Heavy periods and terrible cramps

[Anonymous]

One thing that helped me - oddly enough - was to have full bowel movements in the days before my period. I used to live in fear of starting my period cramps without Advil nearby, so yes, Advil.

[Anonymous]

I had it horrible when I was a teen so i commiserate fully. I found green tea really helpful. Even if it’s the bottle green tea from like Lipton that and aleve taken right when the period starts. Also does she drink milk and get enough calcium? I saw a number of minerals mentioned but not calcium so that’s another one to make sure she is getting enough of. My really bad cramps only lasted a few years about 5 and stabilized after I started bcp

[Anonymous]

I suffered from this for YEARS and even got to the point of vomiting. I didn’t know how I was going to keep a job.

Finally, a doctor told me to take ibuprofen BEFORE cramps start. This is highly important. That will prevent the prostaglandins, which cause all the pain, from causing the cramps.

If you take ibuprofen too late, it might work eventually but not as well.

I’m so sorry for your daughter. I’ve been sick in bed with the pain from this and would not wish it on anyone.

One other thing that helps if you don’t take the medicine in time is massaging the tailbone. Look it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suffered from this for YEARS and even got to the point of vomiting. I didn’t know how I was going to keep a job.

Finally, a doctor told me to take ibuprofen BEFORE cramps start. This is highly important. That will prevent the prostaglandins, which cause all the pain, from causing the cramps.

If you take ibuprofen too late, it might work eventually but not as well.

I’m so sorry for your daughter. I’ve been sick in bed with the pain from this and would not wish it on anyone.

One other thing that helps if you don’t take the medicine in time is massaging the tailbone. Look it up.

What stopped it? Do you have endometriosis?

[Anonymous]

It could be endo.

This sounds really basic, but is she drinking enough water? I find that I need to drink way more than the recommended amount to keep cramps at bay.

Is she active and eating well?

Magnesium might help.

[Anonymous]

Please please please take her to an adult gyn - one that specializes in pelvic pain and/or endometriosis if you can find one near you (Cherie Marfori at INOVA is the best).

I was exactly like your daughter as a teen and everyone blew it off (my mom, my doctor). But this is not normal. When I went on bcp in college I finally found relief, but by then the damage was done. When I started TTC in my 30s, we discovered so much endometriosis scar tissue that I required multiple surgeries and RA to get pregnant. This all could have been avoided if my mom had truly listened to me and not been so scared of hormones.

I’m now in my 50s and still have issues with my endo. It’s not fun.

[Anonymous]

My college age daughter has been dealing with this for the last several months. The doctor is saying unconfirmed endometriosis. The prescription strength naproxen did not work great and so she’s trying a stronger pain meds. Hormones is the next step but the doctor doesn’t believe in long term use and ignoring it so my daughter may choose to do surgery this summer. We just need to get her through the semester with some pain relief.

[Anonymous]

I had this pain. It’s unbearable and wasn’t properly diagnosed until my 30s when it worsened. What she is feeling is REAL and can ruin her life if not addressed! Listen to her each month and take the proper strps to fix it early!!! If this continues for years with being ignored she could be miserable for years! Please listen to her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had this pain. It’s unbearable and wasn’t properly diagnosed until my 30s when it worsened. What she is feeling is REAL and can ruin her life if not addressed! Listen to her each month and take the proper strps to fix it early!!! If this continues for years with being ignored she could be miserable for years! Please listen to her.

Op - I am listening to her and trying to help her! Not sure what part of my post makes you think otherwise?

[Anonymous]

OP- an easy thing to try is a PMS supplement. There are lots on Amazon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- an easy thing to try is a PMS supplement. There are lots on Amazon.

What is a PMS supplement? I'm wary of ordering medicine off Amazon and I've never heard of such a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was me as a teenager and BCP were the only thing that helped.

+1 This was me also. And I didn't have endometriosis. My DD20 has the same issue. She went on the minipill a few months ago and says her periods are finally becoming bearable.

[Anonymous]

I used to be skeptical of this, but acupuncture helped me with some issues when I was trying to conceive. I agree with the consult a gyn suggestions but wonder if acupuncture is also worth a try?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please please please take her to an adult gyn - one that specializes in pelvic pain and/or endometriosis if you can find one near you (Cherie Marfori at INOVA is the best).

I was exactly like your daughter as a teen and everyone blew it off (my mom, my doctor). But this is not normal. When I went on bcp in college I finally found relief, but by then the damage was done. When I started TTC in my 30s, we discovered so much endometriosis scar tissue that I required multiple surgeries and RA to get pregnant. This all could have been avoided if my mom had truly listened to me and not been so scared of hormones.

I’m now in my 50s and still have issues with my endo. It’s not fun.

Pretty similar story for me too right down to surgery in my 30s and a lot of help needed to conceive. It is not normal to be in so much pain. I used to miss school and lay on the bathroom floor.

[Anonymous]

My teenage daughter has very bad cramps too.

We found an adolescent gynecologist who put her on the progesterone only pill, and has her taking Aleve. She now has her taking the pill continuously to not have a period.

But she is still crappy and spotting after 6 weeks. Should I be pushing for different options?