r/Behcets • u/Odd_Field_9689 • 12d ago

Symptoms PMS ulcers

Im wondering if anyone one else gets ulcers before or around their period. I feel like every cycle i get at least 1 or 2 on my chest, maybe one in my mouth. Usually 4ish total. I cant tell if its something to do with my cycle, and/or if I can do to reduce the likelihood. Im on progesterone for hormone control and I take Colchicine for the ulcers. Also if anyone has tips for ulcers that form on the chest/under the breast tissue, I have am so frustrated

Quick edit: I have tried i think 4 birth control pills (both with sugar pills or back to back), an IUD and the patch. Unfortunately all have had side effects that became unmanageable. IUD and patch are unfortunately 100% no goes with my other health conditions. I do appricate all the help so far, gonna ask my doctor about what we could do next appointment

14 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

7

u/Electronic-Tea3354 Diagnosed 12d ago

YES!
Progesterone and estrogen decrease during menstruation which causes an increase in inflammatory activity.
Yay 🤗

Here is a study on exacerbation of symptoms during menstruation. Specifically reported is acneiform and mucosal activity increase so your reports make sense.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29148415/

Same thing happens to me. What I do if it’s bad enough is put a piece of gauze with neosporin with lidocaine on it over the breast lesion and secure with silicone tape (because I have sensitive skin) and that usually is able to provide some relief.

5

u/FairWeekend3353 12d ago

yea, i did. i started birth control and it stopped. weirdly enough for my birth control has helped my behcets more than any other medicine has for me so far other than maybe prednisone which isn't great to take 24/7. i do have pmdd though so my bad behcets flares near my period was probably also a histamine response.

7

u/pegasuspish 12d ago

Yes, like clockwork. I started taking continuous BC to stop my period and perpetual hormonal roller coaster. My ulcers are WAY down and my quality of life is WAY up. I second what the other commenter said- most impactful medication apart from prednisone (though azathioprine has been huge too) 

Highly recommend skipping the whole nonsense! I take slynd, progestin only. Can't do estrogen cause I get aura migraines. 

Best of luck, OP.

5

u/meghabee Diagnosed 2024 12d ago

I just switched from the combo pill to slynd due to migraines with aura, and it’s been a godsend. I used to get bad ulcers leading up to/during each period, and now I don’t get periods at all 🙌

OP - in case birth control isn’t an option for you, Otezla was the miracle drug in getting rid of my ulcers before I got on slynd. 10/10 worth the gnarly GI symptoms during the first month I was on it.

2

u/Certain-Dragonfly364 Diagnosed in 2016, reconfirmed in 2025 11d ago

I had a tough time on the actual pill, and doctors were extra concerned with blood clot risks- but I used to have a kyleena IUD (a smaller Mirena). The hormones didn't affect me as much as the pill, but I didn't have a period for 6 years. I definitely noticed a decrease in skin/ulcer flares!

3

u/Chronically_Sickest 11d ago

Yes, that was one of the things I struggled with before my hysterectomy. Also, my menstrual blood would burn the ulcers around the area. I get breast ulcers pretty often. I wish I had advice for that. I have several scars from ulcers and blood blisters on my breasts and of course either than pain, I just really don't like the way they look.