Time of the month pain

[Paparika]

I'd like to know what women do at that time of the month when you get the back ache and lower tummy pains?

Usually its a ibuprofen for me, but i know i should try something else

ie hot water bottle does the trick for a little while...

[frivolous_fay]

Chocolate!

[geekgirl]

I have had some horrific pain at 'that' time of the month. When it gets really bad I take co codamol or ibuprofin strong ones! Hot water bottles help me as well. If I can catch the pain before it gets too bad going for a little walk sometimes helps.

But since using a mooncup I have noticed less pain as it holds everything up in place. Anyone else noticed this?

[Stephb1986]

i use memafamic acid theres another one but i cant remember the name :)

there is also these magnetic things you get from superdrug i think its £20 and you put them in your knickers i think im not sure :)

HTH

Steph xx

[rabbitwarren]

Yep, I agree! The mooncup has eased the pain considerably, not completley gone but much better and combined with the use of the magnet from a few days before you are due on , I now take far fewer ibuprofen and dont have to fork out for liletsetc!!

[Jellicat]

It might feel like the last thing you feel like doing but yoga works wonders I find. I do some gentle yoga as often as I can, and when I'm not on my period the cobra, pose and bow positions are great. I've noticed much less pain since I've started doing this and taking regular exercise.

[Paparika]

So you would recommend the mooncup?

[Tigersilly]

Calcium and Magenesium Supplements are brilliant for muscle cramps. Cramps often occur because the proportion of intake of these 2 minerals is out of whack. Try finding a Calcium: Magnesium supplement with a ratio of 2:1 e.g. calcium intake should be double of that of magnesium. Try eating a few bananas and some plain yoghurt when you begin to get cramps. If that doesn't help down some calcium, magnesium supplements. Holland and Barretts do a good one:

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=164

Generally if you suffer from PMS symptoms take a B-Complex supplement - a Timed release one is better as B vitamins are water soluble and tend to be peed out if the system quickly. Eat more oily fish (for Omega 3) and taking an Evening Primrose (3 x 1000mg daily) or Borage oil (Both contain Omega 6 fatty acids) supplement is a good idea. The omegas are anti-inflammatories. Sometimes the body sends signals that lead to inflammation and pain/tenderness in the body, the omegas are good ways to counteract this. Zinc and Vitamin B6 are needed to help with the converstion of GLA into prostaglandins to reduce inflammation in the body.

Look after your bodies women! and they'll thank you for it in the future.

[Paparika]

I've just been reading about the mooncup and it was only last year i realised it existed.

I'm happy to pop along to boots tomorrow and give it a go, loads of reasons too

no more drugs, environmentally friendly and saves me a fortune each year not to mention the tax we pay on sanitary products.

the magnet I'm not sure of as I'm 38 sterilised and my monthlies are being weird atm, each month they turn up earlier and earlier, been tested once a year for menopause but no it's not that, although i suspect maybe pre-menopausal, (i think)

but thanks all that suggested the mooncup i think I'll give that a go, especially if it can reduce the monthly pains :T:T

As for the chocolate suggestion, why of course that's a necessity :D

Yoga, i'm awaiting my Wii fit as i hear its on there and i'll give that a bash too :)

[fluffynit]

Take high strength evening primrose oil. I was recommended one capsule a day and then take 2 capsules on the 10 days leading up to period.

[geekgirl]

So you would recommend the mooncup?

I wouldn't use anything other than the mooncup now. It took me a about 8 cycles to get used to it, but now I have it sorted. If you would like a more detailed description PM me.

[snipzychick]

So you would recommend the mooncup?

I definitely would. I've been using one since the end of last year and they are great. my period pains are very minimal now using tampons i used to be in agony. And of course it is better for the environment, and better on your pocket :D

Once you get used to how to use them properly, they're a doddle and you'll never go back.

There is a thread about them somewhere.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=196357&highlight=mooncup

[flutterbyuk25]

How does the Mooncup reduce period pain? Sorry if that's a dull question! I know what the mooncup is but can't work out how it helps with period pain.

x

[Paparika]

How does the Mooncup reduce period pain? Sorry if that's a dull question! I know what the mooncup is but can't work out how it helps with period pain.

x

Interesting to find this out

[Paparika]

The Mooncup can safely be used with painful periods and many women report that using the Mooncup reduces their pain. One reason for this could be that the Mooncup is worn lower down in the vagina than a tampon and allows your menstrual blood to flow more naturally. The Mooncup is also hypoallergenic and does not react with your body. The chemicals contained in tampons may react with the body causing pain.


http://www.mooncup.co.uk/menstrual_cup_faq.html#Publictoilets

[cazac71]

i use memafamic acid theres another one but i cant remember the name :)

there is also these magnetic things you get from superdrug i think its £20 and you put them in your knickers i think im not sure :)



HTH

Steph xx

Are you sure you got these from Superdrug, and not thru the post in a brown unmarked envelope;):p

[specsappeal]

personally i take evening primrose oil and vitamin b the week before im due. but as i have got older (am 35 now) i have found the pain has gotten worse and worse. the first 2 days i am usually found on the sofa in bloody agony (excuse the pun), crying at anything and everything on the tv swiftly followed by the 'dont even look at me or ill rip you head off' phase. this is then replaced by the hormonal 'god i feel horny' day and then im back to myself (usually not as horny as i was much to DH disappointment lol). then the fun starts all over again a few weeks later. then again it might just be me....

