better when menstruation

[ems123]

Hi, Does anyone else find symptoms actually improve during menstruation? My doctor thinks it could be due to progesterone levels and muscles relaxing but I have no idea. My doctor gave the impression that I would improve when I finally go through the menopause (so another 20 years away!). Do you think this could mean I'd also improve when pregnant? Any ideas welcome.

[kadi]

Yes, I find I have minimal symptoms during my period, which is good because I'm not comfortable with the idea of doing instillations then (risk of infection). Unfortunately, I also get migraines with my period, or I'd try to find a way to menstruate all the time.*
(I have found however that using an estrogen patch during my week off-pill reduces the migraines a lot. This time - no headache at all.).
*I understand that this concept would be strange to anyone without IC.

[ems123]

Thanks for that. Yes, I did ask my doctor if I could have my 7 day break every three weeks instead of every 4, so that I too could have my period more often and she looked at me as if I was mad. I think that unless you actually feel the horrible intense pain/urgency of IC you really can't imagine how awful it is.

[cassidy29]

Mine also seems to get better during my period, and for a short while afterward. I also have endometriosis, so I just assumed that it was just that that was better, but since reading your post, my IC does seem to be better then. I also have POS (polycystic ovary syndrome) so unfortunatly i only have a period a couple times a year:X

[teachmemath]

I know your serious, but your wish to menstruate all the time is cracking me up. I'm usually better then too, but I'd always assumed it was because we avoid sex that week.

[kadi]

Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures!
I think when I told my doctor I wished I could have my period all the time was when he understood my need for better pain management. Ok.