Hi everyone,
I have been reading th boards for a while but haven't posted in a long time. I am 27 yrs old, have had 4 previous back surgeries and am going to have my 5th and most major on December 29th. I will have a anterior/posterior 3 level fusion on my L3-S1. The question I have is if anyone has had their period while having their back surgery. Sorry if the question is a little gross, but I don't think it has ever been addressed. I have a good chance of having mine when I have my surgery and am worried about how that will work out. If anybody knows what I can expect during and after the surgery in regards to this, the information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Kaia

Hello

I actually made sure that my surgery was not the same time as my period. (Oct 25th 2006) I scheduled it so that it was Day 6 from when my period started. That way I had a month in b/t. I am more than grateful that the two did not coincide. I just had so many problems the first 3 days, that it is unimaginable to have had that as well. Just me maybe. I could not move out of bed for 3 days, one nurse during her 12 hr shift barely ever moved me....so that is why I can't imagine. However, I know that women after c-sections bleed and do not move out of bed for a day, and its not all that bad. Just some good pericare should be ok.

Also, I have not gotten my period since the operation. Your body stresses, and things get all out of whack.

hope that helps.

babs

Hi Kaia,
You have a valid concern! But don't worry too much about it. The nurses will take care of you. You won't be their first post-op patient who has to deal with her period on top of it. Tell the nurse in the prep area and ask if they want you to keep a tampon in (probably yes). Then just forget about it and let them take care of it for you. It's such a normal part of life, they've done it before and it's no big deal to them. The plus side of it is that by the time you leave the hospital it will probably be about done with and it will be that much longer before you have to deal with it again.

If it makes you feel more comfortable, call your doctor's office and talk to his nurse about it. Ask if it's a problem and if there's anything in particular you should do.

It's more a problem of embarrassment, really. But the nurses deal with this all the time! You'll be in good hands!

~Emily

yes,
I had my L4-S1 fusion on Thursday and started my period Friday. I knew that this would happen and told my doc and nurses and none was concerned about it, like I was. I did start it and they took my catheter out and I was able to walk with walker and help to the bathroom. The nurses brought me tampons and I inserted it standing up. Everytime Pt would come and make me get out of bed, I would change it. I was very concerned before hand. No big deal.
Sheri

I actually addressed this issue with my GYN beforehand. If you are on the pill, they have a fairly new one out, where you have your period once every 3 months. I tried it and it was too strong of a pill for me.. so went back to original one. Only issue with this is you need to plan ahead cuz your body often needs to adjust to a new one.

But having said that.. it really isn't a big deal. You might find that with the stresss of things.. it might throw you off schedule anyway.

Either way, don't worry about it. Nurses have seen it all.

Take care. Tammy:wave:

HI,
I have my monthly right after surgery all 4 times I had fusion, it didn't matter when my last one ended, then I woudl skip a month, I must say it was a bit nicer to have it while I was in the hospital, it was at least slowing down by the time I came home. It was nice to have medical people helping me with that as opposed to my hubby helping. Then skipping a month was nice that way I was bale to get around a lil better by the time it came again.

I hope yours works out ok for you. Good Luck with the fusion. I'll be praying for ya, keep us updated.

God Bless

Carol

Hi everyone,
Thank you for all the responses. I looked at my calander again, and it looks like I could be just finished with it at the time of my surgery. I hope so, but will be cutting it close. I know it is nothing major to worry about, but just seems like it would be something to make the surgery and recovery just that much more difficult or bothersome. Either way I will survive. I hope all of you have a lower pain level day, and thank you again for the replies.

Take care,
Kaia

ask the doctor about a shot they can give you to delay that month. My mother had the shot so she wouldnt have her period on the plane flying overseas. Its not an uncommon thing to get and would surely make you much more comfortable. Good luck with your surgery.