Dealing with bad cramps?

I have been dealing with agonizing menstrual cramps since I was fourteen years old. That means for twelve years, every single month, I’ve been reliant on medication. I actually tried a thousand different herbal remedies—which, in hindsight, was frankly laughable. Nothing worked; all they did was force me to swallow even more pills alongside my regular meds, leaving my stomach feeling like a crowded pharmacy.

Currently, I rely on Advil because it seems to be the fastest to kick in. My cramps typically last for two days of my cycle, and during those forty-eight hours, I end up taking anywhere from five to eight tablets.😲 😲 To prevent the pain from absolutely destroying me in the morning before heading to work, I’ve resorted to setting my alarm for 4:00 AM just so I can take a pill and hopefully manage the discomfort. If I don't take them immediately and instead wait for the pain to subside on its own, I am merely making matters worse. I end up pushing myself to the absolute brink of unbearable agony, and by the time the medication finally begins to take effect... well, it’s been a long year.

The pain often starts a day or two before my period actually arrives, but I can't take anything then, because apparently, taking medication at that stage can delay the onset of the period itself.😕 😕

In terms of what I've cycled through, I've tried everything: Advil, Buscopan, Excedrin, Motrin, Spasmex, Analgin, various combinations of caffeine-based pain relievers, and Tylenol.
Eventually, I landed on Voltaren... Since Voltaren is quite potent, I decided to switch to the adult suppository form. They worked wonders initially—I was using three a day because the pain was simply intolerable—but then I started experiencing bleeding issues.
I have absolutely no idea how this is biologically possible, but even though the suppositories are administered rectally, they somehow weakened my vaginal capillaries. Even the slightest friction would cause bleeding.😲 😲 Intimacy with my husband became impossible. And by the time we actually figured out what was causing the issue, a whole year had passed.

So, I transitioned back to oral Advil. It took about three months for things to stabilize, aided by using St. John's Wort vaginal inserts and strictly avoiding intimacy during that time.😢

Then, being the idiot I am, about a month ago I was in pain and didn't have any tablets on hand, so I decided to use HALF a suppository. Naturally, I bled during intercourse after my period ended. It was an absolute nightmare.
That is why I am urging you all to be careful. If anyone is facing similar struggles, please pay close attention to which medications you are using. Of course, it is entirely possible—and likely—that the bleeding was caused by the fact that I had been on these medications for about a year and a half when the symptoms appeared, especially since I was taking three a day. To put it in perspective: taking three pills a day for two or three days means consuming an entire pack in such a short window.

I might be posting this in the wrong section, but since my symptoms flare up even worse during my period, I’m going to recap everything and ask for any advice anyone can offer.
I’m 24 (no kids), and for the last five years, I haven't been able to live a normal life because of horrific pelvic pain. To put it bluntly: I’ve been through endless gynecological, urological, and physical therapy appointments and treatments. Every single specialist says the same thing—nobody can actually tell me what's wrong. They throw out theories like ovarian inflammation, bladder issues, adhesions, or bacterial infections, but they all claim my tests come back "normal." At a doctor's suggestion, I even tried homeopathy and acupuncture. Zero results. The pain hits out of nowhere. There’s no pattern. It happens regardless of whether I’m active or resting—it often wakes me from a deep sleep. It feels like sharp, stabbing sensations, like someone is slicing from my tailbone toward my pubic bone and ovaries (though it varies). This intense stabbing can happen once or twice every few seconds, multiple times a day—which is basically my daily reality. During my worst weeks, these attacks turn into hours-long episodes lasting several days. One thing is certain: the pain is more frequent and lasts longer during my period. The intensity is so debilitating that I can’t walk or move at all; I just curl up in agony. I’ve tried birth control pills and various painkillers, but nothing helps. Nothing. In fact, because of this constant pain, I’m becoming afraid to even leave my house. Mentally, I'm at a breaking point. On top of everything, sex is also painful.
I’m writing this because every conventional effort—doctors, advice, therapies—has failed. I don't know how to keep living like this. If anyone has advice or has dealt with something similar, please speak up.
I see some people on the forum mentioning endometriosis, so if anyone has experience with that, please share.

