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

Infertility


Natlay

Recommended Posts

Natlay Apprentice

Has anyone else had problems with not getting a period for a very long time? I have not had one (except for when I was on the pill for a while) in quite a while. I know I'm at a low weight right now and that could be part of the problem, but I don't get it even after gaining some weight. I don't know if I ever want to have kids but I would at least like to have the option. Is this something that is common with celiac disease or should I be more worried and see the doctor about it?


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Ursa Major Collaborator

Natlay, it is quite common for people with celiac disease to have fertility issues, including not getting their period. Hopefully, once you recover and gain some weight, things will normalize. But it can't hurt to mention it to your doctor.

sillyyak Enthusiast

I also have not gotten my periods in awhile and only get a withdrawl bleed on the pill. They just diagnosed me with premature ovarian failure, so you might want to check into if you have that.

IrishKelly Contributor
Has anyone else had problems with not getting a period for a very long time? I have not had one (except for when I was on the pill for a while) in quite a while. I know I'm at a low weight right now and that could be part of the problem, but I don't get it even after gaining some weight. I don't know if I ever want to have kids but I would at least like to have the option. Is this something that is common with celiac disease or should I be more worried and see the doctor about it?

Yep, i started to become very irregular (like i would go anywhere from 2-5 months without getting it) around the age of 21. When my husband and i wanted to plan our second child it took us almost a year to conceive her...but i have recently found that this was all linked to my body being low in vitamins. I recently remembered that once i started to take womens multi-vitamins, two months later i got pregnant. The malabsortion included all the necessary things my body needed to function properly...it's amazing to me now to know that i was having conceiving issues because something as simple as a lack of vitamins...i hope this helps ;)

powderprincess Rookie

I am wondering whats up with my cycle as well. I wish you good luck and good health and hope you figure out what is going on.

I have been gluten-free since May and off the pill since Aug. My periods are really far apart and I am taking vitimins. I don't think I am technically underweight but have lost a little, only because I don't eat as many cupcakes and cookies (I think that's why anyway). I have been feeling good, but the weird cycle is questionable, I'm thinking unless when I pee on stick tomorrow there's a plus sign, I should probably go to a doctor and ask what the deal is.

Michi8 Contributor
I am wondering whats up with my cycle as well. I wish you good luck and good health and hope you figure out what is going on.

I have been gluten-free since May and off the pill since Aug. My periods are really far apart and I am taking vitimins. I don't think I am technically underweight but have lost a little, only because I don't eat as many cupcakes and cookies (I think that's why anyway). I have been feeling good, but the weird cycle is questionable, I'm thinking unless when I pee on stick tomorrow there's a plus sign, I should probably go to a doctor and ask what the deal is.

Have you ever considered trying FAM? (Check out the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler.) Charting your basal temp and other signs/symptoms during your cycle can give you information on what is going on, and provides your doctor with some detailed info for easier diagnosis & treatment.

Michelle

  • 2 weeks later...
NicoleAJ Enthusiast

I had irregular periods before diagnosis, but it went in the other direction. I'd have my period very heavy for two weeks straight, and then I'd get two weeks off before it came back in full force for another 2 weeks. My PMS symptoms were always severe, and I'd often have to stay home because even maximum absorbency tampons and pads weren't enough to slow it down enough for me to stand up for more than a few minutes at a time. At 15, the doctors needed to put me on the pill for hormone control (I was far from needing it for prophylactic purposes). After diagnosis though (when I was 24), I started getting normal periods after only a few months. It's nice to be normal now, but the PMS is still a killer if I don't use medicine. I have no idea what caused this, but I'm glad that it's back on track because I spent so much time anemic in the past.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



georgie Enthusiast

Infertility can be caused by low Thyroid too - so you may want to check that out with your Dr. Make sure you get Antibodies tested. Hashimotos Thyroid is an autoimmune disease like Celiac and often they co exist.

abc Rookie
Has anyone else had problems with not getting a period for a very long time? I have not had one (except for when I was on the pill for a while) in quite a while. I know I'm at a low weight right now and that could be part of the problem, but I don't get it even after gaining some weight. I don't know if I ever want to have kids but I would at least like to have the option. Is this something that is common with celiac disease or should I be more worried and see the doctor about it?

