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UC and Periods....

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/4/2007 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
So as you can tell, I am still new at all of this. I just went and had my annual pap with my primary care physician. She brought up to me that blood clots can be a side affect of being on birth control with UC. I also got to thinking about all the blood loss. I just have so many questions.
Is it true that the risk of blood clots go up for those with UC?
Will it cause me to be more anemic?
What kind of birth control should I use?
I currently do not have a sexual partner. I am on the birth control to get everything under control. Before I was on the pill I would have menstrual cramps so sever that I would not be able to get out of bed and have cramps so bad that it would cause me to puke a few times the first day of my cycle. I really don’t want to have to go back the dealing with the cramps and vomiting on top of the UC. On the other hand I am a little afraid of the blood clots.
Any input? I would love to hear about what you guys have to say about it all.
-Thanks
confused
Posted 12/4/2007 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
I was having really severe periods with erratic bleeding but a TON of pain. Red hot searing pain. So at first my primary wanted to start me on progesterone to see if it would help "reboot" my system. I was on that for about 3 months then went to see my GI and told him what was happening. He looked shocked and told me to stop the progesterone right away because any sort of hormone increases the chances of clots and especially with Uc, it doubles that risk. Of course, I'm older then you (37) so I'm more at risk for them. But he said that with Uc, we have the chance of blood clots anyway. But what I did eventually, probably wouldn't be ideal for you because you're still young and may want children in the future. I had the endometrial ablation done - which for me has been awesome in keeping my pain in check.  But many women Uc'ers on here use some sort of birth control to help keep their symptoms, Uc and period, at a minimum with no problems.  This is a decision you have to make along with your doctors.

But if you don't want to be on the  pill, you can use a condom.  And yes, if you are bleeding from your Uc and bleeding from your period, it can increase the chances of you becoming anemic.

Posted 12/4/2007 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure about the risk of blood clots with UC, but I do know that there is a higher risk of blood clots while you are on the birth control pill... especially if you are over the age of 35. I've known two perfectly healthy women who have had blood clots caused by the pill.
Posted 12/4/2007 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, UCers do have a higher risk of blood clots. I'm not sure what the percentages are.

Yes, period bleeding and UC bleeding can cause you to be anemic. My PCP says that most women in child bearing years are anemic. I found that the monthly bleeding was too much for my body to deal with along with the blood loss from my UC. I talked to my GYN and now only have periods every three months.

The type of BC you use is up to you and your doctor. I use the pill. I have not had any issues with it. However, I know some people who have.

You should have a frank conversation with your GYN and GI.
Posted 12/4/2007 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
i am on yasmin--i don't worry about clots--i am 23 and i do not smoke--usually the risk goes up for women over 35 who smoke. that said, i don't know about UC and blood clots--i have never heard anything relating the two. i understand the terrible cramps, etc and for me colitis makes it worse. so the pill helps. but i would suggest talking to a gyno and maybe connecting them with your GI, just to see what they say.
Posted 12/4/2007 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
also you might want to take an iron supplement if you are worried about anemia. also red meat (and if you don't like meat, like me) leafy green veggies can be a great source of iron.
Posted 12/11/2007 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all of your advice. I have an appointment with both of them with in the next 2 weeks to get everything figured out with it.
Posted 12/11/2007 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
Can anyone explain to me why the pill lessens period cramps? When I was on it for a few years, my cramps were almost non-existent. Before that, they were pretty bad, and now that I'm off it again, they are pretty bad again. Sorry if this is off subject.

As far as the anemia issue, if you are bleeding w/UC and with periods, I can see it being an issue, but if you're just bleeding monthly w/o an unusually heavy period I don't think you would have to worry much about anemia. The amount of blood lost each month through periods is actually very small, even though it seems like a lot.
Posted 12/11/2007 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Activity of the hormone prostaglandin, produced in the uterus, is thought to be a factor in primary dysmenorrhea. This hormone causes contraction of the uterus and levels tend to be much higher in women with severe menstrual pain than in women who experience mild or no menstrual pain.

The pill contains hormones which can ease menstral pains for many women but not all.

Many women have such extream blood loss during their periods that it can cause enemia for them just from their periods alone, not including blood loss from dealing with IBD as well.

:)
Posted 12/11/2007 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for explaining that, pb4.
Posted 12/11/2007 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
:) sarah14, no problem.
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