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Ladies, Crohn's and birth control??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/10/2009 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I was just wondering if anyone else has notices a correlation between their crohn's symptoms and menstrual cycles? I did not go on birth control after my son was born because I was concerned with the hormones cuasing problems with my crohn's and my OB agreed. It is almost 2 years later and for almost the past year it has seemed like I would start to feel really bad a week or so before my period and then start to feel better once it started. about 8 months ago I would get a swollen knot near the vaginal area right before my period that would disappear in a week or so, I assumed it was a hormone thing or possibly related to the fact that it was on the right side of my epesiotomy scar. But apparently it was an abcess that only came during that time of the month because it has now opened into a fistula, which thankfully is not draining or oozing anything at this point.

I have made an appt with a new Dr. to deal with the fistula but he can't get me in until Aug 13th. (when I told my last Dr. that I thought I had a anal fistula his response was "let's hope you don't" he didn't even bother to look, and when I told him I thought I was having flare issues more related to hormones and fatigue that may be more related to vitamin deficiencies he checked my thyroid and B vitamin levels)

My question is, what have your Dr.'s told you about hormonal BC, has anyone had issues like mine and what have you done to deal with them. I get sick for a week and lose 5-8 lbs and put a couple back on during the next 3 and lose it again when I get sick the next month. I would like to gather some input on this issue before I see the new Doctor.

Posted 7/10/2009 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
I think hormones has lots to do with it. I also have pain a few days before my period. I have been pregnant 3 times, go into remission during pregnancies and then 6 months after the baby is born, I flare up. I also had a fistula in that are and had to be removed 5 weeks ago. Hope it all works out for you.
Posted 7/10/2009 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I took birth control for probably fifteen years and then after I had my kids I had my tubes tied and stop the BC pill. After I was off the pill all heck broke loose and I ended up being miserable 3 weeks out of the month. The only thing that helped and even though my tubes were already tied was to go back on birth control. I didn't want to do that and since I had all the kids I wanted I opted to have a complete hysterectomy. For me at least, it was one of the best things I ever did. So in my case, the bc pill was a life saver. JMHO
Posted 7/11/2009 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Camila birth control pill for the last 8 years, only pausing to have my daughter. It is low dose progestin and I have not noticed any problems related to it and the Crohn's -- until recently. I recently skipped my period one month, which freaked me out, as I'm on all kinds of herbs and supplements I shouldn't take if pregnant. I took 2 pregnancy tests and went to see my OB. They were all negative, but since I'm like clockwork, I was freaked. My OB said that b/c my Crohn's has started flaring of late, it could be interfering with my BCPs and cycle. She suggested that I consider an IUD, which I NEVER have before. I was opposed, but after talking to her, it seemed a reasonable option. One has no hormones at all (Paraguard) and the other only has localized progestin which doesn't have to be absorbed at all via the gut. I was going to sign on for it, but my period returned the next month like clockwork. I also wondered if my immune system would attack the IUD since it is apparetnly hypersensitive and the IUD would be a foreign object.

Anyone have an IUD experience they could share?
Posted 7/13/2009 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your response. I also went into remission during my pregnancy, actually I stayed in remission, I had been in remission for about 3 months before I got pregnant, but that year was the only time I think I have ever been in remission for more than 3 months at a time. I started to flare 6 weeks after he was born. I just don't know what to do about the Birth control, if maybe going on the pill will help things or just make them worse.
Posted 7/13/2009 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Its been years and I am post menopause now - but, yeah, back in the late 70s when my Crohn's was active and at its worst my period ALWAYS aggravated my Crohn's. Like clockwork I ended up in ER every month. In fact it was an ER doctor who suggested that my periods were causing my worst flares and that I should consider birth control pills to entirely stop my periods.

