Meanpause-help or hurt???

[BetsyJ]

I am 51 and have had IC for about 6 months. I can cope during the 2 weeks between periods although I am never pain free. Seven days before my cycle my pain intensifies, the week of my period is just as bad. That makes 2 weeks out of 4 that I am miserable. I am praying for menopause. Is this false hope. Is there improvement when you stop menstrating?
Don't dash my hopes- Betsy

[Annie2]

Hi Betsy,

The connection between estrogen levels and IC flares is pretty well documented. Some find using birth control therapy or, for those going through menopause, using hormone replacement therapy does help to control symptom flares from hormone levels fluctuating.

I went through a very early menopause (in my late 30's-early 40's) and was on estrogen replacement therapy for over 15 years. I stopped the ERT when new warnings about it were announced. Within a few months after abruptly stopping the estrogen, I developed IC.

Though I never had to deal with periods and IC together, I do know others here report their symptoms are so much worse just before and during their periods. We are all very different in our symptoms, reactions to foods and meds and our reponse to hormones. This is something you might want to discuss with your doctor. Some do find help from these cyclical flare-ups. Only a physician can help you determine what is right for you during this time and when you do reach menopause. I hope for you menopause will bring a great measure of relief!

Annie :butterfly

[mayray518]

In my case I believe there was a connection between estrogen and IC. When I began to go through peri-menopause IC started. I remember one uro told me in 1992 that I would just have to wait until menopause to feel better. I looked at him and said "So you mean I have to wait more than 10 years to feel better (I was 38 at the time of IC) and he said "Yes." I am on elavil and it has relieved the IC pain. I am getting ready to go through full menopause but I am not going to go off the elavil so I dont know if it will make a difference or not. I am too scared to go off the elavil. But I do believe that there is a connection between the two.

[ICNDonna]

My IC started following a hysterectomy, but my ovaries were left in place. I am now past menopause --- I do use an estrogen cream to help avoid dryness, but I no longer take hormones orally.

I know that many people do find their IC fluctuates with hormonal changes.

Hugs,
Donna

[theclownster]

I'm fairly young, but definitely feel the same as you. The week prior and during my period, I'm pretty miserable. I use birth control pills that help quite a bit with my symptoms. I'm going in next month for my yearly female check up. I'm going to ask my doctor if he can give me seasonale - which means I'll only have a period 4 times per year. I'm hoping that will help.

I hope you feel better soon!
Jennifer

[mary124]

I found out I had IC in 1992, went into remission for the longest time, till I had my hysterecomy in 2000, after that everything went down hill (had a doctor that didn't believe that these two had anything in common, so I suffered for along time, till he retired - now the doctor who took his place, has really helped me alot! I won't say that I'm in remission, but I'm as close as I can be.

[tigger_gal]

Betsy
(((((((((((hugs)))))))))
I am praying for menopause. Is this false hope I am too... I took megace for 6 months and went 4 with out a period..... then started with break thu bleeding.. I am miserble like you 2 weeks out of 4 and hurt the other 2.... ggggggrrrrrrrr.. I am looking into the deprova to stop my period.....
hugs
Brat