Foul Gas x 1week before mentrual period every month

[RNMOMMA]

I am 32 y/o female 5'7", 150lbs, 2 children and happily married. I do not take any medication or BC pills. I have minimal stress. (many blessings!)My problem: Every month approx one week prior to onset of my period...I experience horrible foul smelling flatulence.  It is embarrasing and needless to say hard to ignore. 3-4x times a year it is accompanied by severe and sudden onset diarrhea, migraine, and other common PMS symptoms.  In researching this topic, I find much on PMS symptoms and treatment...but little mention of this particular problem other than "IBS" or "bowel changes". I do not have mood swings (even husband agrees) but, I am often more tired, clumsy-(I drop things), stutter, and have uncomfortable back pain DURING my period.  What is causing this smell? I am not kidding when I say it is THE foulest odor you can imagine and for 3-4 days of the 1 week it is frequent. Obviously, I try to "hold it in" if in room with others and it is not explosive but, it is so foul I even wake up in the middle of the night because the smell has woken me. I have what I would consider "normal" gas normally.  Please help...I want to know the specific physiologic reason it occurs and what I can do about it.  Thank you.

[Moonweasel1]

Guys, I tried activated charcoal - Natures Way brand, two capsules a couple hours before a meal, and so far its worked. My farts have been so toxic and terrible two weeks before and up until my period (at night mostly) and this has greatly helped. I got it at the organic food Co-op where I work, so I trust it to be a safe, natural remedy as well.

[Purpleonz]

You cant use that if you take prescription meds right?

[J55687]

Ive recently developed the same thing the last 3 times ive gotten my period exactly a week before i get really nasty gas (im a 19 y/o female) and ive really been embarrassed by it but its nice to know im not alone and @frankzhere thats a terrible thing to say and youre lucky youre married at all with that attitude

[ihopetocuresomeofthese]

hey could you keep me posted on your journey ? i am undiagnosed endo and any help relating to this is a miracle to be honest especially with pain bloating and bowel problems. ta

[NeighborB]

Update from last post. Try the PMS tea for water retention, not the cinnamon PMS tea.

[NeighborB]

I have the same problem. Only mine often is TWO weeks before!  And smells so bad it makes me feel sick. I found an herbal tea that really helps me. I found it at a discount store once and bought it just because it was an organic tea. It's Herbal Medicinals PMS tea. It works for a few hours then have another cup. It got me through the holidays without stinking up everyone's house. When you will be out for a while don't forget to bring a bag or some tea with you!

[telthesky]

Awww, poor little non-farting Frankzhere.  Does your repulsion mean you can't get it up to eject sperm?
I bet she's thrilled with that.  Oh happy day...fart away girlfriend!

[zdorovye]

Seeing advertisements for sanitary products, one would imagine that tampons solve all our problems, with a few painkillers perhaps.  What's evident is, that myth is a half-picture and this normal female process suffers from taboo even in medical realms and marriages.
Thank you Moony3005231 - I long thought that the finale of the cycle must be aggravating the digestive system something rotten; so prostaglandins are at the bottom of it. For me this can continue well into the bleed.  After reading the helpful above discussion, I'll begin evening primrose again to try and pin down why it's such a problem when it is.  For me I know it's not lack of greens or too much processed food or excess dairy that's for sure.  Thank you for the magnesium tip-off, though I think I'm not lacking that either.
The social side especially the intimate one looms large and I can't help but feel that our modern relationships & dwellings should be able to accommodate us women for all we contribute through the pervasive cycle.  Give us some space!

[chack1work]

Frank, if this is happening near or during that 'time of the month' for her and/or if she has irregular (as in, not everyday) bowels... This is not unusual for women with the above symptoms.  As in, she cannot help it and yes, the escaping gas is truly a surprise.

C.

[perfectposture]

Last night I was having bad smelling farts and I was keeping my distance from my boyfriend. I decided to look online and see if I could find some helpful information and found these posts. I also have a tendancy to get 1-2 days of stinky gas prior to my period and was glad to find I wasn't the only one and that there is some explanation for it. I took a Magnesium supplement, Drank 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar diluted with some water, and took a probiotic capsule of 1 billion (i happened to have all these on hand). I didn't have any more bad farts. Not even 1. I didn't even notice having gas at all. I woke up this morning feeling great and wanted to pass on my experience in case it helps anyone else. Now I know what to do next time around. Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I thought I was going to spend the night on the couch, but instead I had a restful night in bed with my boyfriend without any embarrassing moments.

