Periods

[jdizzle]

My periods seem to be way worse since I quit gluten. Or at least I think that's the connection.

The pain 'down there' has actually lessened, but I have a whole bunch of new horrible symptoms. I used to get one or two rough days, then plain sailing.

Now I get the full deal for 8 days, with lasting crunchy headache no painkiller will touch, I get feverish and sweaty, depressed, sleepless. I have PMS symptoms 7 days before, then I'm 'on' for 8 days, I'm basically unwell half the month.

Has this happened to anyone else after quitting gluten? it's the only change that coincides with this in my mind.

I heard they improved after quitting! Quite the contrary for me!

[Razzle Dazzle Brazell]

My periods seem to be way worse since I quit gluten. Or at least I think that's the connection.

The pain 'down there' has actually lessened, but I have a whole bunch of new horrible symptoms. I used to get one or two rough days, then plain sailing.

Now I get the full deal for 8 days, with lasting crunchy headache no painkiller will touch, I get feverish and sweaty, depressed, sleepless. I have PMS symptoms 7 days before, then I'm 'on' for 8 days, I'm basically unwell half the month.

Has this happened to anyone else after quitting gluten? it's the only change that coincides with this in my mind.

I heard they improved after quitting! Quite the contrary for me!

[/quote

Yeah that sounds pretty rough. I know i was anemic and when i went gluten free my period got twice as long...bummer. Anyway, i would totally not hesitate to speak with my physician or gynecologist. Also I would probably keep a diet journal to determine if it is caused by any of your diet changes or alternative foods and drinks you are now eating? How long were you gluten free? Are you using alternatives that your body just does not like? Have you changed any supplements or medicines?

Many things can effect that as im sure you know. As bad as your symptoms are I would say dont settle for torture. You're totally right thats not something that should be accepted as normal or something to just live with.

[Adalaide]

After going gluten free my periods have stopped being regular. Until I changed my diet I could predict the timing within hours every month. Now it's every 2 1/2 to 5 weeks which is driving me up a wall. They're still as awful as they always were but nowhere as bad as yours. I don't really have any advice, just a sympathetic shoulder to cry on and to let you know you aren't alone on this one.

[sharilee]

My periods seem to be way worse since I quit gluten. Or at least I think that's the connection.

The pain 'down there' has actually lessened, but I have a whole bunch of new horrible symptoms. I used to get one or two rough days, then plain sailing.

Now I get the full deal for 8 days, with lasting crunchy headache no painkiller will touch, I get feverish and sweaty, depressed, sleepless. I have PMS symptoms 7 days before, then I'm 'on' for 8 days, I'm basically unwell half the month.

Has this happened to anyone else after quitting gluten? it's the only change that coincides with this in my mind.

I heard they improved after quitting! Quite the contrary for me!

Both PMS and my periods got worse after quitting gluten. I haven't had gluten since late February 2012. Since then my periods are heavier, PMS is worse and lasts longer. I also noticed that during my period I am unable to tolerate soy and lactose which I can tolerate when I am not having my period. My doctor said it would get better with time as my body heals and my PMS and periods will get better.

[Strawberry-Jam]

Opposite for me. i used to have pains so bad i couldn't walk, and they'd start 3 days before my period did and stop 3 days after. so i was super irregular, but i always knew before my period came when it was due because my back would hurt like crazy for 3 days beforehand. now i'm super irregular still but i just start bleeding and i don't even notice until it starts. my periods are also a lot shorter, it seems.

although i'm pretty sure my period always gives me D. every time.

EDIT

try eliminating soy if you haven't already. soy has estrogen-like compounds in it which mess with hormones etc. whenever I eat soy, I become self-harmingly depressed within hours. I can't imagine what it would do for things like PMS or period-related symptoms.

[sharilee]

Opposite for me. i used to have pains so bad i couldn't walk, and they'd start 3 days before my period did and stop 3 days after. so i was super irregular, but i always knew before my period came when it was due because my back would hurt like crazy for 3 days beforehand. now i'm super irregular still but i just start bleeding and i don't even notice until it starts. my periods are also a lot shorter, it seems.

although i'm pretty sure my period always gives me D. every time.

