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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/24/2007 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi! I am just wondering if anyone else experiences fluctuations in their menstrual cycle? I'm in my 20s and started out in my late teens as irregular, and then got regular, but recently back to the irregular/absent cycles. In the past I thought I had thyroid/hormonal issues (border-line hypothalmic)...but not enough to treat/diagnose - my GI thinks it could just be related to the disease itself

Just wondering if I'm in the same boat as others?

thanks!
Posted 10/24/2007 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Im 21, I've ALWAYS had a perfect period I mean I knew the day of the month it started and 5 days later it would always end. But I've not had the disease long and I also recently just got an IUD but I don't know what is causing mine to be messed up but it seems like I bleed a week then start back two weeks later. This disease seems so unpredictable.
Posted 10/24/2007 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I also think that the two are related. Before I was DX with Crohn's, I thought that the pain in my ab was menstrual cramps because they would start before and last after my period. I always have D and vomitting really bad during that time also. My GI recommended that I have a endometrial Oblation, to reduce or stop my bleeding. I am loosing too much blood causing sever anemia. During the last flare, I had to have a blood transfusion before leaving the hospital. Hopefully after the procedure I want have the mini flares I get monthly.
Posted 10/24/2007 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have been irregular since I started my period and since I have had the symptoms of this disease since I was little, I can only imagine them to be related. I am consistent with the number of days that it lasts but the number of days in the cycle itself is all over the place. It's usually between 32-42 days. I have also asked my OBGYN and he said that it could be but there was no way on knowing for sure.
Posted 10/24/2007 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have also been irregular since I first started my periods and have been ill since childhood) I only became regular after the birth of my last child (I was 37).

Now at age 61, I haven't had to worry about having a period for over 8 years.
Posted 10/24/2007 8:42 PM (GMT 0)

Even if you don't have anemia, you could still be iron deficient. Iron deficiency is pretty common in women who are still menstruating. And can cause irregular periods.  

The best way to check your iron status is to check your ferritin (iron storage) - the full battery of iron tests include acronyms like TIBC and TSAT plus serum iron and ferritin tests. 

Iron deficiency can cause low hemoglobin (hgb), low hematocrit (HCT), and high RDW. It can also cause cognitive issues (learning and memory) and susceptibility to viral and bacterial infection.

Posted 10/24/2007 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
I have always had horrible periods, and my Crohn's was always made worse when I had my period. I bled very heavily and had terrible cramps. I just had a hysterectomy and found out that I had endometriosis and adenomyosis. My GI said that's common in women with autoimmune diseases.

Best of luck to you!
Posted 10/25/2007 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
I always had regular cycles like clockwork until the CD dx. The period weeks were always horrible for the CD. I'm speaking past tense since I haven't had a period since August and I am peri-menopausal.
However, I am beginning to suspect the reason I am not having a period is because of a year and a half of predinsone maintance dosing. I started out at 60 mg and have yet to get below 15mg of the pred without flaring (which I am currently battling AGAIN)! As you can see from my tagline, I also take Humira & Imuran. I am a moderate to severe CD case.
Posted 10/25/2007 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
My cd symptoms always get worse when I'm on my period, but my GI says that one has nothing to do with the other. (What does he know anyway!!) But the best doc I ever had told me years ago, long before my CD was diagnosed or I even had symptoms, that your body releases a hormone during menustration that can cause diarrhea, something to with causing muscles to contract. I always, since i was 13, have had D for 2 days a month.
Posted 10/25/2007 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
My cycle has only been "regular" when I was healthy and not having Crohn's symptoms, which has sometimes been months at a time. However, when it comes it nearly takes me out. So I was prescribed birth control by my gyno and all the pain and symptoms went away. Eventually my cycle stopped too. He says when I stop taking the pills it will come back. I used to take depo and the same thing happened. It returned to normal. But don't think I'm complaining one bit about not having it. I think when your body is healthy all the symptoms work together perfectly, but when Crohn's has you out of whack expect some other problems to go along with it.
Posted 10/26/2007 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Mine was always all over the place and awful. It improved with BC and my remissions. When I lose a lot of weight they disappear, but return with a vengence. I really think the disease plays a big role in it.
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