Diarrhea on Your Period: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Digestive HealthDiarrhea

Can Your Period Cause Diarrhea?

Can Your Period Cause Diarrhea?
Everyday Health
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Updated on January 30, 2026
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You have enough to deal with during your period, and diarrhea and changes in bowel habits don't have to be on the list.

While diarrhea can be common and caused by the same bodily changes that lead to period cramping, many women find it can be managed and prevented with medication and some lifestyle tweaks.

Why Diarrhea Happens During Your Period

The exact reasons why diarrhea occurs during your period aren’t fully understood, but it is quite common and often tied to menstrual cramps. The root cause appears to be prostaglandins, chemicals released during your period that allow the uterus, and thus the intestines, to contract.

Prostaglandins can also cause other pain associated with dysmenorrhea, the clinical term for painful menstrual periods. Prostaglandin-related cramps and diarrhea usually occur in the first three days of your menstrual period.

“[Bowel movements] can change with differing hormone levels,” says Frank Marrero, MD, a gastroenterologist with the Lake Charles Memorial Health System in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Some women may even notice the opposite and become constipated during their period, Dr. Marrero says. Changes in progesterone, the hormone responsible for thickening the uterine wall, for example, can cause constipation in some women and diarrhea in others.

Diarrhea, as well as other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating and nausea, may also occur during the week prior to your period. In this case, the diarrhea may be part of a group of symptoms, usually including mild mood changes, called premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Managing Diarrhea During Your Period

Women who often experience bouts of diarrhea during their period can take steps to prepare for what is about to come.

Try an agent that will slow down diarrhea, such as loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), says Marrero. “If women can predict when it's going to happen, they can start taking medication before symptoms start,” he says. If the diarrhea is only occasional or isn’t bothersome, you don't have to do anything, since you know it will pass quickly.

Taking loperamide or another antidiarrheal can help soothe and prevent diarrhea. But make sure to check with your doctor before taking these medicines, as they can worsen certain conditions. If diarrhea is caused by a parasitic or bacterial infection, for example, antidiarrheal medication will prevent your body from ridding itself of the infection.

Dietary changes can also help. Bulking up on extra fiber found in foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes can help solidify loose stool and may reduce your diarrhea symptoms. Limit or avoid caffeine and junk foods, as both can cause diarrhea and worsen PMS symptoms. And since diarrhea can lead to dehydration, be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

But, Marrero cautions, if you experience significant pain or bloody stool, call your doctor right away, as the cause could be more serious than PMS symptoms or dysmenorrhea. Endometriosis, a chronic illness affecting the reproductive system, can (although rarely) have an effect on the bowels, causing bloody stool.

Preventing Diarrhea and PMS Symptoms

You can manage and prevent some premenstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhea by taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) to inhibit the release of chemicals that can cause cramping pain. Taking birth control pills to prevent ovulation, thereby lowering prostaglandins, may help some women avoid painful symptoms .

Believe it or not, exercise is one of the best ways to manage PMS and menstrual pain. Moderate exercise can help alleviate cramps by improving blood flow.

 According to a research review, a range of physical activities, including weight training, aerobic exercise, and yoga, has been shown to help alleviate common PMS symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, and physical discomfort.

 Regular physical activity is also known to improve gut health, including regulating bowel movements.

Of course, a heating pad, warm water bottle, or warm cloth across your abdominal area can also help relieve the pain brought on by period cramps.

Remember that a healthy diet, getting enough rest, and regular exercise can keep your belly and your bowels happy all the time — especially during your period.

The Takeaway

  • Diarrhea during your period is common and typically tied to menstrual cramps, which are influenced by prostaglandins released during menstruation.
  • Medications like loperamide can help manage period-related diarrhea, but it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment to ensure that your bowel changes aren’t due to another cause, such as an infection or underlying gastrointestinal condition.
  • Lifestyle changes like boosting fiber intake, engaging in regular exercise, and limiting caffeine may help keep menstrual pain and gastrointestinal upset at bay.
  • If you experience severe pain or see bloody stool during your period, it could signal a more serious condition, such as endometriosis, and you should talk to your doctor promptly.

FAQ

Can your period cause diarrhea?
Yes, diarrhea during your period is common and often tied to menstrual cramps caused by prostaglandins, chemicals released during your period that allow the uterus (and also the intestines) to contract.

The exact reasons are not fully understood, but it is believed that prostaglandins, released during your period, cause the uterus and intestines to contract.

Medications like loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can slow down diarrhea. Good hydration and fibrous foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can also help.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause diarrhea, along with bloating, nausea, and mild mood changes.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), birth control pills, and moderate exercise can help manage and prevent these symptoms. It's also a good idea to avoid caffeine and junk foods.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Here’s the Deal With Period Poops. Cleveland Clinic. October 29, 2021.
  2. Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps). Cleveland Clinic. May 22, 2023.
  3. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Mayo Clinic. February 25, 2022.
  4. Diarrhea. Mayo Clinic. January 18, 2025.
  5. Symptoms of Bowel (GI Tract Endometriosis. The Endometriosis Foundation.
  6. Ayyub S et al. The Effect of Physical Activity on Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Annals of Neurosciences. December 16, 2024.
  7. How Exercise Can Lead to a Healthy Gut. Cleveland Clinic. January 26, 2024.
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Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

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Diana Rodriguez

Diana Rodriguez

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Diana Rodriguez is a Kentucky-based health news writer. She is skilled at turning confusing doctor-speak and complex medical topics into understandable language for readers. She is a managing editor at Mayo Clinic and has written extensively for HealthDay.

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