Menstruation, Crohn's and peri-menopause?

I'm not sure if this has ever been asked before or addressed in the forum, but, I don't know for sure what's going on with my body.

I'm 45 with CD - and I have had 3 periods since September 23 and I have spotting right now like my period is about to start yet again! I understand at my age, I could very well be approaching peri-menopause, but, my heavens, looking at a 4th period in less than 2 months...I'm not sure which is more annoying, menstrual periods or CD!!!

Has anyone experience changes to their cycles while flaring with CD, or do you think this just might be hormonal???

Thanks for your help!
Michelle

Steroids will affect your menstrual cycles....I don't know if you are taking them. I am almost 53. I was in remission the past 2 years and while I was in remission, I also thought I was in menopause. My periods stopped for 9 months. I went into a Crohn's flare this past Sept. and I've had three periods since then! Weird huh? So yes, either hormone imbalances trigger Crohn's flares or vice versa.

Do you have a gynecologist? It wouldn't hurt to touch base with him/her. My cycles have been all over the map too, and I am 49, so pretty sure I am perimenopausal. Occasionally my 13 yr old daughter's cycle will seem to trigger mine (lovely- 2 cranky females at once!)

I am 47 and went through this in the last year or so. I can tell you about my experience and what my family doctor, GI and gynecologist told me. I was experiencing a period between periods every month for about 6 months. Also my bleeding was heavy and I was having iron issues. They call that "irregular bleeding" and my family doctor said whatever the cause it should be checked out. So first of all you should check in with your family doctor if your irregular bleeding continues.

I was referred to a gynecologist who did a variety of tests, all of which ultimately indicated that the bleeding was because I am perimenopausal. The way it works is that your periods get closer together for a while and then start to get further apart. After months of extra periods I went for a couple of months between periods. This is now the stage I am in. It is hard because I don't know when my period will come. Sometimes it comes after 3 months, but I had one month when it was only a month apart recently. Perimenopause continues until you have had no periods for a year. After that you are in menopause.

My GI got involved because during this time I was also having rectal bleeding with the Crohn's. My iron was a problem, so they were all talking about how to deal with that issue. If the bleeding is a problem for you you can get a uterine ablation and that will slow down the bleeding. It essentially burns the inside of your uterus so that when your egg is released the uterine lining cannot thicken too much and create as much blood to be expelled during your period. Also you can get an IUD of some kind like Mirena which regulates the bleeding and some release hormones that are birth control also. I opted to see how things were going, and the heavy bleeding has slowed down as expected.

Of course added to this is that my Crohn's always rumbles when I have my period. I get looser bowel movements and more abdominal pain. My GI says that this is common, and others on this forum have said they have these issues too, so you are not alone. Now that my periods are spacing out it is better.

I really would suggest going to your family doctor to have things checked out. It is likely perimenopause, but your doctor will want to rule out other issues. Good luck.