a "female" questions...so consider yourself warned lol

[neonach]

mlejoy,
Over the years my cramps have gotten worse and the bleeding heavier and more frequent. I'm only thirty five so my doctor kept giving me the brush off. It became a regular occurance to be on the floor with crippling pain and I began to miss alot of work. I finally switched doctors and sure enough, after a bit of exploratory surgery, I have endometriosis. He gave me a D&C to control the bleeding (at times I thought I was truly bleeding to death) which worked. It is recommended that I have a total hysterectomy. I'm done having children but so many women are against my agreeing to the surgery. However, women I know that have had the hysterectomy say do it. I think you are taking way too much ibuprofin, that stuff kills your liver. You need to find out why you're in so much pain instead of masking it. Go to a reputable ObGyn or if you want to take the wholistic route see a qualified herbologist. You know what's normal for your body. Any abnormalities should be looked into straight away. Illness doesn't ask you how old you are so if you get the brush off because you're under 50 find another physician. Why would your doctor recommend birth control? When not used for birth control they are usually used as a hormone treatment. Are you having peri-menapausal symptoms such as mood swings (being crabby because you're in pain doesn't count), night sweats, hot/cold flashes? Accupuncture was mentioned but that's not a cure it only relieves pain. Herbal remedies are basically the natural form of most of the synthetic drugs we take and everyone is right, if you don't know what you're doing they can be dangerous. Go to an herbologist. How old are you? Endometriosis rears it's ugly head commonly around age thirty so don't let anyone tell you different. Aside from my having that, I do have peri-menopausal symptoms. I have three degenerative discs in my lower back, and (insert medical mumbo jumbo here) it affects the area of my spine that controls my reproductive system thus causing these symptoms. My point is there could be numerous reasons for your pain. The sooner you find the problem the easier it will be to correct. BTW, if you still see children in your future and it is endo. there are surgical ways to keep it under control so don't panic.

[shewants2tango]

I just skimmed through this thread, but I didn't see any one mention caffeine. Caffeine in smaller amounts can help cramps and headaches. I usually take a few ibuprofin and a cup of coffee, and it helps. Actually caffeine and a pain reliever is the ingredients of Midol.

I unfortunately take 6 ibuprofin at a time, because i am immune to the stuff. I have started using naprosen, but it is not that much better.

I did the birth control pill thing and they did make me nauseous...even in the low dose form.

[Rachel_E]

Endometriosis is yet another possible reason for pain during menstruation. Birth control can help to prevent the increase of endometriosis, as does pregnancy, etc.

I have to agree though, 6 ibuprofins at a time is very dangerous. You really should not be taking that much. Try something like Aleve instead. And if that does not work, combine it with exercise, heating pads, baths, or see a physician.

[jacobitedreamer]

I forgot to tell that, 15 months after giving birth to my daughter, the pain during my period returned again. Not as strong as it used to be before pregnancy, but enough to do something about it. And here is an advice on something purely natural:

If you have a midwife near you, ask her to show you the breathing technique women use when giving birth. This helps greatly to relax the cramped muscles of the abdomen including the uterine muscles. You sit on the floor, your back to the wall or anything else, your knees up, all relaxed. You take a deep breath through the nose with your mouth closed. Then, after a second, you exhale slowly through the mouth. Repeat this for about ten minutes and do this exercise several times a day. It may take some time until it works. The best is to close your eyes and listen to some slow music you really like.

A tea or a bath prepared of Petasites officinalis helps as well, but it tastes horrible...

[janedowling]

Please don't get on the Pill if you smoke - chances are that your doctor would not let you anyway.....And yes, the breast cancer thing....I think you mentioned you have no history in your family? That's good.
Talk to your gyno....(maybe you have already)....maybe you need an "ultrasound" or something to really "see in there" (and, it's not a big deal - I've had several)!
Jane