Sorry if this is in the wrong spot. Not sure where to put it because I definitely am in peri. Anyway...

In the last two months, I've had what I thought was gastroenteritis three times, once 3 days before my last period and then 10 days after and now again 10 days after. At first I thought it was fast foods or something but now I'm not so sure. So is there a way to tell if I'm poisoning myself somehow or it's hormones? Crampy stomach, nausea, diarrhea, no appetite, bleah but no vomiting or fever. I know it makes no difference treatment wise but I have a vivid imagination regarding my health, if you know what I mean. Thanks for any thoughts and/or advice.

Hi there,

Just read your post Siaran, sounds very similar to what I had a few weeks ago,kept coming and going,felt absolutely wretched if any help
KathS

Oh yes this can be a big problem for me> I can skip periods and bam bleeding and the big D! yet diarrhea can incur anytime of the month for me of the blue. I lead me to have a colonoscopy and upper gi to rule out anything serious.

I am about due for a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Probably should, just to be safe. It seems better today but yes, KathS, it is wretched. Thank you both for your replies, I hate to say it but it does help knowing someone else has had the same problem.

HI Siaran
I tend to get loose stools and nausea, stomach gas and bloating before and after my period. Unfortunatly I get nausea most of the time now. I can also feel this way during ovulation. Doesn't leave a lot of days for feeling well does it?
I stay away from sugar, wheat, dairy, caffine and such so my stomach has less stressors to deal with...and I drink herbal tea and lots of water....best of luck..most of all you are not alone!

HUGS
Maura

I've also had many, many digestive issues. I think there are two things you might want to rule out before chocking it up to hormones. One is dairy intolerance. You may be able to get tested for this or you could just try eliminating it for a month (I find it takes awhile to get it out of the system) and see whether it helps.

The other is celiac (gluten intolerance). You can also do this by elimination diet, but it's just as easy to ask your doctor to give you a blood test. If you go to a good gastroenterologist, he/she should be aware of it and offer you the test.

Good luck,
Missy

Good call Missy on the intolerance and Celiac tests.

I'm pretty sure it's not lactose. I've always been a total dairy person and this has been intermittent. The celiac thing I'm not too sure about. I was tested neg years ago but I've always not felt all that good after eating bread type stuff so probably should check into that again. Water might be an issue. 100 degree weather and I'm not all that good at keeping up with hydration. I appreciate your thoughts ! Thank you.

For some reason the gut seems to become hypersensitive during peri. I had to cut so many things from my diet. No spices ,pickles tomatoes or citrus fruits. I lost a lot of weight during this phase. Nothing specific ever showed up and tests for allergy and coeliac problems were negative. I am now post and things are much improved.
It certainly made me feel very miserable at the time and I have spoken to many women who suffered in the same way. Your doctors will probably label it IBS.

XIII