The effect of the menstrual cycle on inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective study

Sun Min Lim, Chung Mo Nam, Youn Nam Kim, Sin Ae Lee, Eun Hye Kim, Sung Pil Hong, Tae Il Kim, Won Ho Kim, Jae Hee Cheon, Sun Min Lim, Chung Mo Nam, Youn Nam Kim, Sin Ae Lee, Eun Hye Kim, Sung Pil Hong, Tae Il Kim, Won Ho Kim, Jae Hee Cheon

Abstract

Background/aims: The symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) fluctuate considerably over time. However, it has not been determined whether these symptoms are affected by the menstrual cycle in female IBD patients. This study analyzed the effects of the menstrual cycle on IBD symptom variation.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 91 study subjects (47 IBD patients and 44 healthy controls) who reported daily symptoms and signs throughout their menstrual cycles.

Results: IBD patients had significantly more frequent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea (30% vs 7%, p=0.006), flatulence (53% vs 22%, p=0.003), and abdominal pain as compared to controls (68% vs 38%, p=0.006). The IBD patients also experienced more frequent systemic premenstrual symptoms than the controls (79% vs 50%, p=0.003). More severe abdominal pain (p=0.002) and lower mean general condition scores (p=0.001) were noted during the menstrual phase as compared to the pre- or post-menstrual phase in both groups. IBD patients experienced more frequent premenstrual gastrointestinal symptoms than controls, but their IBD symptoms did not change significantly during the menstrual cycle.

Conclusions: Knowledge of the cyclic alterations in gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms may be helpful in determining the true exacerbation of disease in female IBD patients.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel diseases; Menstrual cycle; Women.

Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Gastrointestinal symptom scales throughout the menstrual cycle for women with inflammatory bowel disease and women in the control group. (A) Number of stools. (B) Mean abdominal pain. (C) Mean general condition. (D) Number of loose stools.

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