Painful Periods

S. - I feel your pain LITERALLY! I was like that from 14yo to 35yo (i'm 38). I have a few tips:

#1 use the INSTEAD CUP!!! it is a little gross, but it works for me. I flow so much, this catches it like a cup, and you can empty it just by relaxing when you sit to go. it can stay in up to 8 hours AND YOU DON"T FEEL IT!. You just have to get around getting it in & out...but it's completely worth it for me. PLUS it's way more environmentally friendly. You can wash and recycle them.

#2 you may have endometriosis. this is where the pain comes in...imagine scar tissue growing up on your insides like cracks on the pavement. your insides aren't effected, but your body tries to cramp out the scar tissue with your normal cramps. This EXTRA cramping also causes the diarreaha too. lovely. I know.

#3 I found a organic herbal supplement that helped me get rid of ALL THE SYMPTOMS AND I NO LONGER GET HEADACHES OR HAVE TO TAKE TYLENOL!!! E-mail me if you want more info: ____@____.com

As for the pill, i tried it and it worked a little...it really depends on your school of thought...I mean, all the pills I was on in the past are all recalled and it makes me wonder if those were the cause of my infertility (I adopted a AWESOME kid - so we are good), but we spent 50K doing it. My BFF started the pill at this age, and it made her tiny periods worse, so I have no idea what to tell you...maybe see an OBGYN, do some research and get a second opinion...also do a search (i use startpage.com - where your searches are not recorded like google does) on heavy periods and metabolic syndrome and infertility...it will all lead you back to endometriosis, but I never found a cure except surgery - and it comes back with in a year if you do not get pregnant...

Again, the supplement is SO worth it to me!!! if I had it when I was 22, I probably wold be healthier today and would have avoided all that other junk.

I know this was a lot, but let me know what you think...

You should talk to your doctor as there could be other issues causing the severe cramps, and heavy bleeding- such as endometriosis.

Sometimes going on birth control pills will help regulate the hormone shifts and give you some relief. Also taking calcium/ magnesium (1000/500mg) supplements, and or epsom salt baths during your period and the week before can help with the cramping.

That is why I went on the pill in high school. After a few years, when I went off, my period was never as bad as it had been before. Definately talk to your doctor, there may be other options or an underlying issue.

Updated

That is why I went on the pill in high school. After a few years, when I went off, my period was never as bad as it had been before. Definately talk to your doctor, there may be other options or an underlying issue.

I think you should go see a Chiropractor. I say this because you have loose stools before or during your period. After I got some adjustments specifically for menstrual pain, I had no more symptoms for a very, very long time. Try it.

Try drinking a glass of red wine as soon as you feel your period coming -- it will thin the blood and open the capillaries, which will make the experience less painful. Everyone has their own normal in terms of flow. Heavy flow and diarrhea is normal for me, part of my body's cleansing process to let go of everything. You can try the pill, but it doesn't work for everyone. In my case, I bled more because I had constant break-through bleeding all month. It made me anemic, weak, and the hormones made me nuts. But you can experiment with it and see how it works for you. Drink plenty of water if you try the wine trick, you want to stay well hydrated while you are flowing.

You should contact your doctor. I had the bad cramps like you are describing while in high school. Sometimes exercise that stretched the muscles helped me like swimming but the cramps would return. I would have to use the pads for the first three days of my period becuase the tampons would not hold the flow. Later in life I had fibroids and possibly endrometriosis but by then I had a hysterectomy and was good. There is no need to suffer as you are.

My best to you.

The other S.

Hi S.-

I was like that as well and was put on the pill in High School, to attempt to control the cramping and to regulate my cycle. I went off the pill when I was 24 because I didn't want to be on it anymore, and my periods were awful again.

When I started having children I had a few miscarriages and they noticed that I had uterine tumors but with medicine was able to stay pregnant and they didn't worry too much about it. Fast forward to 40 and the cramps were so bad that I couldn't do anyhting so they scheduled surgery. Turns out I had a lot of tumors but one in particular was HUGE, and extremely deep, and it didn't show up on the ultrasounds so they didn't expect it. After I had the surgery my cramps sooooo much better and my bleeding was manageable.

I didn't try the natural route but that sounds interesting.

Good Luck!
S.

Oh you are describing ME for 20 years!! I have MUCh advice to help you, but two young boys who are keeping me from typing right now. If you personally message me with your number I would be so happy to share what turned things around for me. I so feel for you. I cannot tell you how much I suffered- but I wish I knew everything I do now. I tried the pill- it just caused more long-term problems/ hormone imbalances for me. like masking the problem not solving it. S.

