LADIES - time of the month.. - Crohns Disease Forum - Support group and forum for IBD, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

bc* · 12-15-2009, 01:56 PM

So...
As i've got older and my periods have got more...developed i've found that from a few days before and for the entire duration of my period i get a kind of mini flare up of my Crohn's symptoms. Some times its not so bad, but other times its hell.

I was just wondering if anyone else experiences the same thing? and maybe what you do to try and combat it.

thanks,
-bc x

Guest1 · 12-15-2009, 01:59 PM

Yes! Well, I *think* it's a mini-flare -- I'm thinking all of the cramping sort of gets everything rumbling down there, know what I mean? Lately I will experience EXTREME cramping for an entire week prior to starting. Even birth control doesn't seem to subside it much.

There's really nothing I do to combat it. I whine, moan and complain and that's about it, lol.

Peaches · 12-15-2009, 02:00 PM

Hey BC - we've had this discussion lots on here - can't remember what to tell you to do the search on - but maybe try period, and time of month in the search and see what you can come up with.

I *always* had this problem. By the third month cycle I'd be ready to go back on steroids. I ended up getting an IUD so now I don't have any periods and that took care of that problem for me - but I was done having kids. My GI doc said it has to do with prostaglandins which circulate in your system during your peroid an they can cause inflammation. "Normal" woman can take Advil or NSAIDS to help with it, but we can't - bummer!

Lishyloo · 12-15-2009, 02:04 PM

Totally. I have always had a bad tum around that time of the month. I always called it period sh!@s! Now I am diagnosed with crohns I realise what it was. I have the Depo injection now so no more periods for me.

I think we have completed our family now, but I'd rather carry on with Depo than have hubby get the snip because the depo gives me so
uch more than just contraceptive benefit

lishyloo x

merrywidow · 12-15-2009, 02:04 PM

like peache said, they are lot of stuff about periods on here. most of it says that us woman get mini flares when we have a period. but we also get "better" when were pregnant.

lucitcha · 12-15-2009, 03:18 PM

Yeah, I remember a huge thread about this. Since my first period I always had awful cramps + diarrea. Doc says the same hormons that causes the uterus to contract causes the bowels to contract, and so we get these lame symptoms.

pewpewlasers · 12-15-2009, 04:01 PM

There's a lot of information and posts about this. It seems to be a really big complaint among people with IBD and IBS.
I got sick of it and ended up getting the Depo Provera shot every three months. It stopped my periods and now I don't have to worry about the extra pain and symptoms.
Well that and I started the shot because my doc was concerned about me continuing the pill because of digestive problems.

imisspopcorn · 12-15-2009, 04:06 PM

Yes!!!

pb4 · 12-15-2009, 06:03 PM

Hormones are definitely linked to IBD (likely IBS as well)...I've noticed alot of women that end up getting sick with IBD (for the first time) during or sometime after pregnanies as well....and as far as the periods go, it can definitely exacerbate our symptoms, I also suffer from this...usually a week before they come, during the time of them and even for some days after...if I'm lucky I get about 1 week of month where it's calmed down a little...really sucks.

CrohnieCarolyn · 12-15-2009, 07:42 PM

A doctor told me once that when the uterus contracts it contracts the bowel too and since our bowels are screwed up it adds to the pain and discomfort when "Aunt Flo" comes to visit...

Guest1 · 12-15-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrohnieCarolyn

A doctor told me once that when the uterus contracts it contracts the bowel too and since our bowels are screwed up it adds to the pain and discomfort when "Aunt Flo" comes to visit...

Yup, true, which is why a majority of women -- even those w/out IBD get major "D" during Aunt Flo, uck!

