The itch and the female cycle.

I have noticed and I am interested to know if anyone else who has not yet started the menopause that in the few days before 'that time of the month' (and I am as regular as clockwork, never had 'female problems') I find the itch seems a bit more intense.

I was diagnosed with PBC Dec 2010 (aged 46), originally visiting a GP due to itching.

I only tend to itch in the evenings, some nights not or hardly at all.

[itchyandscratchy]

definatly, i have put it down to a rise in body temperature that comes with the cycle. i always seem to itch more when I am hot or doing exercise and wonder if its to do with the increase in adrenaline. my gp told me that eostrogen can effect the itch??

[Kaywal]

I find this thread interesting because I suffer with PBC symptoms much more during the week before menstruation; low energy levels; muscle pains; sleeplessness. I've always been certain that hormones play some role.

[zipitydoo]

I cant really answer this as I havent paid attention to it. I used to be as regular as clockwork but that has changed since going on the Urso. I dont know if that has anything to do with it or whether it might be the menopause as I am now 50.

[Hidden]

Hello everyone! I don't think the itch has anything to do with adrenaline as I've read on this site that a participant had steroids which I presume are the prednisolone/prednisone (given usually to arthritics and asthmatics) and the itch subsided somewhat. Given when you take steroid in drug form your adrenal glands cease making adrenaline as it is being made up iby the drug and then restart on cessation of the drug, I reckon adrenaline has nothing to do with it.

However I am sure maybe that our hormones play some part in it all as the liver makes hormones doesn't it. Also if PBC is almost an all-female condition it figures somehow.

Out of interest I've never been into chemical contraception having only taken combined contraceptive pills when I was 18 and only for just over a year due to me feeling it wasn't natural.

I've not really experienced any changes in my monthly cycle since taking Urso from Dec 2010. Given I am 47 and still as regular as clockwork, I think the menopause starts around the average age of 50?

I know when I saw the hepatologist for the first time Oct 2010 before diagnose I came home thinking I shouldn't still be having periods due to how he asked the question about whether I had started the change! I was 46 at the time and from that visit and the subsequent one Feb 2011 I felt I had suddenly aged a lot!