[sassafrassy]

I am 34 years old and have the same problem.  It is a sulferous smell and usually one week before my cycle.  It doesen't seem to matter what I eat, I just have gas and it is horrible.  Trying to find all natural solutions. I don't use birth control. I noticed its worse since I've cut back on exercise because of a knee injury. Maybe that was helping and I was less aware of it.  Thanks to all the people who shared their stories.

[yecatstevir]

My post is purely anecdotal. I agree with this theory.  For months, I have significantly reduced my intake of caffeine, cheeses and milk products and noticed that the foul flatulence 1 week before my period was practically non-existent.  I also ate more veggies and less meat.  In the past month, literally 1 month, I had to take a trip back east and had started a bad cycle of the "old" diet- included more meat, cheese, milk, and this past week alone have been drinking coffee with some skim or soy and had pizza twice. It is one week before my period and the flatulence is back.  I'm now back home and can get back on my regimen of leafy greens, fruits, nuts and almond milk.  No more pizza!

[catswold]

Thank you so much for nailing that idiot where it hurts. Wonder if we should tell him that when a woman is in labor the pressure from that is equal to 53 bones fracturing at the same time. Bet he'd **** his pants before it got past the first stage of a period lol

[lola573]

It's been almost 2 years since this problem started.  Thought it was related to damage down there after child delivery.  Went through physical therapy but the gas problem continued. Gastro found I had H pylori and treated it, however, the horrible gas problem was still there.  Next, he thought it was celiac/gluten intolerance but came back negative.  Small Bacteria Overgrowth test came back negative as well.  I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism but after medication the gas is still there.   Full scan of my body and 100 other tests to find the cause of this awful bloating and gas but nothing else was found. I decided to put myself on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and the gas decreased a lot (less odor and quantity)  

I had PMS symptoms every day of the month and also passed gas every day of the month.  For some reason though it could be IBS or worse that's why I put myself on the diet.  After the diet, the symptoms of constant PMS stopped and only get them before my period starts.  I was eating healthier for instance my PMS symptoms decreased a lot. It definitely has to do with a hormonal change in our bodies, the night sweats, mood swings and tender breasts everyday of the month made me realize it's hormonal and not what I eat.  I started keeping track of when the gas problem happens after I read this thread and it does happen right before my period and during my PMS symptoms.  I'm so thankful you help me figure it out.  

The SCD diet, baking soda, probiotics and ginger capsules are helping me manage it somehow but not entirely.  I still have this awful problem.  I'm considering trying Maca and see if that can put my hormones back to balance,  I also wanna try the FOOD MAP diet a few days before my period since it's a odorless diet.  I'll post again If I have any luck with this.

[Caddybee]

That foul smelling odor is NOT caused by processed foods. I don't eat processed foods yet continue to get that foul smelling odor during my menstrual cycle.

Tired of so called health care professionals constantly deflecting blame onto people with healthcare concerns.

Gastritis is common during menstruation. The foul smelling odor appears to be associated with the blood and tissue discharge, although, like many of you I am seeking answers, not accusations.

[Tashab157]

I too have terrible gas and cramps coming up to my period. I noticed whilst on holiday in June, my period came and went without any gas or issues. Very shocked!!! Then July,August I went back to my smelly ways. The only thing I could pin point was that I rather drank coffee on holiday and had no dairy for the whole week because it was horrible. I also eat less bread. Think I may have to try my theory out next month. :)

[lou326]

I do not eat ANY processed foods and also have this problem.  I grow 80% of the food I eat, it is all organic, nothing processed passes my lips, and the week before my period I get the worst smelling gas around. Please don't judge what others eat from posts in a forum.

[Carlie2013]

Magnesium works. Give it a go and you will see. I bought it over the counter and i take 2 tablets daily and the amount of gas is still there BUT the smell is totally neutralised !

[Fennec]

Thank you so much for your expertise.  Because I do not have health insurance, I often seek the advice of pharmacists.  I feel they are an overlooked great source of knowledge.  We rely too much on family practitioners.  The truth is, pharmacists are experts of chemistry and how our bodies utilize elements, chemicals, nutrients, etc.

