Gassy Before Period

Menstruation is not a matter of few days. Even before the onset of periods women face certain changes in the body, also called Premenstrual syndrome. Digestive disorders like bloating, constipation and gas are most common when women are about to get their periods started. The gassiness may make them feel sluggish and interfere with the daily life. It also leads to frequent cramping, stomach aches and the digestion goes haywire. Some women might feel these symptoms even after having a controlled diet and a regular exercise routine. Seems like these are not enough to fight the hormonal and chemical changes!

The complex hormonal and chemical balance makes the ovulation and menstruation possible, especially the generation of the hormone Estrogen that prepares the egg for ovulation. It is also along with the hormone progesterone a reason for the unpleasant experiences like gas and other digestive orders that come before the cycle begins. Bloating, gas and constipation are common symptoms of the progesterone in action. It is a hormone which increases right after ovulation and goes down till its low enough to cause menstruation. Apart from the hormonal reasons, the smoothening or slowing down of the digestive muscle track also causes the gassiness.

Causes of feeling gassy before period

The most important cause for too much gas before periods is the Hormonal inconsistency and imbalance caused by increased hormonal disturbances in the female anatomy. Excessive levels of hormones lead to problems like pain, uterine cramping and muscular contractions in the stomach. This could be the most painful experience of the cycle and can also stretch up to the beginning of the period. In rare cases some women experience the same problems during the menstrual cycle and a day or two after it has ended depending upon the hormonal changes. The flatulence also causes loss in appetite, constipation and bloating.

Once the menstruation begins, the chemical ‘prostaglandin’ is released. These are important hormones as they make the uterus contract from the uterine lining during menstruation. However, if in excess, they can cause several problems such as digestive disorders which include gas, bloating and cramping. It can also cause diarrhea and acidity as it not only increases the contraction but also the smoothening of the digestive muscular tract.

Women who already have irritable bowel syndrome are more prone to have digestive disorders before and during the menstrual cycle. However chronic bowel problem is different from the gastrointestinal problems during menstruation.

Excessive farting during period – How to deal with it?

The solutions are fortunately more than the problems. Some of them are listed below:

1. Altering the diet

Changing the diet is the first and the most important step. For a few days you can stick to foods rich in fiber such as rice, cereals, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Having lesser dairy products, caffeine products and processed food should be cut down completely. You should also avoid food that contains too much salt and sugar or spices. Water intake should also increase to keep the system clean and flush out the toxins.

2. Exercise

To avoid digestive problems in menstruation it is important to exercise. Apart from the hormonal imbalance, stress is another cause which increases stomach problems during periods. Aerobics, yoga and meditation are some of the great choices you can adopt. A little bit of change in the diet and some exercise can do wonders to your health during menstruation and there continuing it is even better! Both these changes would be a gift to your digestive system function.

3. Medication

Although this should be the last resort but some people do get help by certain medicines such as Advil or Aleve. The medicines are mostly non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory, taken to reduce the level of the hormone prostaglandin. However these should be taken moderately and for a short term. Women with asthma, intestinal ulcers or bleeding abnormalities should stay away from these medicines.

4. Flush it out with water!

You can easily deal with the gassiness with increasing your water intake and limiting alcohol and caffeine or sweetened drinks. Water is excellent for facilitating the bowel movements. You can start your day by having a big glass of lukewarm water with some lemon juice and honey. This will not only help with the gas problems but also bloating and constipation. It also helps to boost the metabolism. Coconut water is another excellent choice.

5. Know what to avoid

It is very important to know what foods and habits can trigger the gassiness in you. Protein rich vegetables and red meat should be avoided. Processed meat is also a big No! Beans, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots and potatoes are some vegetables you must stay away from. Too much fiber is also not good as it can cause diarrhea. Lastly, the amount of food you take should also be regulated. If you are used to filing your plates you must stop. Instead, eat smaller portions four to five times in a day and always maintain a long gap between your dinner and sleeping time.