Dealing with bad cramps?

I'm 22 years old and I am being absolutely destroyed by menstrual cramps. It sounds dramatic, but it’s the truth: I literally feel like I'm dying every single month right before my period starts and during those first few days. The cramps are unbearable. I can barely move, I get dizzy, and I actually pass out... does that even sound normal to you? I'm wondering if birth control might actually help, because I really don't want to spend my life poisoning my body with endless pills if it won't work. Standard over-the-counter painkillers aren't doing a damn thing for me. :/

Richard Fisher81 said:I'm 22 years old and I am being absolutely destroyed by menstrual cramps. It sounds dramatic, but it’s the truth: I literally feel like I'm dying every single month right before my period starts and during those first few days. The cramps are unbearable. I can barely move, I get dizzy, and I actually pass out... does that even sound normal to you? I'm wondering if birth control might actually help, because I really don't want to spend my life poisoning my body with endless pills if it won't work. Standard over-the-counter painkillers aren't doing a damn thing for me. :/

I dealt with something pretty similar. Neither Advil nor Aleve helped at all. I was basically dying the day before my period and for two days after. One of the main reasons I started taking the pill is actually because of that. I mean, it didn't make the pain disappear completely, but it cut it down by maybe 80%.😁

Joshua Diaz4 said:I dealt with something pretty similar. Neither Advil nor Aleve helped at all. I was basically dying the day before my period and for two days after. One of the main reasons I started taking the pill is actually because of that. I mean, it didn't make the pain disappear completely, but it cut it down by maybe 80%.😁

Good grief, 😁 this totally made my day. Since I'm not sexually active right now, I've been debating whether it's even worth starting hormone therapy just to deal with the cramps. I still need to sit down with my gynecologist and figure out if the trade-off actually makes sense. But seriously, you really brightened my mood today. 😁

Richard Fisher81 said:Good grief, 😁 this totally made my day. Since I'm not sexually active right now, I've been debating whether it's even worth starting hormone therapy just to deal with the cramps. I still need to sit down with my gynecologist and figure out if the trade-off actually makes sense. But seriously, you really brightened my mood today. 😁

Glad I could help 🙂

I've been dealing with menstrual cramps for as long as I can remember... honestly, nothing really helps except running down to the drugstore for some 400 mg Neofen Forte. It feels like I'm going through labor or something. :-(((

Well, I might as well officially join the club of women suffering through agonizing periods...🙄 It seems like as I get older, everything just goes downhill—especially over this last year. I suspect the stress has completely thrown my system out of whack; now I’m dealing with these sudden hot flashes in the morning, intense pains, and even mid-cycle cramping—likely ovulation, I suppose. Just the day before yesterday, right before my period actually started, I felt so nauseous on the subway that I genuinely thought I was about to die... it’s honestly never been this bad. Fortunately, some pills help, though I try not to rely on them too heavily—maybe just two or three during those first three days at night. Since I'm still a student, I'm lucky enough to avoid a rigid work schedule, which usually means I can dodge heavy lifting or having to leave the house when I'm feeling like death. I used to take Advil—it’s number one in my book—but the relief doesn't last very long, maybe just a few hours. Still, it works incredibly fast; within ten minutes, I start to feel some easing of the pain, which is vital on those once-a-year occasions where the agony is so sharp I feel like screaming. However, it started making me feel a bit queasy, so lately I’ve switched to Neofen or Knavon. Interestingly, Voltaren hasn't worked for me at all—it's far too slow to kick in, so it’s just not worth the hassle.
I’ve considered whether hormonal contraception might be a real solution—my OB-GYN certainly suggested it—but I’ve personally declined to go that route... then again, perhaps there are herbal remedies? A close friend of mine practically underwent a total transformation after she started drinking this specific tea designed for women's health; before that, she could barely crawl out of bed, though she did find birth control left her feeling just as exhausted and drained, so she quit that too. I tried starting that same tea, but I have such a low tolerance for herbal brews—they always make me feel sick to my stomach. Since you have to drink it three times a day, I eventually gave up... For me, it isn't even the physical pain that's the worst part, but rather this strange, pervasive weakness, those sudden waves of heat, and the sheer inability to function like a normal human being...🙂 But what can you do? It is what it is...

