As someone who has debilitating cramps as a teen and young adult, I would let my DD stay home if ibuprofen didn’t work. I used to take large doses and still have painful cramps. Sitting still was torture and I needed to pace around the room/house. At least at home I was able to do that or to lay down with a heating pad. There was no chance I could focus on class or take a test. Thankfully DD didn’t have such a tough time and responded to ibuprofen.

One thing that helped me was the invention of stick on heating pads worn under clothes. I can’t remember who made them. They allowed me to go to work as a young adult. Thankfully after my first pregnancy, my cramps were much milder.

This hasn’t been an issue for my kid, but yes I would let her stay home if it was a real problem especially if she didn’t have a serious exam or something like that. Sending her with the understanding that she can call for a pickup is ok too, OP. Don’t stress.

You’ve taught her an important life lesson. There will be many, many days in her life where she doesn’t feel great but she’s still gotta get on with it. Tylenol is our friend and she should make sure she never runs out.

My cramps were never bad when I was in HS so I never asked to stay home. DD’s are bad the first day but she’s never asked to stay home yet. She takes something and goes.

I don’t think you did anything wrong op, not at all. If she was puking or couldn’t get up, of course that’s different. And you told her she could come home if she needed to, but she didn’t. So you followed your gut and it was fine, now you need to let it go.

Anonymous wrote:

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

How lovely you feel the need to speak for all women and girls?

I had a friend in HS whose cramps were so bad she would pass out from them? So, yeah, she stayed home sometimes until she got it under control with her doctor.

Maybe you should just stfu.

I don't have cramps at all anymore, but in HS I would have cramps like this. I used to lie on the floor of the bathroom, wanting to vomit and feeling like I was going to pass out. There zero chance a boy would be expected to go to school feeling like that.

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.

NP and I had terrible cramps to the point where I was doubled over in pain. I would also get migraines at the same time and I was never allowed to stay home. I am also upset BC was never considered for this. As an adult, I also have an IUD and it changed my life considerably.

I let my daughter stay home anytime she asks for cramps. She’s had her period for over 3 years and stayed home
from school twice.

Anonymous wrote:I think that if this was the first instance of her complaining of cramps, your response was completely appropriate. If it continues and gets worse I would take her to the doctors. Both of my girls had cramps so bad they had to miss school most months, even during virtual learning. The pill has been a tremendous help. My eldest doesn't take the placebo pills and hasn't had a period in like 3 years.

I hope so! My DD is quiet/private so these must have been bad for her to complain. I'll keep the communication open and if this continues, make an appointment with her doctor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Letting her stay home would have been fine, and sending her with the understanding that she can get picked up if needed is also fine! Neither choice is bad. She’ll be fine.

OP here. I feel bad because she asked to stay home (and she's never asked), but I think you're right. I never got to stay home either that I can remember. It's been a long time!

So if she’s never asked and she’s the type of kid who wants to go to school, then I would have cut her a break.

If she’s the type of kid who looks for reasons to stay home, I would have done exactly what you did.

My kids have cramps and it’s never a reason to stay home. However, the severity of cramps and other symptoms need to be take into consideration.

It’s a case by case basis and sometimes it is nice to stay home when not well. You can cut her a break another time!

Yes, I'm OP and even though DD said the ibuprofen worked, I've been thinking about this all day! I like what the PP said above about managing cramps. I think we'll have that discussion after school today. I'll get some Midol this weekend (I think it's better for cramps/bloating?). I'd like to handle it better next time!

It sounds like everyone in this post is on there period.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Her daughter has taken 1 pain pill in the 2 yrs of menstrual cycles and hasn’t called OP to come home…
Rushing to the Dr is an over reaction at this point

You're good at the lecture but Can you read? That's why I said "[i]t may be overkill for the first time. . . ."

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Her daughter has taken 1 pain pill in the 2 yrs of menstrual cycles and hasn’t called OP to come home…
Rushing to the Dr is an over reaction at this point