Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Symptoms Worse With Menstrual Cycle?

krystal

Recommended Posts

krystal Rookie
krystal
Posted

I am undiagnosed, Celiac is just a suspicion.

My main symptom for nearly 2 years is NAUSEA. Keep-me-in-bed-nausea. The timing of when this started (quite suddenly) and when it worsened (the week of my period) led me to my OB-GYN. Clueless, he threw me on "the pill" (isn't that what OBGYN's do best?) and amazingly my symptoms got better. Until the "week off", then nausea returned. Went down the endometriosis route, but that has been eliminated recently via laparoscope. I have been on hormone/pill without interruption for over six months, and symptoms are quite good.

Post-op follow up with OBGYN, I mentioned that my only recourse now was to go back on "South Beach" since that's the only time I felt better. She then mentioned the possibility of Celiac Disease. (I've had lifetime constipation issues, never D). Going for consult with GI in September, but in the meantime I went back on SB. Funny thing, but I had symptoms go away that I didn't even realize I had, like abdominal bloating, a painful feeling in my gut (dull ache, not sharp) and much of the constipation. I also have major anxiety issues, as well as insomnia. Didn't know THOSE were related until tonight! Had some salad dressing and was sick as a dog - worse than before. Now I've printed out the list of foods to avoid and will be going Gluten-Free (oh, I need some MAJOR willpower for this!) as soon as I can.

So, my question is - does the symptoms being LESS on "the pill" make ANY sense to you whatsoever? Have you had this experience? Or is the hormone simply a calming effect on the swelling and therefore reducing my nausea, not really affecting the C as well?

I think I am ready to spend $$ for Endolab, I don't want to wait until Fall for consult, then more time for testing, more for results.

Could you also tell me how much Endolab costs?

I had a really bad day today (two family parties, lots of unknown food) and I've had enough. I want answers, and I want to get off this pill - it's got lots of side effects that I don't like, but better than being sick in bed all day.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


AndreaB Contributor
AndreaB
Posted

Welcome.

Enterolab, for the whole gluten panel including gene test is $369. They do offer something for $99, but not sure what that covers. We had the full panel done plus the soy/egg/yeast. There website is Open Original Shared Link so you can browse and see what you want to do.

queenofhearts Explorer
queenofhearts
Posted

Wow, you have one smart OB-GYN! Not even all GI specialists are clued in to Celiac! I think menstrual complications are fairly common & the response to the diet certainly sounds like gluten intolerance of some kind. It won't take so much will power once you realise all you can eat without being sick. Once you start healing there are a lot of great substitutes for the wheaty foods you love. And you'll feel so much better, you won't ever want to cheat.

Eat well & be well!

Leah

krystal Rookie
krystal
Posted
  • Author

Really? The menstrual thing is COMMON? Here I've been thinking I'm nuts and this is my last holdout as to the symptom that didn't fit! All of my Dr.'s (haven't been to GI yet) have been scratching their heads at that one, too.

Just started gluten-free this AM, come to find out the "Equal" I've had in my coffee (thinking I was being good on South Beach) has Dextrose with Maltodextrin....see that Dextrimaltose is on the list of NO-No's, and think it's the same thing...

oceangirl Collaborator
oceangirl
Posted
Really? The menstrual thing is COMMON? Here I've been thinking I'm nuts and this is my last holdout as to the symptom that didn't fit! All of my Dr.'s (haven't been to GI yet) have been scratching their heads at that one, too.

Just started gluten-free this AM, come to find out the "Equal" I've had in my coffee (thinking I was being good on South Beach) has Dextrose with Maltodextrin....see that Dextrimaltose is on the list of NO-No's, and think it's the same thing...

I seem to have worse symptoms with my period- so, I think hormones must play a role in it. Or maybe I keep getting glutened during my period, but that's seems a bit convenient! Hope you try Enterolab- then you'll have a bit more to go on. Good luck!

lisa

kalanfan Explorer
kalanfan
Posted

I am experienceing somewhat of the same thing....before i went gluten free i thought i had endometriosis but it was ruled out by ultrasound.....the reason i thought i had it was because during my period by bowels went even more haywire than normal.....not only would i have diarreha but it would hurt like you wouldnt believe to go to the washroom....it was like giving birth......not to mention the "i cant get out of bed the cramps are so bad".