ruggedmarlin2 said:Well, I might as well officially join the club of women suffering through agonizing periods...🙄 It seems like as I get older, everything just goes downhill—especially over this last year. I suspect the stress has completely thrown my system out of whack; now I’m dealing with these sudden hot flashes in the morning, intense pains, and even mid-cycle cramping—likely ovulation, I suppose. Just the day before yesterday, right before my period actually started, I felt so nauseous on the subway that I genuinely thought I was about to die... it’s honestly never been this bad. Fortunately, some pills help, though I try not to rely on them too heavily—maybe just two or three during those first three days at night. Since I'm still a student, I'm lucky enough to avoid a rigid work schedule, which usually means I can dodge heavy lifting or having to leave the house when I'm feeling like death. I used to take Advil—it’s number one in my book—but the relief doesn't last very long, maybe just a few hours. Still, it works incredibly fast; within ten minutes, I start to feel some easing of the pain, which is vital on those once-a-year occasions where the agony is so sharp I feel like screaming. However, it started making me feel a bit queasy, so lately I’ve switched to Neofen or Knavon. Interestingly, Voltaren hasn't worked for me at all—it's far too slow to kick in, so it’s just not worth the hassle.
I’ve considered whether hormonal contraception might be a real solution—my OB-GYN certainly suggested it—but I’ve personally declined to go that route... then again, perhaps there are herbal remedies? A close friend of mine practically underwent a total transformation after she started drinking this specific tea designed for women's health; before that, she could barely crawl out of bed, though she did find birth control left her feeling just as exhausted and drained, so she quit that too. I tried starting that same tea, but I have such a low tolerance for herbal brews—they always make me feel sick to my stomach. Since you have to drink it three times a day, I eventually gave up... For me, it isn't even the physical pain that's the worst part, but rather this strange, pervasive weakness, those sudden waves of heat, and the sheer inability to function like a normal human being...🙂 But what can you do? It is what it is...

Have you tried any drops, like hemp tincture, or maybe evening primrose oil in capsules? Those two seem to get the most praise on the forums.
For me, the tincture helped quite a bit.

Sophia Hughes6 said:Have you tried any drops, like hemp tincture, or maybe evening primrose oil in capsules? Those two seem to get the most praise on the forums.
For me, the tincture helped quite a bit.

Not yet, but thanks for the tip—I'll definitely look into it...

I’m dealing with debilitating menstrual cramps, and honestly, the pain is absolutely unbearable for all seven days of my cycle. Please, I am begging for some advice. Can anyone help me out?

Do you find that pain relievers like Ibuprofen actually touch the pain for you? And have you had a chance to see a gynecologist lately? If I could offer one bit of advice: please, go see a specialist and get an ultrasound. If you’re suddenly dealing with intense pain that you’ve never experienced before, there is a real possibility it could be endometriosis. I’ve been going through this myself for the last few months—during those first couple of days of my cycle, the pain is absolutely debilitating. I can't help but think it has to be endometriosis. However, when I went to my doctor, she didn't even bother ordering an ultrasound because her clinic doesn't even have the equipment on-site. She just brushed off my theory entirely with a wave of her hand.

Well, I suppose it is time for me to join the conversation. 🙂 My menstrual cycle began during my first year of middle school, and ever since, I have endured several days of weeping from pain both leading up to and during the period itself. My cycles typically last ten to twelve days, and frankly, the intensity of the cramps is quite difficult to tolerate. On one occasion, I was caught mid-cycle while at school, and a friend provided me with a Ketoral tablet to alleviate the discomfort. Since that day, it feels as though I have been entirely transformed. Now, once my period arrives, I simply take a pill, and within half an hour, the pain vanishes completely, remaining absent for the remainder of the cycle. 🙂 A few months ago, one could purchase these over the counter at any local pharmacy without issue, but now they require a prescription. You can also obtain them through your primary care physician. I hope this provides some measure of relief to others. 🙂

Roger Roberts98 said:I’m dealing with debilitating menstrual cramps, and honestly, the pain is absolutely unbearable for all seven days of my cycle. Please, I am begging for some advice. Can anyone help me out?

Go see a gynecologist. Dealing with pain like that for a whole week definitely isn't normal.

Sophia Hughes6 said:Have you tried any drops, like hemp tincture, or maybe evening primrose oil in capsules? Those two seem to get the most praise on the forums.
For me, the tincture helped quite a bit.

Hey, where can I actually pick those up? Like, at a local pharmacy?

David Allen19 said:Hey, where can I actually pick those up? Like, at a local pharmacy?

Yeah, standard pharmacies (Walgreens usually carries it) and health food stores (like Whole Foods).

The hemp tincture is manufactured by Suban; they call it Evine drops.

www.suban.com/product_detail.asp?ProductID=276

Sophia Hughes6 said:Yeah, standard pharmacies (Walgreens usually carries it) and health food stores (like Whole Foods).