gentlewolf292 said:The pain is this sharp, stabbing sensation, like someone is literally slicing through me from my tailbone down to my pelvic bone and ovaries (though it’s not always the same spot). These intense stabs can hit once or twice for a few seconds, multiple times a day—which is basically my daily routine now. But during the bad weeks, these episodes turn into hours-long attacks that last for days on end. One thing I know for sure is that it gets way worse during my period; the pain hits harder and lasts much longer than when I'm between cycles. Honestly, it hurts so bad that I can't even walk or move at all sometimes. I just end up curled up, seizing from the pain.

Personally, I’m leaning towards the idea that something is pressing against a nerve, and that’s what’s causing the agony.
It’s probably a cyst that’s just sitting in a really awkward spot, or maybe you’ve got some other benign growths. Everything should show up clearly on an ultrasound, so if I were you, I’d get one scheduled ASAP.

William Watson7 said:I’ve been dealing with brutal period cramps since I was 14—so yeah, 12 years of this hell every single month. Anyway, since Voltaren is pretty heavy-duty, I decided to switch over to the adult Voltaren suppositories. They worked wonders, honestly. I was taking three a day because the pain was just unbearable, but then I started having these bleeding issues.
I have absolutely no clue how, but even though you use the suppositories rectally, my vaginal capillaries just weakened, and even the slightest friction would cause bleeding.😲 😲Having sex with my husband became impossible. It took us an entire year just to figure out what was actually happening.
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I really hope this is some kind of sick joke.
I’m calling on a professional here (Jose Miller3) to tell me if it's even biologically possible for vaginal capillaries to weaken from using Voltaren.🙄

Walter Myers said:I can only hope this is some sort of elaborate practical joke.
I am calling upon someone with actual expertise here—Jose Miller3—to weigh in. Is it even plausible that Voltaren could cause the capillaries in the vaginal area to weaken?🙄

This isn't some sort of joke.
It simply happened. One day, everything was fine. My doctor’s exams showed absolutely nothing out of the ordinary, yet there was this one specific spot where a capillary would just... burst. Constantly. I honestly lost count of how many times I had to deal with it; even my physician couldn't pinpoint the cause. Then, it hit me. What was the one thing I was using religiously? For years, I’ve been reaching for Voltaren suppositories every two or three days like clockwork. Once we realized that might be the culprit, I made a change. I swapped them out for chamomile oil vaginal treatments to help those capillaries heal, and we decided to take a break from intimacy altogether. Since making that adjustment, everything has finally stabilized. Is it always that simple? Sometimes, the most obvious answer is the one we overlook.

Last month, I found myself in a bit of a bind—I didn't have my usual medication within arm's reach, so I made the questionable decision to take half a Voltarin injection. It was a momentary lapse in judgment, I suppose. Now, following my period, I’ve started experiencing bleeding during intercourse. Is there a logical connection there, or am I simply dealing with a series of unfortunate physiological coincidences?
I should probably clarify that the bleeding only ever occurred during intercourse. It’s likely just friction, though—perhaps combined with weakened capillaries?

William Watson7 said:It’s not some joke.
It really happened. Everything looked totally fine during my doctor's exams, but there was this one specific spot where capillaries were constantly bursting. I don't even know how many times I've dealt with it—it was just constant. We couldn't figure out what was causing it until we realized the one thing I use religiously—like, I go through a whole box every few months, and I've been doing this for years—was those Voltaren suppositories. Once I finally quit using them and switched to herbal tea oil inserts to try and help those capillaries heal, plus we took a break from sex altogether, everything was fine.

But last month, I used HALF A VOLTAREN SUPPOSITORY because I didn't have my regular meds handy--> and right after my period, I bled during sex.
I should mention, the bleeding always only happens during intercourse. Probably just friction hitting those weakened capillaries.

Look, I believe you, I really do, but those suppositories have nothing to do with vaginal capillaries.
You're bleeding because of dryness or maybe a little scratch, man, not because you're putting pills in your butt.

