16 replies to this topic

[Trisha]

Do any of you woman find that you have more bladder and bowel issues during your period?

Despite having a good bowel and bladder program from which I seldom have accidents on the three weeks a month, during my period things are very different. At times even 30 minutes after cathing, I will be leaking.

Any ideas?

[disjointed]

Could it be because the uterine contractions are pressing against the bladder?

[disjointed]

Forgot to mention, bowel issues during menstruation are most likely the result of the action of prostaglandins on the smooth muscle tissue; women without SCI generally have a significant change in bowel activity during menstruation, so that is probably adding to your irregularity.

[lune14]

I tend to get leakage about a week prior to my cycle but only very rarely do I suffer constipation from it. I also get very tired the week prior as well as a lot of swelling in my legs. Once in a while I'll have leakage during my period but it's more often the week prior. My periods are rather light and short lived. If they last four days that was a long one for me.

As if it didn't already suck to be a woman, eh?

[StellaLAtella]

Wow! Lune, four days only? I WISH!!! I have periods from hell! Guys, do NOT read this......you can't handle it.........trust me! I bleed so bad it looks like a crime scene. The cramps are debilitating to the point I cannot eat a thing. For a week before, my bowels want to do their own thing......whenever and wherever! I keep praying for early menopause but it hasn't happened yet. With horrible irregularity, I can have a period that lasts for 7 to 9 days.........and then have another one in 3 weeks just as bad. I've been to the OB/GYN. She says everything looks normal. If I could, I'd have all that reproductive stuff ripped out because I have NO plans of using it ever. I am just too chicken to be put under unless it's an absolute emergency. I guess I'll just have to suffer until my big MENTAL=pause.

Oh yeah........it sucks being a woman, but somebody's gotta do it!
~Stella

P. S. Guys, I warned you.

[lune14]

Oh stella, I feel for you. (hugs)

The two years prior to my accident (I was 16 when injured) I had cramps so bad I'd have to lie down the minute I got home from school, until the last second before I'd have to leave for work that evening. They were bad but I wasn't a heavy bleeder.

I started a coumadin regimen two years ago and worried I'd bleed more but it hasn't affected me in that way (thankfully). I do feel blessed to have such easy cycles and I feel such sympathy for the women who suffer. With our 'situations' it makes it all the more difficult and I really wish more people (men) understood the agony some of us go through. PMS has never been an issue for me but I have friends who suffer such bad emotional swings and I am reminded just how fortunate I am in that regard.

The only 'good' I see in menstruating (other than the necessary reasons lol) is it's a great excuse over "I have a headache"

[Ches]

I think Disjointed hit the nail on the head. That technique used to clean you out, will clean out more than the blood. You probably had it before the injury just didnt pay any attention cause the signals were there.

Thanks Mother Nature.

[disjointed]

Ches, on Sep 12 2008, 04:46 AM, said:

I think Disjointed hit the nail on the head. That technique used to clean you out, will clean out more than the blood. You probably had it before the injury just didnt pay any attention cause the signals were there.

Thanks Mother Nature.

Girls only!!!

Speaking of crime scenes and cramps, I have had one of the worst days ever in the history of menstruation.
Can stress cause more 'stuff' than usual? I don't even think I have a uterus left!

[Ches]

Eww.. I just got off mine.. was the worst to say post injury. Seems like it just keeps finding ways to make miserable.

I used to live on Midol.. I havent taken it any since the accident. Maybe I should?

[Trinity]

Ches, on Sep 12 2008, 10:13 AM, said:

Eww.. I just got off mine.. was the worst to say post injury. Seems like it just keeps finding ways to make miserable.

I used to live on Midol.. I havent taken it any since the accident. Maybe I should?

What is midol????

[Ches]

A pain killer.. over the counter.. Its marketed for chicks on their period. Works good..

Ive given it to my boyfriend, claiming it was an advil before.. Didnt work on him the way I had hoped. But all the same

[disjointed]

Hi girls,
Watch out for Midol if you have incontinence -- it contains a diuretic intended to reduce the bloating. The diuretic could interfere with your usual bladder management.

[qbounce]

Midol's also a speed pill . . . if taken out of its recommended dosage.
And it DOES mellow some guys out, or so I'm told.-hehe

[Hapahowlee]

Ches, on Sep 12 2008, 04:54 AM, said:

A pain killer.. over the counter.. Its marketed for chicks on their period. Works good..

Ive given it to my boyfriend, claiming it was an advil before.. Didnt work on him the way I had hoped. But all the same

Oh nice Ches, now the guy is gonna grow tits!

I think Midol also has a decongestant in it. I don't know about anyone else, but my sinus region gets clogged when it's that time!!!! I can't take any OTC pain meds. I took too many when I began to have migraines at 19 and now at 44, they cause an adverse reaction. So now I'm stuck with taking Vicodin or my opiate nasal spray that is an anesthetic/analgesic.

I'm sure between Stella, Ches and me it would look like the mass murder crime scene! Mine got worse with age. Now Doc put me on birth control hoping it will cut down on the symptoms.

I don't know how you gals take care of that department when you are in a wheelchair. It's bad enough just dealing with "The Curse" itself.

[Trinity]

Out of interest, does anyone find that their spasms increase when they get their period? I don't get cramps, no noticeable changes in B&B etc. but definitely get an increase in spasms.

[eleanorigby]

trinity, on Sep 13 2008, 02:04 PM, said:

Out of interest, does anyone find that their spasms increase when they get their period? I don't get cramps, no noticeable changes in B&B etc. but definitely get an increase in spasms.

I've noticed that before. And I get exhausted. The worse issue for me is that I get UTIs almost every time I get my period, no matter how clean I keep the situation. Has anyone else had this issue and did you ever solve it?

[Ches]

Nope Trin..

Since you dont get any signals.. maybe its the cramps and discomfort you lack showing up in other ways. Just a thought.

Edited by Ches, 14 September 2008 - 09:14 AM.