The hemp tincture is manufactured by Suban; they call it Evine drops.

www.suban.com/product_detail.asp?ProductID=276

A lovely lady ordered some from the local drugstore..
If this actually works, I might just name my firstborn after you.🙂

David Allen19 said:A lovely lady ordered some from the local drugstore..
If this actually works, I might just name my firstborn after you.🙂

🤣

Well, I guess I’m officially joining the "painful periods club!"
It usually starts right in the middle of my cycle—though not every single time since my ovulation isn't exactly predictable—and the pain lingers for a few days before finally letting up. Then, the nightmare repeats the morning before my period actually hits. Once it arrives, I’m basically glued to painkillers for the first three days, even though they barely touch the pain. On day one, I’m knocking back about seven pills, then five on the second day, and maybe two on the third. My gynecologist actually suggested this specific routine because I can only really tolerate Lupocet; nothing else seems to work for me, and even that just takes the edge off a little. For those first two days, I’m completely out of commission and can't even make it to school. The flow is intense—lots of heavy clotting—and I get these sharp pains in my right ovary and cramps so bad that sitting down is impossible. I just have to lie flat, and sometimes I even run a fever.

Does anyone know of any exercises that actually help ease the cramps and pain? I feel like I’ve tried everything under the sun. When I went in for my high school entrance physical, the doctors actually suggested hormone therapy to try and regulate my cycle (since it's all over the place—sometimes I get it every 2-3 weeks, other times it's been 50 days), but they warned me there was a risk it could affect my ability to have kids later on or trigger other health issues.

Gregory Mitchell90 said:Well, I guess I’m officially joining the "painful periods club!"
It usually starts right in the middle of my cycle—though not every single time since my ovulation isn't exactly predictable—and the pain lingers for a few days before finally letting up. Then, the nightmare repeats the morning before my period actually hits. Once it arrives, I’m basically glued to painkillers for the first three days, even though they barely touch the pain. On day one, I’m knocking back about seven pills, then five on the second day, and maybe two on the third. My gynecologist actually suggested this specific routine because I can only really tolerate Lupocet; nothing else seems to work for me, and even that just takes the edge off a little. For those first two days, I’m completely out of commission and can't even make it to school. The flow is intense—lots of heavy clotting—and I get these sharp pains in my right ovary and cramps so bad that sitting down is impossible. I just have to lie flat, and sometimes I even run a fever.

Does anyone know of any exercises that actually help ease the cramps and pain? I feel like I’ve tried everything under the sun. When I went in for my high school entrance physical, the doctors actually suggested hormone therapy to try and regulate my cycle (since it's all over the place—sometimes I get it every 2-3 weeks, other times it's been 50 days), but they warned me there was a risk it could affect my ability to have kids later on or trigger other health issues.

I’m totally lost on this part!
What kind of hormone therapy would leave you unable to have children later?
?
You didn't mention how old you are, but generally speaking, hormone therapy is a huge help for dysmenorrhea; it can really dial down the bleeding and get things back on a regular schedule.
Is it possible you have a specific diagnosis where estrogen just isn't an option?

So, my doctor didn't really give me much to go on. She just mentioned some kind of hormone therapy that comes with a massive list of side effects, but she wasn't even really pushing it on me. 🤷
I'm 16.

They haven't actually given me a formal diagnosis or anything yet; they just sent me to see a pediatric gynecologist for a consultation, and he basically told me there isn't much he can do for me here.

Gregory Mitchell90 said:Well, I guess I’m officially joining the "painful periods club!"
It usually starts right in the middle of my cycle—though not every single time since my ovulation isn't exactly predictable—and the pain lingers for a few days before finally letting up. Then, the nightmare repeats the morning before my period actually hits. Once it arrives, I’m basically glued to painkillers for the first three days, even though they barely touch the pain. On day one, I’m knocking back about seven pills, then five on the second day, and maybe two on the third. My gynecologist actually suggested this specific routine because I can only really tolerate Lupocet; nothing else seems to work for me, and even that just takes the edge off a little. For those first two days, I’m completely out of commission and can't even make it to school. The flow is intense—lots of heavy clotting—and I get these sharp pains in my right ovary and cramps so bad that sitting down is impossible. I just have to lie flat, and sometimes I even run a fever.

Does anyone know of any exercises that actually help ease the cramps and pain? I feel like I’ve tried everything under the sun. When I went in for my high school entrance physical, the doctors actually suggested hormone therapy to try and regulate my cycle (since it's all over the place—sometimes I get it every 2-3 weeks, other times it's been 50 days), but they warned me there was a risk it could affect my ability to have kids later on or trigger other health issues.

Those would be pelvic floor strengthening exercises; they work by relaxing all the muscles "down there." For example:

Pelvic Floor Exercises

There is also a yoga routine available:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gJN5ajJu9w&feature=related