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

A Lady Thing

L.A.

By L.A.
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

L.A. Contributor
L.A.
Posted

Good Morning: Do any of the other ladies out there experience tummy trouble with their period? It's seems since I have been gluten free, cramps etc upset my whole system. Any adcise would be helpful.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


stargazer Rookie
stargazer
Posted

I was diagnosed with Celiac in November. I had no problems with my periods at that time, but after being on the gluten free diet for a couple of months, I started having terrible cramps and pain before, during, and after my periods!! I only had a few days out of the month that I felt okay. The pain was similar to the scale of having contractions! Not only was the pain hard to deal with, but my periods started lasting for 15 days!! My doctor did cat scans and ultrasounds and couldn't find anything wrong with me. At a last resort, I went back on the Pill. It took a couple of months after being on the Pill, but now the pain (it is still there) is much, much less intense, and my periods are much shorter and not as heavy. I can't explain it, and neither can my doctor. I don't know why a gluten free diet could cause so much havoc in that area, when it does so good for my tummy! My whole system was turned upside down! I think I have it under control now. I hope you find a solution :)

L.A. Contributor
L.A.
Posted
  • Author
I was diagnosed with Celiac in November. I had no problems with my periods at that time, but after being on the gluten free diet for a couple of months, I started having terrible cramps and pain before, during, and after my periods!! I only had a few days out of the month that I felt okay. The pain was similar to the scale of having contractions! Not only was the pain hard to deal with, but my periods started lasting for 15 days!! My doctor did cat scans and ultrasounds and couldn't find anything wrong with me. At a last resort, I went back on the Pill. It took a couple of months after being on the Pill, but now the pain (it is still there) is much, much less intense, and my periods are much shorter and not as heavy. I can't explain it, and neither can my doctor. I don't know why a gluten free diet could cause so much havoc in that area, when it does so good for my tummy! My whole system was turned upside down! I think I have it under control now. I hope you find a solution :)

Thanks! Maybe I should just get pregnant :lol:

melrobsings Contributor
melrobsings
Posted

yes and i get very gassy like an old lady and when i do stairs i'm passing gas with every step...

L.A. Contributor
L.A.
Posted
  • Author
yes and i get very gassy like an old lady and when i do stairs i'm passing gas with every step...

Don't you just love this disease! :P

loraleena Contributor
loraleena
Posted

My cramps are worse gluten free. I wonder why?

Electra375 Newbie
Electra375
Posted

Maybe your thyroid has decided to give out on you???

Or your pitutitary glands???

I haven't noticed any of those kinds of changes, but I'm 6 mo PP. Have had very HEAVY bleeding (as in can't leave the house with a super plus tampon and pad on).

I have hypothyroidism, but when I say that I have to clarify the endo turned me away, my GYN gave me a script for Synthroid just 3 weeks ago. My TSH levels are normal, my T4 is a hair line within range on the low end.

Celiac is easy compared to thryoid and endocrine system problems.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


L.A. Contributor
L.A.
Posted
  • Author
Maybe your thyroid has decided to give out on you???

Or your pitutitary glands???

I haven't noticed any of those kinds of changes, but I'm 6 mo PP. Have had very HEAVY bleeding (as in can't leave the house with a super plus tampon and pad on).

I have hypothyroidism, but when I say that I have to clarify the endo turned me away, my GYN gave me a script for Synthroid just 3 weeks ago. My TSH levels are normal, my T4 is a hair line within range on the low end.

Celiac is easy compared to thryoid and endocrine system problems.

Just had my thyroid checked and it was good. Never thought about the pituitary gland though--hmmm. Could be totally unrelated to my celiac disease and just a blip on the period radar map--who knows. But found it funny that the cramps seem to mess up my tummy.

covsooze Enthusiast
covsooze
Posted

Hormones do funny things to the tummy! When I was pregnant, my whole digestive system was a wreck (not just sickness, but increased IBS type symptoms etc). Don't know what to suggest really, but you have my sympathy :)

Susie x

L.A. Contributor
L.A.
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your input "girlfriends" :D

bloatedntexas Rookie
bloatedntexas
Posted

i have always had horrible cramps, but i had it long before i went gluten free. i actually thought they were getting a little better once i started the diet. who knows? now i am confused. i thought bad cramps might have been linked to celiac disease in general. hmmmm...

