There is definately a connection between our menstral cycles and RA flares. I asked my rheumy about it, and he informed me that it was due to the hormones. Which makes sense, our hormones really pack a wallup on us during our periods. Thanks to the Cimzia, my RA is under pretty good control until my period is due! I know when it's coming because I flare. Which, is all good with me. If one flare a month is all I have to deal with, then I'm alright with that LOL..

As far as it lasting two weeks, I'm not so sure about that. Mine are heavy, so much so that I am actually supposed to try a new med this month that you take during your cycle to decrease the bleading. But, I haven't had one last longer than seven days. I would talk to you GYN about that.

Take care and God bless
-Tanya N

I too have strange periods since diagnosed with RA. I sometimes have 2 periods in 1 month. Sometimes I skip a period, and other times it only lasts 2 days other times 8 days. And this past May I had a period for 17 days and it was aweful. I ended up in ER due to blood loss, was unable to be put on any homone pills to stop it due to a blood clotting I have. So I was referred to GYNO and they performed the most painful uterine biopsy..... it was negative and by itselt period resolved itself. GYNO said it was all due to autoimmune issues....

Best of luck,
Roni

I thought I was losing my mind. I had 2 periods last month, one at the beginning and one at the end the month. I woke up in a major flare with the last one. I thought it was due to the pizza the day before. I had a painful biopsy too and a pretty invasive ultrasound. The gyn wants to remove a layer of my uterus to stop the heavy bleeding. My iron levels are really low due to this issue, I'm hoping its gets under control with this procedure. RA sucks! I'm so tired of the ups and downs. I'll be glad when my meds work like Tanyan.

I noticed heavier bleeding and longer periods when my RA wasn't under control. I never used to have to use Super Tampons but had to for almost 2 years. My RA is better under control now and I've been able to go back to regular tampons.

All I can add is "Thank God I'm 78 and don't have to deal with complications of the menstrual due to RA." I empathize with you young 'uns.

Hmmmm . . . . . I am just finishing a flare . . . it started the day my "period" stopped. I'm on OrthoCyclen, so I don't truly menstruate.
My new rheumy just called in a Medrol dose pack to keep on hand for the next one.
I'd been on the pill continuously for 6 years until Feb 2010, when I had an IUD put in. I just had that taken out in June. This was my second cycle on the pill . . . . Hmmm

Yep,. I definitely notice a correlation. Interestingly enough, statistically more women than men have RA, and the common age of onset is between 40-50 it seems (I know there are all sorts of exceptions to that rule...but there's still strong evidence of that.) SO--I wonder if some point they're going to realize that while RA is an autoimmune disorder, maybe there is some hormonal component that is a trigger as we reach that peri-menopause age. Me, I'm praying that I can stop these pesky cycles soon!

My doctor prescribed birth control pills to help regulate my periods because I was also a heavy bleeder. It worked. She said she would get me through menopause and she did just that!

Lynne

lycesq - thanks for the tip but I am already on birth control. After having two babies 18 months apart I was taking NO chances this time haha. Maybe in a few years I will think about more but right now I just think about the two I have and getting through each day. And no, the BC doesn't seem to help at all. :(

Mine stopped while I was on MTX, and have been all over the shop since. Sometimes I will overflow my cup many times on my heaviets day, and other times it is very light indeed. My cycle is usually long, but has become much shorter in the last few months. I've always been in the same big flare since onset, so can't really comment on correlation!

Kam

Thanks for asking this. I had aggressive onset of my RA May-July w/dx in Aug. have not had a "proper" cycle since. Figured it was stress and medications. I will now watch for the irregularity and most importantly, the flare that may come with it. Thanks for the heads-up everyone on another RA quirk!!
Mvalere, I like the way you think.

Take care, Crissy

For heavy periods........try taking iron. We lose alot of blood with heavy periods and this depletes the iron. The iron always helped me and the periods become normal.

nativenew...thank you so much for the tip. I didn't think about taking an iron supplement for it....but if it helps that would be the easiest (in my opinion) way to maybe help with it. And I never paid attention to it much til you mentioned it but that may explain the headaches and light headedness as well. I will pick some up today and let you know if it helps. Thanks :)

Interesting topic! I have had irregular periods since I was diagnosed with RA at 14. I'm 28 now and have been on birth control the entire time. Typically, I would go months without a period at all. Ultrasounds found lots of cysts on my ovaries, which my doctor said could mess with my hormones, but were otherwise okay. I always related the missing/irregular periods to stress, which is absolutely part of RA! I find that regular exercise keeps my stress down and periods regular.

Mine were normal being on the pill for 12 years and I'd experienced BAD RA flares nonstop. I had my tubes tied and quit the pill because I have chosen no to pass this disease on, and ever since my cycle has been so screwed up. I've gone for years with it and without it. I've not had it again for about a year. My Rheumy believes it's med related and the RA is causing my body to possibly start into early menopause. I'll be 35 on 11-11-11.