Supplements for period problems

gwen80

shandyclover wrote: »

I've just been to the GP for similar complaint, still having tests but GP told me in the meantime to take ibuprophen, for the pain and according to her it also stops the period being so heavy - I had no idea. If you are tired could your iron levels also be low? It's one of the tests my GP prescribed

Anything OTC just doesn't cut it and you advised not to take ibuprofen with mefanamic acid. I sometimes take paracetamol with the mefanamic acid which can give a bit of extra help.

I've had my iron levels checked and they're fine.

gwen80

Snowy_Owl wrote: »

I know this doesn't work for everyone but it worked for me.

I can't take the pill due to a history of migraines and ended up with a chronic low level dull headache and lazy arm! Didn't last more than three weeks!

Had all the tests for my periods - had primary dysmennorhoea - ie nothing was causing the severe pain, tiredness, sickness etc

Implant to me has been a godsend - no periods and worry for 10 years! I will take any side effects of long term use for gaining these years!

Yes, the implant is a possibility, although a friend of mine had a problem with almost constant bleeding in the second year of having it. I will give it a go if I can't get anything else to work.

jenniewb

gwen80 wrote: »

Anything OTC just doesn't cut it and you advised not to take ibuprofen with mefanamic acid. I sometimes take paracetamol with the mefanamic acid which can give a bit of extra help.

I've had my iron levels checked and they're fine.

I do this!
The deal with mefenamic acid is that you need to start taking it a day or a half day before your period starts and take it without any breaks throughout your period. It has a build-up effect. One pill wont kill the pain but will slightly dampen it, the next dampens it further and so on. It works by reducing the inflammation which can often be what is causing the pain. If you have been prescribed it, follow the instructions and take it every day when you're on your period (but not too much or you get chest pains and palpitations!) Also, don't take it with aspirin as you'll end up damaging your stomach.

Know its a well known one, but exercise. As fast as you can move. Feels like hell to begin with but gets easier and does numb the pain further.

Reduce salt intake, reduce sugar intake, reduce caffeine intake as these all add to the pain. Sip loads of water (not fizzy stuff, water!) And rest with a hot water bottle or chill pad, then count the hours 'till its over!

gwen80

Sorry just resurrecting this thread as feeling borderline murderous with PMT. Has anybody tried maca?

Racheldevon

It's not a supplement, but acupuncture - with someone who is properly trained in the traditional type (3 year degree minimum rather than the weekend western type trigger point style of acupuncture).

re the PMT I've used a body massage blend (I'm qualified in aromatherapy) using Evening Primrose oil as a carrier oil, there's lots of oils that are very good for PMT, including mandarin (top note), clary sage (top note), cypress (middle note), rose, geranium, neroli (all base notes) you ideally want to blend a top, middle and base blend. I've treated a few people for PMT successfully with oils

Tiglath

Dramatically reducing dairy can help with the release of prostaglandins (PGE 2) which cause the contractions; they've synthesised PGE 2 as a suppository to actually induce labour. I found agnus castus helped a wee bit, as does magnesium supplements and those stick-on self-heating pads for the tummy. Really, even very strong painkillers like Tramadol didn't work enough for me to function, so I had a hysterectomy in the end and have never looked back. Just wish I could've had one when I first asked but there you go; I didn't get taken seriously on the issue or believed when I said I'd never ever have children (yes I'm bitter about the whole thing). I lived my teens, twenties, and thirties constantly petrified by each period, and I only really started living at 39. I've been through other major surgeries, but the primitive core nature of period pain makes it the worst thing I've ever had to endure. So any woman who suffers period pain has my deepest sympathy.

gwen80

Racheldevon wrote: »

It's not a supplement, but acupuncture - with someone who is properly trained in the traditional type (3 year degree minimum rather than the weekend western type trigger point style of acupuncture).

re the PMT I've used a body massage blend (I'm qualified in aromatherapy) using Evening Primrose oil as a carrier oil, there's lots of oils that are very good for PMT, including mandarin (top note), clary sage (top note), cypress (middle note), rose, geranium, neroli (all base notes) you ideally want to blend a top, middle and base blend. I've treated a few people for PMT successfully with oils

I assume I'd have to have acupuncture on an ongoing basis? I've heard it's good for endometriosis, which I have. It's meant to have been removed but the gynae reckons I probably have adenomyosis as well.

If I was to look into using a body massage blend, would I have to do this throughout the month or only when I have PMT?

Tiglath wrote: »

Dramatically reducing dairy can help with the release of prostaglandins (PGE 2) which cause the contractions; they've synthesised PGE 2 as a suppository to actually induce labour. I found agnus castus helped a wee bit, as does magnesium supplements and those stick-on self-heating pads for the tummy. Really, even very strong painkillers like Tramadol didn't work enough for me to function, so I had a hysterectomy in the end and have never looked back. Just wish I could've had one when I first asked but there you go; I didn't get taken seriously on the issue or believed when I said I'd never ever have children (yes I'm bitter about the whole thing). I lived my teens, twenties, and thirties constantly petrified by each period, and I only really started living at 39. I've been through other major surgeries, but the primitive core nature of period pain makes it the worst thing I've ever had to endure. So any woman who suffers period pain has my deepest sympathy.

I'm taking Agnus Castus at the moment, but only started it about 3 and a half weeks ago. I know it can take 6 weeks or more to work, but I may have no friends or family left by that point :eek:

I don't blame you for being bitter Tiglath, that sounds horrific. My experiences aren't anywhere near as bad as yours and I'm still annoyed that I've spent 10 years being told 'Oh it's normal' by bl00dy daft male GPs who've never had a period in their life let alone spent a day a month curled up in a ball. I'm lucky in some respects, they're not heavy and the pain is usually over in a day, but before all that there's the tiredness that starts about 2 weeks before, then the mood starts to change. I've spent today veering between being a total cow and crying my eyes out. I've felt borderline psychotic. I feel like nearly half my life is wasted by feeling crap because of the build up to my period, then a day of horrific pain. After that, things return to normal, my moods go back to normal, I have energy again and I make the most of it for two weeks because I know in two weeks I'll be going through it all again. If you'd asked me today I'd have said take the whole lot out too. Roll on the menopause!

thehappybutterfly

Oh poor Gwen and Tiglath. I get quite a bit of pain which i struggle through with - it only lasts a couple of days - but i ended getting a prescription for Fluoxetine for the mood swings. Oh the mood swings. Absolute torture for my hubby and kids. But im so much better now. Its a low dose, 20mg, but its enough to take the edge off. I also take supps in an effort to help the cramps and length of the period but not sure how effective these are.

Racheldevon

Re the acupuncture you'd need to speak to someone who practices in this area, howeverknow with plenty of other long term conditions people haven't needed regular monthly treatments so it's worth an enquiry. These guys are great http://exeteracupuncture.co.uk/ and i'm sure there are lots of other people registered with the British acupuncture association who have post grad specialist interest in women's health issues.

Re the oils, the people I've treated for PMT had a massage with the oil every fortnight for a couple of months, but noticed an improvement very quickly. You could use the oil daily in place of your normal body moisturiser, or just use daily in the week of so before, and during your period. My friend's life used to be really blighted by her PMT moods, and it has made a significant difference - good luck