Walter Myers4 said:Look, I believe you, but tampon use doesn't have anything to do with vaginal capillaries.
You’re bleeding because you're dry, or maybe there's a small scratch or something—you know? It isn't happening because you put tampons in.

If only everything were quite that simple...
No scratch was ever found, and dryness wasn't the issue either—not even when we thought that might be the case after a few months of sexual abstinence (back then, we suspected a minor injury, and the idea that tampons could be the culprit hadn't even crossed our minds). During intercourse, we even used a lubricant. And yet, I bled again. Despite the hiatus where one would assume any irritation might heal, despite the use of lube, the gentle approach, and choosing positions that involve minimal penetration... the result remains the same.

Are the capillaries weakened due to the tampons, or is this some sort of adverse side effect? Regardless, it is definitively linked to them.
As I previously noted, just recently, after using only half a tampon, I experienced bleeding.

It would be much easier to say it isn't the cause. Truly, I wish I could find some other innocuous explanation so that I could simply use them during my period without being doubled over in pain for three days.

But it hardly matters now. I merely wanted to share this in case anyone else is experiencing similar issues while using tampons. Please, stay vigilant. After all, I have used them extensively for a very long time.

I don't know, but it feels to me like you're dealing with some deep-seated psychological stuff there.
For me, though? Honestly, nothing works except a Voltaren patch to kill the cramps and stop the bleeding.

Honestly, ever since I started my period, the pain was just unreal—we’re talking vomiting, fevers, intense cramps, heavy bleeding, dizziness... it was absolutely awful.
Then, about three months ago, I decided to start birth control pills and—knock on wood—it’s been a total game-changer. I don't even feel like I'm on my period anymore. No pain, I can function normally, everything is regular, and the bleeding is super light.
Just a little recommendation from me.👍

Reflexology massage for the feet is honestly such a game-changer—it really helps dial down the pain and, let me tell you, it’s just incredibly soothing. On top of that, you could always look into homeopathy, or even try some natural fish-based regulators if you're into that sort of thing. Best of luck!

Nicholas Chavez12 said:Reflexology foot massage—it cuts down the pain and it’s an incredibly relaxing method. You can also try homeopathy, and there's even a natural regulator available. Good luck.

So, since you brought up that foot massage... could you give me a quick breakdown of which parts of the foot actually get worked on and how they go about doing it?

I dealt with these absolutely brutal pains back in high school, and they just seemed to linger longer and longer as I started leaning more heavily on painkillers to cope. It eventually reached a point where I spent five straight days completely numbed out on pills, from sunrise to sunset.
The intensity finally settled down to something manageable once I stopped harboring such intense resentment toward my own reproductive system and the simple reality of being female.
Nowadays, the pain flares up much more sharply whenever I’m under heavy stress, yet when life feels genuinely good, everything stays relatively quiet.
I suppose none of this is particularly useful to anyone else, but I felt an overwhelming need to get it all down on paper.🙂

Yes, I suppose I have to play the role of the promoter today, so here goes: I highly recommend picking up *Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom* by Dr. Northrup.
It’s an exploration of both conventional and alternative gynecology, covering everything from common issues to various interpretations and potential treatment paths. Does anyone else ever wonder why we aren't taught this kind of holistic insight much earlier?

I honestly felt all those pains just melt away once I had my baby.
It’s like magic, really! Before that, I couldn't even dream of dealing with my period without reaching for some Advil, but now, at most, I just get this tiny little tightness in my lower back or stomach every once in a while. The only real change is that my flow is about three times heavier than it used to be, but a few other women I know have told me they experienced the exact same thing. So, there's definitely hope out there (at least for some of you)!
Best,

Christian Sanchez44 said:I'm losing it.
I’ve been dealing with horrific, unbearable period cramps... for years.
I've tried everything, and the only thing keeping me from throwing up in the bathroom sink is taking Ketonal or Navon, which isn't exactly a great long-term plan.

Anyone else? Has anyone dealt with this? How did you (not) fix it?

