Dealing with bad cramps?

Edward Murphy4 said:Anyone know if stress can actually mess with pain levels?🤷 Because honestly, I’ve been in a complete mental tailspin these last few months—my period is running 5-6 days late every single time, the cramps are hitting way harder than usual, and my last ovulation was basically a bloodbath.🙄 Can life being a total wreck really cause all this?

Of course! Stress acts like a literal poison to our bodies. Just as it wreaks havoc on your menstrual cycle, it can trigger all sorts of different health issues... though unfortunately, who isn't under immense pressure these days?

My period has recently become a regular occurrence—shorter, yet significantly more painful. On the first day, I am utterly useless. My entire body aches; it isn't an acute pain, but rather a heavy, lingering exhaustion. I simply have no strength left. 😁 Sometimes I find myself laughing hysterically at the sheer absurdity of feeling this drained. 😁 Yesterday was that first day.

Still, I suppose there is some solace in knowing it is more predictable and consistent than before. Finally.

I also frequently fall ill during PMS—a low fever, a sore throat. It usually passes in a few days, but lately... yesterday I started feeling unwell, and today is even worse. My throat hurts, making swallowing difficult. I feel exhausted, much like when one is truly sick. Does anyone else experience this? I haven't heard anyone mention it... it feels as though my immunity collapses right before my cycle begins. (Though, this time, the illness hit me on the very first day of my period.)

It’s totally possible for your immune system to take a hit right before your period starts. Usually, whenever I catch something, it hits me right before my cycle begins, and honestly, most of my girls tell me they deal with the exact same thing. 🤷

So, here’s my deal: I got my first period around age 12. For the first six months, it was super irregular, but then it leveled out—usually once a month, though sometimes it showed up at the start, middle, or end of the month. I never actually had symptoms; I’d just wake up to bloody underwear. It was totally painless and lasted about three, maybe four days max. But since I started having sex at 19, things changed—periods got more painful, there's discharge, and all that.
I figured this was all totally normal based on what other people said. Then life hit me hard with a lot of stress, and I ended up gaining a good amount of weight over two years. Naturally, my period vanished and was replaced by this brown discharge. I went six months without a period. Once I lost a few pounds, it came back, but it was incredibly painful. Then my mom passed away, which caused me to gain weight again, and my period disappeared for 16 months. Now that I've dropped some weight again, I've had it for two months straight, and it hurts like hell. Is what I'm describing actually normal??
I went to see a gynecologist, and they told me everything looked fine, except for polycystic ovaries (which I never even suspected). Also, if there were actually a cyst present, would a doctor really be able to spot it during a quick vaginal ultrasound that only lasts a few seconds? :O

Basically, two or three days before my period starts, I almost always deal with diarrhea and general digestive issues. If that doesn't happen, at least I get these intense cramps that feel like a precursor to the diarrhea.🙏To be honest, I don't know a single woman in real life who deals with this. Usually, their pain stems from something else entirely.🤣So now I’m wondering, am I some kind of rare outlier here?🙄And if any of you happen to be going through the same thing, how do you handle it? Because this is absolute torture every single month.😠🙄

Hey ladies, I am in a total panic today...

I know, I know—I should have dealt with this sooner. But I’m a complete workaholic, and honestly, I’ve always been pretty negligent when it comes to my health.

So, here’s the thing. I got an invite today for this week-long workshop. It involves a ton of excursions and outdoor activities, and of course, looking at the calendar, it lands right on my period.

There is zero chance I can snag a last-minute appointment with a gynecologist by March 5th, so I wanted to see if anyone else deals with this. My cycle is all over the place; it’s never consistent. It always shifts forward by a day or two, every single month, all year round. And the flow is heavy. On top of that, for the first two days, I deal with blood clots. Because of that, I basically can’t sit down for the first 48 hours—not on the bus, not in the car. My job requires me to be on my feet anyway, so I’ve managed to get by, but I have to be incredibly careful. If I wasn't constantly hyper-aware of where and how I sit, I’ve had some seriously embarrassing situations happen.
With this workshop coming up, I have no idea how I’m going to manage. They’re going to expect us to be constantly moving—biking, hiking, exploring... instead of actually enjoying this opportunity to do great work, I’m just... well, I can already see myself making excuses to skip the excursions because of the pain.

Sorry for the long, rambling post, but the panic really set in. Has anyone else had to deal with this level of caution during their cycle? And does anyone know of any quick fixes, like a specific pill or something similar?

