This is why you can get diarrhoea on your period…and the best way to deal with it

IT'S an unpleasant side effect that comes around at that time of the month.

Mood swings, stomach cramps and chocolate cravings should be enough to deal with.

But most women will also be plagued by a sudden need to rush for a number two, with some suffering diarrhoea.

It means many will go to the toilet more often while they're on their period, be it twice a day rather than once, or five times a week rather than three.

So what causes diarrhoea while you're on your period?

Dr Vanessa MacKay, a gynaecologist and spokeswoman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, told The Sun it's exactly the same thing that's to blame your period itself - hormones

She said the hormone prostaglandins can cause women to have more frequent, softer or loose bowel movements, just before their period.

"Two weeks before a woman’s period, the level of a hormone called progesterone drops, causing a period to start," she explained.

"The fall in progesterone, and an increase in chemicals called prostaglandins, may cause painful cramping and more frequent softer or loose bowel movements."

Prostaglandins are the chemicals that help your body shed the lining of your uterus - and gives you cramps.

It can also have the same effect on your bowel, leaving you needing to go for a number two more.

Unfortunately, you can't do anything to control your hormones - your body has to do what your body needs to do.

The diarrhoea will clear up on it's own when your hormone levels settle down, but if it's causing you a lot of bother there are a few things that can ease the condition.

As with any case of the runs, you can speak to your pharmacist about medicines to help stop diarrhoea, like loperamide.

But make sure you tell them you are on your period as that may affect the types of medication they recommend.

You should also drink plenty of water as you are more likely to get dehydrated if you are constantly going to the toilet.

Try not to eat any foods you know upset your stomach - if something normally makes you poop more it's going to be a bit worse when prostaglandins are at play.

Your bowel movements will go back to normal after your period is over, so it's nothing major to worry about.

But chances are you will only get a few weeks' respite before the cycle repeats itself...sorry, ladies.

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