MissMel · 12-16-2009, 12:42 AM

I am right there with you all!!! It is horrible. My October cycle landed me back in the ER doubled over in major pain. I am uncomfortable for a week before but 2 days after my cycle starts I can barely move. Then my abdomen hurts so bad I cannot even roll over in bed for about a week after it ends. It really is sensitive almost bruised internally like. I have just switched from my beloved Nuvaring to Seasonale in hopes to avoid my period for most months. I am not really happy so far since i seem to have breakthrough almost everyday. Wondering what to do? Merida?

Guest1 · 12-16-2009, 12:59 AM

How long have you been on Seasonale, MissMel? It can take a few months before it regulates itself.

cheeky · 12-16-2009, 06:03 PM

yeah i think i did a thread about this topic before... i usually flare up within 5 days after my period finishes and sometimes i've had flare ups a few days before....

but usually it's about 2 days after and lasts for 2-3 days.... i just had that happen last week. it is a mini flare. it's not super severe, but still not great but will only last for approx 2 days

there's definitely a hormonal correlation when it comes to flare ups. at least in my case.

though i hadn't had a flare up in 3 months prior to last week.... the remicade and imuran was doing the trick but i had stopped imuran .... now i'm back on it.

so lesson learned.

Magpie · 12-18-2009, 12:29 PM

Yes - I definitely get worse diarrhoea every month when I start my period. And when I've had my bad flare-ups with lots of blood in the diarrhoea, I've usually been on my period. My hormones definitely affect how my Crohns plays out. I find that making sure I get enough rest and sleep, and being strict with my diet at that time of the month makes things easier (so for me that's avoiding dairy and processed foods as I know they make things worse).
I mentioned all this to my consultant but he didn't seem particularly interested!

lifelover · 12-18-2009, 05:19 PM

I agree- seems to be worse around my time of the month. Although many of my gal pals also report the same symptoms and they don't have Crohn's. Maybe it's a girl thing? My acupuncturist told me that its common among all women to have D and cramping etc. Plus don't we all tend to eat worse around this time? Sometimes I think my cravings for sweets around my time of the month makes it worse cause I usually give in and eat whatever I can get my hands on.

shazamataz · 12-26-2009, 09:58 AM

I've just got my period today and last night and this evening had cramps after dinner for the first time in a while. I wondered too if this is just 'normal' as opposed to being the Crohns?
I've only recently been diagnosed but have had what I call a 'Poo tummy' for years around period time. Not D or anything but going more often and having cramps etc.

12-26-2009, 03:23 PM

It definitely gets much worse for me a couple days before and during my period. My best friend becomes a heating pad at night to put over my tummy to help with the cramping pain (not sure if it is from "Aunt Flo" or the impending diarrhea). During this time, it is also really important to drink as many fluids as you can--from the period and diarrhea you can get quite dehydrated. My anemia also kicks in full force so I take three 325 mg iron per day.

Best of luck and hope you find some relief!

Jettalady · 12-26-2009, 04:46 PM

It took a quite a few times that everytime I ended up in ER with a bowel obstruction, I was on my period. Years ago my mother figured it out. Then 4 days after my period I get alot of mucous and pain. I just avoid alot of foods and stick to a bland diet or Ensure for a day or so or porriage. I have to have something for pain because since I was 15 and I have suffered almost every single one. Headed towards menopause and fewer days now, hopefully when I stop the pain will stop.

Sparky · 12-26-2009, 11:36 PM

Yep, definitely a problem here, I think my first ever thread on this forum was about this topic! My first sign that I'm due each month is what feels like the start of a flare - lasts about 8-9 days - 4 days before, and 4 after I start. Not fun at all.