Thanks in advance for any advice. 🙂

Ethan Watson43 said:Hey ladies, I am in a total panic today...

I know, I know—I should have dealt with this sooner. But I’m a complete workaholic, and honestly, I’ve always been pretty negligent when it comes to my health.

So, here’s the thing. I got an invite today for this week-long workshop. It involves a ton of excursions and outdoor activities, and of course, looking at the calendar, it lands right on my period.

There is zero chance I can snag a last-minute appointment with a gynecologist by March 5th, so I wanted to see if anyone else deals with this. My cycle is all over the place; it’s never consistent. It always shifts forward by a day or two, every single month, all year round. And the flow is heavy. On top of that, for the first two days, I deal with blood clots. Because of that, I basically can’t sit down for the first 48 hours—not on the bus, not in the car. My job requires me to be on my feet anyway, so I’ve managed to get by, but I have to be incredibly careful. If I wasn't constantly hyper-aware of where and how I sit, I’ve had some seriously embarrassing situations happen.
With this workshop coming up, I have no idea how I’m going to manage. They’re going to expect us to be constantly moving—biking, hiking, exploring... instead of actually enjoying this opportunity to do great work, I’m just... well, I can already see myself making excuses to skip the excursions because of the pain.

Sorry for the long, rambling post, but the panic really set in. Has anyone else had to deal with this level of caution during their cycle? And does anyone know of any quick fixes, like a specific pill or something similar?

Thanks in advance for any advice. 🙂

I deal with the exact same thing, though like you, I definitely don't make my health a priority.🙄 I've basically just learned to live with it by being incredibly cautious.🙏 On certain days, there is zero chance I'm even leaving the house. Sometimes I literally have to stay in bed.

Solutions? For me, it would probably be medication, since I know my hormones are a mess, but I really hate taking pills. I'd only do it in a life-or-death situation.🙏

mistymaker8 said:So, here’s my deal: I got my first period around age 12. For the first six months, it was super irregular, but then it leveled out—usually once a month, though sometimes it showed up at the start, middle, or end of the month. I never actually had symptoms; I’d just wake up to bloody underwear. It was totally painless and lasted about three, maybe four days max. But since I started having sex at 19, things changed—periods got more painful, there's discharge, and all that.
I figured this was all totally normal based on what other people said. Then life hit me hard with a lot of stress, and I ended up gaining a good amount of weight over two years. Naturally, my period vanished and was replaced by this brown discharge. I went six months without a period. Once I lost a few pounds, it came back, but it was incredibly painful. Then my mom passed away, which caused me to gain weight again, and my period disappeared for 16 months. Now that I've dropped some weight again, I've had it for two months straight, and it hurts like hell. Is what I'm describing actually normal??
I went to see a gynecologist, and they told me everything looked fine, except for polycystic ovaries (which I never even suspected). Also, if there were actually a cyst present, would a doctor really be able to spot it during a quick vaginal ultrasound that only lasts a few seconds? :O

The fact that your period fluctuates between the beginning, middle, or end of the month isn't actually a sign of a sudden change or a weird phase; it's mostly just down to the length of your (normal) cycle. If your cycle stays consistently around, say, 28 days, it’s perfectly standard for those dates to shift through the month like that.

Is what I wrote normal??
I went to the gynecologist and they said everything looks fine, except for polycystic ovaries (which I hadn't even suspected, honestly). Also, if there actually were some kind of cyst, would a doctor even be able to spot it during a quick transvaginal ultrasound that lasts only a few seconds? :O

Regarding the sex part—that doesn't have anything to do with your cycle. However, given all that intense stress, weight fluctuations, and other related factors, you've ended up with the result: PCOS. Just to clarify, it's not "cysts" in the traditional sense, but rather follicles on the ovaries. This is something that can be seen quite clearly once the ovaries are visible on screen. That syndrome is likely why your periods have been missing, along with several other potential issues since the uterine lining hasn't been shedding regularly for a while. You'll need to get your hormone levels checked; your doctor will guide you from there to figure out what’s off and how to address it. Options usually include birth control if necessary, or simply getting back to a healthy weight through proper nutrition and exercise (which is incredibly important with PCOS). You should probably try to avoid junk food, specifically white sugar (!), white flour, and various processed goods.