I ended up having an emergency resection before my family doctor (didn't have a gastro back then, not even sure we had one in our town back then) came around to the BC idea. I then enjoyed a 20 year remission and was post menopause before my Crohn's returned - BUT - I still knew when my period was due during that remission as I would "clean out" w/several "trips" 1-2 days before I started. Other than that I've always been prone to constipation rather than being "loose" or having diarrhea.
Posted 7/13/2009 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, does any one know if my new GI can prescribe BC or will I have to find a new gyno too and make another appt?
Posted 7/14/2009 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
I too get horrible flar ups when i start my period. It usualy ends with an ER visit. However due to the fact I suffer from migraines they wont give me any sort of birth control pill. I did the shot (depro) but had bad side effects. Just wanted to wish you luck!

  

Posted 7/14/2009 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hormones are definitely linked to exacerbation of IBD (and even IBS) symptoms, often the BC pill can make women with IBD/IBS worse and it's common for many to have exacerbated issues with their periods as well (regardless if on the pill or not). BC pills have also been highly suspected as being a trigger for crohn's disease.

:)
Posted 7/14/2009 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
I have often wondered if stopping the pill three months before I got sick had anything to do with it, but there are many things that run through my mind as possible triggers. My brother also has Crohn's and one of my sisters has it and another one has UC. I don't think my brother was ever on the pill though lol. I don'tknow, I just want off the monthly roller coaster. I ask my husband if he thinks it is the hormones themselves that make me sick or the fact that the homones make me such a horrible B**** that I make myself sick.
Posted 7/14/2009 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
LOL...a likely trigger for women, but again not necessarily all women either...males have hormones as well though and hormones are linked to IBD. Smoking is one known trigger for crohn's (including second-hand smoke), but all others things that are suspected are still that, suspected...also, it's likely that for many IBDers it's a combination of possible triggers that set their disease in motion and everyone is individualistic still when it comes to IBD...I just hope they find a cure for us all and soon.

:)
Posted 7/14/2009 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
I always had really bad periods accompanied with nausea and diarrhoea, when I went on the pill it got better as I would just skip periods but I was always afraid that malabsorption would interfere with the pill and being on methotrexate the last thing I wanted to do was wind up pregnant so 3 years ago i got the implanon implant and it has been brilliant, as the hormone is delivered consistently there isn't any fluctuation in hormones and for me its been brilliant, no periods which stopped my monthly 'mini flare'. It sjust run out and I need to get it changed and I just hope it works as well again as it really made all the difference for me.

Posted 7/14/2009 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
My last OB suggested an implant that was non-hormonal, I guess an IUD but I was afraid of more complications from the crohn's and my body rejecting it or something. I had norplant many years ago before I got sick, It was great for 3 years (supposed to last for 5) I had no period at all, but then all of a sudden it became completely unpredictable so I had it taken out. I also had the depo-shot off and on before I got sick, at this point though I think that would really scare me because once it's in it is in for 3 months and there would be nothing I could do about it if it made me sick or something. So is implanon an IUD or in the arm or something like norplant? How often does it need changed? Would anyone happen to know the statistics about IUD's and rejection or complications with crohn's?
Posted 7/14/2009 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
implanon is a little rod in the arm. Like you I was offered the depo injection but I didn't like the idea that once in you you're stuck with it until it wears off and also the family planning lady was concerned that as I already arthritis and the depo can cause bone and joint problems and IUDs just plain scare me (2 of my friends got nasty infections from them and being on immunosuppressives I'm not chancing that - especially down there!) I got the implant on the basis that it could just be taken out and once out its pretty much straight back to normal! I think implanon might be a newer version of norplant and its for 3 years not 5, I need to get mine changed as it has run out now, kind of worried it won't work as well as before as its really the only option I'm comfortable with! Also my doctors agreed its probably the best one for me in case of absorption issues with pills. But actually if anyone else has any info on IUDs and Crohns that would be great as I'd say thats probably my next option if my next implant doesn't work out.
Posted 7/15/2009 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Well lucky for me the GI's office called and they have an opening tomorrow, instead of Aug 13th. Hopefully this one can give me some answers or at least options
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