EDIT

try eliminating soy if you haven't already. soy has estrogen-like compounds in it which mess with hormones etc. whenever I eat soy, I become self-harmingly depressed within hours. I can't imagine what it would do for things like PMS or period-related symptoms.

I did not know that about soy. It would explain why I have so much trouble with it during PMS and my period.

[WinterSong]

Since going gluten-free, mine have gotten much shorter and lighter (to the point where I actually got a little worried). But I'm on a birth control that is supposed to lighten your periods, so maybe now that I'm accepting more nutrients the birth control is working more effectively???

[Ninja]

Since going gluten-free, mine have gotten much shorter and lighter (to the point where I actually got a little worried). But I'm on a birth control that is supposed to lighten your periods, so maybe now that I'm accepting more nutrients the birth control is working more effectively???

I had this happen too! Not right away, but a few months after going gluten-free. I would still get bad cramps beforehand, which totally disappeared after eliminating gluten, along with a lighter period. Maybe it has something to do with the inflammation messing with the hormones??

[jdizzle]

That soy thing is really interesting to me, I feel totally sick right now even though I'm nearing the end of my period, in fact I feel sick most of the time, in my gut I mean, and I can never figure out what I've done wrong or what I've eaten that's bad. I felt okay for a while til I started eating this tuna again, and I noticed that it contains soy.

I'm worried cos it seems like everything makes me feel bad in some way, fruit makes my upper abdomen hurt, fatty food or spicy food makes me 'evacuate rapidly', lactose has all the gross effects associated with intolerance, I just ate celery with peanut butter and now feel I could throw up.

How can I be allergic to everything?!

I've been gluten free since february, so the worst symptoms are gone, like dragging abdominal pain, but I still just feel gross and tired nearly all the time.

[Ninja]

It takes a long time for the body to heal from all the damage and inflammation gluten/Celiac has caused. It's like a giant wound

[Strawberry-Jam]

That soy thing is really interesting to me, I feel totally sick right now even though I'm nearing the end of my period, in fact I feel sick most of the time, in my gut I mean, and I can never figure out what I've done wrong or what I've eaten that's bad. I felt okay for a while til I started eating this tuna again, and I noticed that it contains soy.

I'm worried cos it seems like everything makes me feel bad in some way, fruit makes my upper abdomen hurt, fatty food or spicy food makes me 'evacuate rapidly', lactose has all the gross effects associated with intolerance, I just ate celery with peanut butter and now feel I could throw up.

How can I be allergic to everything?!

I've been gluten free since february, so the worst symptoms are gone, like dragging abdominal pain, but I still just feel gross and tired nearly all the time.

man, that sucks. i would suggest an elimination diet for that kind of problem.

but whatever you do, give up the soy for a few months. soy is evil.

[dani nero]

I didn't get periods at all when I was on gluten, and get them regularly with slightly less bleeding now that I'm gluten-free. The only thing I notice about my periods is that they are more painful if I had been glutened somewhere around their time. Sorry that I can't help any more :-( Hope you figure it out!

[jdizzle]

I have an update in case it means anything to anyone who can possibly advise me.

I just noticed an itchy rash on my neck. All I've eaten today is peanut butter and jam on bread, the bread is gluten, dairy and soy free. Then dairy and gluten free chocolates. And lunch was just butterbeans, cos I felt so sick by then I wanted something plain.

Any clue what could have caused the rash?? It may an important piece to the puzzle!

[Adalaide]

If you are sharing peanut butter or jam with someone who is a gluten eater, or if they are leftover from your gluten filled days it is quite possible they have crumbs in them. I for one can not resist the temptation to double dip.

[dani nero]

The rash on your neck can be DH (Dermatitis Herpetiformis). You could have been glutened from cross-contamination as Adalaide stated. Do you know though how soon your reactions start by the way? For some it's the same day, and for others it's the day after. I used to react after two days but not it's less. So it could have been something you've eaten yesterday too.