rustyraven8 said:Basically, two or three days before my period starts, I almost always deal with diarrhea and general digestive issues. If that doesn't happen, at least I get these intense cramps that feel like a precursor to the diarrhea.🙏To be honest, I don't know a single woman in real life who deals with this. Usually, their pain stems from something else entirely.🤣So now I’m wondering, am I some kind of rare outlier here?🙄And if any of you happen to be going through the same thing, how do you handle it? Because this is absolute torture every single month.😠🙄

That actually falls under the category of "classic symptoms," so don't worry too much. Sometimes everyone gets hit with it. Some women feel bloated or swollen because, as I like to say, they "hold water" during those days; others have to pee constantly, some deal with gas, and others have looser stools. If you have pain involved, it's not uncommon to actually vomit, too. I remember one time I felt like I was dying from the pain, simultaneously vomiting and stuck on the toilet.🙂

Ethan Watson43 said:Hey ladies, I am in a total panic today...

I know, I know—I should have dealt with this sooner. But I’m a complete workaholic, and honestly, I’ve always been pretty negligent when it comes to my health.

So, here’s the thing. I got an invite today for this week-long workshop. It involves a ton of excursions and outdoor activities, and of course, looking at the calendar, it lands right on my period.

There is zero chance I can snag a last-minute appointment with a gynecologist by March 5th, so I wanted to see if anyone else deals with this. My cycle is all over the place; it’s never consistent. It always shifts forward by a day or two, every single month, all year round. And the flow is heavy. On top of that, for the first two days, I deal with blood clots. Because of that, I basically can’t sit down for the first 48 hours—not on the bus, not in the car. My job requires me to be on my feet anyway, so I’ve managed to get by, but I have to be incredibly careful. If I wasn't constantly hyper-aware of where and how I sit, I’ve had some seriously embarrassing situations happen.
With this workshop coming up, I have no idea how I’m going to manage. They’re going to expect us to be constantly moving—biking, hiking, exploring... instead of actually enjoying this opportunity to do great work, I’m just... well, I can already see myself making excuses to skip the excursions because of the pain.

Sorry for the long, rambling post, but the panic really set in. Has anyone else had to deal with this level of caution during their cycle? And does anyone know of any quick fixes, like a specific pill or something similar?

Thanks in advance for any advice. 🙂

If your period is truly that heavy, you’re likely dealing with hypermenorrhea, which—I guess—can happen quite frequently when cycles are irregular. Since yours aren't consistent, you should definitely make an appointment with a gynecologist to check out your hormone levels (and maybe get an ultrasound for your ovaries, too). They might suggest some birth control after reviewing your results just to regulate everything and bring things back to a baseline. You should probably lay out all those specific symptoms for them.

As for the clots, they're actually perfectly normal. A period is essentially the uterine lining shedding, so besides the blood, tissue is being expelled as well. But, since your flow is heavier than average, it makes sense that you'd see a bit more of that tissue passing through.

At this workshop, I honestly don't know how I'm going to manage. They're expecting a lot of physical activity from us—lots of walking, biking, excursions... and instead of actually enjoying this opportunity to do great work, I'm just feeling terrible. I can already see myself making excuses to skip the outings because of the pain...

Honestly, it might be best to just stay home, take it easy, and use that time to book a doctor's appointment. There's really no point in forcing yourself to push through when you feel this way. And, I suppose, trying to manipulate your cycle using pills without medical supervision isn't a good idea—definitely don't try to DIY that, especially not just for the sake of a workshop. You have to prioritize your health sometimes, otherwise, you might end up regretting it later. Good luck. 🙂

Nicole Baker said:So, here I am again, hunched over my computer and twisting around trying to find some relief from this pain... this damn menstrual cycle is relentless... 😢 The pills tend to work pretty quickly and help settle things down, though I suppose the longer I rely on them, the more resistant my body becomes to the Ketoral. It’s probably not the most ideal long-term strategy either, given how heavy they are and the potential side effects they might carry... so... if anyone happens to have a suggestion for dealing with these absolutely BRUTAL and DEVASTATING pains in a somewhat healthier way, please feel free to leave it here... thanks.....

