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Symptoms worse during period

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/24/2009 2:32 PM (GMT 0)

I've noticed that I always bleed more (rectally) during my period. At the moment I'm between flare ups but definately bleed more during my period. Also, my doctor says a little blood all the time is not a huge concern. How do I quantify "a little"? He 's very quiet, unapproachable man and it's very difficult to get a straight answer from him.

Posted 3/24/2009 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Many women with Uc have this issue. I was one of them and in fact, mine got to be so bad (periods and flaring) that I opted for an endometrial ablation to take care of the issue. Of course I was done having children and saw no point of continuing with painfully excruciating menstrual cramps and Uc flares. I haven't had a period in over a year and I haven't been happier :)
Posted 3/24/2009 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
I often bleed more rectally during my period, and in turn it sometimes also makes my periods heavier. Although my only experience so far is whilst flared up. My GP said its to do with our hormones being all over the place.

Posted 3/24/2009 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have the same concerns, I have been diagnosed recently and I will have my first period while on a flare next week. I am always more sick with the flu or whaetevr else I can catch while on my period so I will see... I was also wondering if taking the pill without stopping while on a flare (skipping my period for that particular month) would give me a chance to heal faster?
Posted 3/24/2009 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
my periods are a lot worse since u/c very heavy and at least one day of large blood clots and more pain full and more bloody bms the only thing they dont seem to last as long
Posted 3/24/2009 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
I have/had the same problems. While I was flaring it was so bad that I couldn't sit through a 50 minute class (I was in HS at the time) so I went on bc pills. I helped a lot but even now that I'm in remission I still have problems with cramping (not menstrual) and d. Actually I currently feel like curling up in a ball and dying right now because of it... eyes

Pinkpaperclip: I ALWAYS find that when I get the flu or get a really bad cold it comes when I have my period too. Its like I already feel like complete crap so why not throw the flu into the mix? Geez being female sucks!
Posted 3/24/2009 3:13 PM (GMT 0)

callalily22 said...


Pinkpaperclip: I ALWAYS find that when I get the flu or get a really bad cold it comes when I have my period too. Its like I already feel like complete crap so why not throw the flu into the mix? Geez being female sucks!

 Hahahah yeah, I can totally relate! But at the same time, I would feel totally inadequate as a man lol

 Does anyone would like to share some advice about dealing with UC flares while on our period?? Sherry found a good way to get rid of the problem but I am thinking about something a little less invasive for the moment ;)

I am serious about taking the pill for 2 months in a row, anyone ever tried that?

Posted 3/24/2009 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
I think some people on here have had some success with the seasonal bc pill so you only get your period like 4 times a year.
Posted 3/24/2009 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
So far, I haven't noticed that things are any worse during my period. However, it's not like I've had all that many since getting this DD, and I've been on the Pill essentially since my first "real" period after I had my son. I was breastfeeding, but after I lost my supply (probably from being so ill) I decided to get back on the Pill...we're definitely not ready for another baby yet!

Not having a period was the nicest thing about being pregnant! :) It's not like mine are all that horrible or anything, they're just inconvenient!
Posted 3/24/2009 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
My symptoms aren't worse during my period.

I don't take any birth control. Can't. My family has a history of blood clots from taking the pill, and I get infections easily. I even got bladder infections when I tried using spermicide.

I've used the withdrawal method, timing my cycle, and condoms. I'm 47 and have been lucky. No unwanted pregnancies so far.
Posted 3/24/2009 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder how many of the guys on here have opened and read this thread??!
Posted 3/24/2009 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
I definitely get mini-flares when my period approaches. Sucks, because it's something I have to figure out how to recover from just like any flare. I HAVE to take Aleve or I'm very uncomfortable, I'm sure that doesn't help. I don't need birth control because my hubby has no swimmers.

I remember my first GI told me he had patients who had many children because their best remissions were while they were pregnant, so they tried to stay that way... :)
Posted 3/25/2009 10:40 AM (GMT 0)
Before I was diagosed I had very light periods which lasted only 3 days ...now I have heavy extremly painful ones...I mean so painful it puts me in bed .....however since starting 6MP I havent had one at all.....and I'm flaring...I cant believe my luck
Posted 3/25/2009 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
Ugh, my periods are horrible! I don't get any rectal bleeding, but I have diarrhea/nausea/vomiting/weight loss/blood clots. I have to go on a liquid diet for the first three days and Zofran doesn't help with the nausea. It's awful. And I can't take bc pills because that's what triggered my flare last year.

