It's normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. "Menstrual blood smells different due to the fact that the blood is more than just blood," says Dr. Shepherd. A menstrual period consists of the shedding of an unfertilized egg, blood, and uterine lining tissues. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Unlike other normal odors, fishiness is a big sign of an underlying medical condition that needs the attention of a medical doctor. Role of progesterone signaling in the regulation of G-protein levels in female chronic constipation. So, you must be aware of why my period smell so bad. Most of the time, that's actually A-OK. "A common one is lactose, but people can . Endometriosis and its coexistence with irritable bowel syndrome and pelvic inflammatory disease: findings from a national casecontrol studyPart 2. They may even have a slight metallic smell from iron and bacteria. Not drinking enough water. "There is something called a retrovaginal fistula, which is an opening that forms between the rectum and the vagina, that can cause your vagina to smell like feces. Bacteria in the vagina are normal, though the amount can differ. (Side note: it's also possible to forget you're wearing a diva cup and think you're just wearing a pad. One of these involves bloating, Menstrual cramps are a natural occurrence, but severe cramps can affect a person's quality of life. Flow on the Fritz? It occurs when the egg. The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria. Understand our mission, read our manifesto, meet the team and join us. These changes affect the whole body, leading to familiar premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms such as mood swings, cramps, and digestive changes. Poop can be different colors, usually shades of yellow or brown. It is normal for some womens period to smell like bad meat, and if it came late, then that isnt good, Id recommend seeing a gynecologist about that. At the end of it, you shouldnt notice any unusual smells or other symptoms during your period. If this happens and your period comes, the bacteria will have extra food (blood) to eat and multiply! Let's say, though, that your BV comes back every month, and you're tired of it. Global prevalence of and risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis. Period farts might be unpleasant, but do not be embarrassed. Stress reactivity and emotion in premenstrual syndrome. The following tips may help people better manage period-related digestive disturbances: If period-related bowel disturbances get in the way of a persons daily life, they can talk to their doctor about the best treatment options. Once again, this is due to the magic of hormones! It also means you can get pregnant from anal sex," Carpacci says. (2017). Eating certain foods can increase the frequency of bowel movements and relieve constipation. The fistula allows feces to leak into the vagina. If home treatments do not help, a doctor may recommend medication for an underlying issue or hormonal treatments. It helps maintain the uterine lining and prevent uterine contractions. Over-the-counter pain relievers might help with some of this pain. So, begin by changing it frequently. If you do use tampons, mind that string! Save $200 on TUSHY Ace electric bidet seat! The resulting rotten smell from bacteria mixed with menstrual flow shouldnt be strong enough for others to detect. Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. Take the quiz and find out if you can manage your flare-ups by fixing the miscommunication between your gut and brain, Created by Dr Simone Peters from Monash University. We understand: It may feel really awkward to talk about poop with medical professionals. The color can vary based on what you eat, but you might also notice your poop gets reddish around your period. You shouldnt douche either, as the process can get rid of healthy vaginal bacteria and lead to infection. Feces normally have an unpleasant smell. Here are 9 causes of smelly urine. Digestive conditions that can contribute to foul-smelling stool include celiac disease, Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis and diseases that cause malabsorption, like cystic fibrosis and pancreatic infection, according to Mount Sinai. Foul-smelling poop can be caused by: Celiac disease Crohn's disease Chronic pancreatitis, which is inflammation of your pancreas Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that can affect your lungs, pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestines An intestinal infection, which can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasites in your intestine Malabsorption 2. If things are particularly messy, hop in the shower and rinse off (external parts only no need to clean inside your va-jay-jay). The most important thing to remember about poop is that its different for everyone, and it will be different for you before and during your period. A coppery smell can also be due to less common but serious causes of. Here's Why, Vulvar Pain During Your Period? So this would likely be a variant of bacterial vaginosis when the bad guy bacteria predominate over the good guys of the vagina, Minkin says. Sometimes having a flow from one hole just isnt enough for Mother Natures standards, when shes feeling especially wicked. Just like everybody poops, everybody farts. Period cramps tend to be lower in your abdomen because they happen only in your uterus, and can radiate into your lower back as well. Lovell, R.M. Some such conditions include: You may even notice changes to your poops during perimenopause and menopause. You have a food intolerance. For example, people with IBS are more likely to experience additional symptoms, such as abdominal pain and headaches, during the period. Periods can cause cramping, mood swings and acne, but they can also wreak havoc on your digestive system. