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Women's health

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Original poster

DD and painful periods

26 replies

SoupDragon · 28/07/2021 10:44

I should know this given I am a woman who had painful periods as a teen but I was never given any options other than a packet of painkillers. Obviously I now know other things are available.

I am trying to persuade DD (15) to talk to the GP about her painful periods (gently, obviously, I'm not going to force her as she finds talking to people awkward). What options is she likely to be offered? Knowing in advance might make her feel more comfortable.

I know the pill would be an option (and I think she'd be keen for this as it has the possibility of not having a period when it's inconvenient!) but I assume that wouldn't be the first thing to try.

Also, what over the counter things, other than ibuprofen, can I try in the meantime?

Thank you :)

OP posts:
LadyDanburysHat · 28/07/2021 10:50

I find nothing works better than heat. I use a hot water bottle. Occasionally when I was in the office I would use the stick on self heating pads for back pain.

But keep encouraging the GP.

Dollywilde · 28/07/2021 10:52

When I was a teenager with painful periods I spoke to the GP and they prescribed mefanemic acid, which really helped. Went on the pill 3 years later at 17 and when I came off the pill at 27 they were much more manageable.

2pinkginsplease · 28/07/2021 10:57

We had that conversation with the doctor last year during lockdown. I phoned the doctor and then we had a call between dr, dd and I to discuss options. Dr was extremely helpful.

stargirl1701 · 28/07/2021 11:00

Feminax Ultra (Naproxen) is your best bet. Suitable from 15 years.

Frlrlrubert · 28/07/2021 11:03

It's a looong time ago but I was prescribed mefenamic acid. It did help somewhat, but also made me really constipated and I still ended up being sent home from school on the worst day.

I was on the pill just before my 15th birthday and that helped the most, by my 20s I just took it back to back and only had about three periods a year. They were still 'bad' but not debilitating.

I came off the pill at 30 to ttc and found my periods weren't as bad as they used to be, thankfully.

Shieldingending · 28/07/2021 11:05

Another one here that had mefenamic acid prescribed as a teen, helped me a lot until I chose to go on the pill to regulate my periods. Hope your DD gets some good pain relief soon, it’s so miserable

Original poster
SoupDragon · 28/07/2021 11:13

mefenamic acid

That's the one I couldn't remember!

Thank you all.

I bought her a microwaveable llama for Christmas for this very purpose so I'll remind her of that too. I am going to keep "pushing" towards the GP but I remember that feeling of embarrassment and anxiety about talking to someone all too well (there is a female GP to see which should help).

I'm determined that she won't have to suffer like I did.

OP posts:
Frlrlrubert · 28/07/2021 11:37

I make a little 'you do not need to suffer' speech whenever I teach the menstrual cycle.

I'm eternally grateful my DM took me to the GP with mine (in her day there was 'nothing they could do' bar the pill - and she wanted a family, which took a long time). We now think we probably both had/have endometriosis but it's so under diagnosed.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 28/07/2021 12:02

The chemist said that Naproxen is no longer available without a prescription and Feminax Ultra does seem to be tricky to find online too (well, neither Boots or Lloyds have it in stock.)

Anyway, I will be gently ushering her towards the GP because it's utterly shit!

OP posts:
FoxgloveSummers · 28/07/2021 12:08

Poor DD, I was put on the pill at 14ish, I think it may have helped.

I don't know how old you have to be but the only thing that worked for me was when I discovered Ibruprofen + Codeine (Nurofen Plus or own brand) which can make you feel woozy due to the codeine but really is the only thing to help with the worst days. Taking that as the cramps are just starting can stop them really getting going if you're lucky. Plus a hotty for ideal relief. The chemist will tell you you can't take them more than 3 days straight but that's not really a problem when it's period based.

exexpat · 28/07/2021 12:09

DD at 13 was initially offered the pill, which unfortunately didn't suit her (she gets dreadful nausea during periods, and the pill seemed to make it worse), then mefenamic acid, which does help, particularly if she keeps tabs on her cycle and starts taking it a day or two before her period starts.

She has also noticed that her cramps tend to be far worse if she eats sugary foods during her period, and that they are generally better when she is eating healthily and getting enough sleep and exercise. It could be worth getting your DD to keep a food/lifestyle diary and see if there are any links to how she feels.

But also encourage her to talk to the GP - there are definitely things they can offer to help.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 28/07/2021 12:11

I've just handed over some Nurofen Express, a big bar of chocolate and a Danish pastry and reminded her about the llama. I also said that the only real option going forward was talking to the GP.

