Table of Contents:
- What is IBS?
- IBS and Periods
- IBS and Menstrual Cramps
- Does IBS Cramping Feel Like Period Cramps?
- IBS During Your Period
- Managing Cramping
What is IBS?
IBS groups gastrointestinal symptoms, such as cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, and abnormal bowel movements, into a cluster of recurrent, identifiable symptoms. Irritable Bowel Syndrome differs from Irritable Bowel Disease in the severity, frequency, and impact of these symptoms on the body. However, both affect the gastrointestinal tract, involve inflammation as a primary cause of these symptoms, and require lifestyle changes and even medical intervention to manage and maintain good health.
IBS and Periods
The exact percentages are murky, but there seems to be a higher prevalence of IBS diagnosed in women than in men. While there is no clear indicator regarding why women are more impacted than men, it is clear that women managing IBS may also have to manage it on top of their menstrual cycles, which can provide unique challenges.
Mounting evidence shows that the physiological problems IBS causes may impact how women experience their periods. For example, it can be challenging to differentiate IBS cramping from premenstrual or menstrual cramping, and therefore harder to treat. Alternatively, digestive issues such as malnutrition can lead to a lack of necessary nutrients to regulate the menstrual cycle. Normal menstrual symptoms such as bloating may also intensify.
While IBS and menstrual cramping may feel similar, they are the results of different processes. Cramping in IBS may be related to a host of issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, or gut inflammation. Menstrual cramping, on the other hand, is a specific part of the menstrual cycle where the uterus pushes out the last month’s inner lining of blood and mucus in a series of short movements through the vaginal canal. When these movements of the reproductive tract become too harsh, they result in pain such as cramping.
Do IBS Cramps Feel Like Period Cramps?
The answer is that it depends. IBS cramps can originate from several locations in the body; either from in the stomach, colon, or intestines. Menstrual cramps can be traced to the reproductive tract, and therefore typically occur in the lower back, hips, lower abdomen, navel, or bowels.
IBS cramping can also occur in these areas. As material passes through the gastrointestinal tract to the bowels, undue pressure can lead to the cramping of sore and sensitive muscles both internally and externally to the dietary system.
A way to tell the difference between IBS cramping and period cramping (or even cramps caused by premenstrual syndrome PMS) is through the timing and dietary habits surrounding the appearance of the symptoms. Simply put, if you know you have IBS, your stomach or another organ feels upset, and it isn’t that time of the month, odds are it’s an IBS cramp.
IBS During Your Period
“Aunt Flo” can be tricky to manage at the best of times; compounding it with IBS can be even more difficult. For one, over-the-counter pain-relievers such as ibuprofen(Advil) and other NSAID medications can exacerbate IBS cramping, despite their use to counter period pain. Alternatively, medicines used to regulate digestive issues during an IBS symptom flare-up can increase bloating or gas caused by a period. Striking a balance between managing both types of cramping requires attention to diet, lifestyle choices, and tuning into one’s body to understand what she needs.
Managing Cramping
Diet, in particular, is integral to managing period and IBS symptoms. Depending on the type of IBS (usually defined by the most frequently experienced abnormal bowel movement, either diarrhea, constipation, or a mix of both), there are several dietary recommendations to help keep patients in good health; but as a general rule, avoiding trigger foods and those known to cause inflammation, such as caffeine, alcohol, and high-sugar processed foods is a good place to start. For menstrual cramping, avoiding foods high in sodium can help reduce the frequency of bloating and cramping, as well as drinking water to stay hydrated.
Exercise is often recommended to reduce symptoms of both IBS and menstrual cramping since it releases hormones such as endorphins and oxytocin in the brain responsible for shutting down pain receptors. Despite this, it can be hard to want to move while experiencing cramping. Trying low-impact stretches, such as stretching your legs, arms, and upper torso can have the same effect while allowing sore muscles in your lower back and abdomen to be gently moved around, increasing blood flow to these areas.
Growing up, hot water bottles were commonly used to reduce cramping. This is because heat causes blood vessels in applied areas to vasodilate, increasing blood flow and allowing for natural pain-reducing hormones to arrive quicker at their destination, as well as relieving muscular tension. Hot compresses should be applied to the area of interest for a limited time (no more than 20 minutes without a break), to avoid damaging the nerves in the skin. Drinking peppermint tea, which contains anti-inflammatory properties, can also help ease IBS-caused cramping and muscular tension caused by menstrual cramps. Many women find hot baths or showers to help reduce cramping as well.
Summer Pitocchelli-Schwartzman
