Digestive issues during luteal phase...

[happycupcake]

Posting in here since it's relevant to this time frame.
A few days post ov I start to get the usual PMS/PMDD symptoms; bloating, wind, cramps, headaches, out of the blue depression, extreme anxiety (I suffer with severe anxiety anyway, GAD, but it gets worse during the luteal phase), and diarrhoea.
Because I have a fear of germs and illnesses, this makes the anxiety worse because out of nowhere I go from being constipated from when af finishes to ov, to legging it back and forth to the toilet during the luteal phase and of course my irrational, anxiety ridden mind assumes there must be something wrong.
I was given Microgynon last year to try, which made things worse. Stopped after the first seven day break. I was then given progesterone (cyclogest) pessaries 400mg to try but I haven't tried them. I have been on Google more than I care to think about searching this issue and I can't seem to find anything definitive. I find as much info saying progesterone makes you constipated and helps anxiety and relieves PMS as I do the opposite, that it causes diarrhoea, abdominal pain (I have read this in the context of period like cramps) and heightens anxiety.
So I don't know what to do. I'm about ten days away from af and I have these things here, I don't know whether to chance it and see if they help, or leave it, in the knowledge that I definitely will suffer these problems (they have started today, YAY!). If I make it worse my anxiety will be worse and I honestly don't think my sanity can take it.

So, can anyone please tell me if they have had these issues, what helped if anything, whether you have tried these pessaries and what effects they had because Google isn't helping me come to any decisions

I must edit to add: I'm confused as to whether I am showing signs of low progesterone and that's why I'm having these problems, or if I'm over sensitive to progesterone and that is why. I don't have these issues from mid af to a few days post ov

 

[happycupcake]

Anyone... ?

 

[Mozzarella]

Definitely the week before AF arrives for me, my body changes. I get loose stools, my anxiety goes through the roof sometimes, I get more stomach acid (acid reflux).
That's usually how I know that AF is going to arrive.

For me, I just become aware that AF is coming and then that helps my anxiety. Doesn't help though that my periods are irregular. So this past week on Wednesday, I was freaking out because I didn't understand why my body was having anxiety, and then I started my period the next day.

For myself, I think my body is just reacting more to the hormonal changes than anything, as in it's being sensitive.

So if this helps any, I seem to kind of be the same

 

[guillaine]

I have noticed loose stools and heart palpitations in my luteal phase too, if that helps. I guess that means it's progesterone related.

 

[happycupcake]

It's cruel, isn't it? Like a backhanded thanks for being capable of childbirth. Have you always had these issues or did something trigger them? I didn't have any of this before my daughter arrived in '13. Then I had the implant but removed after a year, and I have had all these problems since. It seemed to screw everything up, maybe I had it in too soon after birth or perhaps it's age, things change over time I guess. I do wish it would right itself, though!
I'm thinking (or hoping at least) I can control some of this through eating properly and perhaps more cleanly than I have been, as I read diet can contribute to hormonal imbalances (and since female sex hormones have a direct impact on the gut too it would make sense in this alone to keep it healthy!). I'm thinking foods that bind during the luteal phase and foods higher in fibre the first couple of weeks may be helpful. Hopefully at the least it will help calm any digestive issues which in turn will help anxiety a little.
Do you track your cycles? Mine seemed more irregular than they were before I started tracking them, and sometimes they were completely random but I found they seemed to fall into a pattern of some regularity more than I first thought

 

[happycupcake]

I have noticed loose stools and heart palpitations in my luteal phase too, if that helps. I guess that means it's progesterone related.

Funny you mention palpitations, I have experienced these on and off and have had quite a few ECGs which *touch wood* have all been fine, so perhaps it is hormone related?! Digestive issues can definitely be a result of hormonal changes but sometimes it's more than the changing levels of them, it's that you could be lacking in progesterone, which would be sensible to address if so. I wasn't aware of progesterone deficiency until recently

 

[guillaine]

I have noticed loose stools and heart palpitations in my luteal phase too, if that helps. I guess that means it's progesterone related.

Funny you mention palpitations, I have experienced these on and off and have had quite a few ECGs which *touch wood* have all been fine, so perhaps it is hormone related?! Digestive issues can definitely be a result of hormonal changes but sometimes it's more than the changing levels of them, it's that you could be lacking in progesterone, which would be sensible to address if so. I wasn't aware of progesterone deficiency until recently

I'm pretty new to being more aware of these things, my emotional state always really affects the way I experience af, always has done. I mean I can be a cripple with one period, fine the next. I always put the palpitations which are quite minor down as a physical expression of some kind of anxiety but it would be interesting to try changing my eating patterns at different phases of my cycle and seeing if this helps.
I recently read "Her blood is Gold" which is about the way we and society, feel and think about moontime and started to enjoy it as a time when right and left brain are more connected and we can have more insight into our lives and also try and chill a bit more when it happens, and that has helped me in as much as I now don't need pain relief medication which I used to. I also try to keep a journal at that time, so that approach has helped me.

