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AIBU?

to ask you please to come and talk to me about period pains and disposable sanitary protection ...

88 replies

fluffyraggies · 05/02/2013 08:47

Following on from the informative thread about disposable pads - there was mention of the toxins in disposables contributing to period pain.

One of my DDs, 14, suffers with awful back and tummy pain for a week before her period and for the first few days. She's in tears some days. She has seen our GP,who has prescribed pain killers. They give some relief, but i hate seeing her popping pills for 10 days a month. (She uses those sticky heat pads on her back or tummy when she's at school, and a hot water bottle when she's home as well)

My question is - has anyone had experience of menstrual pains lessening when they gave up disposable pads and began using washable ones?

I'm thinking it might be difficult for her to use re-usable internal protection while at school, such as the sponge, but what do you think?

It would be so worth it if it would help her, but is there much evidence that it would? I can show her this thread :)

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WelshMaenad · 05/02/2013 08:57

Yes, me. My periods got lighter as well.

I suffered with really horrible cramps periods, starting after my miscarriages. Sounds weird, and tmi, but I would get an agonising cramping feeling in my rectum! When I switched to cloth pads and mooncup, the pain immediately lessened, within a few periods there was also significantly less blood every month and no pain at all.

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SirBoobAlot · 05/02/2013 08:59

Mooncup, for sure. My pain is currently too bad to insert a mooncup, but for the two cycles I could it made a difference. Friend uses reusable pads and says the same thing.

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OrangeLily · 05/02/2013 09:29

Yes. Using a mooncup means less cramp and my period being over faster. My flow feels lighter.

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fluffyraggies · 05/02/2013 14:27

Thank you :)

It's amazing really. In a good way.

I'm not sure she would cope with a cup right now. Not that i'm 'dissing' anyone's experiences, i'm grateful for all your thoughts. I'm just picturing the average school loos and thinking - hmmm.

She uses tampons and night time always' at the moment. I'm going to have a chat with her about this, and suggest she tries the pads, and see if that is doable. Even if it makes a small difference it's worth it right?

The Dr. cheerfully told her that her periods will probably change after child birth anyway.
She's 14 FGS!

And she might not want children!

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McNewPants2013 · 05/02/2013 14:50

I used to suffer terrible thrush that time of the month but since using a mooncup I have not had thrush.

Cramps are far less intense as well.

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Vigilanteawarenessraiser · 05/02/2013 15:09

Yes to lighter flow and pain from me - though I can't say for sure it was definitely the pads, I swapped at the time I got proper treatment for endometriosis.
Worth looking into the possibility of endometriosis, I'm afraid, as excessive pain during the teenage years is one of the early signs.

If she were to swap, she would need a good wetbag that she could keep in her schoolbag. The pads themselves fold in on each other like little envelopes and snap tight so you don't see or smell anything. I was teaching today wearing one.
Sponges I've never tried so can't say.

The only really crucial thing is that she is on board with the change. If she wants to give it a go, shall I send you a couple to try out? I make the things, and mine are quite good (blows own trumpet). You would have to let me know how big she is. It would also have to wait 2 weeks before I could send them as I'm not at home atm.

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coraltoes · 05/02/2013 15:44

I know for a young teen this is not always ideal but would going on the pill help? I had amazingly light pain free periods when I went on it aged 18. I don't mean to offend or suggest she is sexually active, thinking purely from a period perspective!

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ParsleyTheLioness · 05/02/2013 16:24

Another alternative is to buy the organic disposable pads. Natracare, and other people do them. If you go on the website there is a list of local suppliers. No time to link at the mo...

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Justforlaughs · 05/02/2013 17:02

I personally find that a mooncup gives me horrendous cramps but everyone's experiences are different. I was put on the pill as a 15 year old to help with heavy bleeding, irregular periods and cramps and it workd wonders.

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Sausagedog27 · 05/02/2013 17:05

I was your daughter op- I even started fainting because of it. I tried all sorts- in the end it was the pill that made the most difference.

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undercoverhousewife · 05/02/2013 17:08

insist on a blood clotting test for your DD. Nobody deserves to suffer like that month after month. It might well be VWD which is very easily treated but, despite being very common, GPs don't seem to consider....

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Chandras · 05/02/2013 17:17

The mooncup and I didn't agree, I think we were not built for each other. I had really heavy periods and really bad cramping that lasted for days when I was a teenager, it was sorted by my sports team trainer in university in a few words:

"Damn chandras! Just keep moving and stretching your bloody legs, and you will be fine"

She was right, since then a few situps here and there when I was feeling unwell did the trick.

The heavy periods... Lasted for several years more though.

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HazeltheMcWitch · 05/02/2013 17:26

I'm another that has had years of dreadful period pains (and bloodloss), since my periods started. I've fainted with it all before, and I am known for being tough - did broke ankle on cross country and finished the course etc etc.

Eventually I was diagnosed with endometriosis, but not until I'd tried everything - organic disposables, reusables etc. Magnets. Acupuncture. tbh, none of it worked, only the pill / painkillers / tranexamic acid for lessening the blood loss. It might be worth a try though, but alongside her getting the medical attention that she needs.

