What Helps with Bad Cramps

Cramps can be awful. If you can, take a good multi-vitamin. That helps for some.

As One Perfect One said, a hot water bottle can help if you are at home, or a heating pad. If you need to go to school, Thermacare makes a great heated adhesive warming pad which attaches to your underpants. I have used these when having bad cramps and needing to go to work. They aren't the most comfortable (hot) but can be helpful if you need to be somewhere.

Ibuprofen is a good pain reliever. You can take ibuprofen and tylenol (acetaminophen) together in reasonable doses; do not take any N-SAIDS (like Aleve and Advil) together. Stay within the reasonable dosage.

Your dad was once in a relationship with a woman, your mother. I think guys do best when we give them facts in an unemotional way. When I got my first period, my mom worked out of state and my stepfather was the parent to call, otherwise it was long-distance. I called him and told him exactly what I needed, brand name and exact specified wording on the product. (this works with my husband, by the way, and he's a pretty cool guy about it). Talk to your dad about getting Midol or the previously-mentioned medications and whatever sort of menstrual hygiene items you need. He's aware of menstruation. Here's a piece of wisdom-- guys are fixers. Whatever is wrong, they just want to fix. So if you can be straightforward with him about what you need, the more satisfying the outcome for both of you.

i had terrible cramps as a teen. i remember one awful day in high school rolling on the ground clutching my poor gut in front of the school buses, ready to die of both pain and mortification.
midol did nothing for me. maybe it's better now.
the only thing that made my periods bearable was going on the pill. obviously that's a difficult conversation to have with your dad, so maybe drop by the free clinic and get some literature. certainly you should have him take you to a gyn and discuss it.
khairete
S.

Good suggestions below. You can also ask your dad to take you to the doctor for some helpful advice if you feel more comfortable with your pediatrician or general practitioner. It's not that you need a doctor because you started your period, but because you seem to be in need of information from an objective source who doesn't make you uncomfortable or who isn't uncomfortable himself/herself. If you'd feel better with a woman doctor, it's perfectly okay to tell your doctor you'd like a referral - no offense will be taken. Doctors can also help you talk to your dad, or get the conversation started for you.

The suggestion below about "Our Bodies, Ourselves" is a good one. It's been the definitive resource for women since the 1970s and it's been updated many times. You can get it on Amazon, from your local bookstore, or borrow it from the public library. No one will look at you funny if you get this book - it's been around for a long time and it's a standard resource. A lot of the info is not related to where you are at right now but it can be a resource going forward. Just read the parts you are ready for and curious about.

Is your dad the kind of guy who might be waiting for you to say "I want to talk about this?" Maybe he knows a lot more than you think he knows, and he's just waiting for you to take the first step. It's okay to say "I'm not sure even what to ask, Dad, but I need help with the changes happening to my body."

If you have a good school nurse, she can be helpful too.

Can you take ibuprofen / Tylenol?
Hot water bottle/ heating pad
If you don't have either of those, in a pinch, you can fill an empty water bottle with REALLY hot tap water & wrap it in a small towel or washcloth. Place on your abdomen.
Also, stretching always helps.

Do you have an aunt, grandma, older cousin you could talk to?
Good luck!

I kept coming back to your question.

I feel for you. I had the WORST periods when I was young. My mom swears that I was pregnant so often because I was avoiding my periods! Maybe there is some truth to that. lol

BUT, masturbation can relieve cramping. May not be politically correct to 'type' it out loud, but it remains true. You will not go blind, or get hair on your palms...promise!

Just a thought...

ETA

There was (is?) a book called "Our Bodies, Ourselves". I first got a copy in the 70's (yes, I am ancient), but it was a very helpful resource in becoming aware of my body. My mom was the one that gave me a book published the 'modess' company called 'today you are a woman' or something with a box of pads and a 'belt'. That was *my* sex talk.

Drink hot Chamomile Tea, use a heating pad and soon you need to see a Gynecologist. Always keep a record of your periods. I used to even place a star on the days I had cramps. There really are things they can give you so you do not have to endure the pain and miss out on activities.. Cramps can be normal, but they can also signal some health issues.. Bet to be check out..

Mine were so bad that when I was in labor, I was shocked that the pain was not worse! The Nurse asked me, do you have really bad cramps? I told her yes I did when I was younger.. she said, yep.. I figured.

I had horrible cramps as a teen! I even started to blackout a couple of times.

Avoid caffeine! I don't know if Pamperin is still on the market, but it was supposed to relive cramps. I tried it a few times and it actually made my cramps worse. Then I found out how much caffeine it had in it. It may take a few tries to find which pain reliever works best for you. Tylenol didn't really work for me. I had to take Nuprin which isn't on the market anymore, but Motrin is pretty much the same.

Heat really helps a lot. I had a rice bag that I used at night. I still have one that I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond that I think is filled with buckwheat. You just heat it is the microwave. Heating pads are great, too, but not the safest to sleep with.

Soaking in a hot bath also helped. I would get the water as hot as I could handle it.

Find someone you can talk to. School nurse, teacher (believe me, as a teacher I've had girls ask about their periods. Nothing surprises us!), a lady at your place of worship, a family friend, an older teen. They may have other ideas or at least be a source of support. Ask your dad about going to get a physical. Ask for a female doctor or nurse practitioner. I was well into my 30s before I was comfortable talking to a male doctor about my female parts! I know Planned Parenthood has been a hot topic in the news lately, but so many of my friends started out going to PP when they were young. They can answer questions that you have if you don't have anywhere else to go.

My cramps got better as I got older. If they don't get better, talk to your doctor. There are prescriptions they can give you.

Heating pad (I would not use chemical sticky pads that close to your uterus, the chemicals go through your skin), Midol, advil or alieve.

You can also try some raspberry tea which help to calm hormones. Either way I would make an appointment with a gynecologist and talk to them about it. If you have health insurance then I am sure your father will allow you to go, I don't see why he wouldn't.

Just be honest with your dad. I know my husband is terrible with women issues. He also can't stand changing diapers, cleaning up after the dog, etc. it makes him gag and want to be sick. But a good man/father sucks it up and does what is needed.

My cramps were particularly horrible when I was a teen.
Heating pad and Midol or Pamprin helped a bit.
Some say exercise can help lessen the cramps but I went hiking once when I got my period and exercise didn't make it any better - it made me want to throw up.
My mid 20's were better but the cramps were finally gone for good after the birth of our son (I was 36 at the time).
I'm totally LOVING menopause right now!

What helped me was bioflavnoids. They really reduced my cramping and my mood swings! I'd start taking them about four days to a week before my period was to start and right thru to the end of my period. What a difference! Forgot to add I used to lay on my back and hold my knees to my chest and rock back and forth on my back. cant remember where i read about that exercise but it was the only one that helped. Good luck!

I had always had wicked bad cramps from day one until my hysterectemy (i'm not saying you need to go that extreme)

Heating pads are good and Advil/motrin/ibuprofen....I didnt fair well with the Aleve/naproxen but some of my friends liked it

I'd recommend talking to your doc too for some ideas

fell better