Many of us associate our monthly cycles with things like bloat, cramps, and cravings. Some of us may even cater our workouts to each week of our cycles or change up our food choices. What many of us don’t associate with our monthly cycles is period poops. The thing is, though, your period can affect your bathroom habits in a major way.

What exactly are period poops, and why do they even happen in the first place? Here’s everything you need to know if you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why do I poop so much on my period?”

Why do I poop so much on my period?

If you thought period poops just happened to you, you were seriously mistaken. Period poops are definitely a thing even though they’re rarely talked about.

For the record: A change in the consistency, frequency, and smell of your poop during your period is a very common occurrence, states a 2014 study from the journal BMC Women’s Health.

If you’re wondering “why do I poop so much on my period,” the answer is prostaglandins. According to the Cleveland Clinic, prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that affect several bodily functions, including inflammation, pain, and uterine contractions. Yep, that’s right — you can blame those monthly period cramps on prostaglandins.

Just before your period begins, the cells that make up the lining of the uterus begin producing more prostaglandins. These chemicals stimulate the smooth muscles in your uterus to help it contract and shed its lining each month. Enter your monthly period.

If your body produces more prostaglandins than it needs, they’ll enter your bloodstream and have a similar effect on other smooth muscles in your body, like in your bowels. The result is more poop — also known as period poop.

Easing period poop symptoms

Okay, so what exactly can you do to ease period poop symptoms? Well, I hate to break it to you, but if you’re a coffee connoisseur, you may want to skip that morning cup of Joe.

Prostaglandins can give you a case of diarrhea — and since coffee is a natural laxative, you may want to replace your daily coffee run with another hot beverage the week of your period.

Thinking of quitting coffee altogether? Here is how you can quit that daily dose of caffeine.

To ease period poops, you may also want to drink more water and stay well hydrated throughout the week of your period to help prevent constipation. If constipation does happen, try incorporating some of these beverages and foods to help ease constipation. If that still doesn’t work, try these helpful tips for easing constipation.

When it comes to your period, most of us keep things like ibuprofen, Midol, and Tylenol on hand, but other OTC medications can help ease period poop symptoms like loose stools and sour stomachs. Think of things like Pepto Bismol, TUMS, or a more mindful option, Wonderbelly, which is free from artificial sweeteners, dyes, genetically modified substances, parabens, and talc.

Onyx Adegbola, MD, PhD, a physician-scientist, lifestyle medicine physician, and the founder of Casa de Sante, shares that exercise can also be beneficial for easing period poops. Low-impact exercises such as walking or yoga can help relieve cramping and promote regularity in the digestive system.

The bottom line on period poops

If period poops happen to you, you’re not alone. It’s completely natural to poop more on your period. If you’re uncomfortable and want to ease the symptoms of period poops, try these tips the next time you feel a period poop coming on.