S., I am so happy you came to us MAMAS for advice, and I truly understand from my own personal experience with this. : )

I highly recommend contacting Judy Cutler who is truly an amazing Nutritionist and would definitely be able to help you naturally. She is truly a miracle worker when it comes to us MAMAS and our sweeties.

Here's her data:
Bio Tech Solutions
9736 Hillhaven Ave
Tujunga, CA 91042
Phone (818) 353~7454

She definitely can work with you via phone if you live too far away from her office.

Please feel free to contact me anytime at: (323) 906~2784 or via e~mail at ____@____.com. I'd love to help however I can.

With lots of love,
L. (MAMA to adventurously spirited, 3 year old, Dylan Orion....29 September 2007). : )

you should get checked out by the doc but I agree with Adriann. There may be some natural ways to combat what is going on. Google "dysmenorrhea" and "menorrhagia" as they may help you figure out what is going on. The herbs may be a bit different depending on what you have.

the pill will help. only you know if you SHOULD.

Hi,
I've had the same problem. I had endemetriosis and fibroids, in my case the pill made it worse. I tried a lot of types of pills and I ended up with three blood transfussions :( I would talk to gyno and request and ultra-sound just to make sure you don't have endemetriosis or anything else. If they suggest pill, I say try it but if it makes it worse don't wait long.
Due to my situation, I cannot be in the pill, I had most fibroids removed through surgery.
Best of luck, please make sure you take iron pills during your periods.
Ceci

The pill can help regulate your period and cramping. Definately talk to your doctor.

I speak from experience, as a young teen I had severe cramps ALL month long and they helped me. I actually get pretty severe cramps now too but that is because I had my tubes tied and am not on the pill.

Yes you should be put on the pill this will regulate them and make them lighter and less pain full. My best friend had to do this after having her tubs cut and burned but because of her VERY PAINFUL cramps had to be put on Birth control pills that was the only thing that helped her. good luck.

Hi S., I hear you loud and clear. All the women in my family have painful periods. When I was 14 and started my cycle, my mom put me on the pill to "help ease the pain". That was 27 years ago. That is what we did BACK THEN. For years I would "die" for about 36 hours out of every month. I would curl up in the fetal position and cry like a baby. No amount of drugs or prescriptions would help. When I went off the pill in my early 20's after I got married, nothing changed...so I never went back on. After I had my 2 daughters I started looking at alternatives to the pain. I tried everything that was available that I could find. I tried to stay away from drugs as much as possible but found many times I had to give in...too much pain.

5 years ago I discovered a nutritional program and have never looked back. Not only did I release 42 pounds but my body was able to balance out and in less than a year my painful periods were gone. No seriously GONE. I never had to keep track on a calendar or anything beofre, the day before my cycle started I would start cramping. I would feel as though someone had...okay you don't need the details...suffice it to say, I KNEW it was coming. About 8 months into this program I was out shopping and "got my period". I actually got scared. I thought something was wrong. There was no pain, no cramping, just blood, I thought I was bleeding internally. Seriously...I went home and laid down and considered going to the hospital. Once I relaxed a bit I realized it was about 4 weeks since my last period. My period? THAT was not even a thought. There was no pain. The next month, the same thing, the next month the same thing...it's been 4 years and now I have to keep track. I am 41 and completely balanced. Who knew food and nutritionals could be so powerful?

Please choose food and nutrition over drugs. It actually HELPS the body other than place a bandaid on the problem.

B.
Family Success Coach

Don't go on the pill. You are having the same issues I have! I also had it rough even when I was in High School with my period. I use to change my tampon after each class. I still to this day change my pad maybe 2xs an HOUR or even every hour for 7 days straight.

Try to take hot baths, keep a heating pad on you (Or get the ones you stick inside your pants/underwear), take advil or something like that 4-6 hours for at least the first 3 days of your period. As for the eating, try to get in fluids if you can hold down water or milk--juice even. Maybe even try soups? I usually have a headache the week before my period and a few days into my period. It's rough and I feel for you.

Hugs.

Sounds like you have endometreosis..I would see a gynecologist. I had endometreosis for 4 years before I was diagnosed.Just this last year I have been endometreosis free.As far as the pill it wont stop heavy periods, although i think there might be a pill out there that might..not sure. I think the first step is to talk to your regular doctor. Then ask to see a gynecologist. Best of luck to you. I know what you are going throught . Painful periods and heavy bleeding is not a good sign. If you need more info just let me know.

You should first see the doctor to make sure nothing is wrong. If everything is ok, talk to the doctor about the pill. I personally wouldn't go on the pill but I went for acupuncture for my asthma and it also helped my period, my cramps and got rid of PMS.

Good luck!