Cirrhosus and menstruation

[Linakes]

Hi,I want to as women who have cirrhosis-did you notice any changes in you menstruation? If yes, what were they? Did you have any other symptoms when these changes came?

[lighthouse123]

Hi Linakes,

My periods have stopped totally since about 5 years ago and no, I'm not going through Menopause. My gp has done tests to see if I have.

LH

[Hidden in reply to lighthouse123]

Hello

I had a period that lasted for over 3 weeks in June 2006 and then my periods randomly stopped. I saw my gynaecologist who said I was not menopausal. Have not had one for 17 years

[Linakes in reply to Hidden]

You have lived with cirrhosis for 17 years??.What was the cause ofvit?How do you feel?

[lighthouse123 in reply to Linakes]

Linares,,

I'm just wondering why you're surprised at that. Here in ireland, my consultant seems to think I'll be around a long times as my cirrhosis is compensated. Now I always doubted his way of thinking from what I'm reading on the net. I'm just wondering why you're shocked at 17yrs... has your consultant said otherwise?

[Linakes in reply to lighthouse123]

Because i have read that people usually live about 10 years with cirrhosis. What is the cause of your cirrhosis? How do you feel, do you have many symptoms?

[AyrshireK in reply to Linakes]

That talk of 10 year life expectancy is totally inaccurate. My hubbies consultant has patients on his books who have had a diagnosis of cirrhosis for over 20 years and who are no where near either deaths door nor transplant needy. Indeed my hubby is now 11+ years diagnosed and that after an initial period of fully decompensated cirrhosis (now compensated).

[Hidden in reply to Linakes]

Hello

In response to your reply to me , I’ve had cirrhosis for 23 years. Think it was NAFLD. I feel poorly most of the time, am on loads of medications for various problems connected to it. I’m now decompensated and am waiting for a transplant, got put on the list the 15th July last year.

[Linakes in reply to Hidden]

Did you have any other symptoms when your menstruation stopped?Did you know back then that you have cirrhosis?

[Hidden in reply to Linakes]

No, not really apart from generally feeling unwell and tired Yes it was discovered when I had a liver biopsy before my periods stopped.

[lighthouse123]

Hi linares,

My consultant is the same. My bloods are most normal. I do have oedema on my legs but I take meds for it. O do hv some small varices but after 3 scans, I don't need any more. I do tire out v easy but that's just part of it....

[Linakes]

Thanks for all your answers.

[Chick_atee in reply to Linakes]

Hi there, mine stopped a couple years back and I thought it was early menopause. Since being diagnosed with cirrhosis I’ve asked them to check if I have gone through it but I never get an answer. They seem to be more focused on the cirrhosis which I get but surely as a woman it would be kind of nice to know. I mean, why should such an important question keep being ignored. After all some of us have birthed life into this world and those who haven’t might like to know if they can or not. Full acknowledgement to men too by the way 😊.

Prob not the right question for this website (although liver disease related) but at the same time a most valid question. I personally will have to try and persist in finding out because it’s a lingering question in my head.

[BigJimmy45]

Can’t really help as I am a bloke but I suppose any bleeding other the monthly cycle is a bit not good 👍

[Zengal79]

When I was in decompensated status, my menstrual cycles stopped completely. I lost most of my body hair as well. 6 months into sobriety, I returned to compensated cirrhosis. They tested to see if I was in menopause. I was not. A year later, after gaining muscle mass and some fat, my pubic hair and armpit hair returned as well as my cycles. They are normal now. I am 44.