Reply to an Answer

This is a very good question, Michele. Women with Crohn's and UC do have unique issues and concerns, compared to men. The Office on Women's Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has an excellent web site devoted to women and IBD. The URL is: www.4woman.gov/faq/ibd.htm#s .   Here are their answers to their most commonly asked questions: Do women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have problems getting pregnant? Not usually. Women with UC seem to get pregnant as easily as other women. But some studies suggest that women with active CD have more problems with fertility than other women. Plus, women who have had surgery for IBD, particularly an IPAA, have more difficulty getting pregnant than women in the general population. Is pregnancy safe for women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Women with IBD should talk with their doctors before getting pregnant. If you think you might be pregnant, it is important to call your doctor immediately. Some of the medicines used to treat IBD may harm the growing fetus. Research shows that it is best for women with IBD to get pregnant while their disease is inactive (in remission). If the baby is conceived at this time, most women with IBD seem to have fairly normal pregnancies. But when a woman gets pregnant while her disease is active, IBD usually stays active or can get worse. Flare-ups usually happen in the first trimester and right after the baby is born. Limited research shows that some medicines used to treat IBD are safe or likely safe in pregnancy. A few studies have shown that taking prednisone, sulfasalazine, and 5 ASAs during pregnancy does not hurt the developing fetus. But the effects of other medicines on pregnancy have not been well-studied. Surgery, if necessary, is safest in the second trimester. Does inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) harm a developing fetus or affect delivery? Not usually. Most women with IBD have normal deliveries and healthy babies. But women with active CD do have a greater chance of some problems compared with the general population. Giving birth early (pre-term birth), stillbirth and miscarriage are more common in pregnant women with active CD than in other women. Can inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affect my monthly period? Yes. Many women with active IBD have irregular periods. When the disease goes into remission, regular periods sometimes return. No one knows for sure why. But inflammation does affect the hormones that cause periods. Nutritional problems may also interfere with the monthly cycle of women with IBD. Some women with IBD tend to feel worse right before and during their menstrual periods than at other times. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, exhaustion and other symptoms are often more severe during these times. It is important for women and their doctors to keep track of these monthly changes in symptoms. This will prevent over-treating the disease. Can inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affect my sex life? Yes. Some women with IBD have pain or discomfort during sex. This can be caused by the disease itself, surgery, and emotional issues related to the disease. Women with IBD may have the following problems during sex: * abdominal pain * pain in the area between the vagina and rectum (perineal area) * rectal pain * feeling like they have to have a bowel movement * embarrassment because of having a stoma * fear of passing gas or stool In women with CD, painful sex is often a sign of a fistula or abscess in the vagina or that the disease is affecting the perineal area. Most women with UC have relatively normal sex lives. But after surgery, sexual problems are more common in women with both UC and CD. Emotional issues caused by IBD can also interfere with a woman's sex life. Women with IBD have less confidence in their bodies compared with other women. Studies show that women with IBD who are in stable relationships have sex less frequently than other women. Even though it may be embarrassing, it is important to tell your doctor if you are having sexual problems. She can suggest helpful hints that will help you get back a healthy sex life. For example, some experts suggest that women who use enemas or suppositories do so after sexual intercourse. Plus, women with ileal stomas and external pouches may want to empty the bags prior to sexual relations. Sometimes women cover up their external pouches in ways that make them feel less self-conscious and more attractive during sex. Painful sex may be a sign that your disease is getting worse. So it is very important you talk to your doctor about any sexual problems. Your doctor may also be able to change your treatment program to make you feel better and in turn help your sex life.   Take care- Hope