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I was just wondering if anyone has experienced irregular periods or occassional brown or red discharge with Crohn's. I am prone towards having irreg periods, but for the past few years I have been regular. Then over the past few months I have been irregular again (early) and having brown or tinges of red discharge when I was not expecting a period and I just wonderd if it could be related to the Crohns. Originally my gyn thought I may have endometriosis because along with this I would get the abdominal pain, but now it's pretty much assumed the pain is just from the Crohn's. Yet, the pain is not only where the Crohn's was found (where the large and small intestine meet), but also on the other side of my abdomen as well. It's a come and go thing on both sides. I am just trying to figure out what is going on. My gyn wants me to track any discharge over the next few months while starting the Asacol. From there though I am guessing she will want to do some tests. Just wondered if anyone else has experienced anything like this. Thanks...

 Reply posted for Mariella.

thank you for responses. Elle, I was told I had Crohns where the large and small intestine meet. When I asked the gi about testing the small intestine he told me he knows it's there because of the location. He said to do the asacol for 2 months and come back and take it from there in terms of an upper gi. So far I just had the colonoscopy. I don't know what to think in terms of my period anymore. I am now past due for it and still waiting. I am wondering about this fistula thing and yet I have not had any discharge now for well over a week. And I have to admit that in the past (before a 3 yr sequence of normal periods) I have dealt with late periods, skipped periods and in between staining. I just didnt know what set it off again. I can't say it's the asacol because this was an issue that started up again in March (I have only been on the asacol for about a week now). My gyn thinks it could be endo, but also thinks it could be stress. I wonder about not only meds, but if it could be the Crohns itself. All in all I don't know what to think. nieither gyn nor gi think the 2 could affect each other (crohns and periods). I think that's bs since I have read about so many women dealing with crohns now who experience irreg periods ALSO inflammation could affect other parts of the body esp when things are so close together. Yet, at this point my gi also told me that I have a very mild case so maybe that is also why he doesn't thikn there would be a relationship. I don't know. Anyhow, I will keep updating and maybe we can help each other make sense of this...

 Reply posted for Ashley22.

Same here except my GI assured me that the entocort wouldn't interfere with my menstrual cycle. My periods have gone haywire (bleeding for 18 days, then not bleeding at all. Have seen a gynae dr who doesn't think it's endometriosis. No answers so far, other than the very vague "these things sometimes happen"). Seems like every Dr says a different thing. Feel like a guinea pig. They don't know what they're doing do they?

 Reply posted for Mariella.

Reply posted for Mariella

I also have a brown discharge when I work hard & do much bending     over.  It has an awful odor too.  I'm beginning to think I do have a fistula & need to make an appointment w/my GYN for a scan.  I haven't had a period for 22 yrs, so it isn't related. 

I've wondered if it isn't the Lialda I take. I do hope you find out what is causing your problem & please let us know how you are doing. 

Best wishes, Granny Grump

 Reply posted for Mariella.

Like you I always am on track with me peroid. But for the last 3 months I have been having the brown discharge and pretty much no peroid. i was told its from the steroids (entocort) that I am on.

 Reply posted for Mariella.

  I am also having irregular periods.  I think it could be stress related. The brown discharge can come from fistulas. 

I noticed you said you are taking asacol for your crohns.  Do you only have crohns in your colon?  My new GI told me if I have crohns in the small bowel I need to switch meds because asacol is only for colon.  I am scheduled for a small bowel & upper gi follow thru in 2 days.  Did you have that test?  You symptoms sound alot like mine from your other postings and you are taking pretty much the same meds as me.