DD really suffering with periods. Any advice?

[Psion]

DD is 13. She started her periods quite early, just after she turned 11. At first she didn't have too many problems though they were pretty heavy from the first ( no chance of her using the pretty, dainty Lilet teen pads, in the cute packaging).

But for the last year, each time her period starts she is genuinely ill. Looks very pale and washed out. Headache. Feels like she is coming down with a bad cold. Feels and looks exhausted. Some cramps. Feels physically sick, and has actually vomited some times.

And each time she feels too ill to go to school, or she goes and I end up collecting her at lunchtime. She really looks poorly and isn't faking to get out of school (she likes school and has lots of friends). She goes to bed for a few hours, often sleeps deeply, then wakes feeling much better, and the rest of her period is a breeze.

Unfortunately, calpol or Neurofen don't seem to work on her symptoms. And I'm at a loss what else to do to help her. So far this school year she has missed 6 days, just because of her difficult periods, so it needs sorting.

Any wise advice from you wise MN ladies?

[butmumineedit]

Please take her to your Gps, my daughter suffers a lot from period pain and our Gp prescribed Menfenamic acid. Which helps a lot with the pain, go also said that no one need suffer period pain in this day and age.

[Charlieandlola]

My teenage dd takes tranexamic acid for first 2 days and mefenamic acid for the pain . Has really helped .

[elephantpig]

I used to have awful periods as a teenager. They were heavyish but the main issue was the pain made me vomit, so I couldn't keep any painkillers down. So I would spend the first day writhing in agony and vomiting - made for an excellent christmas eve one year. They were also irregular coming every 5 - 8 weeks, so I never knew when I would be 'out of action'. I feel like I could have dealt with them much better if I wasn't constantly living in fear of them hitting.
Anyway, I went on the pill, which I know is an unpopular choice on here for young teens, but since taking it I've had regular periods with 'normal' period pain - just some cramping on the first couple of days that are easily remedied with an ibuprofen. When I was around 17 the doctor got me to take a month off to see if things had settled, they hadn't, it was hell, and I remember thinking 'How did I used to do this? Why did it take me / my mum so long to get me on the pill?'

Having to come off the pill is honestly my biggest fear when it comes to trying to conceive, I honestly think I might try a couple of months of just being 'bad' at taking it .

[TheSpottedZebra]

She's probably too big for calpol 13 I think - the adult dosages for paracetamol start at 12.

I have appalling periods, and I mix paracetamol and ibuprofen - ie 2 of one, then 2 of the other 2 hours later when I am at my worst. Obvs staying within the safety guidelines for both. Is she responsible enough to be taking painkillers into school, do you think?

Def consider GP. They may advise 'birth control' -would you be comfortable with that?

Hot water bottles are comforting, not that they get rid of the pain. You can also get these stick in lads, that go on the front of your knickers that do a similar job.

Is she ok with using /carrying /changing pads etc? I was soooo conscious of my awful periods, that it all caused me a lot of stress. Pud the fact that I'd flood, and faint etc etc. Nightmare. Maybe a gentle chat that she has access to loos when she needs them, and the bags and stuff she needs?

Also need to eat A LOT on my first couple of days too. Otherwise I feel worse.

[Psion]

Thank you. She doesn't suffer too much from actual period cramps, it's more the exhaustion and nausea and that she feels like she is coming down with a heavy cold. Several times she has actually had a temperature for several hours!

She is okay with changing pads, not especially shy, and I get her the new Always gel ones which are amazing, with zero leakages.

But I will take her along to see her GP. I would be uncomfortable resorting to the Pill at such a young age, before exploring other avenues first.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Maybe try a multivitamin with iron? She might be anaemic?

[Snazarooney]

Diary doll pants are fab too. Definitely take her to the GP.

[BonitaFangita]

Sounds like her heavy periods are causing her to be anaemic. Request some blood tests when you see the gp, I suffered terribly as a youngster and like your daughter missed school and other things because of it. Spent one lovely day in Alton towers medical room in a cold nauseous sweat
I went on the pill when I was older and this regulated and made my periods more manageable

[AnotherStitchInTime]

I used to have horrible periods for some years. On the first day I would vomit continuously for 12 hours and ended up in A&E twice with the pain. My temperature would either be very low or I would have a low grade fever. I found taking an iron tonic like Feroglobin every day helped. I would take double dose everyday for the week before and triple dose on the week of my period. Magnesium supplements also helped. A good multivit for some of the trace elements needed by the body might also be an idea. People swear by evening primrose oil too.

[NewLife4Me]

OP, my dd is like this and was diagnosed with dysmenorrhea, I too had this as a young child too, we both started age 9.
My dd manages with a trip to the school nurse and ibuprofen rather than paracetamol.
The paleness and sweats along with nausea are the main symptoms, but dd vomits and faints sometimes too the gp said this could be due to the pain she has as well.
When I was 14 was rushed to hospital with the temperature as I'd also just started to use tampons, the consultant told me not to use them again and I never have.
Dd is 12 and uses towels but when she is ready for tampons as she also has the temperature I'll check with gp/consultant first.
I just thought this was worth a mention to you
Oh, I was given some really big pills called Ponstan Forte but when I looked them up years later they didn't sound so good.
Take her to the gp, there are lots of things you can try before the pill.
Honestly, my dd is doubled over at times but the gp has not offered the pill yet.

[Collymollypuff]

Does being anaemic make the pain worse, please? My dd also suffers. And may be anaemic, but hates blood being taken...

[Cocolepew]

Colly magnesium citrate will help with cramps as long as its taken every day. Also a good woman's multi vit and something like evening primrose oil.
Using heat pads, the sticky ones will go under clothes no problem

[BonitaFangita]

Anemia can cause you to feel tired, weak and faint, and so can make pain and nausea feel worse.

[Psion]

DD sounds very similar astitchintime. It's less about period pains, and really all about her feeling nauseous and feverish. She says she sometimes feels like she could faint, but not from pain.

[lamusic]

GP ASAP

[OliviaBenson]

Please don't rule out the pill. It was the only thing that worked for me. My mum made me try lots of other medication instead as she didn't want the pill to encourage me

I had years of misery (early starter) until I decided enough was enough and went to Dr's and didn't tell her.

[Gobletofgin]

My DD was similar and I bought her some vitamins with a good dose of iron in from Holland and Barrett. She also needs an adult dose of paracetamol. It has now eased off and her last few periods have been OK although she does get a bit pale , tired and teary when she first comes in but not the same temp and nausea Iptahts she had the first few times. She now takes some healthy balance vitamins for teenage girls.

[TheDogsCat]

I had horrific problems with periods as a teen. In the end my GP put me on a low dose pill. I'm still on it over a decade later. I now take it back to back, no breaks and have done so for nearly ten years. A drastic option perhaps, but without it I would have failed all school exams.

as my GP has pointed out any risks from taking the pill are minimal, especially when compared with the alternative of being unable to function 1 week in 4.