I am now 35 with 2 kiddos, but had a very very irregular period for most of my youth (I would go months (read 10-12) without one. I was regular when I was on the pill too - but as soon as I went off it, I never got my period. We tried off and on for 2 years for a baby. I did have big issues with infertility with my first daughter, but with a lot of assistance of fertility drugs, was able to get pregnant finally. That was about 4 years ago. When I finally weaned her, I became very regular - and was able to get pregnant with my son rather quickly. I did use TOni WExler's book (someone else in this thread recommended it). I am not a confirmed celiac, but do think gluten intolerance had something to do with it...the female body is incredibly intuitive and very sensitive to what it perceives as inadequate environments for a fetus. Gaining weight might help you, but don't necessairily expect it to...you might want to see a physician to have them help you bring down your period (with progesterone) and if that doesn't work, they will probably check your thyroid, check you for premature menopause - all the fun stuff. Its best to know...before you get too far along. Also, remember that periods are there for a reason - it is important to shed the lining every month - if you are not, it can build up and a d&c might be in order to clean it out (that happened to me as well). SO, I guess I would recommend going to a doc - just to be sure all is okay. Good luck!

elaine33 Apprentice

I had infertility issues and irregular periods my whole life. I had two late pregnancy losses and saw a reproductive endocrinologist, who diagnosed me with polycystic ovarian syndrome because of the appearance of a lot of small pearl-like cysts on my ovaries. His information was so much more helpful and accurate than my OB's, so I would recommend a reproductive endo very much.

Here is a site about PCOS - www.soulcysters.com

  • 2 weeks later...
Nova-Gryphon Newbie

Fertility issues and irregular periods are how I ended up self diagnosing. I had been irregular all my life and I had to use fertility drugs to get pregnant with my first daughter. After giving up wheat I was able to concieve normally with my second daughter. Still not 100% regular, but by charting my temperature I was able to concieve in 3 months.

Archived

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

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - knitty kitty replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      8

      My only proof

    2. - Wheatwacked replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      8

      Related issues

    3. - NanceK replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      8

      My only proof

    4. - Wheatwacked replied to Scatterbrain's topic in Sports and Fitness
      4

      Feel like I’m starting over

    5. - Scott Adams replied to Kirita's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      3

