12.5 year old experiencing severe menstrual cramping

[Anonymous]

My DD has had her period for the past year and in that time has experienced painful cramping, to the point where she often wants to skip school or after school athletic activity. Twice--most recently this month--it's been so bad that she was writhing on the floor and threw up twice. Yikes! I guess my question is has anyone's daughter had this experience, and if so, what did you do? Did you take her to a gynecologist? Does anyone have a recommendation?

[Anonymous]

I had this myself - if the timing is relatively predictable, she could try anaprox (prescription). If not, as was my case, motrin worked but I ended up having to sleep it off quite a bit, which isn't great with school. I know it would suck for someone that young, but the only thing that ever really solved it for me was going on the pill, which I did several years before becoming sexually active. Even now I hate those months off the pill trying to conceive because I am totally out of commission one day a month.

I would definitely take her to see a GYN. Hopefully someone here will have recs for someone good with young girls.

[Anonymous]

I don't have this but had a friend in school with it. She took a BCP just the week before her period.

I had another friend with severe cramping and she would preach that you have to stay ahead of it...in other words, don't wait until it gets bad to take something (like Advil) take it when it STARTS.

HTH. Poor girl!

[Anonymous]

I also had this. My cramps were so severe that I often threw up and/or stayed home from school (or my parents had to come pick me up). They were that severe until I went on the pill in college. They're still pretty painful, but I can handle them with 2 Aleves. Before Aleve, I would take 4 Advil at once. Defintely take her to a doctor; I'd start with a PCP and he/she might refer you to a gynecologist.

[Anonymous]

I had this. They put my on prescription strength ibuprofen, then when I was 17 or 18 the put me on BCP which helped greatly. My sister had the same thing and we were both diagnosed with endometriosis. My niece is now 15 and going through the same thing. They have her on some form of BCP I believe, but am not positive. You should take you daughter to the GYN and see what they can do. My cramps were so bad that I really could not function at all for the first day or two of my period. My mom taught me relaxation exercises (which she learned from prepping for natural childbirth), which helped -- but for those to work I had to be lying in bed.

[Anonymous]

I, too, had the symptoms described and was diagnosed with endometriosis. Only BC pills helped. Poor girl. It's miserable.

[Anonymous]

Have you Brought her to her pediatrician? If he/she can't manage the cramps then they can refer you to either a ped /adol. Gynecologist or an adolescent medicine specialist for treatment.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the responses! I spoke with her pediatrician yesterday, who recommended a stronger dose of ibuprofen (Advil) as soon as there's the hint of cramps. If still doesn't help, we'll talk the hormonal approach.

[Anonymous]

Anaprox worked for me, too.

Also (don't go bonkers), my mom gave me the occasional stiff drink when I was miserable and nothing else was available.

[Anonymous]

pp here: anaprox is naproxin, and I think a smaller dose is available without a perscription. better than advil.

also, I think it is time she has a gynecologist, and not a pediatrician for this problem.

[Anonymous]

I also had this when I was young and continued to have terribly painful periods until I was probably in my mid twenties. There was never anything wrong with me and since then I've had two kids. However, I remember taking tons of pain medication. Heavy duty medication.
I really feel for your daughter. NOw that I've given birth twice (once w/out medication), I can tell you that the pain was comparable to having my period back in the day.

[Anonymous]

Like other PPs, I had similar symptoms as a teenager/young adult and was later diagnosed with endometriosis when I had fertility issues. I managed with lots and lots of advil because my mom was completely unsympathetic (yes, she feels badly about it now). Now, if I eat well and get moderate exercise, I only need 2 advil to manage the pain. If I'm eating much fried food/soda/sugar/etc. or not exercising at all, I see a huge increase in the pain. As mortifying as it will be for her, a trip to the gyno would probably help.

[Anonymous]

I had it, too. Like a PP, going on the pill solved it. I'd miss school. In my 20s I was so sick once I thought I'd gone into septic shock. It's intense. You should speak with a gynecologist. There might be something that's stronger than Advil. Also, maybe there's an online support group for moms of daughters with menstrual issues. I feel for her and I feel for you, too. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Here's a great website for teens that we were given by our daughter's doctor. There are links on cramps, endometreosis, etc.

http://www.youngwomenshealth.org

[Anonymous]

OP again...thanks 07:38 for that excellent link! I've bookmarked it.