Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, sometimes referred to as “spastic colon”) is an inflammatory disease that affects the lower intestine tract and is the source of discomfort for millions of adults worldwide. It can alternate between intense periods of constipation and diarrhea, or it can afflict a patient with either. In most cases, intestinal distress is accompanied by cramping, swelling and pain in the abdomen. There is neither known cause of, nor cure for, IBS. A patient’s doctor may prescribe rest or dietary change.
Menstrual cramping, politely referred to as “dysmenorrhea,” typically occurs a few days before a woman’s menstrual cycle and continues through the period. The cramping is caused by contractions within the walls of the uterus during a woman’s period. The uterus, which is comprised mostly of muscle tissue, is the pear-shaped organ in which a fetus is housed and incubated during pregnancy; during the monthly period of menstruation, the inner lining of the uterus will slough off if no pregnancy is detected by the body. If the muscles of the uterus contract too tightly, then blood supply to nearby tissue may be cut off. If the blood flow is disrupted, oxygen-starved cells in the muscle tissue switch a form of respiration in which lactic acid is produced as a side-product, which results in the pain felt during menstrual cramping.
The two systems are separate and the cramping and pain caused by either of the two conditions are not directly related. Menstrual cramping pain is usually felt in the sides and back, whereas IBS can cause pain throughout most of the abdomen. Though the two systems are not connected, they can exacerbate one another. Patients who suffer from IBS often report intense cramping, swelling and fatigue as symptoms of the disease. In some extreme cases of menstrual cramping, women can experience loose stools, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting; these are also symptoms indicative of IBS. Both conditions have very similar symptoms, so it is easy to see why they could be associated with one another.
If the pain and discomfort associated with either of these conditions is affecting a woman’s quality of life, it is important for her to speak with her doctor about ways to treat the pain. Most doctors will encourage a patient to rest and drink lots of fluids; for particularly painful cramps, a doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain medications for the pain. Heating pads or topical pain salves can also be used to reduce the painful symptoms of menstrual cramps.
Some women who suffer from IBS unfortunately report a third problem when dealing with their monthly period. The cramping and swelling of the abdomen can place additional stress on the bladder, requiring more frequent urination, additional pressure on the urinary tract and, in some cases, incontinence. This can also sometimes lead to urinary tract infections.
While IBS does not cause menstrual cramps, IBS symptoms can make menstrual pain and discomfort worse. Women who experience particularly painful cramping during menstruation should speak with their doctors or gynecologists about specific ways to deal with the pain and if there are any methods or treatments that can alleviate the discomfort.