Crohn's Disease and Women by Sarah Jenkins
Crohn's Disease is especially difficult for women to accept as part of their lives. Perhaps it is because women are supposed to be delicate and graceful, but a disease which results in excessive diarrhea and rectal bleeding is contrary to a woman's idea of what is acceptable. Often plagued with poor self-esteem anyway, women usually react to Crohn's Disease with more of an emotional sentiment than men. This disease also affects many other areas of a woman's life, including menstruation, reproduction, and other potential medical areas.
One such effect, in addition to the regular symptoms, is the irregularity of menstrual cycles common in women with Crohn's Disease. Because chronic disease throws the entire body off, it sometimes results in unexpected abnormalities. Also, malnutrition caused by Crohn's is a contributing factor to this, as well as the inflammation in general. Likewise, the effects of Crohn's Disease will often worsen just prior to or just after menstruation.
Pain during intercourse is also a concern for women with Crohn's Disease. While this will not usually occur, it may be a sign of a fistula in the vaginal area. These are small channels that result from ulcers in the digestive tract and may connect various organs in the lower region of the body. This should be brought to your doctor's attention as soon as possible, as treatment is necessary. Progression may lead to an abscess or infection with negative side effects.
While you are just as likely to conceive a child if you have Crohn's Disease as a non-sufferer, you should seriously consider your state of health before deciding to have a child. Increased stress has been shown to cause flare-ups in the disease and complications may arise. Symptoms common of Crohn's may cause more of a problem during pregnancy, such as malnutrition and dehydration. Excessive cases of dehydration may lead to miscarriage. Another concern is the possibility of requiring surgery to treat an emergency issue of Crohn's during the pregnancy, which can also cause complications for the baby. Also, many of the medications taken to treat the disease can not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Woman with Inflammatory Bowel Disease are more likely to get osteoporosis due to lack of calcium absorption and steroid treatment use. Likewise, colon cancer is an increased risk with IBD and Crohn's Disease, but this is not limited to women, but is shared among all sufferers.
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