I had the same issue.I had an outgrown number of bacteria on my intestine (h.pylori) I take pills of enzymes,probiotics and activated charcoal( absorbs the odor)
This issue took me years to somebody to figure it out.This issue can develop IBS as well.Stay away from conservatives,sorbitol,grease,fast food and processed food. some places call this S.E.B.O.
The test used to detect this is an O2 test..usually doctors do all kind of crappy test that dont help out a bit.
Good luck

[CatsWhiskers]

I am so glad I am not the only one who suffers from this.  Usually I try to keep away for everyone when this is happening but that can not always be possible.  I think I will try the Evening Primrose as suggested in a previous post.  I did tell my boyfriend about it, well basically warned him, and now it sort of makes us giggle but I would obviously prefer if it did not happen.  The other day I was in a queue in the Post Office and I could feel one coming on, panic.  There was a guy in front of me who looked like he had been working on a building site, he had mud all over his shoes, fresh mud.  So I moved a little closer to him, stinky arrives and I promptly moved back.  Everyone thought it was him.  I know it was awful but it worked.  Luckily this time I had a few moments warning but that is not always the case.  I was giggling to myself all the way home.  

[maid2luv]

Saw this reply on another forum and I thought it might be helpful. Many women go through this every month so its not the foods that you eat:
While the foods you eat are important, you are saying that the approach of your period is what makes the difference to your farting. As I understand it, this is because of the increased production of a hormone-like chemical called prostaglandin series 2. The purpose of this is to stimulate the muscles of the uterus to shuck off the lining that has been built up over the preceding few weeks, causing a period.

Series 1 and series 2 prostaglandins act differently and can get very out of balance as the menstrual cycle progresses. If there's excess series 2 then this necessary muscle stimulation can get out of hand and cause the pain of muscle cramps and also affect the bowel and bladder. Like all chemicals in the body, they do lots of things and it's all stupidly complex. But the effect on the digestive tract can be to change the production of digestive juices and stimulate the peristaltic muscles - both of which can cause excess gas.

The traditional way of counteracting the series 2 prostaglandin is to increase the production of series 1. And that's where the essential fatty acids come in, specifically the omega-6 GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) found in borage oil (starflower oil) and evening primrose oil. You may find it helps to take borage oil for a week before you expect the symptoms to begin. Some take it all month.

A less natural option is to inhibit the production of prostaglandin series 2 in the first place. This can apparently be done by taking NSAIDS (aspirin, ibupofen etc.) during the week approaching the onset of symptoms. If the production of the prostaglandin is reduced, it may make your period last a little longer because the muscles of the uterus aren't working so hard.

Source(s):

http://www.endo-resolved.com/prostaglandins.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostaglandin

[justtryingtolivewell]

Same here, so glad to come across this comment list. Because of persistent IBS symptoms, I've gone gluten-free the past 6 months and have been lactose/dairy-free for much of my life. I take 400 mg of magnesium a day, plus several other vitamins and minerals in my multi-vitamin/mineral supplements from Melaleuca (for almost a year now). I completely agree with the vegan posts that food and nutrition matter!!! I'm 24, and this particular symptom has plagued me for the past decade of periods. I remember one overnight bus ride during middle school, I had to release a lot of flatulence in order to try to get to sleep, and my best friend said, "It smells like sulfur!!" I blamed the guy passed out behind me (I know....). Anyway, sometimes the excessive gas IS odorless, but often it smells unusually awful - yes, I agree with "sulfurous." And always about a week before my period starts, lasting about 2 days. Just knowing I'm not alone is helpful. Maybe there isn't a cure-all other than listening to our bodies. Here's to the people who matter most to us understanding and bearing with us. Thanks everyone.

[Mom2Bella]

Wow! I can't believe how old this thread is and yet women are still adding to it. Just goes to show how many of us suffer from the same thing! I think it's great that we can all talk about this and exchange advice.
I'm 32 yrs old and a mom to a 6 yr old. I never had any PMS growing up(started period at 11) or any.issues during period either..not even cramping.  But i did have a heavy flow. It became less and less as i got older. I'm not on BC either and have a good diet.
I recently figured out it was appr a week before my period that I started experiencing this. It is CRAZY how a women's body changes once she hits her 30's. Now at 32 a week before my period,  I have extreme bloating, CRAZY gas, dizzy spells, back pains like labor pains, and total nausea. A lot like pregnancy symptoms!  I started keeping track of how ofteb this happens and realized it was always right before period was due. I.didn't know these issues were SO COMMON (nausea,  gas, dizziness) before period or even during. But once i researched, i saw how there's sooooo many women dealing w the same thing. I really was thinking that i was pregnant every month! Bc all these really are soo similar!  But once the tests were coming out negative,  I.began to worry that there was something wrong with me.  I have not found anything that works except emetrol syrup for the nausea.  It alsi helps me release the gas too. But regarding the odor, i have no had any luck. Has anyone tried these suggestions from the other members?? Curious if anything worked.
-Donna

[franny1242]

just fart to your heart's content. at least it feels good when it's out! and farts are supposed to stink! consider it comic relief every month :) lol.