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    MS and Menstruation?

    I was diagnosed with MS on my 30th Birthday, in 2007. Immediately my Doctor put me on straight birth control pills, so I would not be "inconvenienced" with a period. My Husband has been snipped, so I was confused why I should be on yet ANOTHER medication. Now I just went to a new Doctor, and she seems to think a period would be horrible for my MS? Anyone have experience with MS while during their periods? I don't want to be on an extra medication, if my MS wouldn't be affected by a monthly period. Any thoughts?
    DX RRMS 2007, Started Copaxone 2008, Life is Good!

    #2
    Why not ask the doctor why and if you did and being inconvenienced was the only answer provided you just need to ask yourself if you are inconvenienced.

    Cannot see why you would want to be on birth control pills because you have MS. I have never had a doctor suggest that. My husband is also snipped and we did that so I would not have to be inconvenienced with the pill or other.

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      #3
      I have an IUD, and almost never have a period (we're talking once every year or two.) 4 out of 5 times, however, I've had a flare that same month, and never at another time. Hormones are connected to MS, although the research is still out about exactly why/how.

      That being said, I suspect it is my own hormonal fluctuations playing in, not the period preventing IUD itself. If you do not wish to take BCPs, I'd talk to both your neuro and your gyno (if you have one) to ask precisely why a period would be such a bad idea, especially since this doesn't appear to be a common recommendation for women just because they have MS.

      Ultimately, it is your decision and you need to feel comfortable with it, and it sounds like you need more info so you can make the right decision for yourself.

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        #4
        I always have sxs when I am on or getting ready to be on my period. It's awful!

        And, previously dxd with PMDD, I can tell you true that since getting dxd with MS I am an utter psychopath prior to my period starting.

        When I last asked my neuro he said no studies had been done to support the theory but if I felt that way, it was most probably the case that my hormones made my MS stuff worse.
        DXd Fragile X premutation ~ 2004
        DXd RRMS ~ Jan. 2009

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          #5
          Everyone is diff

          Iam 43, dx 3 yrs ago w/ PPMS & already retired due to disability.
          I am one of those that documents in order to see a "pattern".
          What I have experienced is that my period actually seems to lessen my symptoms.
          Some days are worse than others during the month, & during ovulation, the symptoms are worse. But when I actually start, I am able to do more than on other days(????). A totally weird unpredictable condition !

          I have just accepted that " it is just hard".

          Still, keep the "move it or lose it " frame of mind, & know that even though I hold a lousy hand , Iam still in the game!

          Iam w/ you about taking less meds, in fact I only take amantadine to help \ fatigue.
          Try to do everything else w/ healthy foods & a daily vitamin.

          Good luck, take everyone's advice (including) your dr. W/a. Grain of salt, NOBODY knows your body better than YOU!
          [FONT="Comic Sans MS"]Dawn[/FONT]

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            #6
            My sx's were inexplicably linked to my period

            Active sx's for a 5yr period of time included ON, huge painful body wide hives also involving swelling of my face, eyes swollen closed, occuring one week to 10 days before my period.

            Also during this time period I had chronic UTI, lots of testing for kidney stones, etc., with no medical explanation for the UTIs.

            I was eventually dx'd with Catamenial Epilepsy, (=hormone elipesy), based on EEG results. I had a great epilepsy doc at the time. This dx fell out of vogue? over the past 10+yrs.

            I was eventually dx'd with MS, the epilepsy now considered the 'rare' 2% of MS that presents with seizures.

            The ON was originally dx'd 'scotoma'=visual blind-spot possibly vascular in origin. But my pale optic nerve is now evidence of ON.

            I was on Birth Control pills but did not tolerate the side effects. BCs at that time contained very high hormone levels that might explain my intolerence, along with the MS related seizures. After the seizure dx and stopping BCs in my late 20s, my sx's stabilized.

            I remember my epilepsy specialist telling me that menopause would probably be sheer hell. During the interviening years, menopause was the least of my concerns. I moved on living with occassional bouts of ON. But he was spot on about menopause being pure hell, or was it the MS exacerbating again, or a combination of hormonal changes, MS and seizures?

            My sx's were inexplicably linked to my period. I have one child, who is adopted, so I don't have the experience of remissions during pregnancy, or the exacerbation following child birth or complications of either 'condition' to explain away my unusual medical sx history with MS.

            My sister had similar epilepsy sx's, but also has 8 children, plus a few miscarriages. Her health and medical history is much more complicated than my own.

            Sorry this is so long, but I've also had my share of 'hysterical female' dx'es along the way that I hope someday we will see come to an end. Putting this complicated history into perspective and the possibility it could be of some help to other women, etc.

            Good luck

            Comment


              #7
              My sx's were inexplicably linked to my period

              Active sx's for a 5yr period of time included ON, huge painful body wide hives also involving swelling of my face, eyes swollen closed, occuring one week to 10 days before my period.

              Also during this time period I had chronic UTI, lots of testing for kidney stones, etc., with no medical explanation for the UTIs.

              I was eventually dx'd with Catamenial Epilepsy, (=hormone elipesy), based on EEG results. I had a great epilepsy doc at the time. This dx fell out of vogue? over the past 10+yrs.

