Teenage Girl Experiencing Diarrhea and Unusual Stool During Menstruation: What to Do?

Question
My daughter, age 14, has just begun her first heavy flow period.  Along with that she has had diarreah.  I told her that was normal for the first day or so, as I too experienced that when I was a teen.  However, it has now been five days and she is still having cramping and her BM is greenish black in color, it has been since the beginning of her cycle accompanied by stomach cramping and chills.  One morning she awoke with a blackish green tongue, from the front to the back of her tongue.  We thought it was from the pepto bismal chew she had eaten the night before.  I was thinking perhaps she has an intestinal virus corresponding with her menses.  On a side note, her diet has not been consistent, she just re introduced meat into her diet after not having it for about two months.  Could this be a cause of her troubles? please advise.  Sara M

Answer
Dear Sara,

Hugs to your daughter.   This has not been an easy initiation for her, has it?

Diarrhea is very common during menses.  Changes in the prostaglandin and progesterone can cause the intestines to contract, and stimulate the bowels to creating diarrhea.  Chilling is also common.  

Now, that being said, let's address the whole picture.  I am leaning towards the green tongue as being related to something she ate.  But, the fact that she is still having the green stools, and her symptoms aren't abating, perhaps she also has a virus or intestinal problem.  Usually, meat would not cause those symptoms, unless she has suddenly switched to a high fat diet.  

If the symptoms are now gone, see what happens with her next cycle.  If she is still symptomatic, I am thinking maybe you should speak with her physician.  They may choose to have a stool sample taken to a lab for analysis.

In our practice at work, we recommend that children not be given Pepto-Bismol until they reach the age of 18.   

I wish I could have answered exactly what is going on.  Let me know if you can think of anything else to add to what you have observed.  You sound like a very good mom and an excellent historian.  I'm sorry I couldn't be more specific.

Best wishes,

Andrea