12-15-2009, 01:56 PM	#1
bc* New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	LADIES - time of the month.. So... As i've got older and my periods have got more...developed i've found that from a few days before and for the entire duration of my period i get a kind of mini flare up of my Crohn's symptoms. Some times its not so bad, but other times its hell. I was just wondering if anyone else experiences the same thing? and maybe what you do to try and combat it. thanks, -bc x

12-15-2009, 02:04 PM	#5
merrywidow mum with a dogdy tum Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: eastbourne england Posts: 3,099	like peache said, they are lot of stuff about periods on here. most of it says that us woman get mini flares when we have a period. but we also get "better" when were pregnant. __________________ crohns diagonsed dec 12th 1997 life is like a loo roll, the nearer to the end you get the faster it goes. memories are what makes life, life is what makes memories, make them good sharon x

12-15-2009, 04:06 PM	#8
imisspopcorn Punctuation Impaired Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5,945	Yes!!! __________________ ~~~~~~~~~* Instead of hiding in the darkness of a grey cloud, why not look for the silver lining?

12-18-2009, 05:19 PM	#16
lifelover New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 9	I agree- seems to be worse around my time of the month. Although many of my gal pals also report the same symptoms and they don't have Crohn's. Maybe it's a girl thing? My acupuncturist told me that its common among all women to have D and cramping etc. Plus don't we all tend to eat worse around this time? Sometimes I think my cravings for sweets around my time of the month makes it worse cause I usually give in and eat whatever I can get my hands on. __________________ *Steph* Currently taking- Colezal, multivitamin, B-Complex, Tumeric, Oil blend, probiotics, liquid vit D Currently doing- Acupuncture, yoga, walking, eating healthy

12-26-2009, 09:58 AM	#17
shazamataz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Zealand, Dunedin Posts: 3,672	I've just got my period today and last night and this evening had cramps after dinner for the first time in a while. I wondered too if this is just 'normal' as opposed to being the Crohns? I've only recently been diagnosed but have had what I call a 'Poo tummy' for years around period time. Not D or anything but going more often and having cramps etc. __________________ Farting is FUN

12-15-2009, 01:59 PM	#2
Guest1 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,414	Yes! Well, I think it's a mini-flare -- I'm thinking all of the cramping sort of gets everything rumbling down there, know what I mean? Lately I will experience EXTREME cramping for an entire week prior to starting. Even birth control doesn't seem to subside it much. There's really nothing I do to combat it. I whine, moan and complain and that's about it, lol.

12-15-2009, 02:00 PM	#3
Peaches Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,994	Hey BC - we've had this discussion lots on here - can't remember what to tell you to do the search on - but maybe try period, and time of month in the search and see what you can come up with. I always had this problem. By the third month cycle I'd be ready to go back on steroids. I ended up getting an IUD so now I don't have any periods and that took care of that problem for me - but I was done having kids. My GI doc said it has to do with prostaglandins which circulate in your system during your peroid an they can cause inflammation. "Normal" woman can take Advil or NSAIDS to help with it, but we can't - bummer!

12-15-2009, 02:04 PM	#4
Lishyloo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 617	Totally. I have always had a bad tum around that time of the month. I always called it period sh!@s! Now I am diagnosed with crohns I realise what it was. I have the Depo injection now so no more periods for me. I think we have completed our family now, but I'd rather carry on with Depo than have hubby get the snip because the depo gives me so uch more than just contraceptive benefit lishyloo x

12-15-2009, 03:18 PM	#6
lucitcha Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 72	Yeah, I remember a huge thread about this. Since my first period I always had awful cramps + diarrea. Doc says the same hormons that causes the uterus to contract causes the bowels to contract, and so we get these lame symptoms.

12-15-2009, 04:01 PM	#7
pewpewlasers Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 289	There's a lot of information and posts about this. It seems to be a really big complaint among people with IBD and IBS. I got sick of it and ended up getting the Depo Provera shot every three months. It stopped my periods and now I don't have to worry about the extra pain and symptoms. Well that and I started the shot because my doc was concerned about me continuing the pill because of digestive problems.

12-15-2009, 06:03 PM	#9
pb4 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CANADA Posts: 560	Hormones are definitely linked to IBD (likely IBS as well)...I've noticed alot of women that end up getting sick with IBD (for the first time) during or sometime after pregnanies as well....and as far as the periods go, it can definitely exacerbate our symptoms, I also suffer from this...usually a week before they come, during the time of them and even for some days after...if I'm lucky I get about 1 week of month where it's calmed down a little...really sucks.

