Pls Help: Has Birth Control Helped or Hurt UC Symptoms?

Before being diagnosed (2 and a half weeks ago), I was taking Lo Seasonique for about 7 months, straight through, no periods. I started taking it to help manage a constant cycle of constipation/1 good week/cramping diarrhea and short (21) day cycles that were leaving me with 1 good week a month or less.

So, two things:

1. I'm currently on prednisone 40mg, 16 days, and am about to start my period. My UC symptoms have decreased since starting treatment but still bleeding and GI is checking in daily, eager to start an oral mesalamine and taper, but doesn't want to do those things until I'm in full remission. Clearly my current PMS is impacting that a bit. If I have not hit full remission by 21 days of prednisone they will re-scope (gee, can't wait).

2. Holy hell, I did not realize that getting my period again would make my UC symptoms worse AND make me feel generally horrible (almost worse than periods were before). I feel like I've been hit by a truck.

SO - knowing that there's an increased risk of blood clots for IBD patients, how many of you are on some kind of pill? Mini pill, low dose, or regular? Has it helped or hurt your UC symptoms? I am ready to beg for some kind of something to take these periods away again!

I think everyone has an increase of symptoms to some extent when their cycle is happening. With that said, I never had any type of birth control change the course of my overall condition. I would imagine not getting your period could improve things to some extent, if things get rocky before/during your period, but I am not sure what you experience at that time is actually UC related, or if it's just normal period symptoms. I think it's weird that your GI is waiting to start other meds. I think you should start the mesalamine sooner than later. You could also be using rectal meds. I don't take estrogen, but i did well on a minipill. Now i have a mirena, and I have mixed opinions on it. It doesn't 100% stop period, so you could experience some period related bowel symptoms.

Fletch, I am happy you sent that email. One thing we've all learned with this illness is that you need to advocate for yourself. i think it's a good decision. Try options and try to be open minded. sulfite free rowasa is definitely something you should try, but if that's not a good option, give steroids enemas or cortifoam a try Good job in being proactive. Prednisone is a total band-aid. Works while you're on it, once you're off, you're relying on something else. I got to the point where I didn't see it as a valid solution, especially without knowing the exact plan to follow. You have so many options, but in my first flare, I avoided pred completely by starting a mesalamine and having a great result. I went from moderate inflammation to none, within weeks. That remission lasted a year+, and I was so thankful, as I wasn't ready to do anything more at the time.

Hi Fletch10,

I was diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia 6 months before being diagnosed with mild UP. I was prescribed progesterone pills for 10 days each cycle after the ovulation day, and between that and the mesalamine suppositories for the UP, I now am able to get my periods without the horrible pain I've had for years.... My doctors say it is not related, but I'm sure both conditions, in my case, are somehow related. What I wonder is if it was the hormones messing up that caused the UP to show off, or was it an inflammed colon that made the hormones got unbalanced....