I did a search of this site, and found nothing recent on this....
Since becoming ill June 2009, I have had just spotting times 2 and no periods at all. I am close enough to the end of menopause to have asssumed that I was finally done....but now, since my Lyme symptoms are minimal, all of a sudden, a full blown period!
Could Lyme really have been responsible for my lack of them for several months? Goodness! If so, then I guess I can take this as another sign that I am better. If not, then I know that this is cause for concern at this stage.
So-anxiously awaiting responses
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Sick Tick - what did your Ob/Gyn have to say about this? No cysts/fibroids, etc..
Regardless, Lyme definitely can change one's periods. I'm going thru that right now. Wacky..since I've always been so regular.
Google: Esther Sternberg (not sure of spelling) on "Pain Management in Women".. she talks about how the gonadal axis and the HPA axis interact..it may not give you answers but it's a fascinating read.
P.S. Do you feel better missing your periods??
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I didn't have my period for several months (9+). I had also lost a lot of weight and had been struggling with adrenal insufficiency at that time.
Then it was like a switch flipped, I started gaining weight, adrenals were still off, Thyroid low, and my periods came back. Unfortunately they are heavier and longer than ever before. I also have problems with cramping and clotting now. It's awful.
Hopefully everything will rebalance itself as I treat Lyme and Co's. Sorry I don't have any helpful advice. I could use some myself...
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
woops - it just clicked..you're menopausal..I can only dream..!!
Posted by Sick Tick (Member # 23003) on :
Yep-my hormone levels said I was done prior to this, but then I was still having scant but regular periods every 2 nmonths or so....then, DONE! And now this....it seems heavier too, like you said! Goodness! And it has been 9 months for me too!
Posted by Sick Tick (Member # 23003) on :
And yes you WERE helpful! Both of you!
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
Yes. Irregular menstrual cycles are a symptom. I missed a few before treatment began.
Anyone w/cramping and clotting can be endometriosis/adenomyosis and is also common in Lyme patients. Have your doctor run a CAT scan or a trans-vaginal ultra sound.
My LLMd just said yesterday a low dose contraceptive pill helps quite a few lyme-women.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
There are some good herbal formulas you can take to help balance your hormones.
Female Hormone Blend by Solaray worked pretty well for me.
I'm not sure what your individual issue is but there are many herbs that are good for helping with hormonal imbalances.
Posted by asummers (Member # 18068) on :
I haven't always had the best luck when it came to my period. Cramping, heavy, lasts 6-7 days, ect.
Since having lyme it has become worse by ten fold. My periods are so heavy that I am scared to leave the house. I pass a TON of blood clots.
I read somewhere where this could be a sign of estrogen dominance.
I am having my hormones tested soon, but I am waiting until days 20-25 of my cycle to do so.
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
I started irregular periods when I turned 39.
By the time I was 40 I no longer had a period. At the time I mentioned to my OB I was Irreg.
Test said I wasn't going through menopause.
Saw my OB in April 2009 test now say I'm perimenopause.
I'm now 48 and haven't had a period since
Posted by trigal2 (Member # 20578) on :
Lyme has not effected my cycle - I am lucky in that sense
Like many other women, I do get a major flare-up of lyme symptoms right before/during my period...
TG
Posted by LightAtTheEnd (Member # 24065) on :
I found your lost ones--Lyme gives me mine every other week, ugh. I have a condition that, before Lyme, used to make me miss them or go for long periods without them.
And I always get a flare at PMS time.
Posted by j_liz (Member # 20496) on :
I was like clock work until Lyme reared it's ugly head. I thought for sure I was going through menopause due to scant periods and a missed month here and there. My gyn had my levels tested and I wasn't. Then I went through a time where he thought I was pregnant and made me get a test.
I know someone else whose period went all nuts on them.
I ended up getting a hyster, so never went through a natural menopause.
liz
Posted by Sick Tick (Member # 23003) on :
I was told that my FSH level showed I was post menopausal prior to being ill, but I was still having occasional periods. Then, nothing with the Lyme-until now! From this post, sounds like it is entirely possible that I was not done, but being affected by the Lyme. I guess since it is a systemic illness, that makes sense. Bummer. Had to go buy pads for the first time in about a year!!! I just know my MD will want to do another endometrial biopsy-OUCH!!!! I may just refuse.
