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Original poster

Teen severe period pains - missing school

36 replies

Lotty32 · 07/10/2021 08:11

Just that really. She's got a call with the GP tomorrow - but a very unkeen to go on the Pill. Any other suggestions please? I think I used to use Feminax - what do people think? Many thx

OP posts:
ChimChimeny · 07/10/2021 08:16

I was that teen, I missed school for the first day of my period every month (severe pain & constant vomiting) or was sent home if it started while I was there.

I went on the pill at 15 & it stopped overnight. Had some pains but ibuprofen actually worked whereas it didn't before.

Came off after about 14/15 years, got pregnant straightaway & periods luckily never went back to how they were.

Sorry it's not what you want to hear ☹️ I tried Feminax but it didn't make a difference.

icedcoffees · 07/10/2021 08:18

I was the same as a teenager and still struggle as an adult. The pill didn't work for me - well, it sorted my periods but overall it made me feel even worse.

I take tranexamic acid which helps and also ibuprofen starting 24-48 hours before I'm due on.

Seeline · 07/10/2021 08:21

DD started off being prescribed the two 'acid' medications (long names - can't remember what but both something acid). Didn't really help, and one of them actually gave her stomach ache on top of period pains.

She has ended up on the mini pill which has been fantastic. On the doctor's advice she takes it back to back and rarely has a period. When she does, they are much less painful and less heavy.

Loopyloulou007 · 07/10/2021 08:23

If in the UK. Yours child, medically is between the child and Dr, after about 13 I think it was. Don't think you know longer have a say. I am able to ring up and make appointments and attend if she wants, but the Dr will always ask her if she gives permission for me to be in the room, rather than it be a right, as a parent. Why don't you want her on the pill, it balances out the hormones, sorts outs spots (normally) and hopefully would stop the severe cramping and the missing of school. This from someone who cannot take the pill, but I would never rule it out for my child, if it helped her. Why are you against it, if it is beneficial in these circumstances.

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 07/10/2021 08:30

I was the same in school (still am now, worse actually since having my third) but at the time I went on the contraceptive pill called Microgynon 30. It really helped me in my teenage years.
Mefanemic Acid is really good stuff for period cramps (GP prescribes) but for me I had severe nausea as a side effect so I stopped taking it.

JamesWilbysAbs · 07/10/2021 08:31

I was prescribed mefanamic acid as a teenager. It did not help. My life was constrained by period pain- on a par with labour pain.

I wish someone had suggested the pill for me as a youngster. I took it from my early 20s to my early 50s, only coming off for 2 DCs, and then finally came off the minipill after menopause... missing all period problems. Bonus!

thesearelaughterlines · 07/10/2021 08:34

Just to clarify a point further up thread
The mini pill ( progesterone only ) is intended to be taken back to back
That is the correct way to take it
The combined pill should be taken for 28 days with a 7 day break to allow a breakthrough bleed

The POP sounds like a good choice for her , worth a try ?

HavfrueDenizKisi · 07/10/2021 08:41

Ah god yes I suffered like this too with added vomiting to make it more fun.

Tho only thing that truly worked for me was the pill. The GP tried other stuff first but it didn't touch the sides of the pain. Think I went on the mini pill at 17 possibly earlier (so long ago I can't remember). Now my DD1 has started and I won't let her suffer like I did. If she starts down the same road as I did we will be asking for the pill too.

Ozanj · 07/10/2021 08:44

If the painful periods is caused by pcos (which it often is) then the pill can prevent infertility further down the line. Honestly I think you are being really unreasonable to say no when it would improve her quality of life.

RisingSunn · 07/10/2021 08:47

I suffered like this. Found Cuprofen worked for me.

SallyDoTheDishes · 07/10/2021 08:54

Why is she/you not keen on the pill? How old is she?

I had horrific period pain, on par with labour now I know what labour feels like. I went on the pill at 15 much to my Mother's horror but it massively helped. I could then sleep though the pain which I hadn't been able to before.

I managed to stay on the pill for 10 years before having to come off because of migraines. I was later diagnosed with endometriosis.

beenthere225 · 07/10/2021 09:25

I use a Livia which has really helped me. It's discreet and can be worn under a school uniform.

mylivia.com

Geneticsbunny · 07/10/2021 09:44

Depending on how old she is maybe a mirena or implants might be better than the pill? I have struggled with heavy painful period my while life and a mirena has been life-changing. No more periods at all. Brilliant.

gonnabeok · 07/10/2021 09:44

I really feel for your dd. As a teen my pain was so bad it affected my legs and I couldn't even walk properly. For 3 days every month, I either missed school or ended up in the sickness office- it was a complete nightmare.