OP posts:
Original poster
SoupDragon · 28/07/2021 12:12

cramps tend to be far worse if she eats sugary foods during her period

I'll go and wrestle the chocolate and pastry off DD just in case! 😂

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 28/07/2021 12:16

I wish my own mother had been as proactive re my periods. I was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis at 30.

I would encourage her to see the GP in the first instance but I would also be asking for a referral to a gynaecologist as well. These types of issue are well outside a GPs remit. Periods should not be as painful and I would think many of her friends do not get such pain either.

The pill may be prescribed but you need to be aware that it will mask the symptoms of the underlying problem. It will help address the symptoms but you also need to determine the cause.

Endometriosis cannot be ruled out here, this is a common cause of ongoing painful periods. Encourage her also to keep a daily pain and symptom diary as this could also give the gynae clues. Measure pain on a scale from 1-10.

I found hot water bottles took the edge off it sometimes but pills like traexamic and or mefanemic acid offered no long term benefit.

MayEye · 28/07/2021 12:18

My pharmacy recommend buscopan for the cramps, as the likes of feminax can’t be bought otc any more but dd said it’s useless!
I need to take her to GP as she’s heading to the senior years in school and can’t be missing days every month which has been happening.
I am a little wary of the pill but I know it’s probably the best option- mainly because it destroyed my libido when I took it in my 20’s but that’s not something I want to get into with DD! I think weighing it up, the absolute agony she goes through needs to take priority now.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 28/07/2021 12:24

I wish my own mother had been as proactive re my periods.

I do agree but I think mine did better than her mum did with her and I am striving to do better than mine, even though it goes against my conditioned feelings of "never talk about it". I don't really hold any grudge towards my mum for just giving me pain killers - it's probably more than she got!

Hopefully my DD will manage to do even better than me if she has a daughter.

OP posts:
Original poster
SoupDragon · 28/07/2021 12:26

Childbirth fixed my periods but that really isn't an option 😂

I suspect it isn't endometriosis in my case as I had no trouble having children and there doesn't seem to be a family history. It is definitely something to bear in mind though.

OP posts:
PurpleFadesToGreen · 28/07/2021 12:43

Both my DDs have had horrific periods and period pain, vomiting, diahorrea, headaches, passing out ( that was fun!)

DD2 (16) had the pill and it worked for a while, then it didn't, tried another that didn't work.
Tried both the "acids" they didn't really work either.

She's now got the implant, and hasn't complained since.
So fingers crossed that's working.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 28/07/2021 13:20

That sounds awful 🙁 At least DD "just" has the cramps/pain.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 28/07/2021 16:14

Hi SoupDragon

re your comment:-

"I suspect it isn't endometriosis in my case as I had no trouble having children and there doesn't seem to be a family history. It is definitely something to bear in mind though".

Do bear it in mind.

It cannot be ruled out and if your DDs periods are just as painful by the time she is 17 or 18 then she needs to see a gynae. My problems with endo started upon onset of menses at 14, I realise that now after many years. I had many of its classic symptoms, not least of all pain.

Although endometriosis can go down the female line its not always the case that there is a family history. My mother did not have problems in conceiving either but I certainly did. It can have an effect on fertility and ttc.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 28/07/2021 16:56

Don't worry, I'm not ruling it out. First step is to get her to the GP though.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 28/07/2021 20:57

Indeed it is. I hope the GP is helpful to her and is not dismissive.

MakeCrisps · 28/07/2021 21:00

IMO paracetamol is the best painkiller, but you must take it before the pain gets a grip. 2 paracetamol at the first, slightest twinge then 4 hourly for as long as needed.

Namechangeforthisquestion7 · 28/07/2021 21:09

@SoupDragon

cramps tend to be far worse if she eats sugary foods during her period

I'll go and wrestle the chocolate and pastry off DD just in case! 😂

This wrestling comment made me laugh! But also I second the comment about sugar. From age 11 onwards I had pain so bad I would pass out. I made my way through all sorts of pain killers, pills, heat pads, and they all did help a little. But what has made the biggest difference for me is seeing a nutritionist to find out exactly what my body needs, and cutting out sugar and bad fats. Also exercise, use the muscles to help relieve the pain of them contracting.
CimCardashian · 08/08/2021 01:42

I have suffered with bad period pain all my life. Tried so many things!

The thing that worked the best (apart from Mirena coil) was starflower oil. It's much stronger than oil of evening primrose.
You have to take it every day of the month,not just during periods.

I will get some for my dd if she suffers like I did.