Teen with awful periods

[Stressheadmumma]

My 14 yr old has had awful periods for about 18 months. Bad back pain and gets awful diarrhea on top. Did have heavy flow but this controlled with medication. Mefanaic acid helps with pain as well but diarrhea is what makes going to school difficult. We’ve tried various supplements to help reduce symptoms but not hugely helped. Other than taking diarrhea tablets is there anything else that can be done?

What has the GP said? Have they made any suggestions such a a coil, combined pill, referral to gynae etc? This sounds horrendous for the poor girl. She shouldn’t be kept out the classroom due to being female!

DD went on the pill to help hers and it has made an enormous difference.

The only solution I got for myself was to go on the contraceptive pill.

It may be worth speaking to the GP about endometriosis although conclusive diagnosis of this can only be made via laparoscopy. Either way, NIICE guidelines do flowcharts for different age groups on the process of this is suspected by yourself or the GP. May be worth having a look at as this was how I was as a teen - only got diagnosed aged 32 xx

DD 15 went on the combined pill and the problems were sorted right away. It wasn’t a decision I wanted to take but on balance the best thing.

I feel the pill is the only way to go by sounds of it. GP has said she can consider it but suggested we see if they settle or not. She has had the odd month where we thought they were better and then started getting worse again.

Appt booked for middle of September! Can I ask what pill others have been prescribed for their teens?

Microgynon

I had periods like this. My GP put me on Microgynon and that really helped. However I did go on to get breast cancer at 36 and my oncology team have said there is some evidence that going on the pill at a young age can increase the risk of this. I don't think that's conclusive though, maybe just something to ask about. I feel for your daughter, my periods made me miserable!

Buscopan, more loperamide, high dose collagen (it's anti-inflammatory in the gut and gets its name from the greek word for glue...).
Plus ibuprofen, the type for migraines is the same as Feminax and you can get it in own brands cheaper than brandname - it's also anti-inflammatory as well as pain relieving.
But that is just dealing with symptoms, not cause - which might be hormonal, with a hormonal treatment potentially required.