Hormones and MC

kariswalstad · Post by **kariswalstad** » Mon Oct 28, 2019 3:45 pm

Hello, I have found a few posts related to hormones and MC, but still have questions. I've had increasingly severe PMS and PMDD symptoms in the past decade-plus. This spring it was like I was having a full-on allergic reaction the week before my period and it was part of how I realized just how sick I'd been for so long (with MC). I'd tried various birth control pills for many years, which seemed to help for a while, but it kept getting worse. In August I got a shot of Lupron to shut off my ovaries, to see if getting my "mommy parts" removed surgically would help. This shot has definitely helped my severe mood swings and other symptoms. However, I've found a few posts here that suggest HRT (which I would need if I had surgery since I'm only 43) can be problematic with MC. I am able to get one more shot next week, which will give me three more months until the dreaded hormone surge...and I am trying not to rush the surgery decision, but it's so tempting. I'd love to hear of others' experiences.

Also, I finally became willing to try diet changes since finding you folks almost two months ago. I am strictly GF, DF, SF, and trying to become more rigid about Stage One eating, but I found myself stress-eating potato chips today...I'm still having mostly meat, potatoes, rice & veggies, but I am also trying paleo muffins and a few other things (all homemade). The diet change has been really hard but having read your stories, I am definitely able to see that changing my relationship with food will be/is a blessing. But it's not without a few kicks and screams... My thought is that the shot will give me three more months to heal my guts with diet, and maybe then the PMS/PMDD won't be so bad, but it's a lifelong issue I've had, so my hopes are low. Surgery or no? Thanks for your time and input!

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Mon Oct 28, 2019 6:12 pm

Hi Karis,

I was on low dose prempro for about 6 months but it caused migraines so had to get off of it. I've been on bioidentical hormones
(a creme) for about 8 years. I am in a solid remission and the hormones have not prevented my remission.

Since I've been on the board several other women have been on the bioidentical hormones.

I can see where hormones could affect MC however.

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Mon Oct 28, 2019 6:16 pm

Karis,

Before doing any surgeries I'd talk to your professionals about any long term potential bone health issues as a side effect of surgery, if any.

Karis,

I'd also talk to your professionals about hormones in the form of lotion/pellet implants etc (rather than oral pills).
I think any meds that are in a non oral form are easier on our gut.

kariswalstad · Post by **kariswalstad** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:34 am

Thank you, Brandy!!

tiffanyvaughn · Post by **tiffanyvaughn** » Sat Nov 02, 2019 5:43 pm

Hi Karis,
I can completely relate to the hormonal connection with MC. I never had severe PMS or PMDD, but I felt like my cycle very much influenced how severe the diarrhea was or was not. I am in menopause now, and things have been much worse since menopause hit. I've been wondering if it's connected to the adrenals and cortisol and the fact that it's only the adrenals that produce the estrogen and progesterone once the ovaries are done. I need to reread Tex's book and the part about cortisol's role in bowel function.
I too have really struggled with getting the diet super simple stage 1 and sticking with it. I'm hopeful that it will! Thanks to this group, I've realized I was getting close earlier this year with a strict paleo AIP diet.
Hopefully someone can shed some inspiration/insight on whether to do the surgery or not, that is a tough call. I can only imagine the misery and dread of the severe PMS symptoms.
I too have a lot of questions about the hormonal connection with MC and keep trying to track symptoms and figure it out.

Tiffany