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Perimenopause and flare

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/9/2014 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Any of you can tell me if the fact that they were pre Menopause has influence there UC ?

I'm pretty sure I'm in the pre-Menopause state. My year long flare has kept getting better than worse and so on.

How was your UC during you pre-Menopause state ?

Post Edited (Chantrelle99) : 11/9/2014 8:54:00 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/9/2014 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
I think you mean perimenopause? The years between when regular cycles end and cycles totally stop? That was me from age 45 until now (7+ years). It was hard to predict where my hormonal cycles were, and they were crazy cycles, and since hormones always affected my bowel yes, these years were hard years for my IBD.
Posted 11/10/2014 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Kazbern, yes perimenopause ;) I've up-dated post title.

I first believed that my flare was worse than usual because I had stopped smoking. But, as the time goes by I realy feel it's from all those crazy hormonal changes. Well I often suffer from insomnia and / or big night sweats. Therefore, I'm often tired and it also,when my symptoms gets worse.

This summer I had 9 weeks off work. I was so much better because I could rest a little during the day if I didn't sleep well.

How about hormone therapy can we get that when we are peri menopause ? Or only once the menopause sets in ?

Post Edited (Chantrelle99) : 11/9/2014 8:54:37 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/10/2014 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Great question that I wish would be researched.

All I know is that hormones have always affected my UC. I had issues going on hormonal birth control, going off it, and for about a week after I got pregnant. So, my first serious flare happened when I was 43. Before that, my UC was mild.

I'm 46 now and very worried about how my body will react as perimenopause continues and menopause starts.
Posted 11/10/2014 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
I have tried to find studies about UC and hormonal changes. Not much out there. I guest, we have to deal with 2 issues that are very complicated and it's even worse when they are interfering together.


I'm kind of thinking that I better set my mind on the idea that I might flare for the next 5 to 6 years :( until I'm finally in the menopause stage and have no longer these hormones fluctuations ? I fell I should not complain because my flare mild... And some here are fell way worse than I do.

Maybe, we will find some answers from other women here that went through that stage of live.
Posted 11/10/2014 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
You can talk to your doctor about hormone therapy, but taking estrogen (which would quiet those night sweats) will make your periods heavier and increase the risk of uterine cancer. My mom had breast cancer twice, so I am not a candidate for any hormone replacement therapy.

Gluten intolerance might be something you should consider as a possible culprit. Perimenopausal women may have a higher risk of developing gluten intolerance as the chemistry of the bowel changes with hormonal changes.
Posted 11/10/2014 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've been looking for research on this too and found virtually nothing.

I have had my worst UC year for many and my periods have certainly changed this year and I am hoping that it is the menopause and things will settle after. Although using Pred this year will affect cycle too so I am not sure what to put very irregular cycle down to at the moment.
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