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Periods and Crohns

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/26/2007 12:51 PM (GMT -7)
Hey girls I need some advice. I have had crohns now for about three years and I have managed to control it better now and am doing quite well on Asacol and Azathioprine. However, every month I find that my periods trigger off crohn's pains and I have had really painful periods. How can there be a connection? I just want to know if other girls have this problem and what they have done about it? Docs have refered me for scans/tests but so far nothing has shown. Please help.
Posted 8/26/2007 1:07 PM (GMT -7)
There is a connection with crohns and hormones which is why our periods often can be horrible with our bowel habits behaving even worse then usual...you could talk to your doc about what might help, but chances are he won't have too many suggestions...even being on the BC pill doesn't necessarily help with the CD symtpoms during your periods, it can even make your CD worse all around, but it's different for everyone...if you do go on the BC pill (or are already on them) make sure you're taking a good probiotic since BC pills cause bacterial over-growth which us IBDers are already prone to...so actually, on the pill or not you should be taking a good probiotic daily.

:)
Posted 8/26/2007 1:19 PM (GMT -7)

Thank you for that. I am taking probiotics now but only for a month so will maybe notice more of a difference come time.

Thanks anyway and if anyone else has experiences/advice please get in touch.

Posted 8/26/2007 8:19 PM (GMT -7)
I have the same problem and have been trying to decide if I should go talk to my doctor about a pill like YAZ that's supposed to help with all the symptoms of periods as well.  I have never been on the pill because I take antibiotics (xifaxan) daily and was told they interfere with eachother.  My Crohn's is starting to calm down since I started Methotrexate 4 weeks ago but I still get irritable bowel syndrome issues flaring up around my period.  I'm not sure if anything will help but I guess I should try the probiotics.  If anyone has any other advice, let me know! 


Posted 8/26/2007 9:13 PM (GMT -7)
Another reason why taking a good probiotic is essential...having to go on antibiotics for CD or any other reason...antibiotics kill off everything leaving your system completely vulnerable, taking probiotics at least establishes good bacteria in the gut flora.

And yes, being on antibiotics while taking the pill lessens the strenght of the pill which could bring on an unplanned pregnancy.

:)
Posted 8/26/2007 9:34 PM (GMT -7)

Hi,

I have the same problem and I have been oon the pill for over 10 years. My doctor has never told me to stop taking the pill and I usually skip the sugar pills when i am not feeling well so I don't get my period. My doc said this was OK. It helps me as I feel so bad when I am already feel sick from the crohns and then bad period on top that I can hardly get tow ork and sometimes have to take a day off... this way its just the crohns to deal with !!

Jenny.

Posted 8/26/2007 10:40 PM (GMT -7)
I have that problem too. But I also have ovarian cysts, and terrible PMS. So my GYN has me on the birth control pill, and I skip the placebo week. Making it to where I don't have a period. It's wonderful. No PMS and no Crohn's symptoms during that time! The pill, like every medication is different for everyone, but it helped me a lot!
Posted 8/27/2007 8:44 AM (GMT -7)
Happens to me too and my crohn's is just in my butt. No stomach problems. My fistulas drain more and I experience more soreness in my rear.

I also get really bad cramps. I thought that was due to the crohn's because it seems like when the crohn's got worse, the cramps got worse,too.

Posted 8/27/2007 4:32 PM (GMT -7)
I tend not to say 'the crohns makes my period worse' I just figure the period makes my crohns worse, either way, I get bad pms pain thats for sure, but that was even LONG before I was diagnosed, so I know its just reacting WITH my crohns and not the Crohns causing it...either way, I tried the pill(well, wanted it for birth control, but the ease of pms pain was wonderful on the side) and it helped for pms, but put me in a horrible flare so I had to quit, but otherwise, with the pain, cramping and D and everything else with my pms I just use a very high strength pain killer, thats all I can do, I basically went through years and years of testing pain killers or getting one to constantly work before I got it right, but now I have one that works that I have been on for years when its just time for my pms. A painkiller works great for me cause it stops the pain (in any area of my body), and with the pain controlled my body doesnt D like it does without the painkiller too, so I'm in the bathroom a heck of a lot less, which is wierd I guess, but true. Maybe just keep trying with painkillers too until you get one that will really work for you.
Posted 8/27/2007 6:16 PM (GMT -7)

Before I was diagnosed with CD, I was always having bad periods. They seem to get worse and of course Crohns symptoms get worse. I have been on the pill for 10 years now, mostly ortho tri, then yaz. Last year I asked my dr. if there was something we can do about the pain and he said i should try seasonique. I LOVE IT!!! I only get my period 4 times a year. My periods don't hurt that much and I only have it for like 3 days.

The only thing was at the begining there was some spotting but after the first pack things are good.

Posted 8/27/2007 6:59 PM (GMT -7)
my periods were awful but i couldnt be put on birth control due to a blood disorder so he suggested i get an iud called Mirena and it has helped out tons.I no longer have my painful monthly cycle and it is good for 5 years before it needs replaced.you should look into getting one i would always do mine again.
Posted 8/27/2007 8:05 PM (GMT -7)
I have had horrible pms and cramping especially after my resection.  I have always just attributed it to all the scar tissue inside pulling on everything when cramps get going.  the only thing that has ever worked for me was pain pills.  unfortunately my doctor doesn't think i should be taking pain pills to "mask" my pain.  he thinks i should feel the pain so that i know what is going on when.  i have gone the rounds with him because i only would take the pills when the pain was too much to bear or i could'nt get thru work or in evevning when i had gone all day suffering.  so when i have surgery for fistula or what ever i ration the pain pills so that i can get a couple days a month relief when my period comes.  otherwise sometimes my mom will give me a couple because she has severe back problems and her doctors don't hesitate to give  her any.  i know sharing isn't the best, but in a pinch what do you do?

Posted 9/2/2007 5:46 PM (GMT -7)
I have painful periods that put me out of commission. For the bloating I get, I start taking Midol a couple days before I'm going to start. For the pain, I take prescription drug Toradol. This works wonderfully and has no side effects. I could not function without it during my period. If nothing else, try taking an otc pain reliever a couple of days before you start...it will be in your system and should ease the pain...somewhat.
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