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

Ladies, Did Anyone Notice A Change In Your Menstrual Cycle?

mommyof4

Recommended Posts

mommyof4 Apprentice
mommyof4
Posted

Hi!

I am 7 months post-diagnosis...I'm also 40.

I am getting really sick the day or 2 before my cycle starts. Terrible pain in my left side & back...up most of the night. I had blood work done last week to check thyroid, vitamin levels...about 12 things. Everything is normal. Next week I am doing a "natural" test...urine & saliva to check hormones, adrenal fatigue, etc.

So, my question is, can the trauma on the body from Celiac cause changes in menstrual cycle? I'm not sure how long I was an undiagnosed Celiac.

My other question is one from fear...until I got sick this Fall, I was pretty healthy(so I thought). I have had lots of tests done...MRI's, CT scans, 4 endoscopys(I had a telescoping intestine along with the damage in my intestine). I am trying to be at peace with my body healing. I am getting better, but I still worry that the doctors didn't find everything. I never used to be like this & I don't want to turn into a hypochondriac. Has anyone else experienced fear during this healing process? I especially feel fearful when I have an off day.

By the way...haven't baked with regular flour anymore & am logging food.

Thanks...

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Little Feather Newbie
Little Feather
Posted

Wow. Just. Wow. I'm newly diagnosed, age 41, and was going to ask the same thing! I definitely notice a change - about 4 days before my cycle starts I feel pain in the area where my Dermatitis Herpetiformis rash :ph34r: "lurks" on my neck. Sometimes the DH will erupt into the rash. My skin gets super itchy all over, my scalp burns on fire, I feel like I'm being pin-pricked a thousand times over and over all night long in different areas, and really bad "brain fog". The worst is the disturbingly heightened sense of smell. It's so bad that I have to avoid all fragranced products at all times!

I don't know if it's changing hormones (pre-menopause), poor nutrition or simply from having Celiac.

I too worry about being labeled hypochondriac. None of my circle has any knowledge of Celiac.. To them I look fine but they don't know how miserable I feel. I also have a fear of being alone because when the DH flares I feel so sick with cognitive symptoms that I can't think well enough to drive my car.

I am comforted to know i'm not alone in this. I was so pleased and relieved to find this forum because I don't feel so isolated. It's a gold mine to me. I hope others will give their insight into this topic.

Christine0125 Contributor
Christine0125
Posted

Wow. Just. Wow. I'm newly diagnosed, age 41, and was going to ask the same thing! I definitely notice a change - about 4 days before my cycle starts I feel pain in the area where my Dermatitis Herpetiformis rash :ph34r: "lurks" on my neck. Sometimes the DH will erupt into the rash. My skin gets super itchy all over, my scalp burns on fire, I feel like I'm being pin-pricked a thousand times over and over all night long in different areas, and really bad "brain fog". The worst is the disturbingly heightened sense of smell. It's so bad that I have to avoid all fragranced products at all times!

I don't know if it's changing hormones (pre-menopause), poor nutrition or simply from having Celiac.

I too worry about being labeled hypochondriac. None of my circle has any knowledge of Celiac.. To them I look fine but they don't know how miserable I feel. I also have a fear of being alone because when the DH flares I feel so sick with cognitive symptoms that I can't think well enough to drive my car.

I am comforted to know i'm not alone in this. I was so pleased and relieved to find this forum because I don't feel so isolated. It's a gold mine to me. I hope others will give their insight into this topic.

I am 40 and recently diagnosed too! Must be a common age for diagnosis. I got terrible headaches and leg cramps during my recent cycle... Never had migraine type symptoms before. While the nausea which was my worst celiac symptom has improved dramatically I seem to be getting a bunch of other aches and pains. Ugh!

RashyA Apprentice
RashyA
Posted

Hi, I'm 25 and and am finally gluten free all the way. My last cycle was a week delayed and lasted like 14 days which never happens. I am usually always on the same day every month so I don't know if it's because of celiac or what. Maybe a celiac pro could answer this?

Cara in Boston Enthusiast
Cara in Boston
Posted

I noticed a change, but it was an improvement. My PMS symptoms got better, but strangely, my lymph nodes under my arms get swollen and painful in the days before. Weird, but after a few months, the pattern has repeated consistently. Not sure if changes are due to my age (45) or being gluten free (1 year).

However, I recently went GRAIN FREE (it was easy since I had already given up all the good stuff like real donuts and brick oven pizza crusts) and I had zero PMS symptoms - I was actually taken by surprise when my cycle started because I had none of the usual "clues." I have read that a low-carb diet can do that so I'm not sure if it is the elimination of all grains or the resulting total lower carbs that did the trick but I'm not complaining.

