Shorter menstrual cycles, lighter flow, Endometriosis, constipation, fertility

[LondonSleeve 4]

I am just over six months post gastric sleeve. I am wondering whether anyone had noticed that since having a VSG whether:

1). Their periods have got noticeably/considerably lighter; and

2). Whether anyone has also noticed their cycles speeding up.

My cycle used to be around 26/27 days in length but is now around 23/24 days in length since I had the weight loss surgery.

I have also noticed that my periods are much lighter. My cycles have always been very regular. I had a VSG to lose weight so that I can have IVF as I have Endometriosis. Hence why I am concerned about changes in cycle as I am worried it could be adversely affecting my fertility even more since my periods are extremely light now to the point where they don’t seem like proper periods. I am 37 years old and have been trying to conceive for 7 years. Am now at BMI weight where I can go for IVF so just at very beginning of GP blood tests etc for IVF but not yet accepted on to a clinic.

Thirdly; I am also really suffering as I have to take pain medication for Endometriosis which since my VSG I suffer with terrible Constipation in general - but significantly worse when I take the pain meds - so I am now terrified every month of when I get my period whether to take pain meds as I know that if I do I won’t be able to do a poo and when I am able to will be in agony for hours trying to go. The pain of this condition is horrendous and I have had surgery for it in the past and been taken to hospital with pain and am prescribed tramadol, co-codamal and also diclofenac supposotories.

I take laxatives while on meds but still not going with a consistency that I am happy with and when I’ve taken the pain meds the stool is like sand/clay/play doh and is so upsetting trying to pass.

I have lost 3 1/2 stone since VSG and hoping to lose another stone. I needed to get my BMI down for last chance to conceive.

Any pointers and feedback on any or all of the above would be gratefully received if you have experienced similar.

[GreenTealael 25,179]

Hi, I find when I'm stuck it helps to use stool softeners along with traditional laxatives and lots of hydration directly after. This tends to expedite bowel movements but absolutely No food for a while surrounding the occasion or you will slow the process down with digestion.

Sadly no input on the menstrual cycle situation but good luck ❤

[JessLess 1,163]

The sleeve, Tramadol, and peri-menopause all cause Constipation and I have all three. Yay! I would go to a fertility specialist about the menstrual changes. Good luck.

[looly 361]

My heart goes out to you. I experienced exactly the same as you with endo/painkillers/constipation. I tried everything to ease it. In the end, it was a combination of Dulcoease, prunes, lots of Water and suppositories that made it bearable (though it was never easy).

Ultimately, I had a hysterectomy because I had Stage 4 endo and 3 lots of surgery didn't fix it for me. However, I know 2 other women who had endo and did conceive. It was a struggle, but they succeeded in the end. Fingers crossed for you.

[LondonSleeve 4]

10 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

Hi, I find when I'm stuck it helps to use stool softeners along with traditional laxatives and lots of hydration directly after. This tends to expedite bowel movements but absolutely No food for a while surrounding the occasion or you will slow the process down with digestion.

Sadly no input on the menstrual cycle situation but good luck ❤

Thank you - I will look into stool softeners as I didn’t realise there was a difference - good tip about no food too.

[LondonSleeve 4]

8 hours ago, JessLess said:

The sleeve, Tramadol, and peri-menopause all cause constipation and I have all three. Yay! I would go to a fertility specialist about the menstrual changes. Good luck.

Thanks JessLess, I think I will ask the doctor re: the fertility concerns. Am so pleased I had the VSG but the Constipation is a side effect that I didn’t consider properly and wish it didn’t affect me! Thank you

[LondonSleeve 4]

7 hours ago, looly said:

My heart goes out to you. I experienced exactly the same as you with endo/painkillers/constipation. I tried everything to ease it. In the end, it was a combination of Dulcoease, prunes, lots of Water and suppositories that made it bearable (though it was never easy).

Ultimately, I had a hysterectomy because I had Stage 4 endo and 3 lots of surgery didn't fix it for me. However, I know 2 other women who had endo and did conceive. It was a struggle, but they succeeded in the end. Fingers crossed for you.

Thank you Looly. I have stage three endo which took me 17 years to get diagnosed, I can only imagine what stage four must have been like for you. It’s just the worst condition and I feel for what you went through too. It’s a tough, tough condition. The sleeve was my last chance to conceive as I have lost five stone twice before my weight loss surgery but regained it and have never been able to keep it off to a level that I could get IVF and now I’m 37 I figured that at least I can attempt IVF and then if that doesn’t work I won’t live with the regret that maybe I could have been a mother “if only I had managed to lose the weight”, even though I probably won’t be able to, at least I will have tried. At the moment I have to console myself with my nearest equivalent which is that Constipation currently feels like childbirth!! Prunes sound a good idea will get some. Thank you for your response, it’s much appreciated.

[Darktowerdream 420]

I’m not much good for fertility pointers since I’d had a hysterectomy in 2010 due to excessive fibroid growths, they were rapid growing along with nodules and cysts everywhere. then just before my gastric bypass surgery I had pelvic floor surgery and had to have one ovary removed it was covered in endometriosis.

Years ago a doctor said I had endometriosis but the only way he could diagnose was to put me in medical menopause but I didn’t want that. It took finding this doctor and having this surgery to correct post hysterectomy problems to finally get diagnosis for endometriosis.

recently I needed one of the pelvic floor surgeries corrected and the other ovary removed and endometriosis implants removed as well as ended up diagnosed officially with interstitial cystitis. That diagnosis also took too many years to happen.

I’m sorry I’m no help. but what I can say is that with rapid weight loss it floods your body with hormones that will trigger the endometriosis worse.

As for Constipation I suggest asking your doctor about linzess. I can’t take laxatives. Most make me sick.

I hope that this works out for you.

[CubaRican73 33]

I am just over six months post gastric sleeve. I am wondering whether anyone had noticed that since having a VSG whether:
1). Their periods have got noticeably/considerably lighter; and
2). Whether anyone has also noticed their cycles speeding up.
My cycle used to be around 26/27 days in length but is now around 23/24 days in length since I had the weight loss surgery.
I have also noticed that my periods are much lighter. My cycles have always been very regular. I had a VSG to lose weight so that I can have IVF as I have Endometriosis. Hence why I am concerned about changes in cycle as I am worried it could be adversely affecting my fertility even more since my periods are extremely light now to the point where they don’t seem like proper periods. I am 37 years old and have been trying to conceive for 7 years. Am now at BMI weight where I can go for IVF so just at very beginning of GP blood tests etc for IVF but not yet accepted on to a clinic.
Thirdly; I am also really suffering as I have to take pain medication for Endometriosis which since my VSG I suffer with terrible constipation in general - but significantly worse when I take the pain meds - so I am now terrified every month of when I get my period whether to take pain meds as I know that if I do I won’t be able to do a poo and when I am able to will be in agony for hours trying to go. The pain of this condition is horrendous and I have had surgery for it in the past and been taken to hospital with pain and am prescribed tramadol, co-codamal and also diclofenac supposotories.
I take laxatives while on meds but still not going with a consistency that I am happy with and when I’ve taken the pain meds the stool is like sand/clay/play doh and is so upsetting trying to pass.
I have lost 3 1/2 stone since VSG and hoping to lose another stone. I needed to get my BMI down for last chance to conceive.
Any pointers and feedback on any or all of the above would be gratefully received if you have experienced similar.

I have been on pain meds for 12 yrs due to a very bad car accident (a lot of metal in my back) I take 1 tbl spoon of flax seed oil and 1 tbl spoon of olive oil before bed each night and I go to the bathroom just fine.....good luck

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