Change in bowel habits during menstruation: are IBD patients different?

Adi Lahat, Alona Falach-Malik, Ola Haj, Zina Shatz, Shomron Ben‐Horin
In: Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology · 2020 · vol. 13 , pp. 1756284820929806 · doi:10.1177/1756284820929806 · PMID:32577133 · PMC7290266 · W3035689498
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Many female inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients report symptoms exacerbation before and during menses. Our aim was to characterize their symptoms and specific risk factors in comparison with healthy controls. METHODS: Female IBD patients aged 18-50 years were asked to fill out a questionnaire recording their demographic and disease characteristics, menstruation history and symptoms. Disease activity was defined by Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI) for Crohn's disease (CD) patients and modified mayo score for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Healthcare providers answering an internet survey assessing bowel symptoms during menstruation served as healthy controls. RESULTS: < 0.01 for most parameters). Smoking status, biologic treatment, and previous abdominal operation were found to significantly aggravate symptoms during menses in IBD patients. CONCLUSION: IBD patients experience various symptoms during menses significantly more commonly than healthy women. Smoking, biologic treatment, and previous abdominal operations are risk factors for higher symptomatic burden. Following future validation and research, these results can help in patients' risk stratification and possibly in risk reduction.

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