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Question for the ladies

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Valvenus
New Member
Joined : Feb 2013
Posts : 12
Posted 7/9/2013 2:31 PM (GMT -7)
Has anyone noticed a change in periods since being diagnosed??

My monthly has become so incredibly awful! Severe cramping and nausea. I didn't have a period for about 7 months (except for spotting) due to a bad flare, kidney failure and high doses of steroids. Since then it's much worse than it used to be. My gyno ran tests and everything is fine inside. So I am wondering if my symptoms are more severe because I was so sick and missed a bunch of periods? Or does the disease affect the symptoms? My GI doc is a guy, he didn't offer me much on this subject. Any insight would be helpful :)
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Red_34
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2004
Posts : 23581
Posted 7/9/2013 2:44 PM (GMT -7)
I've had UC for 21 years. 15 years in I developed excruciating menstrual cramps. Like drop to your knees searing pain. I went to the GYN and he did a laparoscopy look-see. He didn't find anything wrong with me...no endo or anything. So I ended up having an endometrial ablation. I haven't had a period now in 6 years - talk about heaven!
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Red_34
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2004
Posts : 23581
Posted 7/9/2013 2:45 PM (GMT -7)
Btw, I never got a concrete answer either why that happened.
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Andreita
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2011
Posts : 3828
Posted 7/9/2013 2:51 PM (GMT -7)
Are you on birth control? I never noticed any changes in mine.
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lemonhead
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2007
Posts : 1028
Posted 7/9/2013 5:42 PM (GMT -7)
Hysterectomy at 38 for horrible periods. Tons of blood and debilitating cramps. Nothing found wrong with my uterus or ovaries. I didn't think about it being related to UC, but I guess that is possible.
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UCcurlygirl
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 45
Posted 7/9/2013 6:27 PM (GMT -7)
My periods have always been semi-problematic, but in recent years (since the UC diagnosis) they have been even worse. There are no gynecological issues, but two times in the past I have had a flare just after my period ended. I think all the hormone changes and normal tummy troubles that come with my cycle just got my UC agitated. I now take birth control pills continuously to avoid getting a period. My gyno says there is not a medical need for me to be having a period at this point. If I forget a pill or two I typically have a little break through bleeding, but it's been a really good solution for me. I've been on the pill for several years because of issues with my cycle. I used to take pills for three months straight and then stop it 4 times a year for 4 periods, but I don't even bother doing that anymore. I know birth control comes with it's own risks and problems but I am on a fairly low dose one and it does wonders for me.
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Bacon Girl
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2011
Posts : 5490
Posted 7/9/2013 9:51 PM (GMT -7)
Mainly its just non existant. I was diagnosed in jan 2011 and my period stopped in feb 2011. Before that, i had it irreularly as in once every six months and then it would be there every month for a little. Never longer than 4 days and i had cramps once when I was a teenager, but that was it. I never wanna get it again! Its great not having it. I had a pap smear last year and all was normal. Never been on birth control before.
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Old Hat
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 5751
Posted 7/9/2013 10:15 PM (GMT -7)
Weight loss associated with major UC flares + steroid use can affect the menstrual cycle. It seemed that I developed intramural uterine fibroids after a course of Prednisone needed to subdue a severe flare in middle age. I didn't experience pelvic cramping or other monthly changes, but my very experienced female gyno found them right away during the next annual check-up & ordered an ultrasound scan which confirmed they were sizable. So, while I had no pain etc. but tests confirmed gyno organ change, and you experience pain though gyno organs test normal, we both likely got endocrine system changes from steroids RXed to treat UC. Your male GI needs more continuing medical education! (CME) / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
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Tornado6
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2013
Posts : 1155
Posted 7/10/2013 4:24 AM (GMT -7)
I've been taking my BCP continuously to avoid periods. They seem to make my UC worse, but my UC does not seem to make my periods worse.

I had a time when I did not have a period during my off week for a few months, and I've also had weird bleeding that I assume was from poor absorption of my pills.
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princesa
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 2204
Posted 7/10/2013 7:25 AM (GMT -7)
I've always had problems with my periods - bad cramping, irregular cycles. When I was first diagnosed and was in my worst flare, my periods stopped completely. I gather when you lose enough body weight - especially fat storage - your periods stop because your body perceives itself to be too sick to reproduce/sustain pregnancy. When my periods resumed, I took that as a sign I was on the road to recovery.

Periods and hormonal fluctuations do affect UC and the general abdominal inflammation of UC can affect periods. Bioidentical hormones might help you smooth out the rough edges. You probably already know Tylenol is the safest OTC pain reliever you can take. Heat can help, too.
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Valvenus
New Member
Joined : Feb 2013
Posts : 12
Posted 7/10/2013 10:53 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you all for the great feedback!! I have never taken birth control and I am little scared to because of the UC. Maybe a low dose would be worth trying...

RED- Thank you for mentioning that, my gyno did suggest a procedure called novasure where they burn the lining of the uterus, sounds like something similar to what you had done. I am glad that worked for you!

OLD HAT/Princessa- That makes perfect sense. I lost almost 20lbs during the last flare and was up to 120mg/day of pred because of the kidney failure. This was last summer and I just started having periods again in March. I think my body has changed.

I live in a small town and sometimes it seems like I am in this on my own. I really appreciate the input from all of you :)
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