Gut Health And Menstrual Cycle
Your main hormones that predict and regulate your cycle include estrogen and progesterone. When these hormone ratios are optimally balanced, your cycle runs smoothly.
But, suppose your gut microbiome doesnt have all those necessary bacteria that are needed to carry out different hormonal functions and regulations. In that case, your hormones can become imbalanced, your estrogen increases, and your ovaries receive the wrong signals, altering your menstrual cycle.
If poor gut health is contributing to estrogen dominance, your menstrual cycle will feel the consequences-think heavy bleeding, missed periods, or no even periods!
My favorite test for looking at hormones and their detox pathways is the Dutch test. If your lab results come back and show suboptimal results, supplements and dietary modifications can be used to correct these imbalances.
Estrogen Dominance Symptoms
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How Else Can Antibiotics Affect Your Period
Maybe you just took Amoxicillin for bronchitis or another antibiotic for an uninvited UTI. Your bodys response to the infection itself could be to blame.
Whether its a cold, flu, UTI, or another infection, illness and stress can eff with your period. This could include:
- periods popping up early or late
- shorter periods
- patch
- vaginal ring
If youre prescribed rifampin for more than 2 months, you may want to switch to a different BC thats not affected, like an IUD or the progestogen-only injection.
A few medications and treatments that could be causing your period to go bye-bye include:
- certain birth control pills, injectable contraceptives, and hormonal intrauterine devices
- some anti-seizure meds and blood pressure medications
- chemotherapy and radiation treatments
If youre taking any of these medications and youre seeing a change in your menstrual cycle, always talk with your doc. Your healthcare professional may decide to switch medications or change the dosage to get your period back on track.
Can Antibiotics Affect My Birth Control
Does amoxicillin affect birth control? I used this antibiotic for my throat.
Nope! Antibiotics like amoxicillin wont change the effectiveness of your birth control. The antibiotic rifampin is the only exception it can lower the effectiveness of the pill, patch, and ring. So unless youre using one of those birth control methods and taking rifampin, which is a medicine used to treat tuberculosis, theres nothing to worry about.
There are, however, some other medicines besides antibiotics that can make birth control not work as well. So its very important to be open and honest with your nurse or doctor about what medicines youre on no matter if it was prescribed or not so they can give you the best care.
Tags:antibiotics, prescription birth control
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You Contracted Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Another condition that can severely affect your menstrual cycle is pelvic inflammatory disease .
According to Mayo Clinic, PID occurs when bacteria makes its way into the vagina and cervix. Normally, it starts out as another sexually transmitted infection, like chlamydia or gonorrhea, that presents external symptoms. As the infection spreads to the cells of the uterus, it can lead to problems with menstruation.
The Office on Women’s Health lists irregular menstrual cycles as one of the symptoms of PID. There are other symptoms associated with it too, like pelvic pain, fever, and pain during sex.
If you suspect that PID is the reason for your abnormal menstruation patterns, it’s important to see a doctor. Untreated PID can lead to serious complications, like fallopian tube scarring and infertility.
You’re Experiencing Early Menopause
One of the defining signs of menopause is the total disappearance of the menstrual cycle for more than 12 months. Most individuals who have a menstrual cycle anticipate they will experience this sometime during their late 40s or early 50s. But for some, it can happen earlier.
Perimenopause refers to the temporary stage right before full-blown menopause occurs. During this time, the ovaries start to produce less estrogen than normal, which causes you to get your period less often.
Even if you’re below the typical menopausal age, this is not something you should rule out entirely. The American Pregnancy Association says one out of every 1,000 women between age 15 and 29 will experience premature menopause.
In general, if your late period is accompanied by night sweats or vaginal dryness, you may want to ask your doctor about checking for perimenopause.
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My Period Is 10 Days Late Am I Pregnant
Periods that are more than five days past due are considered late. There are a variety of reasons for late periods, including pregnancy. A home pregnancy test detects the presence of human chorionic growth hormone, or pregnancy hormone, in urine. Blood tests will also show this hormone and its quantity.
Is It Normal To Have Periods Twice A Month
For menstrual cycles that are 21 days long, its possible to have a period twice during one calendar month. However, bleeding twice or more during one menstrual cycle, blood after sex, or bleeding that stops and then starts again after several days could indicate a health issue.
Hormonal imbalance, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cervical neoplasia can cause irregular bleeding. If there is any bloody vaginal discharge outside of a normal period, visit a health care provider to find out whats causing it.