I felt much better after going gluten free, but I feel absolutely GREAT being grain free.

Cara

sce2012 Newbie
sce2012
Posted

I'm afraid all the time that the docs have mised somehing. I am two and a half mos. gluten free and not sure how much I have improved. I feel like the docs just assume that I am or will improve...same for others around me. This thing is a real beast...

Jetamio Apprentice
Jetamio
Posted

Hi. I'm glad someone posted this. I've noticed my cycle actually improving. My first cycle sans gluten was a little rough and two days early but I had been on tons of antibiotics pre-diagnosis and my doctor said it was normal to be off. Then, I leveled back out to my normal schedule and my PMS has been lots better. I knew my cycle was coming but the backache, cravings and irritability didn't come until my cycle started. Cycle length has been the same. I've heard that going gluten-free can actually help stabilize hormones and I'm hoping so. I'd really like to try for a baby here in the next year to year and a half.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Mnicole1981 Enthusiast
Mnicole1981
Posted

Hi!

I am 7 months post-diagnosis...I'm also 40.

I am getting really sick the day or 2 before my cycle starts. Terrible pain in my left side & back...up most of the night. I had blood work done last week to check thyroid, vitamin levels...about 12 things. Everything is normal. Next week I am doing a "natural" test...urine & saliva to check hormones, adrenal fatigue, etc.

So, my question is, can the trauma on the body from Celiac cause changes in menstrual cycle? I'm not sure how long I was an undiagnosed Celiac.

My other question is one from fear...until I got sick this Fall, I was pretty healthy(so I thought). I have had lots of tests done...MRI's, CT scans, 4 endoscopys(I had a telescoping intestine along with the damage in my intestine). I am trying to be at peace with my body healing. I am getting better, but I still worry that the doctors didn't find everything. I never used to be like this & I don't want to turn into a hypochondriac. Has anyone else experienced fear during this healing process? I especially feel fearful when I have an off day.

By the way...haven't baked with regular flour anymore & am logging food.

Thanks...

Do you have nightsweats too??

Sky Aura Newbie
Sky Aura
Posted

Hi, I'm 25 and and am finally gluten free all the way. My last cycle was a week delayed and lasted like 14 days which never happens. I am usually always on the same day every month so I don't know if it's because of celiac or what. Maybe a celiac pro could answer this?

My cycle has been about a week delayed for a few months, and the month before that it was delayed for 3 weeks. I am not a celiac pro, so I hope you get one here who can answer you. I have become gluten intolerant as of two years ago. I get tested for food intolerance every couple years so was fine before then. My periods have been regular all my life other than one time when I was doing a lot of physical activity and under a lot of stress. I'm 43, so it's possibly it's peri-menopausal, but I am in denial about that possibility. ;)

Calmom Apprentice
Calmom
Posted

It was definitely a change for the better for me. By the age of 26 I though I had gone through menopause because I completely stopped having periods. The Dr.s tested me for everything, tried putting me on hormones to try and trigger them ect. I felt like a freak, in some ways it was nice but deep down it frightened me. About two months in to being gluten free I started having periods again. Now almost a year later I am having regular normal periods for the first time since I was around 23. I am currently 32.

I assume it was caused by sever vitamin deficiency.

Rera86 Newbie
Rera86
Posted

I am 25 and recently got diagnosed with celiac, so this is all pretty new to me. I'm trying to get the hang of the gluten free diet. I did notice a change in my menstrual cycle. I have always have very regular cycles with migraines and cramps before I start and this was no different, but the cramps seem to be worse and I have been getting hot flashes which is extremely odd for me considering I keep a jacket in my car all year long! Cara, how hard was it to go completely grain free and is this similar to the paleo type of diet?

Di2011 Enthusiast
Di2011
Posted

Pre Gluten-Free my period was getting worse and worse. Pain, bleeding heavy and often over a week (not my normal), bloating etc. Within a month or two of going gluten free I noticed most of this had stopped. Now, 12 months later it is 2 to 3 days max. No pain, bloating etc. I am 39. I am considering doing a grain free test.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • 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. trents
      - trents replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      3

      New here

      @KathyR37, I would suspect that in addition to gluten intolerance, you have other food intolerances/sensitivities. This is very common in the celiac community. The most common offenders are oats, dairy, soy, corn and eggs with dairy and oats being the big two. Have you considered this? Have you tried keeping a food diary to detect patterns?
    2. Theresa2407
      - Theresa2407 replied to Theresa2407's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Probiotics

      thank you for your advice. I have always taken them and I use Stonehedge because they are in a glass bottle, but don't have to be refrigerated. I also like they are 3rd party tested and state gluten free. But you never know if something better has come alone over the years.
    3. KathyR37
      - KathyR37 replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      3

