HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

UC and period

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/18/2014 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I'm new here but I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 2 years ago. I've noticed that around my period my symptoms go crazy! I'm pretty much on the toilet for hours and I'm absolutely miserable. With that being said I've found it very difficult to wear tampons because I have to take them out every time I go to the bathroom. I have head about the Soft Cup and I was wondering if any of the other ladies here have tried it and how it works for them. It's not suppose to have any risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome which is the main thing I'm worried about with removing tampons too often. I'm just unsure if it's worth a try or not. Thank you in advance :)

Post Edited (UCshmamy) : 8/18/2014 12:25:36 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/18/2014 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
You might find that if you are bearing down to move your bowels the soft cup or diva cup or whatever might dislodge, too.

What are you doing to treat your UC?

And welcome to the forum.
Posted 8/18/2014 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on Apriso right now and really the only time I have a flare up is when I'm on my period. I figured it would probably dislodge but I'm thinking it's a better option than tapmons.
Posted 8/19/2014 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Well I'm not having any periods anymore...thanks to UC!..so anyway, I had to look online to see exactly what this product does, and the only downside that I can see is that if your on the toilet a lot and having a lot of BM, pushing down could loosen it, move it, but I guess you wont know that unless you give it a try...also I thought Toxic Shock Syndrome was when you leave a tampon in too long, not when you regularly take it out...so I am confused on that one.
Posted 8/19/2014 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi UCsmammy,

I haven't been on the forum for some time but just happened to pop in tonight and I see your question. I've used a diva cup to manage my period for years (maybe 8 or 9). I was diagnosed with UC 2 and a half years ago. I also have worse UC symptoms during my period.

Every once in a while I feel too inflamed to use my diva cup and I just wear pads for awhile. Sometimes I wear the cup for just a few hours in a day because I start feeling sore. There is no way a diva cup is going to come out on it's own during a bowel movement. After the comfort and convenience of using a menstrual cup vs tampons, I would never go back to tampons. So uncomfortable, inconvenient and expensive!

Good luck, hope it helps
Posted 8/19/2014 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there,
Absolutely the symptoms are worse with my period, but it's common for women who do not have IBD to also have looser stools at that time. With UC, it's that much worse. I actually have to drink Gatorade to keep me hydrated on those days. I wear a tampon on really heavy days when I have to go to work, but otherwise, I cut myself some slack (hey I'm sick) and wear a heavy duty pad and disposable underwear. They are about 1 dollar per pair and they save me work and worry. If I have an accident or a "leak" I just throw them out! If I'm having a precarious UC day and no period, I might wear a pair. It's one to four days per month, and there are so many brands- they are discreet and I am actually more confident wearing them. My husband jokes that it makes me a braver farter- if I'm wrong and it wasn't gas, then ha ha, put on a new pair! Hope this helps.
Posted 8/19/2014 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
A braver farter?? Haha! That's so funny!
Interesting, I never considered disposable undies. My periods are absolutely worse with UC. Looser bowels, complete gastric emptying right before it starts, and then I get so anemic I'm wiped out and useless for days. Never considered a cup tho...
Posted 9/2/2014 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Have you thought about going on the mini pill? It could reduce colitis symptoms (as it did for me) and you don't get periods on it! So that could resolve your problem! Also when you want to try for a baby, you just come off it and you get periods again pretty much the next month.
Posted 9/2/2014 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
You are not alone girl! I was diagnosed two years ago as well. During my period, my sypmtoms always seem worse. Even if I'm in remission. I take it easy, if it's really bad I take an Midol. It rally helps the cramping.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply