Girls, how do you cope? (time of the month)

RazWaz

Nicki wrote: »

If you aren't trying for a baby at the moment why not change to a contraceptive that cuts periods out completely? The mirena coil changed my life in that respect but some pills can be taken without a break too. Worth discussing options with your GP or FPC

I want to be trying for a baby, hopefully the Thyroxin helps me enough that I can start again. I hated being on the pill (I could only have the mini-pill which doesn't stop periods anyway) and the other options can't be reversed so easily.

I'm waiting for my doctor to give me the green-light to start again, another reason why I want to try non-medication methods as I'm trying to cut down to only taking things that are known to be safe in pregnancy/breast-feeding.

fashionlover10

I have PCOS and have really suffered with my periods since I was 12. Before I went on the contraceptive pill I would spend a week every month in bed, only surfacing to crawl on my hands and knees to get to the bathroom.
I've not been pain free since going on the pill but I can certainly lead a normal life now. Still didn't stop me eating a family size bar of Fruit and Nut last night however.

NervousHomeowner

Hot water bottle for me and lots of cups of tea! My time of the month has always been terrible, although I've got used to it over the years. The most effective thing I've found are the stick on thermal patches you can get from the chemist. They're usually marketed as being for back pain but they work great and are super useful if you've got to do things like go to work, go shopping etc. while you're on!

The only other thing I would suggest is trying a menstrual cup if you aren't already using one. It doesn't really do much to stop the pain but for me it seems to lessen the cramps slightly and makes periods less of a chore.

miss_independent

RazWaz wrote: »

I want to be trying for a baby, hopefully the Thyroxin helps me enough that I can start again. I hated being on the pill (I could only have the mini-pill which doesn't stop periods anyway) and the other options can't be reversed so easily.

I'm waiting for my doctor to give me the green-light to start again, another reason why I want to try non-medication methods as I'm trying to cut down to only taking things that are known to be safe in pregnancy/breast-feeding.

Best forget my Agnus Castus recommendation then... I know I definitely ovulate whilst I'm on it but I have heard of some women who don't, and only conceived when they stopped taking it.

seven-day-weekend

Dunroamin wrote: »

If you were at work, you'd just have to take painkillers and get on with it. Don't mean to be unsympathetic but that's the reality for most women.

Yes, I agree. You can't have a week off a month for the next forty years!

If they are so bad that you can't cope, you need to seek medical advice.

Glad I'm free of them now after having heavy periods for forty-four years!

Better_Off_1983

I get pains and I just ignore them.

RazWaz

Dunroamin wrote: »

If you were at work, you'd just have to take painkillers and get on with it. Don't mean to be unsympathetic but that's the reality for most women.

Then you've never felt what I'm going through. Putting up is not an option, the cramps are so strong I can't actually stand upright, and I'm bent double hobbling along everywhere. The pain is pretty comparable to when I had major surgery last year - and at least the painkillers worked for that.

When I was working, I once went in, and my boss saw how badly it was affecting me and told me to take 2 days off each month.

I'm not someone who complains over a small bit of pain, I am in pain every second of the day even with my regular painkillers, and this is far beyond what I experience normally.

Metranil_Vavin

What you describe doesn't sound normal at all. Most women get some discomfort, but your's sounds extreme so I would be heading off to the Dr's to be referred for more tests.

No one should need to suffer that much. There may be an underlying problem.

SmallL

Some women are very unlucky with periods.

I had to be put on cerazette at 12 to stop mine as i would vomit and faint (not a great combination).
I'm dreading coming off when i want to try for children!

RazWaz

I have been to the doctors - That's how they found out my immune system was attacking my thyroid, along with a few other problems. The medication they gave me works, I just missed a few doses and am wondering how to cope with the next few days.