😢

Personally, I think a lot of it is mental.
When my cramps hit, I just try to distract myself by focusing on something else.
I'm not big on popping pills; that's just a temporary fix, not a real solution.

Yeah, I just got it, which reminded me of an incident from about thirty days ago... nothing has ever hit me harder in my life. Probably the stress, the lack of sleep, the fact that I was canceled... anyway, I just collapsed onto the floor of a Madrid commuter train; my legs simply gave out, and I completely lost consciousness... it was horrific.

I just took a decent dose of Forte, though I suppose I shouldn't have 🙂

George Carter13 said:I went through this hellish phase back in high school where the pain was just relentless. It became a vicious cycle—the more I drank to numb it, the longer those waves of agony would last. Eventually, I hit a breaking point where I spent five straight days completely wiped out on painkillers, just drifting from sunrise to sunset in a total fog.
Things actually became almost tolerable once I stopped hating my reproductive organs and the whole "being a woman" thing.
It’s funny how that works. When I'm going through an incredibly stressful stretch, my joints just start aching out of nowhere. But when life is actually good and everything is running smoothly? I barely feel a thing. It's like my body keeps a literal tally of my stress levels.
I guess this probably isn't helpful to anyone else, but I just felt like I needed to get it out there.🙂

Kudos to George Carter13 for being so incredibly blunt. 😘
Man, whenever I start looking back at high school and all that growing pain... it’s one thing, but then you hit that identity crisis phase? That’s a whole different level of mess.🙄
I finally got mine yesterday, and honestly? I didn't feel a thing. It’s like my body just accepted it without any drama. I think it’s because I’ve been doing a lot of inner work lately—really focusing on cutting out all that unnecessary negativity. I've also been staying consistent with my wellness routine, doing those Tibetan breathing exercises that are great for both the body and the soul. It definitely seems to be paying off. 😁 Well, I did it. I managed to work myself into such a massive state of agitation that I couldn't get a wink of sleep until 5:00 AM. And then, because my body just loves to punish me when I'm frustrated, the unbearable pain decided to show up right on schedule. 🙂 .

Look, at the end of the day, it’s totally normal for periods to be a total nightmare when you're first starting out—you know, through middle school, high school, and even early college. It’s a mix of things, really. There's the psychological side of it, like navigating that whole process of becoming a woman, but then there's also the physical reality of your body actually developing. I personally know a few girls who swear by birth control; for them, those pills were a genuine lifesaver when it came to managing the pain. 🙂

Look, I’m just here to tell you all that you aren't alone in dealing with these brutal pains... back when I was in high school, my cramps were absolutely horrific, and every single month they had to rush me to the ER to get an IV drip just to help me relax and settle down, or sometimes they'd give me an injection that would basically knock me out cold...

Eventually, I switched to a better gynecologist who suggested Ketoral tablets, which actually helped things stay relatively under control, but then during my eighth month, the pain got so intense that even the Ketoral wouldn't touch it. They ended up rushing me back to the emergency room again, and the doctor there actually thought I might be having some kind of miscarriage—thank God everything turned out fine—but now I’m honestly terrified of it happening all over again because, let's be real, you guys know exactly how scary that feeling is.

Samuel Diaz said:but now I'm terrified that something like that might happen to me again, because you all know exactly how that feels

Ugh, I totally feel you. Usually, when I'm dealing with pain, I just pop a Voltaren and I'm good to go within half an hour—feeling like a brand new person. But one time, I had such a brutal uterine cramp that I actually couldn't walk. Honestly, I thought I was dying until they rushed me to the ER and gave me an injection. I have that same fear of it happening all over again. 😢

Restlesscobra132, then you know exactly what I’m talking about... I’ve got that same anxiety hanging over me right now, and honestly, I probably just need to give it a few months to chill out and realize that this isn't some monthly recurring nightmare. Usually, Voltaren absolutely wrecks my stomach and makes me nauseous, so I just stick to Ketoral, though even then I only reach for it when I feel like the pain is actually about to get dangerous.