Period poop is real: Why you may be constipated one week and going to the loo more the next

Women may experience significant changes in their bowel habits throughout their menstrual cycle, ranging from bloating and constipation before their period to more frequent trips to the toilet while on it.

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Following ovulation, rising progesterone levels slow down digestion, which can cause constipation.

These shifts are primarily driven by hormonal fluctuations. Assistant Professor Jill Lee, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, explained that estrogen and progesterone levels influence digestion. In the first half of the cycle, rising estrogen is followed by a rise in progesterone after ovulation. High progesterone levels slow down digestion, which can lead to constipation.

Just before menstruation begins, both estrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply. This decrease causes intestinal muscles to contract more rapidly, resulting in faster bowel movements. Additionally, during the period itself, the body produces more prostaglandins, hormone-like compounds that stimulate uterine contractions. These compounds also increase gastrointestinal activity, contributing to looser and more frequent stools for many women.

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Just before your period, oestrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply and this makes your intestine muscles contract more quickly, causing faster bowel movements.

Dr. June Tan Sheren, a family physician, noted that stress and mood disorders can heighten gut sensitivity, potentially worsening these menstrual-related bowel changes. Bloating and constipation experienced in the week or more leading up to a period are also linked to hormonal shifts, particularly the higher progesterone levels that slow food's passage through the colon.

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Elevated prostaglandins during menstruation not only stimulate uterine contractions but also increase gastrointestinal movement, leading to loose and more frequent stooling in many women during their periods.