Ladies
I am just curious if your AF is made worse when its that time of the month?

ABSOLUTELY !!!!! I would get healed COMPLETELY and than re-open my fissure any time I got my period : (((
Even to this day - now that I am completely healed (KTW) any time I have some "funny" feeling down there it is actually 2 days BEFORE my period and I start wondering WTH - and than slap myself on my forehead and say : " Oooooh ... my period is due !!! " So - no mistake about it - hormone fluctuation makes anus extra sensitive and poop tends to become more formed and voila - trouble "lurking" in the "woods " LOL

Thank you I thought it was just me. Not only do I have problems with the cramps but the fissure seems to be twice as bad and to top it all off I am exhausted. And it doesnt seem like I have any relief with any of it.... I am totally frustrated.....

You're not alone, I have the same problem. I seem to get constipated and have harder stools (even though my diet doesn't change) around the time of my period.
I feel like using tampons seems to make the fissure worse so I try to use them only on the days of heaviest flow.

Oh yeah - I forgot about that - tampons . I could not use them at all....

Wow, you know I never thought about discontinuing the use of Tampons.. I just hate pads they are so nasty.. I might just have to try it.. You guys are such a big help. I havent got the surgery yet I had to delay it due to prior engagments so in the mean time I am drinking miralax but, somedays that doesnt seem to help..