aibu to think period pain shouldn't be that bad? [title edited by MNHQ]

[scarredforlife]

My girlfriend has her period today, granted she always says the first day is the worst. I've had to hand wash three cushion covers because she bled through them, now she's just sheepishly taken the bedsheet down with blood on it and is basically crawling back up the stairs!
I sound like a typical man but is it normal to be that bad? Genuinely concerned

I haven't rtft but isn't it slightly odd that you are posting here instead of your partner?

If she can stomach ibuprofen this reduces bleeding and pain very well. The maximum dose is 600mg three times a day, but not for more than a couple of days at that dose without medical supervision because of stomach sensitivity.

However it is not normal to have to crawl around and a visit to the doctor might be in order anyway. They can prescribe things like Tranaxamic Acid and Ponstan Forte which do the job even better, plus she needs checking over to make sure there aren't other issues such as fibroids and so on.

Fucking hell. I am really shocked at this thread and I don't normally get involved in the politics on MN.

The OP is asking for advice and people have chosen to jump on some sort of anti-male bandwagon Grow the fuck up and stop trying to impose your agenda on any male poster.

OP, this does not seem normal, please get your OH to the doctor. I had incredibly painful periods when I was younger - my mother had to call the GP out, and I've had later episodes when I was curled up in bed literally crying in pain and unable to do anything.

Agreed with others above, unfortunately it could very well be a miscarriage.

Hopefully, it's not, but still worth advising her to see a doctor urgently. Don't be afraid to go to hospital if it is really too bad, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Periods can become a LOT worst after giving birth for some women, but medical advice definitively useful. Unless she is really really bad and can't wait, must call GP first thing Monday morning.

I have endometriosis that got even worse after having children. It similar pain to being in labour for a whole bloody week. I would feel beaten up by the end of it despite prescription painkillers.
Practical tip - ibuprofen can help to reduce blood loss for some women so that should be the first choice painkiller if she is able to take it.
My periods got noticeably heavier when I had an ovarian cyst.
Look after her.

Incidentally the best possible cure for period pain is orgasm, but ironically it's the last time you feel like having a go.

Ignore the nasty posters on here, btw. People thought you were having a go at women in general and their inability to put up with pain but that is obviously not what you meant.

Yes, MN does seem to be increasingly anti-man. The comments on the International Men's Day thread were equally disturbing.

Also, like many, I have OP posts highlighted, so it is very easy to quickly look at ALL the OP's posts, something people on this thread and others could do with doing.

ouryve welldone posters were supportive and then you posted.
Hope you feel better.

Also if it persists - Mefenamic Acid on prescription from the GP helps with the pain and the bleeding.

for your girlfriend, and sorry to you on behalf of everyone here who neglected to read your post properly before jumping down your throat.

It is like getting kicked in the pubic home with steel toe-cap boots, while having severe diahorrea.

HTH.

Oops, didn't rtft! Sorry!

Boffin
It might work for normal period pains but not necessarily for things like endometriosis pain.

Chaz, this is true, which is why I think the poor lass needs a GP check.

I've reported this thread and suggested it's moved. OP, I hope you can take away some of the good comments here and ignore the fuckwits.

I agree could be a miscarriage as her period pain normally not that bad (you think). Whatever the cause she needs to visit GP as the average woman does not have that amount of bleeding and pain.

What an absolute shower of twats there are on this thread .
I daresay OP has fled now but on the offchance he's still still around I advise what a few people have already said: it doesn't sound normal, please encourage her to see her GP as soon as possible.

Ignore the haters, OP.

Your gf should make a GP appointment next week. Both excessive pain and excessive bleeding should be investigated and potentially can be treated. If the blood loss is excessive by her usual standards and you're worried, eg if she faints or is clearly in extreme pain/distress, then contact the out of hours service for advice.

I can only think that some posters have been enjoying a glass of wine on a Saturday night...

I've had period pain that feels like my whole intestines are being pulled out with a fishing hook. It has made me faint at school. I've bled through many things. Unfortunately, childbirth never made it better - the only thing that alleviated it was the pill.

I can't take the pill now (I'm in my 40s), and the doctor fobs me off as it being 'one of those things' so I'm stuck with it. Can't wait for the menopause tbh - I've had all the children I want.

Under
I am in my mid 40's and take the progesterone only pill. Is this an option for you?

The doctor refused any pill, because of certain risk factors I think. I would love to still be able to take the pill. Thanks though - I might ask her specifically for that next time I visit, and see what she says.

Contraception availability for older women is a whole different thread- but I haven't found a single type that suits me since I was stopped taking the pill.

This happened to me not long back (horrific flooding, not being flamed on AIBU for being a man)
After years of horrible periods where I vomit, cry, collapse with pain and "breathe through" the contractions, I saw the GP and said "I know we've tried the pill and everything..." Turns out he'd been sitting on the good stuff, these tranexamic acid pills are a fucking wonder drug. I'm practically rollerblading in white jeans now.

If men had periods they'd be available over the counter, like aspirin

Having read all your posts, OP, I can see that you made a mistake with your thread title so won't abuse you for it.

What I will say is that a little blood can go an awfully long way - so it might look like a pig has had its throat cut and still only be about 20ml of blood. I used to work in blood labs, dropping one vial of blood (usually about 10ml) took an awful lot of cleaning up and don't get me started on what a dropped blood bag required!!

However, if she is very unwell apart from being in pain (and yes, period pain can be utterly crippling, even after childbirth - some women's periods get easier, others' get worse) then it might be worth talking to NHS direct, especially if her breathing is affected (a sign that her iron/haemoglobin is too low for comfort).

Apart from that, the best thing you can do is keep her supplied with painkillers, towels, drinks, chocolate, something to read, hot water bottles (if she likes those, personally I loathe them) and be as nice as you can to her.

I had no idea that my period pains were as bad as being in labour, until I had a baby. I am nearly 44 and am on the depo injection to control them. I have a bad one every now and then, but they are few and far between because of it.

I tried being without it after having ds, having heard the story that having a child might help, but would be teaching having freshly equipped myself with a super plus tampon and super plus sanitary towel and within half an hour would have to leave my TA to take over as I promptly soaked both.