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. It results from the overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria. They also often report looser stools. The following sections discuss the bodily changes that occur just before or during a menstrual period that may affect bowel movements. Your poop may also be smaller or harder than usual. This is because high levels of progesterone can cause digested materials to travel more slowly through your system. The number-one cause of pungent pee? She explains that the Lactobacilli in the vagina make lactic acid that keeps the vaginal pH low-acidic, which is considered healthy for the vagina. Your doctor can also identify or rule out more serious conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease. If you think you might have a more serious problem, dont be afraid to ask for help from a professional. Once more, your hormones are to blame. This sensitivity can exacerbate symptoms, too. Your menstrual cycle is regulated by the hormones progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone, which all work together. Once treatment begins, the bacteria slowly begins to balance out. Period Poop: Because Cramps, Cravings, and Crying Aren't Big Enough Pains in the Butt Periods and digestion Period poop symptoms Sanitary care and cleanup When to see a doctor No, it's not. Hormones related to your period, like progesterone and prostaglandins, are mostly to blame. So its important to try to get period diarrhea under control. The first step is always figuring out the underlying source and treating that," Dr. Shirazian says. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. But certain changes can indicate more serious health issues. You aren't changing your pad or tampon enough. Maybe someone could have said, Now that youre growing up, you can expect to bleed a little each month oh, and youre gonna get torrential diarrhea.. This is when the female body prepares itself for. Last medically reviewed on June 13, 2018. Also, wipe gently! Proper hygiene habits can help combat the usual odors associated with menstruation. PMS-related changes in dietary habits may contribute to why some people notice differences in the consistency, regularity, or smell of their stool before or during a period. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Docs want to make sure that something like pelvic inflammatory disease hasn't been overlooked. Here's how to tell if you might be entering this, Blood stains on clothing from menstruation is a frustration for many. Try to get about 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you eat each day. Ibuprofen, ZzzQuil, and prenatal vitamins are also great influencers. A randomized trial of yoga for adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome. Something went wrong while submitting the form. vaginal discharge outside of menstrual bleeding. Sometimes, its honestly hard to tell. While its not terribly common, the bacteria from the bowel the lower intestines indeed can easily become the bacteria in the vagina, Mary Jane Minkin, an OB-GYN at Yale University, tells Romper. But prostaglandins can migrate to other areas, including your gastrointestinal tract. And you know what? Pooping is uncomfortable while on your period. Some women tend to encounter rotten smells from bacteria mixed with menstrual flow. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/20e9/425dc4f529c2d56261e6aa82ca96561d7a55.pdf, https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6874-14-14, https://www.dldjournalonline.com/article/S1590-8658(17)31104-0/abstract, https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/inflammatory-bowel-disease, https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/stress-and-the-sensitive-gut. If youre not feeling up to a long run during your period, you can try gentle activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling. You need to see your provider and get a full evaluation to determine what is causing the smell and how it can be remedied," Carpacci says. Each month, just before your period begins, fatty acids known as prostaglandins begin to relax the smooth muscle tissues inside your uterus to help it shed its lining. A few things can cause pain when you poop while on your period, including: constipation, which can make stool hard and painful to pass. Ali, T.T. A strong odor from down there may be cause for worry, as it could be a sign of an infection. Your period blood can smell like poop if: Menstrual blood or period is made of the shreds of unfertilized eggs, blood, and uterine lining tissues. There could be something else going on. (2016). Or perhaps the other way around? These conditions may also flare up during your period. Try not to strain when passing a bowel movement. It's normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. This can be as simple as making sure you change tampons, liners, or pads every few hours. 