The length of the menstrual cycle is the number of days between the first day of one period and the first day of the next period. Cycles between 21 and 35 days are considered normal.
If menstruation starts more frequently than every 21 days, it may be considered too short.
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Reasons Other Than Antibiotics That Affect Your Period
While antibiotics get a bad rap regarding the effect on the body and the menstrual cycle, there can be other potential issues and situations that can go on with the body during the time frame. When sick, antibiotics or not, the body is being stressed to the max.
It is trying to accommodate for being sick and the stress of still having to maintain a home, a job, children, a spouse . So take into consideration that it can be affected by the meds or by stress, weight loss or gain, usage of birth control, and PCOS or thyroid conditions.
Antibiotics And Hormonal Contraceptives
If you’re on hormonal contraception to prevent pregnancy, you may have heard that antibiotics make birth control less effective. Those sexually active women who have not undertaken the step of using additional contraception in the form of condoms may be quite worried that their antibiotic use has made their hormonal contraception less effective. This may, itself, be the cause of the acute stress that could be delaying your period.
This means that those women who want to be particularly careful about preventing pregnancy are best off using condoms while they are on antibiotics, but also that those who didn’t take that step don’t have to be especially worried.
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Probiotics Aid Toxin Elimination
If you don’t poop daily, toxins can reabsorb back into circulation. This stalled digestion promotes estrogen dominance because if those toxins aren’t being eliminated from your body via poop, they will travel back into your body, elevating your estrogen levels.
Probiotics, however, can fix that. Probiotics are great for balancing your microbiome and improving your digestion to move things along and to clear excess hormones. Probiotics can help make you more regular so you are pooping at least once a day!
Q: Can Ibuprofen Help Reduce Heavy Periods
A: We do recommend high-dose anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen to slow down heavy periods. They have some potential to help in the short term. But they only slow the flow by about 10 to 20%.
While we recommend ibuprofen a lot for women with significant cramping, most of them dont notice major changes in their flow.
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What Should You Do If You Are Worried About A Delayed Period
There is no need to worry if your period is a few days late. However, if it is more than two weeks late, you may want to visit your doctor. This will help you to determine whether there is any underlying reason for the delay and whether or not you need treatment.
If you are on hormonal birth control and have missed two consecutive periods while on the same pill, switching to a different medication or form of contraception may be worth it.
If you are not on hormonal birth control and your period is more than two weeks late, you may want to take a pregnancy test, as a delayed period can be one of the first signs of pregnancy.
However, there are a few other reasons for the delayed period:
- Stress
- Hormonal changes due to age, menopause and pregnancy
- Thyroid condition
All of the pills we offer at e-Surgery are FDA approved and completely safe for women to use. However, Its recommended to speak with your GP before starting any new medication.
Youve Been Crossing Time Zones
Did you take a big trip recently? Travel to a far-off land can definitely affect your cycle. Since the timing and release of reproductive hormones from the brain is dependent upon light, extensive travel across many times zones may temporarily affect the timing of ovulation and cause a delay in when a period may come, Styer says.
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How Many Days Can You Miss Your Period Without Being Pregnant
Some people have their period every 28 days like clockwork. But most people will experience a late or missed period at least once without being pregnant, and thats perfectly normal. For many, a late period can trigger thoughts of potential pregnancy. But a late period doesnt necessarily mean that youre pregnant.
Do Irregular Periods Influence The Ability To Get Pregnant
Irregular periods can influence the ability to get pregnant. Stress, bodyweight fluctuations, PCOS, hyperprolactinemia, and hyper- or hypofunction of the thyroid gland can all cause irregular periods. Irregular periods are usually associated with problems with ovulation, which may influence the ability to get pregnant.
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Top Questions About Your Menstrual Cycle Answered
Periods are characterized by bleeding from the uterus through the vagina and indicate the beginning of a new reproductive cycle. While periods are a normal biological occurrence, there are still some questions surrounding this phenomenon.
Kate Shkodzik, a medical specialist at Flo, answers the most commonly asked questions about periods.
Can An Infection Delay Your Period
There is a high risk of infection here. But since there is less bleeding, your period will not be affected. It can sometimes be difficult to fall pregnant when sick from various diseases and conditions. The common cold and flu can leave you feeling unbalanced in many ways. The same can apply to UTIs when the situation is not related directly.
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Can Antibiotics Affect Your Period
Antibiotics do not cause late, early, or absent periods or heavy and prolonged menstruation. The most likely cause for an irregular period on antibiotics is usually the infection for which an antibiotic was prescribed.
