Period and CD

[RissaIUP2016]

I was wondering if anyone else has flare like symptoms when they get their period or before their period.. I have been having awful periods and crohns problems to the point where i dont wanna do anything. I get bad cramps and I also have all the crohns pains, diahreaa and nausea. I feel like death and cant leave the bathroom. Idk what I can do to help it. I cant even shower without rushing to go to the bathroom.. i cant get relaxed and then it gets worse. I have been on and off the pill and either way I still feel like death. I just dont want my period.. cause i dont think i would have the problems.. but then i want kids in my future since im only 19.. i feel like i cant win. andyone know what will make it better?

 

[SarahBear]

Hi, Marissa! Sorry to hear what you're dealing with.

Have you looked into forms of birth control that would eliminate or reduce the frequency of your periods? It'd be worth asking your GYN about, if you haven't already. Unfortunately, I don't know off the top of my head which ones work this way, and Safari keeps refreshing and erasing everything I've typed when I try to google it… Sorry. I know that with most of them you can skip the off days / placebo pills and you won't have a period, but I don't know how advisable this is, so I'd definitely consult a GYN before trying that route.

Were your periods as difficult before your Crohn's symptoms started (or got severe)?

Followed your Tumblr, btw!

 

[RissaIUP2016]

My periods were awful before CD.

 

[SarahBear]

Have you seen a GYN about it? Something like endometriosis could be a possibility.

 

[prettykitty]

You can skip the inactive week on the pill. Or you can try other methods like the shot (depo) or an implant. Def talk to your gyno!

 

[RissaIUP2016]

I see my GI Aug 5th for a check up.. so ill talk to him and then call my GYNO.. hopefully i can figure something out.

 

[MissBG]

The Depo shot worked great for me while I was on it but be careful with that. It can increase your risk of osteoporosis and given that crohnies tend to have problems absorbing vitamins and nutrients anyway it may not be good for you. I had to come off of it because on top of the reasons I already listed I have several women with osteoporosis on both sides of my family, so for me it wasn't worth it. I take a pill that only has one inactive week for every 3 months and that works for me.

Hope you find something that works for you!

 

[Crohn's gal since 1989]

I'm switching from the pill to a patch. It has a slightly stronger dose of hormones then my current pill but is the same as the nueva ring. I saw my Gyno this week, trying to get an answer to this question of exacerbated CD symptoms during my period. His explanation was that the pill blocks your egg from exiting the Fallopian tube, so it has to break through causing damage. There is resulting inflammation as the body repairs the damage created by the egg. This is all taking place near the intestines and disrupting their position in the body.

With the patch, it goes on your hip for a week at a time. Typically you wear them three weeks then take a week off. He has advised me to wear 6 weeks consecutively then take a week off then back 6 weeks of patches again. I see him again in September for follow up.

I'll keep you posted!

 

[CeeCeeGo]

Hello Marissa
After speaking to my GP & consultant, they suggested the Mirena Coil but please remember that I am a lot older than you and am due for the menopause anytime soon (can't come quick enough!). I know in the UK they are not keen about using the coil unless you have had children and also it can take a while for your body to adjust. I would definitely speak to your GYN about your periods and your Crohns. Like you, my Crohns symptoms always seem worse just before and during my period. I am convinced that hormones & Crohns are linked in some way.
Take care & I hope you can find something that helps.

 

[mollys25]

Hi Rissa I was newly diagnosed in May, but now thinking back through the years all the problems I have. One being like you heavy periods. D, vomiting, exhaustion, anemia. Usually starts about 1 week before I get my period with D. Then it will go to severe constipation. This has been on going since I can remember. I just started seeing a new GI doc and asked him if prednisone could affect my period I explained to him it seemed a little worse since starting prednisone. He said his thought is it is the disease which opened the conversation of all that i been experiencing through the years. Crohn's is horrible and not ever knowing when it is going to flare is terrifying. I have an appt with my GYN on Monday. I will let you know what he tells me. I wish you well I have been out of work since May and barely out of my house. I am so sick of feeling this way. We need to stay positive. I will keep you in my prayers and pray for a cure to this horrible disease.

 

[heyayej]

I don't necessarily had bad periods, but I do experience increased flare-like symptoms a few days before and during my periods. My understanding is that an increase in diarrhea during this time is normal, even for someone without CD, because the uterus' movements lightly "jostle" the intestines. But I would also get nausea and bad cramping.
I recently start Humira and it's helped with all of the flare-like symptoms except for cramping.
I'm not sure if any of that is really helpful to you, just wanted to share that the flare-up symptoms are, to my understanding, pretty common among women with CD.

Good luck finding something to help tame your wild period!

 

[Crohn's gal since 1989]

Well my six weeks of birth control patches are done and today is my first patch free day and I am in a bed on the ER with what I suspect is another obstruction.

 

[mollys25]

Oh no sending prayers Hang in there