Is my IBD linked to my hormones?
I've often thought my IBD and gut health was influenced by my hormones. I'm not alone in finding my symptoms seemed much worse during my period and although I can't be certain, my gut issues seemed to start when I finally got my period at sixteen years old (I wasn't diagnosed with IBD until much later).
A surge of hormones and worsening Crohn's when pregnant
However, when I was trying to conceive and fell pregnant I found this even more to be the case: the early weeks of pregnancy were tough and it felt as if my IBD just couldn't cope with the surge of hormones I was experiencing.
However, just at around the 12-week mark, when hormones are known to settle, I felt amazing; and continued to feel so all the way up to giving birth. When undergoing fertility treatments previously I tried progesterone and that also seemed to really worsen my gut.
Flaring again after having a baby
I was surprised at how quickly I went from feeling amazing to feeling just terrible post-birth. Sadly, it's common for women to flare quickly (again influenced by our hormone changes as the body realizes there's no longer a baby inside it!) post-baby but for me, this seemed to be linked to breastfeeding. My milk coming in was categorized by a worsening of my IBD and it seemed to settle a little once I eventually stopped (for unrelated reasons).
One year on from having my son, I'm still finding my IBD seems to be hormone-led. My cycles haven't completely corrected themselves so I'm finding that the days leading up to my period and my period itself is really wreaking havoc on my gut. However, the week post-period, my belly is usually at it's best and my symptoms are non-existent. However, it is only a week or two before the cycle starts all over again.
Am I the only one who has worse symptoms around my period?
But is it just me or is there any evidence to this? Well, it's thought that the estrogen, progesterone, and prostaglandins can all affect IBD and these fluctuate throughout their cycle. This study shows those of us with IBD are more likely to experience more frequent premenstrual gut issues and that bowel habits change during the cycle.1 These hormones might explain why taking the contraceptive pill has also slightly been linked to an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease.2
However, there are still no clear answers on why hormones seem to influence IBD so much and if it's the case for all women. I've spoken to my doctors several times about why my IBD seems to be influenced so severely by hormones but there's no real understanding as to why as yet.
Increased anxiety about symptoms around my period
I also find hormones impact my emotions more severely (struggling with severe PMS-led anxiety) and wonder if some women are just more sensitive to hormones in their bodies than others and that could be a possible explanation.
I'd love to know if it's just me who has noticed this connection between IBD and their hormones: do you notice a link and find your symptoms are better or worse during certain times in your cycle? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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