There is a long list of side effects for various antibiotics, but irregular or painful periods are not typically included. Rifampin is an exception. It is an antibiotic that is used to treat tuberculosis and has been proven to cause irregular or painful menstruation.
When To Talk To A Doctor
Urinary tract infections can be dangerous if left untreated.
If you suspect you have a urinary tract infection or have other concerns about your urinary or reproductive health, make an appointment to speak to a doctor. They can diagnose any issues you may have, prescribe the appropriate treatment plan, and help get you back to better health and wellness.
When you have a UTI, all you want is relief. Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app?
to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a doctor in minutes. K Healths AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and based on 20 years of clinical data.
K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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Is There Anything I Should Take Or Do To Ensure My Vaginal Microbiome Is Healthy
In the future, there may be research-backed ways to strengthen the vaginas bacterial defenses, possibly by combining effective probiotics with antibiotics or even by performing vaginal microbiome transplants.
But for now, experts simply dont know enough about the vaginal microbiome to be able to reliably shift it in the direction of better health. So while vaginal probiotics are unlikely to hurt you, they also arent likely to help you whether you have an infection or not. And unless youre actively ailing, the best way to maintain optimal feminine balance is also the simplest: Dont do anything special. And certainly dont spend money on unproven treatments for your most intimate of landscapes.
Women have enough things in this world to worry about, Dr. Hillier said. The bottom line is that its the doorway to your reproductive tract. Treat it with respect, and love it.
Rachel E. Gross is a science writer based in Brooklyn and the author of Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage.
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Q: Does Taking High Doses Cause Side Effects
A: High doses of ibuprofen can result in kidney damage, edema or stomach ulcers. If youre on blood thinners, it could increase your risk of bleeding.
But most young, healthy women should have no significant problems from doing high doses once in a while .
Before trying any new medication or taking a higher-than-prescribed dose, however, be sure to talk to your doctor about your best options and the potential side effects.
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Are There Any Other Medications That Will Delay My Period
Can antibiotics affect your period as well as other medications? Yes, it is possible to delay your period using medications. One such medication that is commonly prescribed for this purpose is Norethisterone. This oral tablet acts as a progestogen and works by thickening the lining of your uterus, which in turn delays your period. Also, Check Out 3 Ways You Can Delay Your Period!
Other potential benefits of taking Norethisterone during menstruation include:
- Reducing heavy bleeding
- Lessening cramps and pain
- Endometriosis
Before taking Norethisterone, consult with your doctor or gynaecologist to ensure that the medication is safe for you.
It should not be used if you are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant.
Buy Norethisterone online from E-Surgery to delay your period and manage various menstrual conditions.
How Long Will I Have Irregular Periods After A Miscarriage
It usually takes four to six weeks for periods to start again after a miscarriage. Sometimes it can take up to three months for periods to become regular.
Try to relax, rest, maintain a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. If the menstrual cycle doesnt become regular by three months after the miscarriage, contact a health care provider to find out the cause.
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Probiotics And Intestinal Neuroimmunology
The human gastrointestinal tract contains a large and complex neural network called the enteric nervous system, whose main purposes are to regulate the physiological functions of the gut and modulate communication between the gut and the central nervous system, both in the ascending and descending directions . This communication system is called the gutbrain axis, which consists of intricate loops of neurological reflexes . The gutbrain axis moderates the coordination between the brain, the intestinal tract and endocrine and immune systems involved in maintaining gut function . Disruptions or perturbations in the gutbrain axis have been associated with psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and functional gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS .
Proposed interactions between the gut microbiota, the intestinal tract, the central and peripheral nervous systems and the immune system. Intestinal microbes may interact with intestinal epithelial cells or immune cells directly or they can produce bioactive compounds and neurotransmitters to modulate immunity or the gutbrain axis. These intricate and complex interactions result in signaling to the central nervous system. CRH, corticotropin-releasing hormone ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone IDO, indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase.
What If You Think Your Antibiotics Are Affecting Your Pill
If youre prescribed rifampicin or rifabutin and are taking the Pill, you should:
- let your doctor know
- consider another contraception method
If youve been taking either of these for less than two months and would like to keep taking the Pill, you should talk to your doctor.
They may want you to take it in a different way or advise that you use a condom as well. Youll need to do this for 28 days after you finish your course of antibiotics, too.
If youre taking antibiotics and the pill and youre experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhoea, and:
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