 

[TigerFeet]

Hi happy,

Have you ever had your thyroid tested? Being hypo or hyper can cause all your symptoms. It effects your hormone balance too. Might be worth getting it checked out - it also causes heart palpitations.

Sorry you have to go through such a rollercoaster each month

 

[LittleDarlins]

I have recently just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and I have noticed my flares are MUCH worse during the 2ww. I get hidious stomach cramps to the point I'm doubled over and could almost cry with the pain and diarrhoea. Tmi alert but when I get AF I'm never off the toilet for the first day or two as I get severe diarrhoea. My consultant wants me to take steroids as I'm ulcerated on my bowel, intestine and anus but I'm reluctant to take them as we want to try for another baby. I refuse to take medication like steroids incase it prevents me from conceiving or harms a potential baby.

Throughout my 2ww I also suffer from painful gas, it's not pleasant at all. I usually belch like a man so I feel for you.

 

[kjs1]

happycupcake I have major digestive issues right before and the first few days of my period. Bloating, gas, loose stools, etc. I have been taking progesterone suppositories for 3 months now starting 4 days after I ovulate for 14 days and it has REALLY helped with this issue! I honestly feel so much better digestively. Has yet to lead to any bfp tests yet though. If you do take these, just know it will delay your period and you will have to take a preg test at 14 DPO to know if you are preg. If it is neg, then you stop the progesterone and your period will start within the next 5 days. If it doesn't, call you doctor as they may need to induce your period somehow. If it is positive, call you doctor to see if you should keep taking the progesterone. Good luck!

LittleDarlins, I have ulcerative colitis too! I take Lialda and mesalimine enemas and suppositories as needed. Currently, i am in a remission state thank goodness. Like I said above though the progesterone really helped me! I honestly want to talk to my GI doctor about taking it every single luteal phase because my UC symptoms are gone. I also would recommend you make homemade ginger tea. Just buy some ginger from the produce section and cut it up and pour hot water over it to steep, then strain. It really helps with my symptoms as it is a natural anti inflammatory. Do NOT take turmeric as it can affect ovulation. I did not know this and took it for a long time. I also have cut out red meat and juicing to get more fruits and vegetables help. You may try these things first before going on steroids as it is hard to tapper off of them without symptoms coming back. However, you do need to do what is best for your body to stop the inflammation. I'm sorry you are going through this! It sucks on top of TTC. If you ever need to talk or have questions about UC, feel free to message me.

 

[happycupcake]

Thanks all. Sorry for the delayed reply!
Kjs, it's good to know the progesterone has helped you. How long have you taken it for? I didn't know this about turmeric! I don't take it as a supplement, but I do regularly include it in cooking, is this ok? I read it can help balance hormones, so started using it in basmati rice because rice has a calming effect on the digestive system and can help bind you more

 

[wrapunzel]

I'm no help on the digestive issues but for anxiety look into myo-inositol. I am finding it as effective as Xanax but without any "drugged" effect, and it is phenomenal for ovarian health to boot.

 

[wrapunzel]

Oh and cooking with turmeric powder occasionally is definitely OK. If you were drinking turmeric milk made from fresh root every day that might be a concern like the pills are, but just cooking with it? India would be an entire subcontinent of infertile women hehe

 

[happycupcake]

Thanks Wrapunzel, haven't heard of this will look into it
Lol yes you make a good point there, didn't think

 

[wrapunzel]

You're welcome!

For the myoinositol they sell pills but the effective dose is really high, way more than is reasonable to take in pills, so opt for powder if you do decide to try it out. I take a heaping teaspoon every morning in my herbal tea, it is flavorless and I really can't tell it is there.

 

[happycupcake]

Does it have any side effects?
I currently use diazepam 2mg, as and when, up to three per day. I don't like taking them because I know they can be addictive, and they can have a hangover effect which isn't particularly nice, as well as feeling pretty drugged when taken during the evening. I have the lowest dose which doesn't seem to do much for my husband (he has taken it before to help relax him when he's been in pain) but it knocks me sideways if I take a whole pill (I usually break them in half). I would prefer to avoid their use

 

[wrapunzel]

It isn't a drug, more like a vitamin, so it doesn't have drug side effects like being addictive or anything noticeable when you take a dose. It started being effective for me after about a week, I'm at 3.5 weeks taking it now and honestly feel better than I have in years, ... better than ever before in my life if you consider how taking Xanax made me feel worried afterwards because I didn't want to be taking it