2020. But theyre far from rare: In fact, one small study found that most women have gastrointestinal issues, particularly abdominal pain and diarrhea, before or during their periods. A slight change is usually nothing to worry about, Dr. Greves said, but if all of a sudden your period smells. Have a fever? Irritable bowel syndrome: does gender matter?. Talk to your doctor and see if your periods are making you anemic. Its completely normal for this combination to have a slight odor after it exits the vagina. Mindset Health only uses high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed research, to support our articles. 1. Other . Consult your doctor if your period stinks, and you have any unusual symptoms. In other words, this is a completely normal smell. Constipation? https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ejp.714?casa_token=p6xympb9drQAAAAA%3APBwlAgzDiHzUzYCnIuRdLAoj8A1qahZR-Dpx_U9dogU2jLiL7xrjxFH5DSK21zPddBVc_wlFanuPug, https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/51878, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chloe_Grimmett/publication/51393313_The_Effects_of_Exercise_upon_Symptoms_and_Quality_of_Life_in_Patients_Diagnosed_with_Irritable_Bowel_Syndrome_A_Randomised_Controlled_Trial/links/5447626b0cf22b3c14e0cb0d/The-Effects-of-Exercise-upon-Symptoms-and-Quality-of-Life-in-Patients-Diagnosed-with-Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome-A-Randomised-Controlled-Trial.pdf, https://www.hindawi.com/journals/prm/2006/731628/abs/, https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/39/12/884.short, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nmo.13461?casa_token=dw4wklQKZ8UAAAAA:kBw4YZ_xxLb_XHae74Zyr5OKGmL32-GtmIyC2ogYDDgZbqHbQTn87Rrxl08JUecpgN9QaopP2vG9DA, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-051X.1993.tb00697.x?casa_token=PMv3H55aWQkAAAAA:xaEmvfutFywt3FLvB7GS0iovrjU4FHYE0f4pzMbx7jNFpEsjdhmSJSwHx7JdzDXFSRFi0kVYJHYKdA, https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.1875-9114.1992.tb04479.x, https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00003495-198122010-00003, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1542356512003084?casa_token=6v2Z9ylEkRcAAAAA:iKcsh1B2Kg5jH0Zj3hpuVStpJz8dGa3P4kDKtaqq-IFksP9s3IjdTuILA03I-_ZdSghoOseL, https://journals.lww.com/gastroenterologynursing/Fulltext/2006/01000/Increased_Symptoms_in_Female_IBS_Patients_With.00002.aspx?casa_token=sGg3xj7R2VAAAAAA:KAKsF0P5stPHqnrxZUg37Nlkm_ti7wXVvEj6XmyRlk8JptYTg4kG6tO1m3X7tQtL5Y7nrbsdSC2XbhV6AB3-Gg, https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01879.x, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12325-018-0673-5, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1933719117711262, Too much water (if you tend to have diarrhea on your period). Ricciotti, E. and FitzGerald, G.A., 2011. While many vaginal smells are easily explained away, a fecal smell from your vagina is not only embarrassing, but also can be worrisome if youre unsure why its happening. 1. If you're constipated while on your period, it may hurt due to straining. A recent study showed that gastric symptoms (similar to those experienced with IBS), are common during your period. Heres the Deal, Here's How Your Cervix Changes Before Your Period. Your doctor, in some cases, may advise you to start the contraceptive pill. They basically double-team on slowing down your digestion and scaring away your poop. Its no wonder many of us are in the dark about how our periods affect our bowel movements. Stress can also affect a persons bowel movements, causing constipation or diarrhea. We know you like to think your shit doesnt stink, but this right here is next level. (Period underwear is truly a gross but reliable friend.). The tampon is scented and the scent is used as the fragrance. Another possibility is that you have a hormone imbalance. No, its not your imagination: Your poop and pooping schedule can change during your period. Over the last 4 months i have been experiencing foul smelling periods, i don't usually have a smell from my vagina but every period i get a foul smell similar to feces. Were hiring for several roles. These changes affect the whole. Clearly we have a toxic relationship with these friends. So if youre pooping more often or having diarrhea during your period, its because the same hormones that cause cramps are romping around your midsection. Avoid . If this is a continual problem, take your tampon out before pooping. While prostaglandins do a good (and sometimes painful) job of getting the walls of the uterus to contract as part of your monthly menses (aka, your period), these hormones can also cause the muscles of the intestines to contract. Some people have a hard time keeping a tampon in while they poop, while others have no problem. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Oh, and if you wear period underwear (which are truly wonderful, btw), you may want to consider if you need to change them or if they're being properly washed. Its partially caused by changing levels of hormones such as prostaglandins and progesterone. We share eight methods to help regulate your menstrual cycle and manage premenstrual symptoms. Why does it hurt to poop on my period? One possibility is that you have an infection, such as bacterial vaginosis. Using a menstrual cup is a great, eco-friendly alternative to tampons, but it doesnt come without its own strife when going number two. You might find that you do fine with them, but they may also throw off your vagina's pH and increase the odds of a yeast infection, she says.