              I was eventually dx'd with MS, the epilepsy now considered the 'rare' 2% of MS that presents with seizures.

              The ON was originally dx'd 'scotoma'=visual blind-spot possibly vascular in origin. But my pale optic nerve is now evidence of ON.

              I was on Birth Control pills but did not tolerate the side effects. BCs at that time contained very high hormone levels that might explain my intolerence, along with the MS related seizures. After the seizure dx and stopping BCs in my late 20s, my sx's stabilized.

              I remember my epilepsy specialist telling me that menopause would probably be sheer hell. During the interviening years, menopause was the least of my concerns. I moved on living with occassional bouts of ON. But he was spot on about menopause being pure hell, or was it the MS exacerbating again, or a combination of hormonal changes, MS and seizures?

              My sx's were inexplicably linked to my period. I have one child, who is adopted, so I don't have the experience of remissions during pregnancy, or the exacerbation following child birth or complications of either 'condition' to explain away my unusual medical sx history with MS.

              My sister had similar epilepsy sx's, but also has 8 children, plus a few miscarriages. Her health and medical history is much more complicated than my own.

              Sorry this is so long, but I've also had my share of 'hysterical female' dx'es along the way that I hope someday we will see come to an end. Putting this complicated history into perspective and the possibility it could be of some help to other women, etc.

              Hope this sheds some light on your situation and best of luck.

              Comment


                #8
                I've never heard of this as a blanket prescription for female MS patients. It was never recommended or suggested to me by any of a multitude of doctors and nurses that I've seen.

                If you don't want to take anymore meds, then don't take them. You could go off them for a few months, chart your symptoms and see how you do. If you don't seem to be affected those days of the month, then don't start them back up.

                If you notice a pattern of symptoms based on your cycle, then you may want to reconsider taking the BC depending on symptom severity / how they affect your QOL.

                Comment


                  #9
                  The part about her doc...

                  "seems to think a period would be horrible for my MS? " suggests the doc has specific reason for suggesting BC and avoiding a monthly period for the patient.

                  I find that fascinating, particularly with my own complicated neuro history related to my period.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    ?

                    That has never been suggested to me. The bottom line is that if you don't feel comfortable taking another medication, it is your body and you shouldn't take it. Or, you could try it for a bit and see how you feel not having your period. I know my symptoms are definitely worse before, during and right after my period. I am a totally different person. I still would not even think about taking another medication. I already take so many that my pill box looks like it belongs to an 85 year old woman and I am only 32. A lot of them are vitamins and supplements, but still. I am very vocal about my treatments. If I don't want to do something or don't feel comfortable, I let it be known. The way I see it is yes, they are the smart experts, but I am the one paying the smart experts so I should have a say and make educated decisions in my treatment.
                    RRMS 10/2011 Sick and tired of being sick and tired!

                    Comment


                      #11
                      The biggest side effect is Stroke: We have enough problems.

                      I'd refuse any needless medication.

                      When I was 53, I requested an Ablation, to stop all possibilities of menstration. A decision my gynocologist and I made. I have never regretted that decision. fed up

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I love my Mirena IUD. My Gyno said my periods would become very light & eventually disappear. So far, I still have cramping but hardly any flow. So, all the pain but no mess. I am way more fatigued during my period. I also have more pain & spasticity. I am looking forward to the diminished period & MS symptoms.
                        Dx: 2/3/12. 6-8 lesions right medulla/cervical spine. GLATIRAMER ACETATE 40 mg 1/19, medical marijuana 1/18. Modafinil 7/18, Women's multivitamin, Caltrate + D3, Iron, Vitamin C, Super B Complex, Probiotics, Magnesium, Biotin.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          BC for MS

                          I have had bad PMS for the last 5 years.. I thought that it was getting worse because of age. This makes me wonder if it was really due to my MS.

                          My cramps and body soreness is really really bad these days... I take Ibprophane.. it helps tremendously.. I don't think I would take BC.. it made me sick almost everyday for the 5 years I took it.
                          limbo land for 1 year and 4 months DX February 2012 Copaxon February 2012 for 6 months. No DMD's since.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            [QUOTE=Fed Up;1391430]The biggest side effect is Stroke: We have enough problems.

                            I'd refuse any needless medication.

                            When I was 53, I requested an Ablation, to stop all possibilities of menstration. A decision my gynocologist and I made. I have never regretted that decision. fed up[/QUOTE

                            I had a thermal ablation about 5 or 6 years ago and until the past couple of years when my MS symptoms began, I never even thought of my cycles. However, now I have cramps again and my MS symptoms are at their worst. I get "flairs" every 3 to 4 weeks now with my cycle.
                            MS - diagnosed 2/05/2013

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                              #15
                              I use the Depo shot to stop my cycles. That has helped my MS tremendously. I no longer have pseudo-exacerbations every month! Whooo hooo!

                              Good luck everyone!
                              Lisa
                              Disabled RN with MS for 14 years
                              SPMS EDSS 7.5 Wheelchair (but a racing one)
                              Tysabri

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