NB rectal pain at time of period (javelin arse in MN parlance) = classic endo sign.

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EvenBetter · 05/02/2013 17:32

No experience of moon cups or anything but lovely lovely tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid were the only things that worked for me until I started taking the pill constantly so I don't have periods at all, which is bliss.

Keep taking her to the doctor, no one should have to suffer such barbarism every month, insist your doctor does something to help her and not dismiss it as ladies troubles and 'she'll grow out of it', it's no use to her now!

You could contact the companies that make the unbleached products and ask for a sample? I'm sure most would be happy to send one to see how she gets on with it.

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GobblersKnob · 05/02/2013 17:38

I use cups and washable pads and my periods are most pain free with the pads, cups make me a little more crampy, but I like the lack of mess and ease.

It is worth considering that unless she has a very heavy flow it is often possible to pop a cup in in the morning and not have to empty it unti bed time so every 12 hours basically, which bypasses the need to change at school.

If you are interested in a cup, I would recomened a Meluna over a Mooncup for a teen, they come in much smaller sizes and you can have a ring for removal which makes it very easy to grip.

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Pigsmummy · 05/02/2013 17:39

My friends daughter had the contraception injection due to same issues, change from tampons to towels then onto washable protection, no difference so gave up.

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thebody · 05/02/2013 17:42

Your poor dd. my own dd has also very bad back pain, she started she 11 poor pet.

She's now 14 and I know for me the pill helped at 16 but just think she is too young for this yet. Not from sex view but just messing her hormones around but again not sure.

Any doctors out there with advice??

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valiumredhead · 05/02/2013 17:48

Sponges are easy to use when you are out and about - I just carry a bottle of water and rinse it out over the loo.

With a mooncup depending on her flow she might not have to empty it while she is at school.

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valiumredhead · 05/02/2013 17:48

And yes, period pains are much less since stopping disposable sanitary wear.

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fluffyraggies · 05/02/2013 20:50

Oh my goodness thank you all so much for all this :)

Where to start ...

Yes, i was wondering if the GP would suggest the pill for her. I was also wondering if it would mess with her hormones.

Vigilante i see what you mean about the wet bag and will PM you about pads.

Organic disposable pads - fab idea! Again worth a try.

I agree about cups giving cramps sometimes. I've tried mooncups for ttc (i said about this on the other thread Wink) and i found it pretty easy to get in place and out again, but also found it gave me a dull ache all round my pelvic area.

Interesting about the different types of cup. Interesting too to hear she may not need to go emptying the cup during school. Her flow is similar to mine i think - super plus tampons for the first couple of days, regular tampons after that, with always to catch spills plus at night.

Endometriosis - eeeek :( Gosh i hope not. I think we'll try some home grown help like the organic pads or washables. Maybe a cup if she fancies trying. After that it's back to the docs.

MUST comment on ''javelin arse''. OMG i used to get this! Every so often a bloody great sharp pain going right up through you. Used to get it once in a blue moon though and i never have had painful or heavy periods.

I want to thank you for your comments about DD not having to listen to the Dr. re: put up and shut up, too. I know this - but when you're involved you can second guess yourself and so it's good to hear it's right to stick to your guns.

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FeistyLass · 05/02/2013 21:01

I've no experience of using different pads. However, my niece has terrible period pain including fainting and vomiting. She has been back and forwards to doctors and consultants. Nothing was helping and she was having to take painkillers and miss school. Completely unrelated to all of this, she decided to become a vegan and visited a dietitian/nutritionist. (I realise this may sound a bit flakey Blush but honestly it has made such a difference to my niece.) The dietitian/nutritianist recommended some supplements. Since my niece started taking them her periods have been much more manageable.

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Tailtwister · 05/02/2013 21:21

Has anyone tied Softcups? They are kind of like a moon up, but disposable. I used them when ttc ( worked btw!), but might be more practical than the moon up for a teenager.

I use do have horrendous cramping as a teenager. The GP prescribed painkillers (Ponstan I think) which helped. Lingonberry the pill really sorted things though.

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OHforDUCKScake · 05/02/2013 21:31

I had period pain for the first time in years for the first 3 months of using a mooncup. I felt like the suction was causing it. Whether it was or not?

OP I had periods like your daughter it was horrible. So painful sometimes Id start shaking, feel really sick, and often thought Id faint (I didnt). Occasionally so bad I couldnt stand.

I grew out of it but it took years. I went on the pill at 13 out of desperation to get them under control. The doctor told me to take the packets continuously so there was no break/bleed inbetween.

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pollyblue · 05/02/2013 23:02

i have severe endometriosis and tbh have never noticed any increase in pain or blood loss when i've used disposable pads (have also used washable pads and can heartily recommend, they're just so comfortable)
However, my pain is always worse if i use tampons.

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GreenPetal94 · 06/02/2013 18:05

Tampons make my period pains worse than pads. I can't see there can be much science behind the type of pad making a difference, as they are external, but I have no evidence to offer.

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