Girls Only Please...trust Me On This One, Guys!

[Guest MyKidsMom]

Weird question...I have always had sparse or non-existent periods (usually two a year). I have been gluten-free for about 8 months and now I bleed all the time. It doesn't always seem like a period, sometimes just for a couple of days and then quit for a week and then start again. Always bright red, except for the times when I think it really is my period. And usually more than just spotting. I am stumped!

[JenAnderson]

I don't know..mine always last for about 4 days then they're gone until the next full moon . I've never done the off and on again thing..that is strange.

[Guest nini]

since Celiac has been linked with infertility issues, it would make sense that it would also affect your periods, I don't know why you are spotting/bleeding so often now, but you should seriously consider going to your gyn. about this. Just to make sure there is not something else going on, like a hormonal imbalance or somthing.

If you are bleeding a lot I would be concerned about anemia, so make sure your iron levels are monitored as well.

Then again, this may be your bodies way of normalizing itself after years of not having regular periods. Def. look into it though and keep us posted.

[KaitiUSA]

I think you should go see a doctor about it. Even if it can be celiac related, that is not something normal so its always worth getting checked out.

[tarnalberry]

I would definitely encourage you to talk to your gyn about this, and see if you can track down the hormone issue that's causing it. It could be that, now that you are better absorbing your nutrients, your body is trying to get back to its "regularly scheduled programming".

[wolfie]

Since going gluten-free I have had some weird issues with my period as well. I did go to my gyn who ran a bunch of tests to make sure nothing was wrong. I agree with the other posters about going to make sure all is okay. Now I seem to have stabalized somewhat. They were coming every 18 days, then 35 days, then super heavy. Now I hope that I am back to "normal", whatever that may be.

[StrongerToday]

I'm on the pill and NOT for the usual reasons (dang it)! When I'm off the pill (which was pre-gluten-free) I would have a heavy period about every 18 days - ugh. When I"m on the pill (and I take it straight for three months, then on the fourth month I have an "off" week) I barely have any bleeding, if at all. Love it!!

[BRUMI1968]

You should definitely get a CBC done (complete blood count), especially if you also have bruising or bleeding gums or any other signs of thinned blood. You could have ITP, which is when your platelets are killed by your immune system (mostly the spleen). I have had that for some years, though go untreated. Hopefully it is not that, but you would be smart to rule it out since it is serious and eventually you can bleed into your brain or spinal cord and die.

[CarlaB]

I definately would recommend going to your ob/gyn on this one. They'll want to do a CBC as others have suggested. Since we are prone to anemia anyway, all this bleeding is a real concern. Also, you mention it is red. That indicated fresh, it should turn more brown toward the end of the bleeding. They may want to check your endocrine levels to see what's up with your hormones.

As far as the lack of periods, if you were like some celiacs and super thin, that is not unexpected or dangerous. Estrogen is fat soluble; that's why runners, celiacs, and anorexics have ammenorhea (lack of periods).

[num1habsfan]

My period was regular before getting Celiac. Then since going gluten-free its been as irregular as it could be (and yes, I have seen my docs about it). Sometimes it'll skip a cycle..sometimes it'll end and start again in only a week..I've had it last from 2 to 13 days..sometimes its heavy through all the days, sometimes normal flow, sometimes only light or spotty. Its annoying.

I am always prepared tho...I always wear a pad for "heavy" times of the period. Better safe than sorry!

~lisa~