Period pain, migraines etc

[isthatwhatyoureallywanted]

DD is 12, started her period three months ago and, so far, has been surprisingly text book in getting them every 28 days and them lasting 5 to 6 days.
The actual bleeding is easy to deal with - I'd stocked up with period pants in advance and they're working well.
It's the other aspects of having a period which she (and therefore we) are struggling with, particularly as she's always been really healthy & energetic until now. Of course, it might just be a coincidence but she seems really lethargic on days 2 & 3 and generally out of sorts. This time, she has also added a bad headache (possibly migraine territory - had to be in a dark room and slept for hours in the middle of the day) to the fun on day 4, something which happened for the first time just after her first period.
What can she do/take? The lethargy I think might be something she just needs to get used to and just get extra sleep where she can and realise she won't be on top form (which is how I deal with this aspect of it). Is there anything else though? And I have no idea how to approach the headaches as they're not something I've suffered from. If it was stomach cramps, I'd be able to recommend all sorts of things to her!

Over the counter pain killers.

Then if they aren't working after 4-6 months take her to the GP. Who will probably prescribe different ones.

She will just have to take it easy on the days of her period.

Menstrual migraines are buggers - all down to hormones. migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/types-of-migraine/menstrual-migraine/.

Aspirin or ibuprofen is best, ideally dispersible in a fizzy drink. Doctor may prescribe anti nausea tablets if that is an issue. Nausea stops the medication been absorbed.

Magnesium supplements may be worth considering as well.

I dunt think under 16s can take aspirin can they?

Coedine always worked for mine. (Not sure what the age limit is on that)
Or paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Now I take a preventative instead.

@FilePhoto yep she can't take aspirin, and it's shit for migraines or period pain anyway.

You can actually take paracetamol and ibuprofen a few hours apart or get them in a combined pill, but that's overkill until you have tried them both separately to see if just one works.

Also a 12 year old who has just started needs a year or so to see if the symptoms settle or not.

Bless her - I had this for years, take her to the doctors and see if they can help. They gave me propranolol but again not sure if appropriate at her age.

Taking birth control pills can sometimes help. She should see a hormone expert. It's absurd that the standard medical advice is for her to just tough it out until it gets better. (Or in my dd's case, until she is 19 and finally gets diagnosed with Hemophilia)

The poor thing. I have this. The only thing that works is triptans but she is probably too young to take them. I'd take her to GP for advice.

The UK guidelines for migraines in this age group recommend trying paracetamol and ibuprofen, if ineffective a triptan nasal spray can be prescribed at this age.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine/management/young-people-aged-12-17-years/

I have resorted to semi frozen towels on my head as it sometimes numbs the pain & throbbing. Cold \ lukewarm showers can help as well...

Had menstrual migraines my whole life. The lethargy is part of the migraine so she will need to sleep. As other people have said OTC analgesics and the pharmacist can help. Also helpful to see GP. I found that I needed to keep hydrated and my blood sugars up so frequent small snacks of carbs and lots of water can help. But she has my total sympathy. It takes time but hopefully she will find something that works for xx