I tell my kids that if they feel bad enough that they can't focus on school, they can hang out in the nurse's office.

Anonymous wrote:Is there a way to fully stop my period? I don't even want it.

Yes. I haven’t had a period in 10 years. I’m on the pill and just skip the placebo week and go straight to the next row of hormonal pills.

Anonymous wrote:Life needs to not stop just because we have our period. You did the right thing.

That's what my mom tells me.

Life needs to not stop just because we have our period. You did the right thing.

I had horrible cramps and my mom would let me stay home when they were really bad. Can you text and see how she is?

My oldest had terrible cramps and heavy periods. She also suffers from mittelschmerz, which is when you can actually feel yourself ovulate. She definitely missed some school from ages 13-15. Her ped recommended visiting a GYN when she was maybe 15.5 and DD was put on low dose birth control to help with her periods. Such a game changer for her. I never suffered from bad cramps or heavy periods so it was new territory for me as a mom & woman.

Youngest DD (now 16) rarely complains of cramps and they aren't anything a dose of Midol can't fix. I don't think she's ever missed school for cramps. I would probably allow it if she asked and she didn't have any tests that day.

Is there a way to fully stop my period? I don't even want it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op can she take 500mg Naproxen?

Naproxen is terrible for your stomach lining and kidneys. I’d put my daughter on bcp over high dose naproxen (or ibuprofen for that matter) every month

Taking an NSAID at a high dose (even a bit more than recommended) for 2-3 days a month is fine. Take it with food to protect your stomach lining. People who rail against girls taking pain meds have clearly never experienced REAL cramps.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, getting your kid on BC is the answer. The periods will be less severe or possibly less frequent if they go on a one period every 3 months pill. Your DD will also know exactly when her period is likely to start, so she can take some preventative Motrin.

Also, even if you're pretty sure your teen isn't sexually active, you can't be 100% sure. It's safer to make sure they're protected.

Overkill. Her daughter has had her period for 2 yrs and just now took an ibuprofen for the first time. If pain is controlled by OTC meds there isn’t reason for BCP. I’d try midol first though. Less harsh on stomach

It may be overkill for the first time but I wouldn't allow it to be so severe she's suffering before taking her to the dr.

BCP + prescription for cramps (step up from OTC) was a lifesaver for my DD. She wasn't debilitated but she had horrible cramps, heavy periods, and breakthrough bleeding. All of that is much less, and more manageable for her, now.

Anonymous wrote:Has she tried Thermacare heat wraps? I use those along with ibuprofen when I have to go to work instead of sitting on the couch with a heating pad.

+1

Anonymous wrote:OP, getting your kid on BC is the answer. The periods will be less severe or possibly less frequent if they go on a one period every 3 months pill. Your DD will also know exactly when her period is likely to start, so she can take some preventative Motrin.

Also, even if you're pretty sure your teen isn't sexually active, you can't be 100% sure. It's safer to make sure they're protected.

Overkill. Her daughter has had her period for 2 yrs and just now took an ibuprofen for the first time. If pain is controlled by OTC meds there isn’t reason for BCP. I’d try midol first though. Less harsh on stomach

Didn’t read the replies but I have a 15yo DD and I’d have done the same. It is high school. We really try to avoid the kids missing school at this age- it is such a PITA to make up work- particularly tests etc. Even my kids realize this now and will usually suck it up whenever possible and go to school and tough it out. Missing a day often results in so much extra work, or needing to go to school super early a different day to retake a test etc- and sometimes there are in-class assignments that can NOT be made up (if you are absent- too bad so sad). Happened to my DD recently. It may be different at other high schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I missed school a lot of cramps. A lot. I ended up doing well academically - I’m a doctor now so it didn’t impact me that way but I’m so mad my mom didn’t put me on birth control or help to control these issues earlier. As a young professional, I’d miss work due to how severe they were. In the end a wonderful NP worked with me to get an IUD and it changed my life.

You’re a doctor, you didn’t figure out a solution until you were a “young professional” yourself, and yet you’re mad at your mom?!

Grow up.

I agree grow up you are very immature.

These are immature responses. It is very common for sexed females to be overlooked medically and not find EASY solutions because many doctors are not trained to consider half of the population!
Also, it is very normal to look back on your own childhood once you become a parent and revision your thinking or hold some anger about how your parents managed parenting. It is only a problem when it gets to blocking your own ability to thrive. Forgiving parents is hard work.

Hang in there OP. We are a new gen of parents. It is ok to feel your feelings!

I allow my daughter to decide when she needs to stay home. At this point it is her body. She does not abuse this, at all. There is nothinh wrong with taking a day when your body or mind needs it. If her cramps continue to be very painful, please bring her to a GYN for a check up. She may have endometriosis which is legit painful.

OP, getting your kid on BC is the answer. The periods will be less severe or possibly less frequent if they go on a one period every 3 months pill. Your DD will also know exactly when her period is likely to start, so she can take some preventative Motrin.

Also, even if you're pretty sure your teen isn't sexually active, you can't be 100% sure. It's safer to make sure they're protected.