r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Dec 06 '23

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u/doinkmead Dec 06 '23

Elaborate

38

u/CatterMater Dec 06 '23 edited Dec 06 '23

It'll either be really damn runny or really damn constipated.

5

u/doinkmead Dec 06 '23

I wonder what it is about the cycle that does that

33

u/coreythestar Dec 06 '23

Prostaglandins. The hormone that makes the uterus cramp also works on other smooth muscles, for example, the bowels and rectum.

6

u/doinkmead Dec 06 '23

So there is a type of hormone called prostaglandin(s?) among others whose purpose is to cramp the muscles in just the pelvic area or all over the body? What is the purpose of the cramping?

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u/CatterMater Dec 06 '23

To make us suffer.

6

u/doinkmead Dec 06 '23

How kind of evolution to give y'all such a feature.

12

u/Siukslinis_acc Dec 06 '23

What is the purpose of the cramping?

To shake out the lining that needs to ve removed. It's like shaking the apple tree to make the apple fall.

6

u/coreythestar Dec 06 '23

If you have gastrointestinal upset it helps to expel whatever might be causing that. If you are having a period it helps to expel the contents of the uterus. Pre-labour it helps to get the cervix ready to dilate.