Hormones and The Gut
Many women visiting our clinic often describe feeling unwell around the time of their period. During menstruation, they experience bloating and notice changes in bowel movements, ranging from sluggishness and constipation to diarrhea, accompanied by feelings of fatigue.
There is a direct connection between the brain, hormones, and gut. The gut contains receptors that respond to and interact with these sex hormones.
About a week before menstruation begins, the hormone progesterone levels significantly rise. It acts as a muscle relaxant on the colon, slowing down the transit time of waste products, leading to bloating and constipation. This results in a sensation of fullness, congestion, and overall sluggishness.
Conversely, estrogen, another essential female hormone, decreases, further slowing down transit time in the colon. This period presents an opportune time to consider a colonic to assist the body in efficiently and thoroughly moving faecal matter.
However, some women with lowered estrogen levels may experience diarrhea. A colonic can effectively cleanse the colon to eliminate soft faecal matter.
Both progesterone and estrogen can trigger irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), explaining why many women experience IBS flare-ups during specific menstrual cycle phases. These hormones can also increase inflammation in the body.
Estrogen levels influence pain perception by boosting the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, hence low levels can lead to cramping and stomach aches.
Many women turn to GutFit Health to alleviate the discomfort caused by pelvic congestion and sensitivity.
You can undergo a colonic during your period. Read our blog post on this topic for more information.