I haven't read every single post here—honestly, I just haven't been in the mood. So, I'm not entirely sure if anyone has actually pitched this solution to you yet...🤷
For those dealing with this kind of pain, birth control pills are hands down the best solution. Two years ago, I was practically dying. On the first day of my period, I couldn't even get out of bed. Once I switched to the pill, it was a total game changer. Even if you struggle with irregular cycles, this is definitely your best bet. Personally, I take Yaz. It’s incredibly straightforward because you take it consistently—there isn't a forced break like some other brands require. Plus, they are low-dose, so you don't have to deal with side effects like weight gain or unwanted hair growth. If there's any downside at all, it’s that you need to get blood work done once a year and set aside a little time every month for the routine. $40 For that... believe me, it's worth every single cent and every ounce of sacrifice. I guarantee it! 😉

says this:

I've been cycling through Voltaren, Ketolac, and for the last few months, mostly Advil.
During that first day and a half of my period, I’m basically incapacitated. 😁 It isn't a joke—if I don't take two pills at once and then a third one a few hours later, I actually feel like I might pass out from the pain. I am effectively out of commission for two full days.
On a monthly basis, I probably take maybe four or five Advil or Ketolac tablets and nothing else, but I noticed yesterday that my digestive system has become quite sensitive to them. I start getting this low-level nausea that radiates from my stomach downwards whenever I take them.

Has anyone actually managed to find a substitute for this constant pill-popping? And please, spare me the "try a heating pad" or "take some magnesium" suggestions, because those don't come anywhere close to the efficacy of actual medication. I need something—even if it takes longer to kick in—that can at least offset part of the dosage I have to swallow just to remain functional. I should mention that physical activity, staying sedentary, food, sex... absolutely nothing has changed the intensity of these cramps in the last 12 years. They are always exactly the same.

Have you guys ever tried using some brandy? Seriously, I know it’s worked wonders for me!
Just a small shot, and after about half an hour, things start feeling a bit better (sometimes they clear right up), though you really have to keep in mind that alcohol can increase bleeding!
Anyway, isn't it actually a pretty decent method? It seems like it helps with the ovaries, and honestly, it probably helps clear your head too.😂

Is it bad if my period gets lighter or ends sooner when I take certain painkillers for cramps?
Should I be worried? Like, do I need to stop taking them?

Hey Africa, let me know if you find anything 😁 Nothing really works for me, honestly. Just pills, and even then, maybe not. I usually just grab some Advil and some muscle relaxers 😵 But, yeah, I just have to deal with it.

Taking shots of whiskey is basically like doing cardio for me—it just ramps up the bleeding and the pain levels😬
Magnesium used to give me a slight edge if I took it before a heavy workout to stave off those nasty leg cramps the next day, but it’s doing absolutely nothing for this specific issue.

However, I did stumble upon a non-pharmaceutical remedy for fungal infections, and I figured, hey, there’s probably something similar out there for this too🧐 😁

There were rumors that belly dancing helps manage the pain. Have you ever tried pills? Because—well—I’ve been on Yaz for eight months now, and I still get cramps. Not as bad as they used to be, but enough to break out in a cold sweat. Honestly, when the pain hits, just wrapping myself in a blanket helps. 😬

I once threw up after taking two Voltaren Rapids. It knocks me out—I fall asleep, and two hours later, the pain is just gone... 😁

I’ve got the stamina of a thoroughbred; honestly, even three of them couldn't knock me into bed if they tried.🙂

I suppose all that core training helped build up this muscular wall—nothing short of a solid foundation. I’ve got these strong, consistent abs, practically a Schwarzenegger three-in-one special. If there’s any small consolation for my future self, it’s the rumor that things might actually shrink a bit after childbirth.🙂
I'll check back in with you all in ten years.😁

Those pills just aren't meant for someone with my bloodwork.

For the last five, six, or even seven years, there hasn't been a single month where I haven't dealt with catastrophically painful periods—right up until a few days ago. This time, my cycle started and I didn't even realize it until I went to the restroom. Usually, I catch the memo instantly because the pain is so intense I can barely breathe. I kept telling myself that eventually, the cramps would show up, but nothing happened. I could barely even feel that my period had begun. Now, I know, I know—I should just be happy and stop asking silly questions since this feels like a gift from heaven 😁 but when you've become accustomed to enduring agonizing pain every single month, isn't it actually quite strange for it to simply vanish without warning? Has anyone else experienced something similar?

...well, my partner and I are currently in the middle of a spat—so I really shouldn't be commenting on my own situation here—but from what I've managed to dig up online... apparently, those pains can be quite intense during ovulatory cycles, whereas they might be less noticeable during anovulatory ones... though, of course, that isn't a rule and might not apply to you at all... but I did come across this specific bit of info recently 🤷

By that logic—my cycles are always ovulatory. 😳