Bowel changes including gas and diarrhea occur during this time of the month and are caused by the hormonal effects on your gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal bloating can be a true nightmare for women and is a common problem. There are many causes of abdominal bloating unrelated to PMS.

If bloating persists throughout the month this could be caused by lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is when the body cannot easily digest or absorb the natural sugar, lactose, found in milk and dairy products.
Bloating occurring throughout the month unrelated to a period can occur for a number of common reasons associated with lifestyle behaviors. Dietary rituals including many “B” and C vegetables are classic causes of gas and bloating and include beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Other dietary culprits include rich and fatty foods, whole grains, apples, peaches, pears, lettuce, onions, sugar-free foods containing sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol are directly associated with this frustrating symptom.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is defined as “recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort that occurs in association with altered bowel habits over a period of at least 3 months”. The 3 ways the “altered bowel habits” can present is with constipation, diarrhea or the double whammy, both constipation and diarrhea. Bloating is another painful symptom associated with IBS suffering. Constipation without an IBS diagnosis also contributes to agonizing bloating.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), small bowel bacterial overgrowth and diverticulitis are other intestinal abnormalities that cause bloating.
Stimulant laxatives, such as Ex-Lax and Senokot are the hardest on your intestines creating painful bloating and intestinal upheaval.