sfm Apprentice
sfm
Posted
I was diagnosed with Celiac in November. I had no problems with my periods at that time, but after being on the gluten free diet for a couple of months, I started having terrible cramps and pain before, during, and after my periods!! I only had a few days out of the month that I felt okay. The pain was similar to the scale of having contractions! Not only was the pain hard to deal with, but my periods started lasting for 15 days!! My doctor did cat scans and ultrasounds and couldn't find anything wrong with me. At a last resort, I went back on the Pill. It took a couple of months after being on the Pill, but now the pain (it is still there) is much, much less intense, and my periods are much shorter and not as heavy. I can't explain it, and neither can my doctor. I don't know why a gluten free diet could cause so much havoc in that area, when it does so good for my tummy! My whole system was turned upside down! I think I have it under control now. I hope you find a solution :)

I had something similar happen to me after the birth of my son. It wasn't related to being gluten free, but the symptoms sound exactly the same. It lasted over a year, then gradually calmed down. I was having irregular periods - sometimes as close as 2 weeks apart - which lasted close to two weeks sometimes. Very painful cramping, very heavy bleeding, and digestive symptoms (gas and diarrhea). I was told by my doc that hormonal changes can be brought on by age as well as having children. Now I have a fairly normal monthly cycle again, but it was really freaky.

I'm just wondering if it's coincidental that it has started gluten free for you - or if maybe you notice the symptoms more because you aren't as uncomfortable in other ways as when you were eating gluten?

Sheryll

KAG Rookie
KAG
Posted

I get more digestive upset problems and more problems with gas when I am on my period. I did get more cramps when I started with a gluten free diet but after being gluten free for more than 5 years, the cramps diminished. I kinda think that your body needs a lot of time to heal after being bombarded with poison all those years.

oceangirl Collaborator
oceangirl
Posted

You seem young it's probably not an aging/life-change thing. But, you now have me wondering... I am a year gluten-free and my periods are wretched. Terrible cramps (I could describe some as early laborish), much PMS build-up, and extremely irregular. HOWEVER! I do know I am nearing menopause (I'm 49) Curious, though. Never had PMS before. Also, a glutening during the week before or of my period is catastrophic!

lisa

little d Enthusiast
little d
Posted

When I finally understood why I was getting D most of the time one of my nurses that I work with if I get D when Im on my period I said sometimes and she tried to tell me that the D was connected to my periods not to worry I told her no it may be connected but I get D all the time before during and after I get my periods. and on the same note I was alway regular, I had my daughter and was messed up on when I would start on time I thought that i was pregnat because I was 22 days late felt nauseas, not any interest in eating or it I did want to eat wanted to eat everything in sight which of cource made everything worse. I even went to my OBGYN and got my thyroid tested and that was fine, took two pregancy test at home and at the pregnacy clinic and negative I had finnally got my period after some sweeting some. now gluten free for a month now we will see if I get straightened out some and continue with my normal 28-30 days. I think that my Bleeding has been the same 2-3 days. Maybe a little on the light side sometime heavy nothing to complain about. I told the nurse that I work with about gluten intolerance and said that I don't think that my periods had anything to do with my D. If I have gluten while on my period then the D is pretty bad.

donna

darkangel Rookie
darkangel
Posted

Increased gut troubles around that time of the month are common. An explanation from Oprah's Web site:

Dr. Masterson has a single word of reasoning: hormones. "All women react differently to hormones," she says. "People don't realize that the hormones in our body control our temperature, women's temperature, around the time they ovulate. It's responsible for the acne around periods that people hate. Breast tenderness. It's responsible for so many things and our metabolism, slowing down the gastrointestinal tract, the stomach, that's why a lot of pregnant women will become constipated or have diarrhea because of those high hormone levels during pregnancy.

Again it's the same thing with the menstrual cycle. The ebb and the flow of hormones can cause constipation and diarrhea.