[Psykicpup]

I found exercise to be the best remedy - I used to go horse riding & that really helps but sex if you can face it works too honest!

[Paparika]

personally i take evening primrose oil and vitamin b the week before im due. but as i have got older (am 35 now) i have found the pain has gotten worse and worse. the first 2 days i am usually found on the sofa in bloody agony (excuse the pun), crying at anything and everything on the tv swiftly followed by the 'dont even look at me or ill rip you head off' phase. this is then replaced by the hormonal 'god i feel horny' day and then im back to myself (usually not as horny as i was much to DH disappointment lol). then the fun starts all over again a few weeks later. then again it might just be me....

I feel for you, it's day 2 for me and i had to take the day off work because of the pain (haven't needed to do that in years)

[something_girl]

personally i take evening primrose oil and vitamin b the week before im due. but as i have got older (am 35 now) i have found the pain has gotten worse and worse. the first 2 days i am usually found on the sofa in bloody agony (excuse the pun), crying at anything and everything on the tv swiftly followed by the 'dont even look at me or ill rip you head off' phase. this is then replaced by the hormonal 'god i feel horny' day and then im back to myself (usually not as horny as i was much to DH disappointment lol). then the fun starts all over again a few weeks later. then again it might just be me....


hehe, it's not just you! ;)

[calleyw]

I too have found that since I stopped using tampons my period pain has reduced a lot.

I use to need a hot water bottle but don't need to anymore.

Might look in to a mooncup.

Yours

Calley

[Paparika]

I took the plunge and bought one from boots £19.99
and 8 hrs later i can't feel it as such, but because tampons dry me out it does feel a bit dry, but no leaks (so i must have it in right)

I did have to cut the stem half way, but very comfortable, although not sure if i want to wear it for the night.. bit long for me.

The emptying out isn't a problem, just something new to learn thats all


But now i have it i stick 2 fingers up to the tax man who thought sanitary products were a luxury to be taxed. you'll have no more of my money. :T:T:T

That's money saving in the long run.

[angel81uk]

I've been using a mooncup for over a year now and there's no way I'd change back to tampons. Unfortunately it hasn't helped with my painful periods but I'm not surprised, I've found nothing that will help! I've tried magnesium, calcium, evening primrose, starflower oil, borage, new era combination N tissue salts, ibuprofen, co-codamol, co-proxamol, the list goes on! Various different brands of the contraceptive pill haven't helped either so I've resigned myself to horrible mood swings and 2 days of absolute agony each month (to the point where I'm literally curled up in a ball in tears and on the verge of passing out). If only my GP would take it seriously and not just tell me it's normal to experience some "discomfort"!

[snipzychick]

not sure if i want to wear it for the night.. bit long for me.

As much as i love mine i can't wear it overnight. I have tried but my flow is too heavy, and my cup runneth over so to speak :rotfl:

[Paparika]

As much as i love mine i can't wear it overnight. I have tried but my flow is too heavy, and my cup runneth over so to speak :rotfl:

ooo i love the way you said that hehe.

I'm a medium but i still wouldn't want to take the risk just yet..

Day two...

back in and i can't feel it :T:T:T any new timers to this a good suggestion is do read the little book that goes with it and yes insert when wet helps :)

[keelykat]

The only two things that helped me with heavy and painfull periods was going on the pill and being prescribed mefenamic acid from my gp.

Using tampons didnt make pain any worse for me personally.

Apart from that-ibruprofen did work a hell of a lot better then paracetamol etc.

Doing regular excerise did help make things lighter, but not enough to really make a great difference when my periods were at their worst. Theres no way i could have sex in the middle of a period-im usually in too much pain, and dont feel at all sexy etc. Ill stick to chocolate lol!

keely.

[Nicifer_noonoo]

four drops of lavender oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil, massaged into the abdomen clockwise. Makes me feel much better :) One of those microwaveable wheat sacks is brilliant for taking to bed with you too.

[nappentass]

Great tips from everyone -
I use mooncup which helps a lot, Bowen Techniques has helped loads to reduce it. Now only sometimes get cramps/pain but as I'm allergic to painkillers and react badly to pill, have to find alternatives.
I use vit C 1000mg (soluble) with magnesium 150-250mg 2-3 times a day as needed, usually starts to reduce my pain within 15 mins - got the remedy from Chris Northrups books.
HTH
Jill

[noonesperfect]

I used to suffer terribly as a teenager (throwing up because of the pain and everything :eek: ).

As I got older the pain has eased off, but on the odd occasion it reappears I found a *hot toddy, sipped slowly, has helped. Not something you can do if you're at work or driving of course.

I bought a mooncup and my periods have since gone awol (I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet!!)

*Hot water,brandy and sugar to the uninitiated.

[melancholly]

hmm... i tend to get lower back pains the day before i start, so i wonder if a mooncup would help with them? i've almost run out of tampons so next month might be a good time to start (and they're always so expensive too!). i had a wheat sack thing that goes in the microwave which i found stays hot longer than a hot water bottle and also moulds against your body better. somehow it got a hole in it and all the wheat came out so i need a new one.... and should have got it last week so that's a useful reminder!!