IBS and Menstruation.
Science tells us that there is a link between flare-ups of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and menstruation. Have you ever noticed your gut acting up during alongside PMS symptoms or just at the start of your monthly cycle? You are not alone – around a billion people worldwide are also dealing with gut problems like IBS, and it seems that women, especially those in still undergoing menstruation, bear the brunt of it. In fact, women are almost twice as likely to face IBS than men according to Guts UK! But why is there a gender gap?
Dr. Nabeetha Nagalingam, our Principal Translational Scientist, had a great time speaking to Women’s Health Magazine on this interesting topic. Nabeetha discussed that “it’s believed that the monthly changes in progesterone and estrogen levels could be a major culprit behind the discomfort linked to IBS. These hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle can mess with the timing of food moving through the digestive system. This leads to unpleasant symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain, especially when digestion speeds up.”
Nabeetha suggested that tracking your symptoms and food intake could be extremely beneficial in identifying what could be causing your symptoms. We can help you do that with the soon-to-be-launched OMED Health Breath Analyzer and App that aims to help sufferers learn more about what triggers their digestive discomfort. Linked to our clinician network, users can collect breath samples via the device to measure the levels of hydrogen and methane in the breath and capture key lifestyle insights via the app.
With this data, clinicians can advise on the most appropriate treatment should it be needed or provide other guidance to help you make informed decisions about your gut health. You can join our waitlist for priority access to the OMED Health Breath Analyzer and App.
Nabeetha expressed the importance of remembering that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What helps someone else might not help you, and this should be kept in mind before making decisions about your lifestyle. Read this fantastic article to hear more about what Nabeetha has to say about IBS and menstruation.
If you think that your gut health symptoms could be more than IBS or period-related discomfort, diagnostic tests like Hydrogen Methane Breath Tests (HMBTs) could help you. These tests detect gases in breath that originate from the gut bacteria, helping to pinpoint issues like food intolerances or underlying problems such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can self-refer for these tests via our website now.
