!5 year old period pain

[peach125]

My 15 year old daughter has very painful periods and is throwing in the painkillers 2-3 days a month. She is also taking 1 or 2 days off school a month with this problem, the school have commented. I'd rather try to support a natural or pre-emptive approach but my mind has gone blank!!!Any ideas? Cheers

[fruitshootsandheaves]

my dd also suffers with cramps every month. I posted on this subject a little while ago and most people suggested trying Feminax. I have bought her some but have yet to here back if it was/is effective.

I think I need to go on a 'how to post useful advice rather than drivel' training course.

[fruitshootsandheaves]

*hear not here

[nappyaddict]

Has she tried using anadin extra or cuprofen?

I also find those heat up in the microwave bag thingies really good and those stick on tummy patches.

[minimu]

My daughter suffered like this and was recommend buscopan (for IBS as well). It is meant to help with cramp like pains. Worked well for her

[minimu]

Sorry just re read your post obviously Buscopan is not a natural remedy sorry

[GrapefruitMoon]

I was going to suggest Feminax too - transformed my life when I discovered it as a teenager. I have also heard that Ponstan (Mefenemaic Acid) is good but you need a prescription for that

[YouLukaStunning]

If it's a possibility financially - or if not you could try to find a children's clinic, she is still a child, or a low income clinic - acupuncture is great for period pains, and helping your own body to regulate its monthly cycle.

Hope you find something to help

[cocolepew]

Magnets can help I buy a small packet from Boots fr about £6 and it helps.

[neversaydie]

I had horrible period pains as a teenager, and I do sympathise.

What helped me was an effective painkiller (nurofen far better than aspirin or paracetamol), heat (hot water bottle or similar) and exercise (that is the toughie, because it is the last thing you feel like doing). On really bad days, the first two plus sleep.

Every doctor I saw used to tell me that it would sort itself out when I had a baby, which I thought was verging on the irresponsible. It did get better with age, but by the time I gave birth at 41, it didn't make much difference!

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

And once again I submit my favored method of pain relief - a TENS machine. I am fortunate inasmuch as I experience pain free periods, however, the booklet that came with my newest one suggests the unit as a means of pain relief when menstruating. IIRC, it cost around 25 pounds (no symbol sorry) from Boots.

[peach125]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. We went to the DRs and asked for Ponstan 250mg caps as I took advice from a DR friend. We will see how it works and go on to mini pill when she's slightly older I think.
Cheers again, Peach

[JackBauWooohooohoowaaer]

I was on mafenamic acid (sp?) from the age of 14, also tried numerous other things from the doctor that I can't rememebr as I was off school every month as well. when I reached 16 my mum agreed that I could go on the pill so I could skip periods if I had exams/important school work.
I still suffer now TBH and down the ibuprofen like no tomorrow, I also use heat pad things that you stick to you knickers over your stomach, they are brilliant.

[Vigilanteawarenessraiser]

Ok, this is important:

Anyone who suffers from severe period pain, BUT ESPECIALLY TEENAGERS (sorry for shouting, but it's very important) should be seen by a gynaecologist who is experienced in diagnosing endometriosis. See here: www.endometriosis.org/teenagers.html and here www.me.school.nz/ for a good New Zealand site for teenagers.

Most people, including GPs and some gynaecologists, still seem to think that pain is 'normal' and severe pain is just a slightly worse variant on 'normal'. Unfortunately, the evidence shows that it isn't: severe pain is a sign that something is wrong. Endometriosis is a common illness that is the main culprit in teenage girls (one study has shown that around 70% of teenage girls with severe monthly pain showed endometriosis on laparoscopy), though a lot of GPs still think teenagers can't get it. Actually, studies have shown that between 4 and 15% of teenage girls are probably affected. For the sake of your daughter's future health, this really should be looked at. 15 years ago I was in the same position as your daughter is in now, and if people had taken my problems seriously back then, I might not have ended up as ill as I became. Pain in teenagers needs to be taken even more seriously as pain in adults, as the ones who get endometriosis younger tend to be the ones who are worse affected and could most benefit from early recognition.

I don't want to worry you, and of course she could turn out to be clear of it. Or the pain could have some other cause. But if it's bad enough to keep her off school, it's not normal. It would be greatly to her benefit if you get it looked into, now, by a gynaecologist who is also an endo specialist. I can't tell you how much I wish someone had done that for me.

[koninklijke]

I agree with getting it checked out. For a natural remedy try Agnus Castus.

[thedollshouse]

I know you may not want to consider the contraceptive pill but it changed my life for the better. I look back on my early teenage years as being the worst years of my life my periods were so heavy that I just couldn't cope with them, the pain caused me to black out and I missed loads of schooling. I went on microgynon at 18 and I was astounded by the difference, I can remember watching a comedy on tv and laughing and saying to my mum that I couldn't believe that I was laughing at the same time as having my period as my periods had taken the enjoyment out of life.

See your GP and see if you can get a referral to find out what is causing the pain, my GP wouldn't refer me.