12-15-2009, 07:42 PM	#10
CrohnieCarolyn Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 248	A doctor told me once that when the uterus contracts it contracts the bowel too and since our bowels are screwed up it adds to the pain and discomfort when "Aunt Flo" comes to visit...

12-16-2009, 12:42 AM	#12
MissMel New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 25	I am right there with you all!!! It is horrible. My October cycle landed me back in the ER doubled over in major pain. I am uncomfortable for a week before but 2 days after my cycle starts I can barely move. Then my abdomen hurts so bad I cannot even roll over in bed for about a week after it ends. It really is sensitive almost bruised internally like. I have just switched from my beloved Nuvaring to Seasonale in hopes to avoid my period for most months. I am not really happy so far since i seem to have breakthrough almost everyday. Wondering what to do? Merida?

12-16-2009, 12:59 AM	#13
Guest1 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,414	How long have you been on Seasonale, MissMel? It can take a few months before it regulates itself.

12-16-2009, 06:03 PM	#14
cheeky Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 394	yeah i think i did a thread about this topic before... i usually flare up within 5 days after my period finishes and sometimes i've had flare ups a few days before.... but usually it's about 2 days after and lasts for 2-3 days.... i just had that happen last week. it is a mini flare. it's not super severe, but still not great but will only last for approx 2 days there's definitely a hormonal correlation when it comes to flare ups. at least in my case. though i hadn't had a flare up in 3 months prior to last week.... the remicade and imuran was doing the trick but i had stopped imuran .... now i'm back on it. so lesson learned.

12-18-2009, 12:29 PM	#15
Magpie New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 5	Yes - I definitely get worse diarrhoea every month when I start my period. And when I've had my bad flare-ups with lots of blood in the diarrhoea, I've usually been on my period. My hormones definitely affect how my Crohns plays out. I find that making sure I get enough rest and sleep, and being strict with my diet at that time of the month makes things easier (so for me that's avoiding dairy and processed foods as I know they make things worse). I mentioned all this to my consultant but he didn't seem particularly interested!

12-26-2009, 03:23 PM	#18
uab grad student Guest Posts: n/a	It definitely gets much worse for me a couple days before and during my period. My best friend becomes a heating pad at night to put over my tummy to help with the cramping pain (not sure if it is from "Aunt Flo" or the impending diarrhea). During this time, it is also really important to drink as many fluids as you can--from the period and diarrhea you can get quite dehydrated. My anemia also kicks in full force so I take three 325 mg iron per day. Best of luck and hope you find some relief!

12-26-2009, 04:46 PM	#19
Jettalady Your Story Forum Monitor Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Western, ONT Posts: 3,604	It took a quite a few times that everytime I ended up in ER with a bowel obstruction, I was on my period. Years ago my mother figured it out. Then 4 days after my period I get alot of mucous and pain. I just avoid alot of foods and stick to a bland diet or Ensure for a day or so or porriage. I have to have something for pain because since I was 15 and I have suffered almost every single one. Headed towards menopause and fewer days now, hopefully when I stop the pain will stop. __________________ Formerly: Pen Symptoms of Crohn's 35 years DX in 1993 2 resections, 1993 & 2003 Been on too many drugs to list. Methotrexate- didn't work. Quit June 2010 Nexium.& odd Flagyl, VSL#3 900 Billion probiotic bacteria & Pentasa, 3000mg daily ...winging it now.

12-26-2009, 11:36 PM	#20
Sparky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: England Posts: 127	Yep, definitely a problem here, I think my first ever thread on this forum was about this topic! My first sign that I'm due each month is what feels like the start of a flare - lasts about 8-9 days - 4 days before, and 4 after I start. Not fun at all.