Is constipation normal during menstruation?

Generally speaking, there is no necessary connection between constipation and menstruation. Constipation is usually caused by sitting for a long time, insufficient water intake, lack of exercise, or irregular lifestyle and eating habits. Therefore, if women experience constipation during menstruation, they must drink more boiled water, adjust their diet structure, do moderate exercise, and drink more tea to improve constipation symptoms.

Generally speaking, the causes of constipation in women include: sitting for a long time, not drinking enough water, irregular diet, lack of exercise, etc., and constipation symptoms in women during menstruation are related to hormone secretion.

There are two kinds of female hormones. One is the egg cell hormone secreted after menstruation and before ovulation, and the other is the luteinizing hormone secreted after ovulation and before menstruation. Among them, the secretion of luteinizing hormone is related to female constipation during menstruation. Progesterone hormone has the effect of aiding pregnancy. When it is secreted, the body needs a large amount of water to maintain basic hormonal activity. Therefore, the body will automatically absorb the water from the food in the large intestine. In this way, the water content in the intestine will be reduced, which will cause the stool to become dry and cause constipation.

In addition, after the corpus luteum hormone is formed, the progesterone secreted by the ovaries will reduce the tension of the gastrointestinal smooth muscles, inhibit intestinal peristalsis, reduce the sensitivity of intestinal irritation, and cause the feces to be unable to be excreted from the body in time, causing constipation.

Constipation in women will be accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal distension, dull complexion, and acne. If defecation is not done in time, it may cause waste accumulation in the body and affect physical health. So, how should women treat constipation during menstruation?

1. Drink more boiled water

Drinking more boiled water can help increase the water in the body, promote intestinal peristalsis, soften stool, and promote the excretion of intestinal waste.

2. Adjust your diet

Eating more whole grains such as sweet potatoes, corn, purple rice, and oats can help expand stool volume and promote intestinal peristalsis. People who suffer from constipation during menstruation should pay attention to eating less spicy and irritating foods, otherwise it will aggravate the symptoms of constipation.

Appropriate physical activity is also very helpful in relieving the symptoms of menstrual constipation. It can increase abdominal muscle activity, promote internal gastrointestinal motility, and help defecation.

4. Make good use of Chinese medicine instead of tea

Soaking hawthorn, cassia seed, and senna leaves in water can greatly improve constipation. In severe cases, you can use drugs that can attack heat, soften and disperse nodules, and relieve gas and fullness, such as rhubarb, Glauber's salt, Citrus aurantium, Magnolia officinalis, peach kernel, etc., and take them in decoction.