Is it normal to have diarrhea and severe debilitating stomach pains 1-2 days before menstruation?it feels like food poisoning and is affecting my work

Common problem: It is common for women to have cramping abdominal pain and diarrhea before periods due hormonal or prostaglandin changes that occur around this time. Try taking motrin or aleve (naproxen) on the days before your period or consider birth control pills to help manage these symptoms. Antiinflammatories like motrin and aleve (naproxen) can help with managing prostaglandin effects and birth control pills can lessen symptoms

Dysmenorrhea: These are symptoms of dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods caused by uterine cramps). Distracting symptoms at work are normal, but it shouldn't affect work much beyond that. Ibuprofen or aspirin can help if taken as soon as cramps start. Avoid caffeine and salt because it makes bloating worse. If this occurs every month and worsens, a doctor may recommend OCP or other prescribed medication.