WHAT YOUR STOMACH is trying to tell you
So much happens in your stomach area: your digestion, menstrual cycle, your microbiome (trillions of bacteria that live in the gut) and for some people, it’s also affected by stress and anxiety. “The body is complex. We are all individuals. A lot of people get incredibly worried that they have bowel cancer or Crohn’s disease or something like that, when quite often it can be simple constipation. If you’re really worried, go and get it checked out by a doctor,” says GP Dr Ginni Mansberg.
BLOATING
Is it your period? Pregnancy? And why does it blow up so drastically from one day to the next? “Bloating is most commonly linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation or very lax tummy muscles,” says Dr Ginni. “I’ll often get patients bringing me a photo of themselves saying, “I look six months pregnant in this photo. I clearly must have an intestinal abnormality.” The most likely thing is that they have very poor stomach muscles,” says Dr Ginni. Bloating is a feature of irritable bowel syndrome in close to 90 per cent of patients according to a study in the journal Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench.
EXTREME PERIOD PAIN
Most women experience some kind of period pain but for one in 10 women in Australia the pain can be extreme and could be a sign of endometriosis. “Endometriosis is an abundance of endometrial cells that grow in places other than the endometrial lining. Early detection and treatment can mean avoidable progression of the condition and can make a huge difference. Please don’t put up with pain,” says Lucy Peach, a sexual health educator and author of Period Queen (RRP $29.99, Murdoch Books).
GAS
Can’t stop farting all of a sudden? “It’s probably something you’ve eaten, or constipation,” says Dr Ginni. “Constipation is not only not pooing for days on end. If you’re only pooing five little rabbit pellets a day, that’s also constipation and you can expect to be farting like a train! A healthy poo is a log, and doing that every day.”
SUDDEN TWINGES
“Just before, during or after ovulation, you might notice a pang on one side of your lower abdomen as the follicle ruptures to release the ripest egg. It can be a small sharp pain, or more of a dull, pressurised ache. It shouldn’t last for too long or be unbearable, so if it is, speak to a doctor,” says Lucy.