Period pain

[Trugoflove]

Hello!

I'm in my 30s and find periods a real slog. I didn't start until I was 16 and then the pain was awful as a teenager. It has got better now but I do live in fear of them. I lost a bit of weight and they disappeared but thankfully now seem to be back - this is my third month in a row, hurrah! However I can never be sure when it'll appear, when I was having them once a month it was usually between 4 and 5 weeks but I went 4 months without one last year and the year before.

Anyway, that's the main background. I just wanted to ask what is a typical experience of period pain? Sometimes I get lucky and have one where I may need the odd paracetamol but other times it's just agony, feel sick, need to rush to the loo (not for a wee!) It causes me a lot of stress because I don't know when it'll come so I can't plan and an event on day 1-2 could potentially be a disaster. I'm lucky that this month the first few days don't match with my office days! A couple of months ago day 1 was the same day as a big meeting and I only just made it through, not sure I listened to anything mind!

I wondered if this was a typical experience? I've spoken to my mum and a couple of friends and they have been lucky and get no pain, so I don't have much to compare it to! Thank you.

🤨

You should not live in fear of your periods and what you are describing is not normal at all.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost but endometriosis is a common cause of severe period pain and what you are describing in terms of symptoms could be due to this. I must say I winced in recognition and my symptoms re periods were due to endometriosis. Endometriosis is usually diagnosed via a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy, other tests like blood tests and ultrasound do not detect it.

You need a referral to a gynaecologist but as waiting lists for gynae are miles long in many areas you may want to see a gynae as a private patient for an initial consultation.

Solidarity OP.

The only thing that has worked for me in terms of managing the pain (regular pain relief does not hit the sides, it's just wasting tablets!) is mefenamic acid which I get on prescription. I also take it when I get horrendous ovulation pain (this for me can be equally as debilitating as period pain) and it works a treat as long as I take it at the first sign of discomfort.

Maybe look into this as an option - I'm not a doctor so I have no idea if it's something you could be prescribed, or if it would be suitable for you, I'm just making this a suggestion as it's worked for me.

Do not continue to suffer - if your GP will not help you, please find a different GP. Period pain can be utterly horrific. Before I got meds I would be (literally) screaming in pain, shivering, unable to move or stand up, + certainly not fit to work.

Mine were like that until I went low carb. I don't know whether it was the low carb diet or whether I eliminated something from my diet that was aggravating my periods such as wheat. I do know that I haven't had a painful period in ten years though whereas before I had to take Ibuprofen for three days straight every month just to get through the day. It didn't eliminate the pain but I could just about cope. You definitely need to have causes such as endometriosis or fibroids ruled out but it's worth bearing in mind that a dietary change can help some women.

PCOS is another obvious possibility. Explains missed periods, pain, and the improvement in symptoms you noticed after weight loss. Test for PCOS is blood test and ultrasound, nice and easy. If you have it, take inositol and stay slim (even if you are not medically overweight at the moment). I found that taking inositol and slimming from BMI 24 to BMI 21 made my periods regular and 'normal painful' rather than agony.

I started my periods at 15 too and I suffered crippling period pain every month. And I always got the runs during my period too, which didn't help with the pain either. I'm post menopause now, but the only thing that used to work for me was Feminax. I don't know if they still make it, but it was the only thing that gave me any relief while working. At home I could fill a hot water bottle and get comfortable on the sofa, not so easy when you have to work.
I hope you find something that helps 💐

Thanks everyone for replying.

I'm not sure about the first comment because I'm genuinely not sure what a typically acceptable level of period pain is, hence asking for the opinion of others.

In terms of losing my period, I think I was under eating that caused it (I am slim, my BMI is about 20), I was fine for a while but I think I overdid it and I'm hopeful I'm got a handle on it now. It's funny you should mention wheat as I had to give up all gluten due to IBS and it helped so much, so perhaps it's linked?

I'm quite surprised that people are saying it's not normal. It's tricky because when you first get 'the talk', you hear cramps so I always just thought it was normal, even though it can be really painful. I do also get migraines!

Thank you, I'll have a look and get some! I've only ever had standard paracetamol and just tried to get through it (can't take ibuprofen due to IBS).

Thank you! I also get cramps earlier in the month and it can be hard to tell what it is. Some months I'm expecting my period for 10 days and nothing, then others like today I had no symptoms and just a total suprise and then 2 hours late I have terrible pain!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. X

Hi, stage 4 endometriosis and also adenomyosis here. Mild period cramps are normal, crippling pain that stops you doing (or hinders) daily life is not!

Not sure if it helps but my symptoms include but not an exhaustive list: period pain to the point of fainting/throwing up/unable to stand straight, heavy heavy flow, big clots, lengthy periods, mega bloat (Endo belly), migraines, endometriomas. Bowel urgency due to Endo on my colon.

I found I really had to push for a laparoscopy for a diagnosis. I began seeing GPs from age 15 and got diagnosed at 32ish. Mostly because they kept pushing back with different birth control options. It's a real shit show when it comes to women's health care.