Ladies - Are your periods affected by gluten?

Lady_Clarington
Lady_Clarington Posts: 76 Member
Morning ladies, a bit of an odd question for you all but I really haven't found a gluten support group that "felt good" (aka they don't all seem to be playing the I'm sicker than you card) like this place does so don't know where to ask.

I've been gluten free for a few weeks now (possibly over a month but I'm really bad at remembering dates). Now before on my gluten filled life my period disappeared when I introduced an implant into my life / arm in October of last year. This is normal - very rarely does birth control not send my period packing for a few years (my period was generally normal before that although prone to chaos when stressed, because as we all know where's nothing like a crazy home life, insane work balance, impending deadlines your customers keep moving... that having to go and get a pregnancy test kit /justincase/ wont improve).

But I'm now on my second period in two weeks (and seriously mother nature?? Making the cramps just likes those that make me fear an impending bowel catastrophe? Not Cool!!) and I don't know whether its my body adjusting to life without gluten or whether something ELSE is now broken (the nurse said not to expect my period back til after 3 years when the hormones run out).

Did anyone else find things went a little crazy while their body adjusted to life without gluten? I've heard that if you have celiac disease gluten can lead to fertility issues so I can understand there must be some interaction going on. Should I wait and see if this settles down or should I be on the phone to my doctor sooner than later?

Thanks everyone!

(Blood test for Crohns was "inconclusive", IBS declared by GP as "most likely", working out what I can and can't eat through trial and error)

Replies

  • blupanda12
    blupanda12 Posts: 54 Member
    Morning! I haven't noticed anything relating to gluten affecting my period, but I have had some issues with birth control significantly changing things. I would talk to your doctor to confirm that something isn't wrong with the implant first and formost. For my experience, I have rings, and my period was all over the place the first 2 months of use, and then settled into a very nice rhythm that lasted about 1.5 years. Then, they started being more aggressive and my hormones decided to hate life every 4 weeks. Talking with my doctor, we tweaked the plan and things have been fine for 2+ years now since that change. Since you had your implants about 6 months ago, I'd talk to the doctor to confirm it's not your body being screwy with the implant you have and to ensure it isn't something more serious happening.

    While my system has never had a reaction to gluten (my husband is Coeliac), he gets very very sick if he ingests it. Trial and error sucks, so I hope you find root cause soon and a diet that makes you feel your best! Good luck!
  • mooglysmom
    mooglysmom Posts: 319 Member
    I never, ever had a regular period until I went GF. I would go upwards of 90 days between cycles (once, it was 6 months). Unless I was on birth control pills, I just didn't get one. And they were usually horrendously awful. Gluten can affect fertility in some women. Now, my period is clockwork. Every 30 days. There are lots of factors for breakthrough bleeding though. It mostly likely has something to do with the implant.
  • mrsweasley23
    mrsweasley23 Posts: 20 Member
    My cycle was never very regular until I went GF, but since being GF for four years it has settled down considerably. I have found eating a low carb (ketotsis) diet sends my periods haywire. Are you still having non-gluteny carbs? :)
  • Lady_Clarington
    Lady_Clarington Posts: 76 Member
    Thanks everyone. I'm still having plenty of carbs so will start the battle of trying to get an appointment with the GP. Perhaps I can convince him to pass me on to a specialist / nutritionist at the same time...
  • kgibbz
    kgibbz Posts: 102 Member
    I have struggled with unbearable cramps, bloating migraines, and irregular periods since age 14. When I was on BCP they were regular as in on time, but still had all the typical PMS stuff. Since going GF Ive only had one period, due for another in a week but I had NO PMS =)
  • funkygas
    funkygas Posts: 191 Member
    I used to suffer a lot with periods, with cramping and migraines. Since going GF, they are much lighter, last less time and I haven't had a full-blown migraine for ages. Gotta be happy with that!!
  • xenu01
    xenu01 Posts: 117 Member
    I am a combination of overweight, PCOS and hypothyroid, so sometimes it's hard to figure things out, but I have always had irregular periods since I was a kid. Sometimes I would go for months without one and freak out, but was never pregnant. I was at my heaviest weight and newly diagnosed with PCOS when I decided on a whim to go off gluten. I hadn't had my period for almost a year at that point. It was the longest I'd ever gone without. A few days I went off gluten the-um-the literal floodgates opened, and I had a heavy, ridiculous period for like 2 weeks! It got to the point where my doctor was considering putting me on medication to slow things down. A couple of months later, it happened again. The second time, I got on BC.

    I am convinced that cutting out wheat was what changed my cycle so dramatically.
  • Mof3wc
    Mof3wc Posts: 126 Member
    Morning ladies, a bit of an odd question for you all but I really haven't found a gluten support group that "felt good" (aka they don't all seem to be playing the I'm sicker than you card) like this place does so don't know where to ask.

    I've been gluten free for a few weeks now (possibly over a month but I'm really bad at remembering dates). Now before on my gluten filled life my period disappeared when I introduced an implant into my life / arm in October of last year. This is normal - very rarely does birth control not send my period packing for a few years (my period was generally normal before that although prone to chaos when stressed, because as we all know where's nothing like a crazy home life, insane work balance, impending deadlines your customers keep moving... that having to go and get a pregnancy test kit /justincase/ wont improve).

    But I'm now on my second period in two weeks (and seriously mother nature?? Making the cramps just likes those that make me fear an impending bowel catastrophe? Not Cool!!) and I don't know whether its my body adjusting to life without gluten or whether something ELSE is now broken (the nurse said not to expect my period back til after 3 years when the hormones run out).

    Did anyone else find things went a little crazy while their body adjusted to life without gluten? I've heard that if you have celiac disease gluten can lead to fertility issues so I can understand there must be some interaction going on. Should I wait and see if this settles down or should I be on the phone to my doctor sooner than later?

    Thanks everyone!

    (Blood test for Crohns was "inconclusive", IBS declared by GP as "most likely", working out what I can and can't eat through trial and error)


    Did you have a endoscopy or colonoscopy to look for Crohn's? It's not really something that can diagnosed through bloodwork. (I know that one from experience)

    And gluten didn't affect my period at all.
  • TheLittleFangs
    TheLittleFangs Posts: 205 Member
    I don't know what I am (being tested) but my monthly went west at the beginning of the year and in the past recurrent miscarriages. Hoping the tests show whats up and it al settles back down. See your doc :)
  • digitalcanuck
    digitalcanuck Posts: 60 Member
    Definitely see your doctor. There are too many possible factors and it is best to get some concrete answers.
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    funkygas wrote: »
    I used to suffer a lot with periods, with cramping and migraines. Since going GF, they are much lighter, last less time and I haven't had a full-blown migraine for ages. Gotta be happy with that!!

    Ditto. Horrendous periods until g/f.
  • mywindingroad
    mywindingroad Posts: 31 Member
    So that's it! I never made the connection. I have reg periods now but thought it was pre-menopausal backwardness. (Yes, I know there is no such thing but it was the only thing I could think...I just hit 40) I use to go months and months without one.
  • ShrinkinMel
    ShrinkinMel Posts: 982 Member
    Those getting regular after makes me think of insulin resistance. It can definitely make them go normal if you were resistant and gave up carbs.