pain during menstrual cycle when have permanent ileostomy

[judrop]

I had my colon removed and an ileostomy formed 5 years ago. Dueto the Crohn's disease my periods took their time to return. I have been having regular and painful periods for 2 years, but since my husband and I have started to try for a baby my periods have become more painful and irregular. Is it 'normal' for ostomists to experience severe pain in what was their back passage. The sensation is that of wanting to desperately push and go for a bowel movement. I am scared that if I do get pregnant when it comes to the birth I will tear open what was my anus and it will take years to heal like it did post operatively.

Sorry it's not really a simple question

[gab97]

I had an Ileostomy for one year and just had it removed in January. My Crohns was so severe that with my anemia, I did't have a mestrual cycle for three years before I had my Ileostomy. Last month was what I believe were signs of spotting, but it began a couple of days after such severe abdominal pain that I was on the verge of going to the ER for fear that it was another post op complication (the night before I was scheduled for discharge, I experienced a fever of 104 and all of my organs went into failure, supposedly from my adrenal gland going into shock). Here it is almost exactly one month later and I am having the same miserable abdominal pain. I am bloated, any movement hurts my stomach, I am having terrible cramping that is even making my stomach flex and is preventing me from going to the bathroom regardless of the fact that I have an almost constant urge to go. I was just wondering if this worsening menstrual pain is something that is considered normal for women after an Ileostomy reversal since even before I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, I never once experienced menstrual cramps (lucky, I know). I asked my surgeon, but he laughed and said he does not know enough about women's health to help in that department.

[ruff1106]

Just reading your question and I too have posted a similar question about painful periods after an ileostomy.  I have just been through a miserable week and every month seems to get worse.  The pain, vomiting and feeling of wanting to have a bowel movement is almost unbearable.  My husband and I have made the decision not to have children because I am terrified of wounds opening up again as I know I could not give birth naturally.  I had my ileostomy re-formed six years ago after developing pouchitis so like you have alot of adhesions and scar tissue which I assume like Jaybay says are causing all the problems. I am terrified to go to my GP in case I am referred back to hospital for more surgery.  I have lost all faith in the Irish medical system as I developed MRSA while in the last time and spent four years with an open abdominal wound which a large suture eventually worked its way out of. I am just wondering if you saw any doctors or managed to get any relief.  I wish you all the best with trying for a baby and will keep you in my prayers.

[Jaybay]

You're right - you've got a complicated medical history.  Have you ever been diagnosed with endometriosis?  Have you had your hormone levels checked?  Another possibility is scar tissue formation from the ileostomy surgery.  In some people, adhesions form, and just keep on growing and attaching to organs that don't like being messed with - like ovaries or bowels.  Endometriosis is also notorious for scar tissue formation and painful periods.  Have a talk with your gynecologist about this possibility. Both endo and adhesions are diagnosed and treated with laparascopic surgery.  Also, if you have endo, your chances of conceiving are greatly lessened.