On my GP's advice, I went on the pill and it was pure delight at having no more problems. Try and encourage your daughter to just give it a trial. There are so many different ones out way.

darcy77 · 07/10/2021 09:54

The pill is the best way to help IMO however it sometimes takes a while to find one that suits. I am very sensitive to hormones so seem to get side effects - they often settle down after a few months though. I was happy on microgynon for many years, didn't get on with Mirena and now hoping the mini pill is for me.

Ibuprofen before and during the first few days works a little. I was also prescribed transexamic acid but tbh honest I'd prefer to take the pill and not have a period (or a significantly reduced one) than bother with lots of pain meds. I tried going natural and just taking some pain meds after having my children for a few months and it was awful.

I also suffer pms and the pill helps even things out in the month.

Period pants/ reusable Pads are good for a heavy flow but ultimately the pill has been best for me.

Beamur · 07/10/2021 10:00

As a teen I took mefanamic acid (ponstan) and it was terrific.
See what the Dr says. The pill can be hugely helpful - she doesn't need to stay on it indefinitely and whilst there are some long term considerations, they're not all negative. The pill has several protective qualities too.

Shallysally · 07/10/2021 10:06

My DD is same, she is currently taking the mini pill. She has spoken with the practice nurse after doing some research and she has appointment t for bloods as she is quite run down, and they are going to investigate for PCOS and endometriosis.

For women to be so affected by period pain is not normal and pain relief and hormones just, IMO and after doing some reading around this, mask the cause.

GP’s are quick to dismiss this but it’s worth having the discussion and pushing for tests.

firealarmhell · 07/10/2021 10:24

@thesearelaughterlines

Just to clarify a point further up thread The mini pill ( progesterone only ) is intended to be taken back to back That is the correct way to take it The combined pill should be taken for 28 days with a 7 day break to allow a breakthrough bleed

The POP sounds like a good choice for her , worth a try ?

The instructions do state a seven-day hormone-free break on the combined pill. It is stated on prescriptions. But skipping a break occasionally or consistently taking pills is an option. There are no health benefits to taking a break every month. There are some potential side effects such as irregular bleeding.

NICE says "Women can safely take fewer (or no) hormone-free intervals to avoid monthly bleeds, cramps and other symptoms."

Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health also recommends a 4 day break to reduce risk of conception. Women can continue to take a 7 day break if they wish to.

Fluffypastelslippers · 07/10/2021 10:26

Feminax are just a painkiller, what has she tried so far?

Why not keen for the pill?

firealarmhell · 07/10/2021 10:33

Dysmenorrhea can be a sign of medical conditions and these should be ruled out. She can seek appropriate treatment and pain relief from her GP. Feminax Express Tablets contains Ibuprofen lysine, there may be cheaper brands available but best ask the pharmacy team for advice. Has she tried codeine over the counter?

I appreciate you are advocating for her as a parent and have her best interests in mind. However, contraception must be entirely her choice and I would leave that discussion with HCPs.

Original poster
Lotty32 · 07/10/2021 12:48

Many thx all - apologies for being unclear - I am not unkeen foe her to go on the pill - she is - she is worried about weight gain and skin problems (already has acne)

Sounds like the mini pill may be a great idea thx

OP posts:
Branleuse · 07/10/2021 16:22

the pill actually helps with acne too

Rosesareyellow · 07/10/2021 16:36

I would definitely try the pill - weight gain and acne aren’t guaranteed by any means. I didn’t get it anyway. Periods were really light, just enough pain to know they were coming on. The pill I was on can actually just be taken back to back now - no need for periods at all.

Lougle · 07/10/2021 16:41

@thesearelaughterlines

Just to clarify a point further up thread The mini pill ( progesterone only ) is intended to be taken back to back That is the correct way to take it The combined pill should be taken for 28 days with a 7 day break to allow a breakthrough bleed

The POP sounds like a good choice for her , worth a try ?

DD1 takes Gaderel, a combined pill. It can be taken in a few ways:

~Tricycling: Take 1 pill daily for 9 weeks without a break. After 9 weeks (3 packs of pills) take a 4 or 7 day break and then start the cycle again.
~Continuous use: Take 1 pill daily without a break.
~Flexible extended use: Take 1 pill daily for at least 21 days.

These are all stated in the instructions. DD1 is taking it continuously, so unless she gets breakthrough spotting (in which case they say to take a 4 day break to allow the bleed to sort itself out) she shouldn't have a period.

Rosesareyellow · 07/10/2021 16:53

The combined pill should be taken for 28 days with a 7 day break to allow a breakthrough bleed

This changed a few years ago. It can be taken back to back or three packs at a time with a break if you’re prone to break through spotting.