5 Tips for Tackling PMS With Crohn's Disease

I've previously talked about my top tips for tackling your period with Crohn's disease. But what about the days leading up to your period itself?

Premenstrual syndrome (or PMS for short) can affect up to 90% of us and is characterised by symptoms of mood changes, food craving, bloating and breast tenderness. It usually happens a week or so before your actual period and for some of us can be really debilitating.¹

PMS is not a lot of fun at the best of times – especially when living with Crohn's disease, which may be sensitive to hormonal changes at this time of the month on top of everything else.

How I manage Crohn's + PMS

1. Schedule in rest

Some women find energy levels are particularly bad at this time of the month as estrogen and progesterone plummet. This can cause fatigue, something we're no stranger to with IBD. I always schedule rest at this time of the month and try not to use all my spoons at once.

Some women struggle with disturbed sleep as part of PMS so making sure you get enough is crucial. I also make a note of making sure I take an iron supplement the week before my period too, since this can help with fatigue.

2. Consider supplements

There are a few supplements recommended to help PMS and, interestingly, these could be particularly useful for those of us with IBD. A study found supplementing vitamin B6 helpful for PMS.²

According to Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, B6 is one of the various vitamins that those with IBD are commonly deficient in, which may explain why you feel your PMS is particularly bothersome.

3. Make sure your cravings are compatible

It's at this time of the month that we often crave things like carbs and sugary foods, so we reach for the chocolate or a bag of potato chips. It's important to try to make sure your PMS cravings are IBD-compatible. The last thing you want is a flare-up alongside your period.

For me, when I crave carbs I reach for mashed potato made with dairy-free butter – super comforting but makes my belly happy too. I also opt for dairy-free chocolate or hot chocolate instead.

4. Take care of your mental health

Many of us struggle with low mood and anxiety during PMS. As we already know that IBD can impact our mental health too, this time of the month might be the time when you struggle with your mental health. 

Schedule in things that can help. I think all of us with IBD should have access to counselling as standard, although that's not always possible. Others may schedule in mood-boosting activities at this time of the month.

5.  Learn how your cycle impacts your IBD

The day before my period, I experience the following symptoms: stomach cramps, diarrhea, low mood, and zero energy. Sound familiar? If I didn't know better, I'd think I was heading for a flare.

But it's a common pattern for me, and tracking my cycle (I use an app to record the symptoms each day and my period dates) has helped me differentiate PMS symptoms from IBD ones. Learn how your cycle works to pinpoint which days may make your symptoms worsen, so you can adapt to life with PMS.

I hope this post has been useful. Do you struggle with PMS? Does it make your IBD worse? Share in the comments below.