L.A. Contributor
L.A.
Posted
  • Author
You seem young it's probably not an aging/life-change thing. But, you now have me wondering... I am a year gluten-free and my periods are wretched. Terrible cramps (I could describe some as early laborish), much PMS build-up, and extremely irregular. HOWEVER! I do know I am nearing menopause (I'm 49) Curious, though. Never had PMS before. Also, a glutening during the week before or of my period is catastrophic!

lisa

My hubby says I act like I'm 20 but I'm really 47...so maybe it is the dreading "M" word :lol:

darkangel Rookie
darkangel
Posted

Anywhere from late 30s on up you're fair game for perimenopausal symptoms. Many women go through a period of wildly fluctuating hormonal levels before they hit menopause. I experienced a worsening of PMS symptoms - up to two weeks before my period, worse cramping during my period that lasted longer than it used to, night sweats, insomnia and a sex drive suddenly through the roof. I tried OTC progesterone creams, but ultimately ended up seeing my OB/Gyn who put me on low dose BC pills to stabilize my hormone levels.

oceangirl Collaborator
oceangirl
Posted

Just wanted to add, referring to the sub-title of this thread- Guys, if "you don't want to go here", maybe you'd better not go "there". Sorry, but, if we're having relationships, we'd better be able to handle all involved...

lisa

submarinerwife Newbie
submarinerwife
Posted

I have always had horrible horrible periods, so you have my sympathy and best wishes. However before going gluten-free I started going through an early M. I was only 28 at the time. Since being gluten-free I have started regulating again. Lots of changes to adjust to as the whole body heals. My mother however who NEVER had any PMS EVER (lucky woman!) started having severe cramps when she started going through M. Now that she is almost through with it all it is getting better, you may want to have your hormone levels checked for the begininning of the dreaded life change. Hope it is helpful and I am sorry to hear you are having to go through it. No fun at all.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,934
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kazwal
    Newest Member
    Kazwal
    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

    • Wheatwacked
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      The discovery of the vitamin D receptor in multiple immune cell lineages, such as monocytes, dendritic cells, and activated T cells credits vitamin D with a novel role in modulating immunological functions and its subsequent role in the development or prevention of autoimmune diseases.  The Implication of Vitamin D and Autoimmunity: a Comprehensive Review
    • Wheatwacked
      Bitters for digestion?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Definitely get vitamin D 25(OH)D.  Celiac Disease causes vitamin D deficiency and one of the functions of vitamin D is modulating the genes.  While we can survive with low vitamin D as an adaptation to living in a seasonal environment, the homeostasis is 200 nmol/L.  Vitamin D Receptors are found in nearly every cell with a nucleus,while the highest concentrations are in tissues like the intestine, kidney, parathyroid, and bone.  A cellular communication system, if you will. The vitamin D receptor: contemporary genomic approaches reveal new basic and translational insights  Possible Root Causes of Histamine Intolerance. "Low levels of certain nutrients like copper, Vitamins A, B6, and C can lead to histamine build up along with excess or deficient levels of iron. Iodine also plays a crucial role in histamine regulation."  
    • AnnaNZ
      Bitters for digestion?

      By AnnaNZ · Posted

      I forgot to mention my suspicion of the high amount of glyphosate allowed to be used on wheat in USA and NZ and Australia. My weight was 69kg mid-2023, I went down to 60kg in March 2024 and now hover around 63kg (just after winter here in NZ) - wheat-free and very low alcohol consumption.
    • AnnaNZ
      Bitters for digestion?

      By AnnaNZ · Posted

      Hi Jess Thanks so much for your response and apologies for the long delay in answering. I think I must have been waiting for something to happen before I replied and unfortunately it fell off the radar... I have had an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in the meantime (which revealed 'minor' issues only). Yes I do think histamine intolerance is one of the problems. I have been lowering my histamine intake and feeling a lot better. And I do think it is the liver which is giving the pain. I am currently taking zinc (I have had three low zinc tests now), magnesium, B complex, vitamin E and a calcium/Vitamin C mix. I consciously think about getting vitamin D outside. (Maybe I should have my vitamin D re-tested now...) I am still 100% gluten-free. My current thoughts on the cause of the problems is some, if not all, of the following: Genetically low zinc uptake, lack of vitamin D, wine drinking (alcohol/sulphites), covid, immune depletion, gastroparesis, dysbiosis, leaky gut, inability to process certain foods I am so much better than late 2023 so feel very positive 🙂    
    • lehum
      4.5 years into diagnosis, eating gluten-free and still struggling: would love support, tips, & stories

      By lehum · Posted

      Hi and thank you very much for your detailed response! I am so glad that the protocol worked so well for you and helped you to get your health back on track. I've heard of it helping other people too. One question I have is how did you maintain your weight on this diet? I really rely on nuts and rice to keep me at a steady weight because I tend to lose weight quickly and am having a hard time envisioning how to make it work, especially when not being able to eat things like nuts and avocados. In case you have any input, woud be great to hear it! Friendly greetings.
×
×
  • 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.