We have all talked about and gone through problems like period cramps, sore breasts, bloating, and mood swings, during our menstrual cycle. Apart from these, other common symptoms like back ache, leg pain, and body ache are experienced by many. But have you ever heard of period farts? Sounds weird, right? Or maybe reading this just made you realise about this problem and you’re probably nodding in agreement?
Yes, your periods can cause frequent farts and can leave you feeling gassy. To understand why we feel gassy and experience period farts, OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Nazia Dalwai, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, HCL Healthcare, Mumbai.
Dr Dalwai said, “Flatulence can be a source of social embarrassment. It means excessive gas in the abdomen. It is a common occurrence as a part of premenstrual tension.” Adding further, she said, “In females mild symptoms occur a few days before the onset of menstruation especially exaggerated during a week or 10 days before menstruation.”
Why Do We Feel Gassy On Periods?
As per Dr Dalwai, during menses there is an increase in the oestrogen and progesterone withdrawal. The hormonal status leads to:
1. Decrease in the gastric emptying time of the food (Generally it is 1 to 1.5 hrs, during periods, it increases to 3-4 hrs).
2. Decrease in the intestinal motility.
Dr Dalwai said, “Both these reasons lead to food staying for a longer time in the gastrointestinal tract. Through food, oxygen and nitrogen go in and other gases (CO2, Hydrogen and methane) are produced inside the body via reactions of food and gastrointestinal tract. The gases are entrapped in the intestine and this leads to abdominal distension, flatulence, burps, acidity during or around periods.”
Also read: Can You Have PCOS Even When You Get Your Periods Regularly?
Contributory Causes
Other than the major ones mentioned above, there are some causes that are overlooked or ignored but can lead to gastrointestinal irritation.
1. Air Swallowing
If you swallow too much air, you can feel bloated and gassy because of it, as per WebMD. But how do you reduce it? To this, Dr Dalwai said, avoid excessive talking, chewing gum, sucking candy, drinking tea and coffee by suction, eating fats, and talking during meals.” She also emphasised on avoiding carbonated drinks, spicy food, betel nuts, and pan.
2. Foods Causing Gas
Certain foods like cauliflower, cabbage, sprouts, beans, apples, prunes, broccoli, and potatoes may eat to excessive gas production, as per Dr Dalwai.
Treatment And Preventive Measures
1. Consume low fibre diet which tends to produce less intestinal gas
2. Avoidance of the foods mentioned above, however, Dr Dalwai said that individuals differ in their susceptibility.
3. Avoid excessive or more than 2 cups of tea or 200 MG of coffee during menses
4. Treatment of the cause after necessary investigations can be carried out after careful dietary and other history and examination under doctor's supervision.
5. Flatulence as a symptom of premenstrual tension, needs consideration of the management of premenstrual tension
6. Exercise and physical activity has got an immense impact in release of gas and relief .This as per individual comfort during and around menses.
7. If the flatulence troubles you a lot, you should be rushing to your physician or healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. We advise you to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have any unusual symptoms during periods.)