      New here

      Thank you for your response. I have already learned about the info you sent but i appreciate your effort. I am the only one in my family cursed by this disease. I have to cook for them too. I make sure that my utensils are free of gluten and clean after using them for other food. I use non-porous pots and pans and gloves when cooking for them. One huge problem...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      3

      New here

      What you've described—the severe weight loss, the cycle of medications making things worse, and the profound fear of eating before leaving the house—is a heavy burden to carry for 15 years. It is absolutely not your fault. While everyone's journey with celiac is different, the struggles with the learning curve, social isolation, and dietary grief are fee...
    5. KathyR37
      - KathyR37 posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      3

      New here

      I am new here but celiac disease is not new to me. I was diagnosed with it at age 60. At the time I weighed a whopping 89 pounds. I was so ignorant to celiac so I buried myself in learning all about it and looking for food I could eat. I lost so much weight and stayed sick all the time. So to combat the sickness I was give all sorts of meds for loose bowels...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,814
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ColbyBowlin
    Newest Member
    ColbyBowlin
    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

    • trents
      New here

      By trents · Posted

      @KathyR37, I would suspect that in addition to gluten intolerance, you have other food intolerances/sensitivities. This is very common in the celiac community. The most common offenders are oats, dairy, soy, corn and eggs with dairy and oats being the big two. Have you considered this? Have you tried keeping a food diary to detect patterns?
    • Theresa2407
      Probiotics

      By Theresa2407 · Posted

      thank you for your advice.   I have always taken them and I use Stonehedge because they are in a glass bottle, but don't have to be refrigerated.  I also like they are 3rd party tested and state gluten free. But you never know if something better has come alone over the years.
    • KathyR37
      New here

      By KathyR37 · Posted

      Thank you for your response. I have already learned about the info you sent but i appreciate your effort. I am the only one in my family cursed by this disease. I have to cook for them too. I make sure that my utensils are free of gluten and clean after using them for other food. I use non-porous pots and pans and  gloves when cooking for them. One huge problem I have is a gag reflex out of this world and if something doesn't taste good it is not going down. Most commercially made breads and such taste like old cardboard.Pastas are about the same. I did find one flour that I like and use it regularly, but it is so expensive! All gluten free food is way more expensive. I only eat twice a day because I cannot afford to buy all that. We live on a very low income so my food purchases are quite limited.
    • Scott Adams
      New here

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you've described—the severe weight loss, the cycle of medications making things worse, and the profound fear of eating before leaving the house—is a heavy burden to carry for 15 years. It is absolutely not your fault. While everyone's journey with celiac is different, the struggles with the learning curve, social isolation, and dietary grief are feelings many in the community know all too well. Your question about whether you should just eat what you want and manage the symptoms is a heartbreaking one, born from years of frustration. It's crucial to know that the diarrhea is a sign of ongoing damage to your small intestine from gluten, and simply managing the symptom with Imodium doesn't stop that internal harm or the risk of other complications. The fact that you are still getting sick within an hour of eating, even while trying to be gluten-free, is a huge red flag that something isn't right. This could be due to cross-contamination in your kitchen (e.g., using a shared toaster, colander, or condiment jars), hidden gluten in foods, or the possibility of another concurrent condition like refractory celiac disease. Don't give up!  This article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):    
    • KathyR37
      New here

      By KathyR37 · Posted

      I am new here but celiac disease is not new to me. I was diagnosed with it at age 60. At the time I weighed a whopping 89 pounds. I was so ignorant to celiac so I buried myself in learning all about it and looking for food I could eat. I lost so much weight and stayed sick all the time. So to combat the sickness I was give all sorts of meds for loose bowels and vomiting. All that just made me sicker. Eventually I chucked it all and went back to eating like I had all my life. Now I am from the south and biscuits and gravy are a big part of our food, as are breaded foods, pasta, and sandwich bread. Through the years I would try to do the gluten free thing again and am doing it now. It has not helped any. Within and hour of eating I have to run to the bathroom. I am now 75 and am wondering if I should just forget it and eat what I like, take Immodium and live the best I can. I cannot eat before going anywhere for fear of embarrassing myself. Family and church dinners are out of the question unless I eat and run straight home. I am so frustrated I just want to sit down and cry or throw something. Does everyone go through all this?
×
×
  • 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.