Posted 3/25/2009 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same problem.  Even before I was diagnosed with UC I noticed the time around my period I suffered from diarrhea and more gas.  I was told by my OB/GYN that this is a normal occurance for women.  It has something to do with the hormal shift our bodies are going through when our cycle is to begin.  But since my diagnosis with UC I did definitely notice that my period upset my UC symptoms. I have been on the pill for years and still had the probelms so I talked with my OB/GYN about this and she suggested I go on the pill continuously.  I went ahead and did that and I feel so much better.  I dont get my period and dont experience the extra gas/diarrhea.  I have had some breakthrough bleeding but nothing like a true cycle.  I also suffered from severe anemia due to my UC and was getting Iron infusion....so avoiding my period was even better for me.  I couldnt afford to lose any more blood.  UGH!  TO be a girl is so fun....lol

 

Posted 3/25/2009 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Most women do tned to have their disease symptoms exacerbated during their periods, even for those that have IBS and no IBD can have a horrible time during their periods as well...personally I'd like to kill myself during my periods because it's soooooo annoying how it increases my frequcny and urgency issues during those times and it changes the consistancy of my stools as well, instead of nice formed stools it makes them more like the play-doh poop and often a combination of much looser stools as well.

When I only had my IBD my periods didn't seem to be as affective to my IBD but it seems for me once I also got IBS then that's when things really got bad during my periods...my experiance anyway.


:)
Posted 3/25/2009 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey All and for Pinkpaperclip.... !

I have on many occasions kept taking my bc pills to skip a period for various reasons... going to the gyno or on vacation, etc. My ob-gyn says its normal to do that, you just have to be careful if you have insurance paying for your bc that you don't need a refill before your insurance co will pay for it. I would probably ask your GI doc first but my Ob-Gyn and his nurses all say that it is fine to do that. Hope this helps :)
Posted 2/27/2016 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Yes. I have also had this same issue. Every period feels like a horror movie with tons of blood. I dread my period more then anything and my colitis is always full flare during it, the plus is that I eat whatever I want because I am flared up anyways that week. The blood clots are so scary sometimes. After my period I am back to normal. My doctor said its normal due to all estrogen increase but it doesn't feel normal. Ugg!
Posted 2/28/2016 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
I definitely have more "issues" during my period.
I feel like I almost have "mini flares" during days 1-2 and sometimes beyond.
I have often wondered why this would be. I do get pretty bad cramps, last month I took too many Advil and had a horrible burning sensation in my stomach, what I think an "ulcer" would feel like. So I don't know if it is the period itself, hormones, ibubrofin? But mine is DEFINITELY worse during that time of the month!
Posted 3/2/2016 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I too have the same problem of my period exacerbating my UC. The worst thing is if it doesn't stuff up my UC on the first day of my period it tries to get it on the last. I notice it particularly when I'm well, heading into remission and then bam! I've had some success with Parsley tea - it doesn't work on my UC specifically but it helps to bring on my period so that I'm not hovering around that danger zone for 3 days before. That being said, there have been rare instances where Iv been really flaring and my period has seemed to knock it out, although this is rarer
Posted 10/30/2016 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
After much suffering and reading many threads such as this I found a way to enter remission and maintain it.
Bear in mind I am a guy so this information may not benefit the female patient.
My story https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=3716844
Posted 10/31/2016 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Had same problem....super happy (in many ways) to no longer have them. Read an interesting article that says we did not evolve to bleed every month- women would be nursing longer or pregnant, but not having monthly periods 12-13 times a year. You have a choice now on how often you want to have your period, or not have one.
Posted 10/31/2016 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have the same issue - I'd get over a flare and as soon as I had my period I'd be back in one. Even when in remission for a long time, I'd still have IBS symptoms during my period. Now I just take my birth control pill continuously - no break at all - ever. Unless my body starts spotting then I'll take a 5-7 day break from the pill. But as I've gotten older, I notice I don't spot at all anymore. Can't remember the last time I had a period - maybe earlier this year? My ob/gyn said there is no harm in not having a period, so I've been doing this for years.

I've thought about the ablation like Sherry mentioned, but now that I'm in my 40s I might as well just wait for menopause and keep with the continuous bc pills.
Posted 11/1/2016 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
I'm exactly the same, if I'm doing well then the onset of my period is enough to push me into a flare at times, if not in the few days leading up to it, then it usually gets me on the tail end. But strangely, there have been a few times that I've been doing really badly UC wise for weeks and my period has shaken things up enough to stop me flaring (rarely!). I've found that drinking parsley tea really helps, it tends to bring on your periods quite quickly so you don't spend those three or so days in the PMS zone which is dangerous for me. I also bleed for the two days leading up to my period and don't know why, I assume that it dilates blood vessels or something. I wouldn't be too worried as it's easily fixed if you ever need it with an iron infusion.
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