Hi, I am regular on this forum and need some advice. I have crohns and when I get my period having a flare up too, takes a lot out of me is there other ladies feel the same?
Hi stephaney I am 61 so periods are a thing of the past, hooray, but I used to suffer more with my crohns during my periods. It is sooo draining, a period is bad enough but spending hours in the loo and having crohns cramps is adding insult to injury ! No magic answer for you but hugs and sympathy.
Hi, thank you for your reply. Much appreciated.
Hey, Im still awaiting diagnosis but whatever goes on in my gut definitely worsens at that time of the month
Oh yes indeed.....period time has always been problematic with the Crohn's!!!
Might be because I tend to crave sweet foods the week prior that I usually avoid ..... Especially creamy, dairy stuff and that ways triggers symptoms. Also abdo pain is difficult to decipher!!
I just take pain killers, stay close to the toilet and don't expect too much of myself.
It's a good excuse for a quiet rest ( not that anyone seeing it would consider it particularly restful!!)
Dear Stephaney
YES YES YES totally worse just before and during period, agree with INdie Hannah too as craving for high energy sweet stuff as well can worsen.
Another delighful issue is if youre on steroids these can mess with your cycle too so you wont know whats morning or breakfast time!!! afrrgh AND if you are menopausal you never know when the next ones coming.... I am coming bak as a man next time ggggrrr
I have found evening primrose helps a bit and am trying st johns wort with DRs awareness...PMT and Crohns pain means my hubbys life hangs in the balance LOL
Hi Sharon, thanks your your reply. I get cravings for chocolate, jellies and crisps. I'll try your advice, my parents git to put up with my mood swings.
Hi Hannah, I'm on Azathioprine and anti depressants. Thanks for reply.
Hi Jo, I feel for you. I think that time of the month worsen crohns. Hope yo don't have to wait long for diagnosis.
Definitely. Absolutely dread my period because I know that for 2-3 days before my crohns will flare up, and I'll be back and forth to the bathroom, crave anything sweet and be extra sensitive to everything. It also completely drains me. I've noticed that my periods have got heavier over the last year too. Not sure if that is because of the crohns or just because I'm getting older. Haven't really found anything that helps apart from hot water bottle and lots of chocolate
Hi Kelaimee, I think it's both age and flare up.
Hiya, I've had Crohns since i was 21 (I'm now 44) My flare ups were always much worse during my period. I couldn't take the contraceptive pill for fear it wouldn't be absorbed so i started having the pill injection.... No more periods!! Been having it 20+ years now and not had a period since. Have to go for a bone density scan every few years but i can live with that! The injection doesn't stop everyone having a period but it might be worth giving it a go. All the best.
Hi Glojo, I will keep it in mind. fingers crossed things get better.
Yeah sometimes I'll wake up in the middle of the night on the first day of my period because I'm in so much pain, and with your bowel and intestines being so close to the uterus and such, it all gets messed up. I've heard evening primrose is good, I usually use a heating pad, ibuprofen, Tylenol, LOTS of water, and just take it easy for a while.
Yup!
I got so fed up with feeling so dreadful every month that I went on the Depo injection - which stopped my periods. Hurrah!
I now have a contraceptive implant which has the same result.
I personally never wanted kids so this has worked fine for me.
There are side effect to these things (like bone density loss) but the benfits certainly outweigh the two weeks of misery that Crohns and periods together provided!
Hoe this helps!
Hi, will keep it in mind. Thanks
Hi, I had the same problem, I'm now 66 so it doesn't happen anymore. Only those who've suffered know how bad you're feeling. Sorry, I never found any answer.