBS D being caused by periods or hormone imbalances.  The main causes of IBS as far as I know are stomach infections, abdominal surgery and stress.  IBS can be confused with ovarian cysts and endometriosis especially if the endos attach to the bowel.  

    My IBS started at the same time as my periods but my cycle was not disrupted.  The only difference was that my periods were more painful with my IBS.

    A pelvic ultrasound would help to detect ovarian cysts and a laparoscopy would detect endometriosis.  Have you seen a doctor about your symptoms? A doctor would be able to help you more.

     

    • Nickie54
      Nickie54 pippa58442

      Posted

      Pippa... I know one time I was having a bout with IBS and also was put on a antibiotic for another reason and my IBS cleared up.. what is that all about..?
    • meghan86445
      meghan86445 pippa58442

      Posted

      Hi there,

      Thanks for your advice, I've been reading up about ovarian cysts and am wondering if maybe that's involved somehow. I'm going to go to the doctors about it anyhow!

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 meghan86445

      Posted

      A gnae doctor would be able to help.  Although, IBS can make periods more painful, it shouldn’t cause changes in the regularity of your cycle.   It sounds more likely that is related to your periods than IBS.
  • jello11529
    jello11529 meghan86445

    Posted

    Hi meghan, I also have IBS, and yes, During perimenstrual periods my IBS used to get worse...So I think there is relation between IBS and perimenstrual periods, But my menstrual cycle has always been consistent with normal 5 days bleeding...I might have more pain but no changes in bleeding pattern...If you have problem with your menstruation, Then in my opinion you should see your gynec..Or check for any medicines which you are taking, and might cause irregularity in menses..
    • meghan86445
      meghan86445 jello11529

      Posted

      Hi there, thanks for the advice! I'm definitely going to go and see the doctor about it, because I do feel like there is a link between the irregularity of my period and my IBS symptoms. Thanks again for giving your insight.

  • david911
    david911 meghan86445

    Posted

    Hi Meghan. Irregular period isn't something that is unheard of. Actually, it seems to be pretty common; I've come across women with irregular period concern. It might not be something really major. . But an appointment with your gynecologist should clear things out for you. I believe it's not enough to scare you. See your doctor and update us, please. Good luck.

    • meghan86445
      meghan86445 david911

      Posted

      Hi David, I'm definitely going to make an appointment & hopefully I can get to the bottom of it. At the moment, I'm worrying myself by presuming that it's something sinister, but I just want to be able to know if there is a link/cause behind my IBS and irregular periods. Thanks for the advice and your concern, I'll be sure to update everyone.

    • david911
      david911 meghan86445

      Posted

      You're so welcome, Meghan. I really don't think that there's a correlation between IBS and irregular period. But I think it's good to let you know that sometimes people misdiagnose themselves with IBS when in fact their GI issue is psychological; I was one of such people.

      I used to be ruined by my so-called IBS until I figured out that none of it would have happened had I lived my life normally and not worried about something that was not in existence. Therefore, I believe that there's some chance that you might not have IBS. As far as irregular period, I think what bothers women about that issue is unplanned pregnancy, because you know that if your period is unpredictable you couldn't say with certainty that you're free, if you know what I mean. But go ahead and see your doctor. I look forward to you coming back to let us know that your issue is only psychological, because then the solution would be as easy as disciplining that mind.

    • meghan86445
      meghan86445 david911

      Posted

      Hi David, I'm intrigued about your IBS experience being based on psychology. I've heard about such things before (as I've read up about CBT) but have never really given it much thought. What were your symptoms & how did you manage to stop this through your mentality? Sounds very insightful and possibly something I could benefit from

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 david911

      Posted

      IBS can be caused by anxiety and stress and produces physical symptoms.  Psychological would suggest that your symptoms were in your head when with IBS sufferers they are very real and not imagined.  My IBS started after stress and my symptoms were very real and were diagnosed by a doctor.

      I am sure that my IBS wouldn’t have happened either if I hadn’t been so anxious when I was younger. However, that doesn’t mean to say I don’t have IBS or that I imagined having it.

    • david911
      david911 meghan86445

      Posted

      Hi Meghan. Sorry it took me so long to reply. Actually, the type that I believed I had was IBS-G. That is, IBS with Gas. It was all in my head until it actually started manifesting in the form of inopportune flatus. This caused me major embarrassment to a point that I almost lost my mind. I went to the hospital with complaints, wasted my money, and still had the issue.

      Such was my particular situation that I had anxiety and obvious stress that went with it. But instead of it resolving it was actually getting worse. I would think that I had a flatulence incident that never happened. Then I realized that I had the solution to my ordeal; I just had to figure out a way to deal with it and bring it to a grinding halt for good.

      Gradually, I started making conscious efforts to avoid letting the anxiety set in. What helped me achieve the victory over it was me constantly reminding myself that my supposed issue shouldn't even have happened in the first place. I don't know how it all became a positive reality. Now I don't even get nervous when I'm in a quiet room full of people. I might be wrong about your case, but you might want to check to see if there's any factor that causes anxiety in you. Play mind games on yourself, especially firmly remind yourself that whatever the cause of your anxiety is does not exist. I mean, if it's not a real problem that you cannot solve on your own. With that said, if your particular circumstance is somewhat similar to mine, then I'd suggest that you try handling it as I did. I will gladly follow you through it. So, don't hesitate to reply or send a direct message to me.

    • david911
      david911 pippa58442

      Posted

      Hello Pippa. I totally understand your point, which makes so much sense. However, you've got to realize that symptoms could very easily turn into signs when one lets them keep replaying on one's mind. That was how it happened in my case. The mind is very powerful and could make or break one.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 david911

      Posted

      You may well have had IBS but you got it under control with trying to manage stress and this is how your symptoms cleared up.  My brother was the same.  I had a lot of health anxiety before my IBS diagnosis, but those worries that replayed in my mind for three and a half months did not turn into the symptoms of the conditions I was stressing about.

      For me, stress oversenitised my colon and upper digestive tract which are areas in the body that are very reactive to stress. IBS is often a stress related condition.

    • jello11529
      jello11529 david911

      Posted

      Hi david...You are very correct..One's mind can make or break them...I have seen people who had got swelling in their arms due to anxiety without any particular reason and got control of it by controlling anxiety....People got fever without any cause, did every tests possible medically but couldn't figure out...Once they came out from their grief they felt better...So still needs to do much research on mind's capability...IBS has definite relation with anxiety..But that is one of the risk factors, Other things we forget to take care of our gut's healthy bacteria...With lots of antibiotics and bad foods, we kill them and generate lots of diseases for ourselves...So another aspect of it to take care of our gut's healthy bacteria...WE can all try with some prebiotics...That will definitely help us...Somewhere I read that if we are taking one course of antibiotics we are killing our healthy gut bacteria to the extend that it will take 3 years to recover them backredface

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