Anonymous wrote:OP here. I've called all over DC and seemingly cannot get an appointment for DD to see a GYN. Not taking new patients. Doesn't see adolescents. You name it.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a provider who will see a 16yo? We are based in DC but I will drive to MD or VA. thanks.

Dr. Rachel Casey. Pediatric Specialists of Virginia. She's a pediatric gynecologist. Really good with teens.

Anonymous wrote:I was this kid. Absolutely Aleve in advance if it starting; that was the only way I could avoid repeated vomiting on the first day. When I had a c-section, the surgeon noted extensive endometriosis. My IUD has been literally life changing; way more than birth control ever was (though it did help).

Wanted to highlight this advice — if you know a period is coming, it is very very helpful to start the Aleve or Advil IN ADVANCE. Research has found that they can block the release of some of the pain-producing chemicals. But for that to work, it’s better if you start before the chemical release and not after. It’s also useful to try different kinds of painkillers. For me, Advil does nothing but Aleve works great. Everyone is different.

Interesting other medical tidbit — antihistamines also can fight period cramps. I’ve seen different explanations for why, but it’s well established enough that Motrin contains a small amount of antihistamine. (Or used to … my Motrin knowledge is based off a very old conversation with a guy who wrote their advertising….) Some people also swear by magnesium supplements, which can fight crampy muscles in general.

Using birth control pills to skip periods completely gave me back my life after years of suffering from endo and hormonal migraines. But if my daughter ends up suffering as a teen, I would personally try the OTC approaches first out of side effect worries. If the OTC drugs didn’t help enough and she needed birth control pills, then I might go straight to period-skipping because why suffer at all if you don’t have to.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I've called all over DC and seemingly cannot get an appointment for DD to see a GYN. Not taking new patients. Doesn't see adolescents. You name it.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a provider who will see a 16yo? We are based in DC but I will drive to MD or VA. thanks.

You could just try taking her to a Family Practice rather than a pediatrician. I switched my 13 year old DD to a NP at our Family Practice and she prescribed the Pill.
At that age, I wouldn't expect an internal exam unless BC doesn't help alleviate the issue.

PP here who posted about Children’s, if Children’s doesn’t have availability, there are other pediatric gynecologists in the area, thought not many. Google “pediatric adolescent gynecology” to find others. Hopkins has a group too.

Children’s National has a pediatric adolescent gynecology group that is really great for teens dealing with abnormal/heavy periods.

*is still a virgin.

1000% YES!
The first 6 months of her period were a NIGHTMARE... she'd be in so much pain, she'd actually howl like a wolf.
It was so hard to listen to, I felt so helpless because nothing worked.

We tried motrin, hot water bottle, heating pads, etc, you name it, we tried it.

It wasn't just the pain either, she had SUPER heavy periods for a week straight and they were irregular.

At 6 months, we went to see her gyn and thankfully, she put her on birth control... best day of our lives, lol!

She now has ZERO pain associated with her period, she gets it for 3 days max and she knows the exact day that she's getting it every single month. Birth control has been a godsend for us!

Oh, and just in case there are any deluded parents who think that getting them on birth control is essentially giving them permission to have sex... that's wrong.

My DD started on birth control at 13, she's now a senior in high school and I'd still a virgin.

If she's in that much pain, go see her gyn... there's no reason for her to be so miserable every month.

OP here. I've called all over DC and seemingly cannot get an appointment for DD to see a GYN. Not taking new patients. Doesn't see adolescents. You name it.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a provider who will see a 16yo? We are based in DC but I will drive to MD or VA. thanks.

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone gotten their pre-teen on BC for menstrual pain? My younger DD is approaching 11 and has had her period for a year. She is starting to show the same symptoms as I had and her older sister had before we went on the pill. I'm wondering when I can ask the NP about getting her on BC.

Have you talked to them about the menstrual pain? If not, just start there, and see what they suggest (make sure you have done all the OTC stuff before, so they are not dismissive). If they don't suggest BC, you can always ask if it is appropriate.

OP, DD was just telling me that her friend's older sister (15) misses school from pain/vomiting. I wish her parents would get her some help.

I missed school and was miserable. I had terrible endometriosis by the time it was diagnosed at 19. My daughter started with painful cramps and we got bc for her at 14. There is no shame in birth control to help with period cramps and endo pain.

My daughter (now 15) has also struggled with her period and has missed school or called for us to pick her up. I haven't seen anyone mention prostaglandins as playing a role. Too much prostaglandins can cause bad cramps, diarrhea, nausea, etc. I wish I had a solution other than a BC pill to help correct this imbalance; taking Advil helps to limit the production of prostaglandins so if you take it a day or two beforehand, it can help. I have also read that magnesium plays a role.

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/dysmenorrhea-painful-periods (look at What is Primary Dysmenorrhea? and How are painful periods treated?)

I am also thinking about acupuncture for my daughter.

Good luck!

Someone mentioned a gyn that specialized in teens - I would love the name and any other recommendations.