Systematic review, 1998
Do stomach and intestinal symptoms change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes. About one-third of women without usual gut problems get gut symptoms around their period. Almost half of women with irritable bowel syndrome report their symptoms get worse perimenstrually.
What they did
Systematic review of studies examining whether gastrointestinal symptoms vary across the menstrual cycle, including both physiological studies and symptom-based studies.
What they found
One-third of otherwise asymptomatic women experience gastrointestinal symptoms at the time of menstruation. Almost 50% of women with irritable bowel syndrome report a perimenstrual increase in symptoms.
What it means for you
Digestive symptoms commonly worsen around your period. This is helpful to know if you are investigating pelvic pain or other digestive issues, as the same condition (like endometriosis) causes different symptoms at different times of the cycle.
one-third
asymptomatic women with GI symptoms
almost 50%
women with IBS reporting perimenstrual symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Do gastrointestinal symptoms vary with the menstrual cycle?
- Authors
- Moore J, Barlow D, Jewell D et al.
- Journal
- British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 1998
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- None. This was an observational review.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1998.tb10014.x
Topics
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