Why do I very occasionally get savagely painful periods?

[SpaghettiWithaYeti]

Most of the time my periods are fairly manageable, a bit of bloating, a bit painful, but easily treatable with comfortable clothes and a hot water bottle.

But occasionally over the years, maybe a handful of times, I have had the most savagely painful period. The first when I was about 20, the most recent last night. So painful that the first time I actually thought I was dying. Last night I was vomiting from the pain.

I know there are conditions that can cause this level of pain (eg endometriosis )but for me years can go by between episodes.

Just wondered if anyone had experienced similar /had any ideas?

Following with interest.

I'm just hoping it is a signal I'm coming to the end? as the pain I get now in later life reminds of the same pain as a 10 year old during the summer of 91 just before my periods landed (please do not let me have another 10 years of it, if there was a potion to bring it on I really think I would now seriously think about it) I really miss the pill Cerazette as I think now it masked a lot more symptoms from the past 6 months.

I've asked on a support group for the spine condition I have but got no real answers and why should I as that spine condition largely effects women who are likely post menopausal.

I really wish I had not listened to nor entertained the coil will solve everything. Suppose the silver lining is they won't be able to push it again.

Another following with interest, never had a painful period in my life and today I'm floored.

Not sure it's a period or maybe a gastro issue?

I get this too! Most recently was last month when I was nearly passed out on the bathroom floor from the pain. I have a vague thought that it's a cyst bursting maybe as it's so irregular? It's literally only happened to me 3 times in my 20 years of menstruating.

Sorry to hear I am not the only one! And I know I am very fortunate it isn't more regular but it has also left me so baffled. And the pain was off the charts, I was sweating and vomiting and crying.

I have a neurological condition that means I can't use any super strong painkillers if it is flaring (which it was last night). Like @Guttedme I've asked on a women's group for people with my (rare) condition if anyone else has experienced this and if there might be a link but I can't immediately see why there would be (and I am not convinced other very painful episodes link with previous flares)

Hope you're feeling a bit better now @CatherinedeBourgh ?

My pain has basically gone but I feel utterly drained by the experience! And still quite nauseous weirdly

(ps excellent name @CatherinedeBourgh ! Such a brilliant book)

I have endo and mine vary from ok to please ring me an ambulance immediately
I use the be you patches which help massively

No, it's getting worse, and my period has stopped. Debating whether to go to hospital as it seems to be migrating to the right....I just hate hospitals but I know I probably should just in case.

I know, I love that character!

Never read P&P until I was an adult, as I thought it was only a silly romcom type thing. Then I caught a glimpse of the BBC one and fell in love with all the side characters, I've since read it several times!

I have had this recently, I just put it down to peri (possibly). My pain still seems mild compared to yours tho tbh, but I'm lucky, never really suffered at all during periods.

Oh no! Yes I would go, just in case . So sorry it's getting worse

Thanks @NC03 yes this was at the call an ambulance end of the scale. But because I had had it a couple of times before and each time it has been my period I figured it was "just" that again. But ordinarily my pain is just at the "highly annoying" part of the scale.

I will look up the patches, thank you!

I have never been investigated for endometriosis, I guess because it's just been these handful of occasions it's been so bad

I also get this

There could be many reasons depending on the woman.

But one reason that our periods vary is because our health varies.

I think that one reasons for this is nutrition

I've noticed that on the months where i eat really healthily, my periods are fine.

However if I have a month where I eat a lot of crap, my period is more painful that month.

Following. I am the same. Normally quite sore day one but manageable. However roughly every two years I have one that literally puts me in a ball on the bathroom floor. There doesn't seem to be any logic.

Yes had this just a few times over the years. Hanging off the bed with the pain like contractions. No idea why. Normal ones, like you, were painful but manageable. When the period actually started it eased. The same, I didn't go to the doctor as episodes were years apart. What became the last yeat though they were uncomfortable and my head felt miles away, but once started my head cleared and I felt better. Sorry I have no answer for you only understanding.

@SpaghettiWithaYeti definitely recommend giving them a go
I usually take dihydrocodeine, mefanamic acid, oral morphine... the lot. The patches mean I can often manage just on paracetamol

Is the answer not obvious to people though.

Our periods change because our health changes.

Our health varies due to many factors.

if we pick up Viruses, nutrition etc.

One time my periods were easy for months.

Then the next month I had a terribly painful period. It was awful.

After my period was over I noticed that i was sick too. I was sick with a viral infection for a week.

I realised that the virus I had picked up,
had affected my period too.

I can't take a lot of those meds due to another condition so will definitely try those, thank you !

I find mine is sometimes much more painful when I've been eating less healthily, having more caffeine and not moving my body so much with exercise.

Do have it investigated from now is my advice, as the waiting times are so long for gynecology(and the gp will fob you off until u make 20 appointments for the same thing 🙄)... i used to have it like that, once a year, mind u they were always painful but u know what i mean, once a year would feel like completely gonna die from pain.. and now its like that most months.. + at ovulation the same ...

Thanks @Somerandomgirl . That's a good idea.

Ps sorry you are suffering so much

I always had terrible period pains but they eased to more manageable as I’ve got older. Not far off 50 now and now getting, including today, very painful periods again. Not every month but it does remind me to be more understanding to my teenager who is floored every month. I had/have endo and I’m guessing she is going to be the same.
Not heard of the be you patches @NC03 thank you. Will order some for her.

I tried to read through all the posts, but it could be an ovarian cyst that has ruptured. Imine began mid-30s, but by 38 it became unbearable. I did go to the ER once and it was confirmed, and was referred to a gynecologist. My first visit she confirmed the cyst that had recently ruptured, then informed me I also most likely had severe endometriosis. I had a laproscopic procedure that confirmed the endometriosis, but the few times an enlarged ovarian cyst burst it brought on pain that was so intense all the home remedies, Tylenol and NSAIDS didn't even touch the pain. The pain felt worse than childbirth.

was the bleeding heavy with clotting?