Painful periods

[AlwaysFlappable]

I'm a 42 year old mum of 2. I came off all contraception January 2022 as I felt my hormones were all over the place. Anyway, since then my periods have been extremely painful. No heavier and still lasting 5 days but from day 2 until the end they're very painful (days 2 and 3 especially). My cycles vary between 24 and 31 days. Sex isn't painful and I have no discharge etc.
They got so painful I'd convinced myself there must be some underlying cause so I had a private scan last October. It was clear of anything just the possible early signs of fibroids. I'm due for a smear next week so will chat to the nurse then bit I'm just looking for some reassurance.
Today is day 5 of my period and I'm still having mild discomfort along with back/hip ache.
From what I've read pain lasting more than 2 or 3 days isn't normal and should be checked out. Is this something that gets worse with age? Thanks in advance for any help. I feel at the end of my tether and full of worry .

Any pain that is cyclical in nature and or gets worse up to and including menses should be checked to see if endometriosis is the cause. It is a common cause of ongoing and or severe period pain.

Nurse may not be able to tell you much next week. I would seek a referral from a gynaecologist, as NHS waiting lists for gynae are very long currently you may want to see a gynae as a private patient for an initial consultation.

What was said about the fibroids? These can grow and cause heavy bleeding.

Endometriosis is usually diagnosed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy. Internal ultrasound scans do not readily detect endometriosis if it’s present.

Thank you for the reply @AttilaTheMeerkat. The sonographer last October explained that he wouldn't be able to detect endometriosis. But, he said it looked like I had a small fibrous area on my womb. My periods aren't especially heavy it is just the pain that I get. I have a history of ovarian cysts and had one ovary and fallopian tube removed when i was 15. As I said on days 2 and 3 the pain can bring me to tears it's so severe.

I will make an appointment to see a GP who can then refer to gynae. I don't think I could afford a private appointment.

You had an ovary and fallopian tube removed at 15, I am so sorry that happened to you. Did the staff explain the cause and why these were removed as a result?

Endometriosis is a common cause of ongoing and or otherwise severe period pain. It can sometimes also cause heavy bleeding to arise.

You may be waiting some months to see a gynae hence me suggesting that you go private for an initial consultation. Given your history as well I would seriously consider this.

@AttilaTheMeerkat it was an enormous cyst which had grown around the ovary and most of the fallopian tube.

I shall look into a private consultation. Maybe start doing some research tomorrow. Thank you for your help x

You're very welcome

Hi OP, I was wondering how you were getting on; did you manage to seek further treatment for your issues?
Sorry if this is TMI but I’m experiencing very similar symptoms to what you have described and I also had one ovary and Fallopian tube removed in my late teens due to a large cyst. I had DS a year ago and expected my periods to be worse initially after birth (they came back straight away, much to my dismay!) but they just seem to be getting worse, not necessarily heavier but definitely more painful. I was thinking of contacting my GP or having a private scan to check for any abnormalities but realistically I think I’ll just be dismissed as it being ‘my body settling down after birth’ or something along those lines. Did you notice any difference after having your DC?

Hope you managed to find some answers x

Hi @MrsCLogan. I'm still having the same symptoms. I think we're always dismissed as being "normal" until we're not 🙄
My symptoms have gotten steadily worse since I came off contraception in January 2022. Never really had PMS and only had period pains the day before.
I had to cancel my smear as both kids came down with hand, foot and mouth, then my period and now half term... so I'll be rebooking that for next week hopefully.

I'm on cycle day 11 (7 days since the end of my period) and I started with cramps yesterday but I'm putting that down to ovulation (even though ot seems a little early) But, even that is more painful than it used to be. I'll speak to the nurse and go from there but, I've lay in bed this morning thinking that I'll have another private scan just to be sure. If there is nothing there I'll speak to the GP about endometriosis.

I'm just always worried about being dismissed. Hope you find some answers soon x

Just to advise you that an internal ultrasound scan may not detect endometriosis if it is present. None of my internal scans saw it as the deposits are so very small.

Not all GPS are up to date re endometriosis either. Would push for answers and if finances permit see a gynaecologist as a private patient for an initial consultation.

Hey OP I'm 44 mum of 1 (age 4) and also came off pill afterwards as didn't feel I needed it.

Similar happened about 8 months ago and out of nowhere my periods became extremely painful for a good number of days, consistently every month. I needed pain relief every month.

I spoke to GP and given no other symptoms we agreed to go back on the pill to see if had any effect and hey presto everything back to normal. I am on desogestral progesterone only pill ( had been for some years) so it stops my periods completely with occasional break through bleed that's painless.

I think there are often long lasting hormone changes after pregnancy that can alter our cycles.

If it hadn't worked then we would have tried HRT next as in the age bracket for perimenopause but given everything else was normal and no other symptoms GP felt unlikely cause.

I also would have asked for a scan to rule out any endometriosis post pregnancy.

Hope you get sorted soon.

Endo though is not readily picked up on internal ultrasound scans. In my case the pill masked the symptoms of the underlying problem causing my painful periods.