Period Poop: 10 FAQs About Diarrhea, Constipation, Pain, And More

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HealthlineSubscribeSexual HealthWhy Is Period Poop the Worst? 10 Questions, Answered

Medically reviewed by Meera Patel, PA-C — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on July 15, 2024

Amount
Smell
Constipation
Diarrhea
Pain
Cramps
Dislodged tampon
Changing tampon
Wiping
Medical care

Pooping a lot during your period is common. It’s typically related to your changing hormones. Your menstrual cycle can also affect the smell and texture of your stool.

Oh yeah — period poop is totally a thing. Thought it was just you? That’s probably because most people don’t want to call attention to their monthly bouts with loose stools that stink up the place like nobody’s business.

But just because they’re not sharing doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.

For the record: A change in the consistency, frequency, and smell of your poop during your period is very common.

We’ll get into all that and other doozies, like how to keep your tampon from rocketing out of your vagina when you bear down.

Why can’t I stop pooping during my period?

Just before your period begins, the cells that make up your uterine wall begin producing more prostaglandins. These chemicals stimulate the smooth muscles in your uterus to help it contract and shed its lining each month.

If your body produces more prostaglandins than it needs, they’ll enter your bloodstream and have a similar effect on other smooth muscles, like in your bowels. The result is more poop.

Did we mention the stronger cramps, headaches, and nausea? Mo’ prostaglandins, mo’ problems.

Why does period poop smell so bad?

This is likely due to your premenstrual eating habits. You can blame unusual food cravings on the hormone progesterone.

Progesterone helps regulate your period. It rises before your period to help prepare your body for conception and pregnancy.

High levels of progesterone during the premenstrual phase have been linked to before your period. This explains why you want to stuff all the feels and irritability down with ice cream and chocolate at that time of the month.

The change in your eating habits can cause foul-smelling stool and those pesky period farts.

Resisting the urge to overeat and limiting refined sugars and processed foods can help.

Why do I sometimes get constipated during my period?

Hormones again. Low levels of prostaglandins and high levels of progesterone can both slow digestion and make your poop go MIA.

If you have period constipation, upping the fiber in your diet, exercising, and drinking lots of water can help keep things moving. If you’re still stuck, a gentle over-the-counter laxative or stool softener should do the trick.

Why do I get diarrhea during my period?

Excess prostaglandins don’t just make you poop more. They can also give you diarrhea.

And if you’re a coffee drinker and tend to partake in more coffee to help perk you up during your period, that could make diarrhea worse. Coffee has a laxative effect.

Switching to decaffeinated coffee may not help much since it also has a laxative effect. Cutting back is your best bet if you find it makes your diarrhea worse.

If all else fails, just focus on drinking lots of water to prevent dehydration.

Why does it hurt to poop during my period?

A few things can cause pain when you poop while on your period, including:

constipation, which can make stool hard and painful to pass
menstrual cramps, which can feel worse when you strain to poop
diarrhea, which is often accompanied by stomach cramps
certain gynecological conditions, including endometriosis and ovarian cysts
hemorrhoids, which can develop from constipation, diarrhea, or spending too much time on the toilet

I can’t tell if I have cramps or need to poop — is that natural?

Totally. Remember, uterine and bowel contractions are caused by prostaglandins, making it hard to tell the difference between the two.

Plus, cramps are often accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the pelvis, low back, and even the butt.

Is there any way to prevent my tampon from coming out when I push?

Pelvic muscles and how things are situated inside make some people more likely to push a tampon out during a bowel movement. Straining to pass a hard bowel movement can also dislodge your tampon.

The following options might help:

Eat foods to prevent constipation and help make stools easier to pass.
Avoid bearing down unnecessarily during bowel movements.
Try alternatives to tampons, such as a menstrual cup, which is more likely to stay put.

Do I have to change my tampon every time I poop?

If you’re one of the chosen few who can poop without losing a tampon, there’s no reason to change your tampon unless you get poop on the string.

Feces can contain harmful bacteria and can cause vaginal infections if it accidentally gets on the tampon string.

If you want to change your tampon every time you poop, it’s your prerogative. If you’d rather not, just hold the string to the front or side to avoid getting feces on it or tuck it into your labia.

Is there some trick to wiping without interfering with your tampon string?

Pre-moistened wipes can be your best friend during your period. Look for wipes that are biodegradable and also free of perfumes and chemicals so you don’t dry out or irritate your skin.

So-called “flushable wipes” aren’t recommended for your septic system, so dispose of these in the trash.

When should I talk with a doctor about my period poops?

If you can’t seem to find relief from your monthly poop issues or are having severe or persistent symptoms, an underlying gastrointestinal or gynecological condition could be why.

Some common conditions with symptoms that are influenced by your menstrual cycle include:

endometriosis
fibroids
ovarian cysts
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
irritable bowel syndrome

You should also consult with a healthcare professional if you experience:

severe cramps
heavy periods
rectal bleeding or blood when you wipe
mucus in your stool

Treatments are available that can help. Periods don’t need to be any crappier — literally — than they already are.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Itani R, et al. (2022). Primary dysmenorrhea: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment updates.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35320895/
Judkins TC, et al. (2020). Stool frequency and form and gastrointestinal symptoms differ by day of the menstrual cycle in healthy adult women taking oral contraceptives: a prospective observational study.https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-020-01000-x
Lahat A, et al. (2020). Change in bowel habits during menstruation: are IBD patients different?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7290266/
Pati GK, et al. (2021). Irritable bowel syndrome and the menstrual cycle.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7883586/

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Medically reviewed by Meera Patel, PA-C — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on July 15, 2024

Period Poop: 10 FAQs About Diarrhea, Constipation, Pain, And More

Why can’t I stop pooping during my period?

Why does period poop smell so bad?

Why do I sometimes get constipated during my period?

Why do I get diarrhea during my period?

Why does it hurt to poop during my period?

I can’t tell if I have cramps or need to poop — is that natural?

Is there any way to prevent my tampon from coming out when I push?

Do I have to change my tampon every time I poop?

Is there some trick to wiping without interfering with your tampon string?

When should I talk with a doctor about my period poops?

How we reviewed this article:

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