Posted by nurse lymy (Member # 24184) on :
I also have had my cycle disturbed by Lyme. I have 2 full periods each month now. Thank goodness they are not super painful but then again I use painkillers daily so I may not even realize it.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- A stressed (or "stagnant") liver can cause painful periods. Unfortunately, many pain meds can be hard on the liver.
Liver support like MilkThistle is very important and things that can help decrease pain and also help the liver include magnesium and fish oil.
Shixiao San, Jin Lingzi San, Liang Fu Wan, and Baishao Gancao Tang
by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon
excerpt:
. . . Corydalis is added "to increase the pain-relieving effects of this prescription."
To compare Shixiao San and Jin Lingzi San, it is helpful to examine two of the main ingredients. Yang Yifan (9) compares corydalis to trogopterus (wulingzhi):
Corydalis and trogopterus enter the liver and spleen meridians. Both are able to promote blood circulation and remove congealed blood. They are very effective for relieving pain.
Corydalis, inflammation - 3 abstracts (one lead to Curcumin)
Hypomagnesemia, pain - 32 abstracts
=======================
This is an excellent formula, intended for use before going to bed (follow instructions and caution with driving until you get used to it. Do not mix with sedative or alcohol).
Ingredients; Corydalis root, jujube seeds and Schisandra fruit.
Jujube is also called zizyphus. Schisandra is also spelled schizandra. Both can be searched at PubMed and at The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook ( http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com )
======================
This book is NOT at all about lyme and the unique liver and endocrine problems from lyme but this book is still a good place to begin.
You can also get it from your library or they can order it by interlibrary loan. It is in the national library system.
You can look inside this book and read customer reviews here:
Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness
By Tori Hudson, ND
About $17 at Amazon
Foreward:
In Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, naturopathic physician Tori Hudson shows you how to safely and effectively combine conventional and natural medicine to maintain health and address specific medical conditions.
Her groundbreaking work offers sound information on complementary therapies such as bio-identical hormones, vitamin supplementation, herbs, diet, and exercise and helps you make informed choices about your health.
Learn how to:
Treat a whole range of female health issues, from contraception to menopause, heart conditions to infections
Safely integrate alternative therapies with traditional medicine
Determine when you should seek a practitioner's help
Compassionate and authoritative, Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine demonstrates that an informed, integrative approach to staying well is often the best medicine.
``This is a book that should be in every woman's health library and every alternative practitioner's library. It is a resource for the new breed of conventional practitioners who are open to a more integrative health-care system.''
--Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom
=================
Be sure to get Singleton's "The Lyme Disease Solution" for specific support suggestion for the Adrenals and the liver, too. -
Posted by Sick Tick (Member # 23003) on :
Hi, Keebler!
I am going to the health food store soon to get milk thistle (it is 40 minutes away). Unfortunately, I am allergic to salmon and cannot take fish oil, and I have searched locally for Krill oil to no avail...but plan to order on line. I do drink lemon water-lots! And green tea, so my liver is not being ignored....but could be better. I wonder if that has anything to do with the stupid return of my stupid periods??
Posted by lightparfait (Member # 22022) on :
I agree with keebler about liver support and detoxing. Also I think we are lacking many minerals our bodies need as women, especially as we age. A liquid multimineral could be helpful with mood swings as well.
Also a parasite cleanse helped me with menstral issues...Had loads related to ovarian cysts.
But I am nearing menopause and thing the hormonal issue can cause many odd things. Its time to balance our bodies if we can natuarlly and support our organs as suggested above by others.
Posted by cjbrklich (Member # 24607) on :
I have always had an irregular period. I never knew when it was coming, could go as long as six months witout on. Until I was almost 30 then I became regurlar for some reason. Then just this past July i had two periods and the second one was very heave comparied to what I'm use to. And this months only came a day early but was heavy also and painful. I've never had pain before with my periods. I know one day early is'nt a big deal but when I've always been late and never early added to the heavier than normal, i'm kind of nervous. Could this be the Lyme or something else?