Now i have been on a gluten free diet for about 3 weeks and i got my peroid and i am soooooooo sick.......now i was still on my anti diarrehal meds.....so then as soon as i got my period i was constipated.....and sooooooooooo nausous.....i went off the meds and i feel better but i have diarreha again.......so im not sure where to go from here but i guess ill just keep on truckin...lol

Good luck starting you gluten-free diet...its hard but we can all hope its worth it in the end....

KerriAnne Rookie
KerriAnne
Posted

I've always wondered if anyone else has a change in symptoms associated with their cycle. Actually, I was thinking of posting something on this topic before I saw this one.

For me, my symptoms are always worse in the fews days leading up to the start of my period. Is it because there's some hormonal association? Is it because my food choices in those days make it more likely for me to get glutened by cc or something? I have no idea. I'm also on BCP; actually have been on the pill longer than I've been diagnosed & on the gluten-free diet so I don't know what the symptoms would be like without the pill. Whenever I've asked any doctors about this, they just kind of brush it off like it's not a big deal...but the change in symptoms is quite the big deal to me!

I'll look and see if I can find any published research on any associations between these things...

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


krystal Rookie
krystal
Posted
  • Author

My primary doctor has been treating my symptoms, and HIS theory behind WHY the pill helps my nausea is that nausea is caused by muscle spasm (so is diarrhea, and part of celiac disease is inflammation/spasm). Inflammation and somehow spasm are "fed" by prostaglandins, which are a hormone. When estrogen is high, prostaglandins are lower, so you have less spasm and inflammation when estrogen is higher. Thus, less nausea/diarrhea. He also told me that when I have my cycle, when my nausea is bad, that I should take Naprosyn (Anaprox) to inhibit spasm and inflammation. It seems to work most times, so I'm not complaining!

  • 1 year later...
samcarter Contributor
samcarter
Posted

I know i am resurrecting a very old thread, but I was doing a search for symptoms increasing during menstrual cycle--my period just started today and again with the cramping/loose stools, which is something I've been noticing over the past five years--when my period arrives, so do more bathroom issues. I remember a friend of mine in college telling me that she *always* got diarrhea with her period, without fail. Come to think of it, she was 100% Irish (the ethnic group that has the highest rate of Celiac disease). I had never had those issues until after I had children.

I suppose it is possible that since I have only been gluten free a few days, I still have some gluten in my system, and with my hormones at a low level, my digestive system is wonky thanks to that. Anybody else have this situation--more sensitive/touchy during their period?

leadmeastray88 Contributor
leadmeastray88
Posted

For me, its hard to tell whats going on when I'm menstruating because I always have this dull ache in my lower abdomen that sort of feels like menstrual cramps but much less painful and subdued. Then when I get my period, they come on full force, so I can't tell if its just menstrual cramps or if its because of my period that my symptoms are worse. I don't know. Sometimes I can alleviate it with Advil and sometimes I can't.

I can say that for the couple days leading up to my period, I am much more nauseous than usual. Don't know if thats normal thats just the way it's always been for me. And I am also on the BCP by the way.

Don't know if I helped much or not, but thats just my experience. :)

purple Community Regular
purple
Posted

My 19 yr old had all the symptoms of endometriosis, extreme pms. That is why we took her to the doc. He put her on complex vitamin B with magnesium. Said, take one everyday and 2 the week before your period and during it. You need vitamin B12 and magnesium and probable calcium too. Her symptoms are alot better now, its been 5 months, she noticed after 2 cycles.

Lisa R Newbie
Lisa R
Posted

I am undiagnosed, Celiac is just a suspicion.

My main symptom for nearly 2 years is NAUSEA. Keep-me-in-bed-nausea. The timing of when this started (quite suddenly) and when it worsened (the week of my period) led me to my OB-GYN. Clueless, he threw me on "the pill" (isn't that what OBGYN's do best?) and amazingly my symptoms got better. Until the "week off", then nausea returned. Went down the endometriosis route, but that has been eliminated recently via laparoscope. I have been on hormone/pill without interruption for over six months, and symptoms are quite good.

