Women & Crohn’s Disease: The Effect on Gynecological Health

Crohn’s disease is a complication that involves the gastrointestinal system of both men and women, alike. For women, however, Crohn’s disease often leads to other health complications involving the reproductive system. For women of child bearing age, Crohn’s disease can lead to complication involving fertility and pregnancy.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Because of its proximity to other major organs, it is not uncommon for women to experience this same inflammation in the reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vaginal canal, perineum and even the vulva.

When complications associated with the reproductive system are the result of a gynecological complication, women with Crohn’s disease will commonly experience complications of anemia, dysmenorrhea, and even ulcers of the perineum.

For women who are pregnant, suffering with Crohn’s disease, there are many complications of concern during pregnancy, especially those involving nutrition and medication side effects. During labor and delivery, complications are usually rare; however, some women may experience the development of fistulas around the site of an episiotomy.

The psychological impact of Crohn’s disease is varied among most women. However, because of the pain and complications associated with diet and health, many women experience complications involving sexuality and body image, leading to socialization complications.

Crohn’s disease in women who suffer from gynecological complications often requires the use of hormonal replacement therapy or other forms of hormonal based treatments to manage the menstrual cycle regularity and to control, to some extent, the inflammation and pain associated with the proximal inflammation of the GI tract.

If you are a woman who suffers from Crohn’s disease, it is important to discuss these complications with your gynecologist. Often, with proper reproductive health application and education, your gynecologist can provide some relief of symptoms, as they relate to your gynecological health.

In addition, the same communication is also important with the physician managing your Crohn’s disease complications. If you plan to become pregnant, or are already pregnant, your physician will need to closely manage the Crohn’s complication so as to avoid adversely impacting your pregnancy and fertility.

Beyond these two physicians, as a woman with Crohn’s disease, it may also be prudent to seek the advice and counsel of a psychologist who specializes in women’s health issues. Because Crohn’s disease leads to greater complex health issues in women, a psychologist who specializes in medical conditions may be a great addition to your healthcare team, offering guidance in not only management of your depression and anxiety but also overcoming complications associated with bodily self image and issues of sexuality and socialization.