      Recovery from gluten challenge


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,291
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    DottieLyn
    Newest Member
    DottieLyn
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      @NanceK, I do have Hypersensitivity Type Four reaction to Sulfa drugs, a sulfa allergy.  Benfotiamine and other forms of Thiamine do not bother me at all.  There's sulfur in all kinds of Thiamine, yet our bodies must have it as an essential nutrient to make life sustaining enzymes.  The sulfur in thiamine is in a ring which does not trigger sulfa allergy like sulfites in a chain found in pharmaceuticals.  Doctors are not given sufficient education in nutrition (nor chemistry in this case).  I studied Nutrition before earning a degree in Microbiology.  I wanted to know what vitamins were doing inside the body.   Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.   Not feeling well after starting Benfotiamine is normal.  It's called the "thiamine paradox" and is equivalent to an engine backfiring if it's not been cranked up for a while.  Mine went away in about three days.  I took a B Complex, magnesium and added molybdenum for a few weeks. It's important to add a B Complex with all eight essential B vitamins. Supplementing just one B vitamin can cause lows in some of the others and result in feeling worse, too.  Celiac Disease causes malabsorption of all the B vitamins, not just thiamine.  You need all eight.  Thiamine forms including Benfotiamine interact with each of the other B vitamins in some way.  It's important to add a magnesium glycinate or chelate supplement as well.  Forms of Thiamine including Benfotiamine need magnesium to make those life sustaining enzymes.  (Don't use magnesium oxide.  It's not absorbed well.  It pulls water into the intestines and is used to relieve constipation.)   Molybdenum is a trace mineral that helps the body utilize forms of Thiamine.   Molybdenum supplements are available over the counter.  It's not unusual to be low in molybdenum if low in thiamine.   I do hope you will add the necessary supplements and try Benfotiamine again. Science-y Explanation of Thiamine Paradox: https://hormonesmatter.com/paradoxical-reactions-with-ttfd-the-glutathione-connection/#google_vignette
    • Wheatwacked
      Your goal is not to be a good puppet, there is no gain in that. You might want to restart the ones that helped.  It sounds more like you are suffering from malnutrition.  Gluten free foods are not fortified with things like Thiamine (B1), vitamin D, Iodine, B1,2,3,5,6 and 12 as non-gluten free products are required to be. There is a Catch-22 here.  Malnutrition can cause SIBO, and SIBO can worsen malnutrition. Another possibility is side effects from any medication that are taking.  I was on Metformin 3 months before it turned me into a zombi.  I had crippling side effects from most of the BP meds tried on me, and Losartan has many of the side effects on me from my pre gluten free days. Because you have been gluten free, you can test and talk until you are blue in the face but all of your tests will be negative.  Without gluten, you will not create the antigen against gluten, no antigens to gluten, so no small intestine damage from the antigens.  You will need to do a gluten challange to test positive if you need an official diagnosis, and even then, no guaranty: 10 g of gluten per day for 6 weeks! Then a full panel of Celiac tests and biopsy. At a minimum consider vitamin D, Liquid Iodine (unless you have dermatitis herpetiformis and iodine exasperates the rash), and Liquid Geritol. Push for vitamin D testing and a consult with a nutritionist experienced with Celiack Disease.  Most blood tests don't indicate nutritional deficiencies.  Your thyroid tests can be perfect, yet not indicate iodine deficiency for example.  Thiamine   test fine, but not pick up on beriberi.  Vegans are often B12 deficient because meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy are the primary souces of B12. Here is what I take daily.  10,000 IU vitamin D3 750 mg g a b a [   ] 200 mg CoQ10 [   ] 100 mg DHEA [   ] 250 mg thiamine B1 [   ] 100 mg of B2 [   ] 500 mg B5 pantothenic acid [   ] 100 mg B6 [   ] 1000 micrograms B12 n [   ] 500 mg vitamin c [   ] 500 mg taurine [   ] 200 mg selenium   
    • NanceK
      Hi…Just a note that if you have an allergy to sulfa it’s best not to take Benfotiamine. I bought a bottle and tried one without looking into it first and didn’t feel well.  I checked with my pharmacist and he said not to take it with a known sulfa allergy. I was really bummed because I thought it would help my energy level, but I was thankful I was given this info before taking more of it. 
    • Wheatwacked
      Hello @Scatterbrain, Are you getting enough vitamins and minerals.  Gluten free food is not fortified so you may be starting to run low on B vitamins and vitamin D.   By the way you should get your mom checked for celiac disease.  You got it from your mom or dad.  Some studies show that following a gluten-free diet can stabilize or improve symptoms of dementia.  I know that for the 63 years I was eating gluten I got dumber and dumber until I started GFD and vitamin replenishment and it began to reverse.  Thiamine can get used up in a week or two.  Symptoms can come and go with daily diet.  Symptoms of beriberi due to Thiamine deficiency.   Difficulty walking. Loss of feeling (sensation) in hands and feet. Loss of muscle function or paralysis of the lower legs. Mental confusion. Pain. Speech difficulties. Strange eye movements (nystagmus) Tingling. Any change in medications? Last March I had corotid artery surgery (90 % blockage), and I started taking Losartan for blood pressure, added to the Clonidine I was taking already.  I was not recovering well and many of my pre gluten free symptoms were back  I was getting worse.  At first I thought it was caused a reaction to the anesthesia from the surgery, but that should have improved after two weeks.  Doctor thought I was just being a wimp. After three months I talked to my doctor about a break from the Losartan to see if it was causing it. It had not made any difference in my bp.  Except for clonindine, all of the previous bp meds tried had not worked to lower bp and had crippling side effects. One, I could not stand up straight; one wobbly knees, another spayed feet.  Inguinal hernia from the Lisinopril cough.  Had I contiued on those, I was destined for a wheelchair or walker. She said the symptoms were not from Losartan so I continued taking it.  Two weeks later I did not have the strength in hips and thighs to get up from sitting on the floor (Help, I can't get up😨).  I stopped AMA (not recommended).  Without the Losartan, a) bp did not change, after the 72 hour withdrawal from Losartanon, on clonidine only and b) symptoms started going away.  Improvement started in 72 hours.  After six weeks they were gone and I am getting better.  
    • Scott Adams
      Hopefully the food she eats away from home, especially at school, is 100% gluten-free. If you haven't checked in with the school directly about this, it might be worth a planned visit with their staff to make sure her food is safe.
×
×
  • 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.