Monthly constipation
Moderator: talkhealth
Monthly constipation
Around the time of ovulation ( days 10 to 15) I suffer with terrible constipation . What is the reason for this ?
- Dr Jamal Hayat
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 9:28 am
Re: Monthly constipation
We know that women are more affected by constipation than men particularly young females.
The reasons remain slightly controversial and not completely clear, but are thought to be related to hormonal changes that can occur during your menstrual cycle. The hormonal changes can affect the transit through your colon, in other words how well the bowel can push things along. Historically it is thought that progesterone affects constipation more by its effects on colonic motility, however there is some research to suggest that oestrogen levels may be more implicated in constipation. Levels of oestrogen vary throughout the menstrual cycle and tend to be highest just before ovulation. The lack of clarity behind this may explain why being on a contraceptive pill can but does not always result in gut symptoms improving. This may be something to discuss with your GP or even a specialist at some point if you are not able to control our symptoms adequately with a good diet, regular exercise, good oral fluid intake and intermittent use of laxatives.
Kind Regards,
Jamal Hayat
The reasons remain slightly controversial and not completely clear, but are thought to be related to hormonal changes that can occur during your menstrual cycle. The hormonal changes can affect the transit through your colon, in other words how well the bowel can push things along. Historically it is thought that progesterone affects constipation more by its effects on colonic motility, however there is some research to suggest that oestrogen levels may be more implicated in constipation. Levels of oestrogen vary throughout the menstrual cycle and tend to be highest just before ovulation. The lack of clarity behind this may explain why being on a contraceptive pill can but does not always result in gut symptoms improving. This may be something to discuss with your GP or even a specialist at some point if you are not able to control our symptoms adequately with a good diet, regular exercise, good oral fluid intake and intermittent use of laxatives.
Kind Regards,
Jamal Hayat