Vaginal Bleeding After Eating Gluten!?

[leanne2204]

I am really worried and i can't seem to find anything online and my doctors seem to be no use so i thought i would ask you all! 

I decided after Xmas to give up Gluten, i have been tested for Celiacs as my mum has it and i also show some of the symptoms. One blood test came back positive and one came back inconclusive. I try not to eat the most gluten foods, like bread, pasta and cakes, but occasionally i will have spaghetti or a pastry and like clock work the day after i eat these food i start to bleed like i am about to come on my period. I never fully come on, but it seems to just be when i go to the toilet. I also get cramps. Is this just down to the gluten, cause i cant seem to find the bleeding as a symptom anywhere!?

I have no idea what is wrong, please help!

Has anyone else had these symptoms.  

[moosemalibu]

If you had a positive blood test for celiac... then the inconclusive one is null and extraneous information. You should not be eating gluten-light but truly gluten free. I would definitely stop eating gluten to avoid this symptom. I've never had this symptom but celiac is linked with infertility so it likely has a larger role.

[leanne2204]

If you had a positive blood test for celiac... then the inconclusive one is null and extraneous information. You should not be eating gluten-light but truly gluten free. I would definitely stop eating gluten to avoid this symptom. I've never had this symptom but celiac is linked with infertility so it likely has a larger role.

Oh wow, infertility? I didn't know that! Ok well i will be 100% gluten free, i just cant believe it is in so much, even pasta sauces! 

[notme]

i am more likely to be eating wierd stuff (cravings) when it gets to be around "that time" - in the beginning, it was maddening because it was when i was more apt to eat something without checking and gluten myself.  then, later on, i thought i was glutening myself around the time of my period because the symptoms were similar (cramps, D, headache, fatigue). 

 

and, yes, jamie is right - if you've had a positive celiac test, you need to cut all gluten out.  otherwise you will be on a sick-cycle carousel <stole that   lolz) 

[KCG91]

I haven't linked ingesting gluten (though touch wood I haven't majorly glutened myself...yet) with vaginal bleeding, but I realised after diagnosis and a few months completely gluten-free just how erratic and weird my cycles had become - irregular, varying heaviness and really painful! Since going gluten-free and taking supplements for the anaemia I also found out I had things have been better. Stomach cramps may be from gluten, though. 

What tests did you have? If you post the results in a separate thread there are loads of people who could help you interpret them. 

[dilettantesteph]

You should see your gynocologist.  It might be something unrelated and serious. 

[leanne2204]

I haven't linked ingesting gluten (though touch wood I haven't majorly glutened myself...yet) with vaginal bleeding, but I realised after diagnosis and a few months completely gluten-free just how erratic and weird my cycles had become - irregular, varying heaviness and really painful! Since going gluten-free and taking supplements for the anaemia I also found out I had things have been better. Stomach cramps may be from gluten, though. 

What tests did you have? If you post the results in a separate thread there are loads of people who could help you interpret them. 

Oh i cant't remember what tests i had, just blood tests, they were over a year ago! I had had years and years of erratic periods and used to only get a 10 day break before coming on again, it was only when i gave up most gluten foods that i noticed i bled less. It is so bizarre!

[NoGlutenCooties]

Yep - I was getting a lot of "break-through-bleeding" for years before my diagnosis.  You definitely want to get it checked out to make sure it isn't something more serious going on.  For me, every OBGYN I ever went to looked really concerned, ran a bunch of tests, then when all of the tests came back negative came to the conclusion that "some women are just like that".  It got to the point where there would only be a few days per month when I was NOT bleeding/spotting.  I ended up having a D&C to get rid of a bunch of uterin polyps - that helped tremendously but not all of the spotting went away.

 

After going gluten free 6 months ago I have noticed a dramatic improvement.  It isn't gone completely - but much less often - usually only for a couple days when I ovulate.

 

I've been glutened once and cross-contaminated once since going gluten-free.  Both times the spotting came back, fairly heavy for spotting, and it started the very day I ingested the cooties.

[leanne2204]

Yep - I was getting a lot of "break-through-bleeding" for years before my diagnosis.  You definitely want to get it checked out to make sure it isn't something more serious going on.  For me, every OBGYN I ever went to looked really concerned, ran a bunch of tests, then when all of the tests came back negative came to the conclusion that "some women are just like that".  It got to the point where there would only be a few days per month when I was NOT bleeding/spotting.  I ended up having a D&C to get rid of a bunch of uterin polyps - that helped tremendously but not all of the spotting went away.

 

After going gluten free 6 months ago I have noticed a dramatic improvement.  It isn't gone completely - but much less often - usually only for a couple days when I ovulate.

 

I've been glutened once and cross-contaminated once since going gluten-free.  Both times the spotting came back, fairly heavy for spotting, and it started the very day I ingested the cooties.

Oh wow that is really interesting!! I usually just go and see my GP, i am British so a GP is just a general practitioner, so they aren't specialised in any field. I have been going to different doctors for years and i had the same 'Oh some women are just like that', and apparently i was supposed to be satisfied with that result. Gynecologists are REALLY expensive here but i guess it will be worth the money to go privately, as i would have for there to be something more serious!  

