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swiftbear86 said:I’ve been dealing with this since I was 8 years old.
Dysmenorrhea, PCOS, Hashimoto’s, secondary infertility... and they kept telling me everything was fine until I hit 18. They said it was totally normal, that things would just settle down after having kids, or that I’d feel better once I hit menopause.
In reality, you shouldn't have to just suffer through debilitating period cramps. It’s not something that should be forcing you to miss work, skip class, or bail on your daily responsibilities when there are actual options available.
One approach is hormonal therapy, and another is using antispasmodics—things like Buscopan or prescription-strength Spasmex. If you aren't looking for a prescription, you can try something like No-Spa paired with a fast-acting over-the-counter pain reliever, like Ibuprofen (for instance, Advil or Motrin).
Bottom line: find a way to make those symptoms manageable. Just make sure to chat with your doctor or a pharmacist first to figure out what works best for you.
After all my tests came back perfectly fine, my gynecologist basically just shrugged and told me, "That's just how it is." The only advice I actually got was to start birth control, which supposedly would ease the pain (and clear up my acne), but I wasn't willing to take it. I haven't tried the medications mentioned above, though perhaps it's worth going back for a second opinion.
I’m 28 years old, and from the moment I had my first period until this very second waiting for this one, it has been an absolute nightmare. Honestly, I wouldn't wish this kind of experience on my worst enemy. We’re talking fainting spells, vomiting, and pain so intense it feels unbearable. I have tried everything under the sun—every pill, every herbal tea, every homeopathic drop you can think of—but nothing touches it. The only thing that provides even a modicum of relief is using those hormonal suppositories; I’ve been relying on them for a few years now. They kick in about 20 minutes after application and hold steady for maybe six or seven hours, then I have to do it all over again. It’s an endless cycle. I don't think I'll ever truly get over the trauma of this. People always say that once you have children, the pains subside, but I find it hard to be optimistic about that. It’s mentally draining. The week leading up to it is just as bad because the PMS kicks in, and then the actual arrival happens, it passes, I recover just enough to breathe, and then the whole ordeal starts all over again. On top of that, I have a really fast metabolism; I’m quite thin, and even if I try to gain weight, I lose it all the moment my period arrives. If I’m being honest, I feel a deep sense of envy toward women who don't feel anything at all—women who just function normally, go about their business, and actually stick to their plans. For me, I have to check my calendar before I dare to schedule anything. So many plans have fallen through because of this... including a trip to New York City I was supposed to take this very weekend!🙂