Teen with awful period pains

[RedSkyLastNight]

DD (13) has always suffered with bad period cramps but her last 4 or 5 periods they have ben getting progressively worse. She is racked with cramps, alternates shivery and too hot and can feel faint, dizzy or nauseous. She's twice been sent to the medical room at school because the teacher thought she was going to faint. She's just come on today, and we were going to go for a walk, but she could scarcely get downstairs so has gone back to bed and is just dozing on and off. She' s taken ibuprofen but it's not really helped. Her periods are not actually that heavy, So thankfully she doesn't have to deal with flooding as well. I am going to take her to the GP but don't know if she is too young to take something like the pill (or if this would help)? Have others had experiences with their teens having bad pains or can suggest anything else that might help?

Sounds like she would really benefit from the combined pill if she has no contraindications. Her age is fine.

If she'd entertain the idea of a menstrual cup, I'd suggest it's worth a try. I don't know how (black magic?) but it's the only thing that's ever made a dent in my menstrual pain. It's not exaggerating to say it changed my life.

I really hope she finds the right thing for her - it's totally debilitating.

The GP can give her better pain killers. If the pain is likely to go on a bit on holiday can you not see a doctor out there?

Other people have recommended Buscopan on MN for severe cramps. Your poor DD. In my early 20s I had several years of dreadful period pains. They’re the pits.

Sorry I dunno where I got the idea you’re on holiday.

Ok, so my experience is 30 years old, but i suffered in a very similar way, at the same age. Feminax (which I believe is Naproxen), lucozade and a nap used to really help me, although the napping was not so useful during school hours.DM would not let me take anything hormonal.

I had to get put on the combined pill at that age and at the age of 24 I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis.

She’ll need something stronger than buscopan tablets. My DD takes Mefanamic acid but you have to start it in advance so that it builds up. She also takes buscopan alongside. It still doesn’t work completely but takes the edge off. I’ve had severe pains all my life and take a wonderful anti inflammatory but it’s not licensed in children.

I had the same as a teenager. Got put on the pill. Helped relieve the pains.

My own DD has been through this & more as her periods were very heavy, came with menstrual migraines & were very frequent too, to the point of missing schooler times & it's awful.

Our GP suggested upping her vitamin B6 to the maximum dose of 100mg. She has other health problems, including needing B12 injections, she did already take several supplements to support her B12 treatment.

We switched her to Solgar Vitamin B Complex Complete which has the full dose of B6, plus full or high doses of all of the other B Vitamins. This has really helped a lot. We saw a big difference within a couple of months.

Maybe speak to your GP & try that first

Oh & Feminax helps on the odd days that she still gets cramps

Feminax Ultra - the one with naproxen. And magnesium. Poor girl.

I was on the pill by that age. It was a lifesaver. And nowadays we know you don't have to have the pill-free break either.

As an older woman being period-free on Cerazette has changed my life.

I used to work with a GP who would speak to all the junior drs curled up in a ball with period pains saying 'you don't have to put up with this, it isn't normal period pain!'

So please please take your DD to the GP. It doesn't have to be like this.