My recent insurance false alarm (they sent me a letter saying they declined to cover a medication that they're actually covering) got me thinking:  how much of an effect do hormones have on the digestive system?  I have Crohn's disease, and I haven't been able to find anything online to tell me if transitioning would increase my risk of flare ups.  Fortunately I've only had the one incident a few years ago when I was initially diagnosed and it's been under control since (thank Zarquon for modern medicine).  Still, it's one more thing I need to think about when it comes to changing body chemistry.

I have ulcerative colitis. I have noticed that the flares I get are less frequent and less severe when I started estrogen. Stress still triggers it but I feel so much better mentally, hrt has only helped my condition.

Quote from: Hideyoshi on February 05, 2013, 01:13:41 PM
I have ulcerative colitis. I have noticed that the flares I get are less frequent and less severe when I started estrogen. Stress still triggers it but I feel so much better mentally, hrt has only helped my condition.

That sounds promising!  And thanks for the quick response, since I'm about to take my early-afternoon break and head off somewhere else to finish my work day .

Quote from: EmSchuma on February 05, 2013, 01:08:13 PM
I have Crohn's disease...

Quote from: Hideyoshi on February 05, 2013, 01:13:41 PM
I have ulcerative colitis....

I also have Crohn's and I've been wondering about this too. As stress is the major cause of my flare ups, I'm really hoping hormones will have a positive effect won't aggravate my insides.

Have either of you tried the specific carbohydrate diet to manage your conditions? I couldn't get things under control with medicines without terrible side-effects and it really helped me. http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/

Quote from: GreenThumb on February 09, 2013, 10:31:45 AM
I also have Crohn's and I've been wondering about this too. As stress is the major cause of my flare ups, I'm really hoping hormones will have a positive effect won't aggravate my insides.

Have either of you tried the specific carbohydrate diet to manage your conditions? I couldn't get things under control with medicines without terrible side-effects and it really helped me. http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/

I haven't heard of the specific carbohydrate diet before, but I just read their "Beginner's Guide" page and I already do some of it (meat, vegetables, fruits).  I enjoy a good sandwich too much to give up bread, though...

Thanks for the link, it'll definitely give me something to think about the next time I go to the grocery store .