For the girls - Azathioprine causing painful periods?

[nitty]

Not sure whether to post this under Female stuff or Treatments, so it's going in the General bit for now.

I started azathioprine 8 months ago, and since then my periods have got progressively heavier and much more painful. I have never had these issues before, always being lucky enough to be very light. Nothing else has changed and I don't take any birth control.
I can't find anything on the internet or the drug info about any link, but I know that people's real experiences and the 'official line' often differ!

I just wondered whether any other ladies out there had a similar experience, or whether I ought to get checked out. I've actually just had a letter calling me in for my cervical screening test, so that will be one thing I can hopefully rule out soon!

Thanks in advance,

Nitty

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Hello,
I have been on Aza for almost 5 years now and I have never had painful periods. They are sometimes a bit uncomfortable but I have never had any problems with them. Interesting that you have noticed a change since you started though.

 

[CeeCeeGo]

Hi Nitty
I was only on Aza for a short time and don't notice any difference. However, I would say that my Crohn's s always worse just before & during my period.
It is definitely worth mentioning to your doctor and if it gets really bad ask for a gynae referral.
Take care

 

[nitty]

Thanks.

There's a couple of possibilities I'm considering. It's not unfeasible that there's a link to the Aza, as it can affect your liver, and liver problems can affect periods. However, my bloods have all been fine (checked every month so far) so I'm not too anxious about that.
The cervical screening will rule out anything there, although my symptoms don't really fit with cervical cancer.
The other option is that the timing is just a coincidence and that I could be heading towards menopause-related changes. It's common for periods to get heavier in the run-up to the menopause. I'm only 42, but my mum had an early menopause (on HRT by the age of 43), although her periods didn't change too much - just extreme mood problems.

I don't want it to be any of these, and perhaps it's just nothing, but I guess any significant changes need to be checked out. I've already got a GP appointment on Thursday for something else, so I'll mention it then.
If I find out it's anything Crohn's related I'll pass on the information on here.

Fingers crossed!

 

[CeeCeeGo]

Hi Nitty
I'm with you on the pre-menopause thing. I am starting to think there is a real link between Crohns and hormones.
Good luck with your various appointments and please let us know how you get on.

 

[nitty]

Hello ladies,

I saw the GP yesterday and we checked over all my liver function tests which, if anything, are better than they were before I started the Aza! So at least I can put my mind at rest about any drug-induced changes.

The general consensus is that the timing is just a coincidence and that perhaps it's just age-related changes going on. Maybe I'm just going to head down the same road as my mother - I'll be jumping on the HRT bandwagon if that's the case!

 

[CeeCeeGo]

Hi Nitty
Glad to hear your liver is behaving itself.
I can't wait for my menopause to start and the possibility of taking HRT as I am fed up with having periods.
Take care

 

[kh216]

I didn't see a link between azathioprine and painful periods but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a link between PMS and Crohn's Disease. I used to feel crampy and bloated for one or two weeks before my period until after the second day on my period. None of my doctors could figure it out. Gynecologists tried birth control pills but they didn't help with that problem. They tried to say it was Crohn's but then the problem would go away by itself during that "time of the month." Needless to say, I am happy that I am now past menopause.