[KCG91]

Hey Leanne, I'm in the UK too and if you've been seeing GPs with unexplained vaginal bleeding and they aren't investigating that then they need a !. You shouldn't have to pay for something the NHS should be doing (I know that's easier said than done when they are point blank refusing to take you seriously!). 

[124chicksinger]

This is obvious but I have to ask - are you sure the blood is coming from the vagina and not the urethra?  "Vaginal" bleeding from the urethra when one pees can be a sign of diabetes; not to make you worry further, but if it is only when you go to the bathroom, and your period doesn't come; are you sure which "hole" the blood is coming from after you wipe?  I only know of this because a friend's young daughter, was experiencing this, and it definitely was not menstruation at 2 years old.  She did have diabetes, type 1, they discovered.  So, you may want to check where that blood is exiting from; if indeed your vagina, then it is not likely diabetes.

 

"Our information shows that 1 causes ofUrethral bleeding are related to diabetes, or a family history of diabetes (from a list of 11 total causes). These diseases and conditions may be more likely causes ofUrethral bleeding if the patient has diabetes, is at risk of diabetes, or has a family history of diabetes."  http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/symptoms/urethral_bleeding/diabetes.htm

[leanne2204]

This is obvious but I have to ask - are you sure the blood is coming from the vagina and not the urethra?  "Vaginal" bleeding from the urethra when one pees can be a sign of diabetes; not to make you worry further, but if it is only when you go to the bathroom, and your period doesn't come; are you sure which "hole" the blood is coming from after you wipe?  I only know of this because a friend's young daughter, was experiencing this, and it definitely was not menstruation at 2 years old.  She did have diabetes, type 1, they discovered.  So, you may want to check where that blood is exiting from; if indeed your vagina, then it is not likely diabetes.

 

"Our information shows that 1 causes ofUrethral bleeding are related to diabetes, or a family history of diabetes (from a list of 11 total causes). These diseases and conditions may be more likely causes ofUrethral bleeding if the patient has diabetes, is at risk of diabetes, or has a family history of diabetes."  http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/symptoms/urethral_bleeding/diabetes.htm

Oh that is really interesting i never knew that, Diabetes does run in my family, my Grandad had it and my Dad currently has it, i am only 26 thought so i always thought you didn't get it till you were older!? 

The blood is definitely coming from the vagina, and i do bleed when passing stool occasionally but the doctor just gave me an inflammatory cream! :/

[answerseeker]

Endometriosis can cause heavy bleeding.

Are you on any meds? Corticosteroids cause this, it happened to me when I was taking prednisone for my asthma.

[Karen Davis]

Abnormal uterine bleeding appears to be yet another symptom of Celiac Disease…

For this small research study in 2014, scientists interviewed and compared menstrual history in a group of women with celiac disease versus a group of women with no symptoms of celiac disease. They found that 24% of women with celiac disease had at least one menstrual cycle disorder, whereas only 10% of women without celiac disease reported issues.  The women with celiac disease were then placed on a gluten-free diet for 3 months and then re-interviewed for any signs of abnormal bleeding.  Out of 12 women who initially reported having cycle disorders, 10 women reported no longer having abnormal bleeding.  Although this study did not prove that celiac disease was the cause of cycle disorders, there is a good possibility these are related issues considering the number of women with celiac disease who initially reported abnormal bleeding, and then resolved it with a gluten-free diet.  Due to these findings, researchers suggest that health care professionals consider screening patients for celiac disease when they arrive with unexplained uterine bleeding.

Reference:

Ehsani-Ardakani MJ, et al. Celiac disease and dysfunctional uterine bleeding; the efficiency of gluten free diet. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2014; 115(1): 19-21. PubMed PMID: 24471897.

 

You are not alone I had to go vegan no grains at all.   And there is nothing wrong with your mind....studies have show that other women are experiencing the same thing.

[brookeroberts]

Hi @leanne2204

I’m way late to this conversation but I’m in the same boat as you. Do you have any updates?

I’ve seen my gynecologist who had no idea what to make of it when I told her I bleed whenever I eat gluten. She recommended a GI specialist but I haven’t gone yet. If I don’t eat gluten then I don’t have problems so I figure that’s all I need to know. 

I’m very curious to talk to you about your experience! 

Best,

Brooke 

[cyclinglady]

16 hours ago, brookeroberts said:

Hi @leanne2204

I’m way late to this conversation but I’m in the same boat as you. Do you have any updates?

I’ve seen my gynecologist who had no idea what to make of it when I told her I bleed whenever I eat gluten. She recommended a GI specialist but I haven’t gone yet. If I don’t eat gluten then I don’t have problems so I figure that’s all I need to know. 

I’m very curious to talk to you about your experience! 

Best,

Brooke 

I imagine that gluten in a person who has celiac disease can cause hormonal disruption.  My undiagnosed celiac disease made going through menopause awful (30 day periods, thyroid swings, sheer craziness).  But I encourage you to get tested for celiac disease before going gluten free.  

Sure, you can just go gluten free, but a diagnosis can help you  in the future in terms of medical or family support.  It makes it easy to get your kids tested or other family members.  

For example, because I have a diagnosis, it is easier for my doctor to screen for other concurrent issues like osteoporosis.    I also do not get the “eye-rolling” effect when I explain to people that I must be gluten free.  And that diagnosis gives me some additional patient rights (like gluten-free food in jail if that every happens!) ?

I hope this helps.