Post-op follow up with OBGYN, I mentioned that my only recourse now was to go back on "South Beach" since that's the only time I felt better. She then mentioned the possibility of Celiac Disease. (I've had lifetime constipation issues, never D). Going for consult with GI in September, but in the meantime I went back on SB. Funny thing, but I had symptoms go away that I didn't even realize I had, like abdominal bloating, a painful feeling in my gut (dull ache, not sharp) and much of the constipation. I also have major anxiety issues, as well as insomnia. Didn't know THOSE were related until tonight! Had some salad dressing and was sick as a dog - worse than before. Now I've printed out the list of foods to avoid and will be going Gluten-Free (oh, I need some MAJOR willpower for this!) as soon as I can.

So, my question is - does the symptoms being LESS on "the pill" make ANY sense to you whatsoever? Have you had this experience? Or is the hormone simply a calming effect on the swelling and therefore reducing my nausea, not really affecting the C as well?

I think I am ready to spend $$ for Endolab, I don't want to wait until Fall for consult, then more time for testing, more for results.

Could you also tell me how much Endolab costs?

I had a really bad day today (two family parties, lots of unknown food) and I've had enough. I want answers, and I want to get off this pill - it's got lots of side effects that I don't like, but better than being sick in bed all day.

Hi! This is my fist time on here, so excuse me if I'm not doing this correctly, but I also have yet to get an official diagnosis of Celiac, although I have virtually ALL the symptoms, as well as bipolar illness, Recent RA, epilepsy, asthma, anemia and overall malnutrition to name a FEW! A week before my periods is living hell! It lookas like somebody was murdered in my bedroom and bathroom ~ that's all I'll say. The pain is over the top, and i'm bedridden for the good part of a week, and must wear Depends-and I'm 46. I have seen three neurologists and counless doctors who don't know ANYTHING about Celiac and tell me I hacve IBS, and blame the other problems, always, on my bipolar disorder, as if they are 'all in my head' !!!!!! I feel for you!

When ar our doctors going to srart educating themselves on this disease?!

veggienft Rookie
veggienft
Posted

Hi! This is my fist time on here, so excuse me if I'm not doing this correctly, but I also have yet to get an official diagnosis of Celiac, although I have virtually ALL the symptoms, as well as bipolar illness, Recent RA, epilepsy, asthma, anemia and overall malnutrition to name a FEW! A week before my periods is living hell! It lookas like somebody was murdered in my bedroom and bathroom ~ that's all I'll say. The pain is over the top, and i'm bedridden for the good part of a week, and must wear Depends-and I'm 46. I have seen three neurologists and counless doctors who don't know ANYTHING about Celiac and tell me I hacve IBS, and blame the other problems, always, on my bipolar disorder, as if they are 'all in my head' !!!!!! I feel for you!

When ar our doctors going to srart educating themselves on this disease?!

Have you tried a sugar-free, gluten-free diet?

I'm older now, and my mother is gone. She was a paranoid schizophrenic. I was just a kid, and knew nothing about her ongoing female troubles, but about five years into her schizophrenia diagnosis she was bleeding so bad that she had to have an hysterectomy.

During my mother's crazy times she constantly created dishes full of 1. Sugar, and 2. Wheat. Now I realize she was a victim of candidiasis/celiac disease. It breaks my heart that I didn't know then what I know now.

..

Billygean Apprentice
Billygean
Posted

Just FYI, maltodextrin and dextrose are on the safe list .... ? I think?

I too get cramps when I get diarhoea and when I get my period. They feel exactly the same!

  • 1 year later...
salmonyellow Newbie
salmonyellow
Posted

Hi! This is my fist time on here, so excuse me if I'm not doing this correctly, but I also have yet to get an official diagnosis of Celiac, although I have virtually ALL the symptoms, as well as bipolar illness, Recent RA, epilepsy, asthma, anemia and overall malnutrition to name a FEW! A week before my periods is living hell! It lookas like somebody was murdered in my bedroom and bathroom ~ that's all I'll say. The pain is over the top, and i'm bedridden for the good part of a week, and must wear Depends-and I'm 46. I have seen three neurologists and counless doctors who don't know ANYTHING about Celiac and tell me I hacve IBS, and blame the other problems, always, on my bipolar disorder, as if they are 'all in my head' !!!!!! I feel for you!

When ar our doctors going to srart educating themselves on this disease?!

You may want to look at this: Open Original Shared Link I have had similar symptoms and have recently been investigating what might be the cause. I think this might be useful. Print it out and take it to your doc -- it is from a legitimate source that speaks their language! Hurray!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,546
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    KimberlyAnne76
    Newest Member
    KimberlyAnne76
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.