A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Hello Ladies, it's another women's health question really... I've got really horribe period pains, I swear if child birth is anything like this I may just adopt. I've tried taking paracetamol and ibroprofen (together and separatly), other so called pain killers especially for period pain, and nothing seems to be easing it in the slightless, I feel sick, achy and can't concentrate. Is there anything else I can try, prehaps a natural remedy, I can't exercise at all, it's too painful and I feel like I'm about to flood :-( and I get cramps even when I try to relax and get comfy. I'd really appreciate some advice, I'm really active and cannot afford to have time off for something so trivial. x
View related questions:
period Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, SweetSerendipity +, writes (30 March 2009):
First of all, listen to what your body is telling you. Pain is there for a reason. One of the reasons that we keep hearing about professional athletes have serious injuries, is because they tend to "force" the pain out until it is too late. Not pulled muscle, but broken tendon. Not physio-therapy but spinal surgery.
Your body is telling you something through the pain that you are feeling now. It could be hormonal, it could also be growth. It could benign, it could be malicious. It could be inflammation, it could just be just over-productivity of a gland (that swells and pushes a nerve-ganglion). But get it checked out NOW.
However, as your question is on natural remedies, I will just add a bit here on that information too. In some parts of Asia, a mixture of turmeric-tamarind-[very young] coconut milk/juice is a good way to "cleanse" when you have periods. The result is not instantaneous, but if you take this drink regularly for week (starting 2 days before your period), after about 3-4 months you will feel less period pain. The side effect is only that you will feel that you have (a) more bowel movement, (b) you flood and need to change your pad/tampons several times a day. So you also need to drink lots of water (and fruits) too to compensate the lost fluid/electrolytes in your body. You can easily make this drink yourself, as the ingredients are easily accessible in any Chinese/Asian supermarket (i.e. they are everyday's cooking seasonings in many Asian dishes!). But if you are interested, I can pm you the recipe.
Another natural "remedy" is Noni juice. But please bear in mind that many of these natural remedies are NOT "cures". What they do is they act as a natural regulator and catalyst to our organs. They "detect" anomalies and then "stabilize" certain organs so these organs can in turn do their jobs well again. Bottled noni juices may be sold in some shops in the UK (but expensive), I just have not looked for them myself because I can't take it (I have naturally low blood pressure and genetically susceptible to diabetes .. the two No-Nos for Noni lol).
About Noni Juice
http://www.silvertorch.com/jottings/caribjots.html
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Online_Stores_Services-Tru_Noni_Juice/display_~reviews
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=26645&cat_id=5
But serious, first, make an appointment to see your ObGyn and get checked thoroughly. It should be covered under your insurance plan, or by NHS.
Jas
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 March 2009): By the way, thermacare heat patches help me, and you can also get prescription pain patches. I need narcotics to get to the deep part of my pain, I most likely have adenomyosis (I've had excision surgery and really, the endo should be gone!)
you might also google IC, interstitial cystitis....endo's evil twin as it's called...i try to follow an IC diet and it helps with some of the pelvic pain
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 March 2009): If you have endo, here are some great sites for help
centerforendo.com
endometriosissurgeon.com
endoexcision.com
pelvicpain.com
endometriosis.org
endo-resolved.com
endo101.com
johnleemd.com
endo.activboard.com/
naprotechnology.com
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (29 March 2009): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThank you all so so much... denny thankyou, its nice to have a man's perception x lotus, i always get painful periods but the pain varies sometimes its exteme and other times its just uncomfortable, i'll have a go with the tea at the moment i'm so desperate i'll try anything x Sirena, i too have a really high pain threashold i managed half a maraton on a broken ankle without any problems but now i'm quite literally doubled up, thanks for the advice x becca, i'm huddled up over my hot water bottle as we speak, i may go find my slippers too its funny (well not funny but) how you get all achy even though the 'problem' is fairly localised x rhythmandblues thankyou, i'm going to make an appointment with my gp and see what he can prescribe x ...
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (29 March 2009): The reason usually that women have period pain is due to the elevated prostaglandins or hormones that start the sluffing of the uterine lining....lack of sleep, lack of excercise and emotional stress all make period pain worse as well as a narrow cervical opening and heavy clotting....etc.
The treatment for this pain is to treat the inflammatory response that elevated hormones cause that directly contribute to the pain you feel. The treatment for this is to take NSAIDS either prescription or over the counter treatment, several days ahead of schedule or when the period is due....otherwise waiting until the onset of the pain is too late for these drugs to work...the whole idea is to cut down on the inflammatory hormones like leukotrines in the first place.....
Over the counter NSAIDS (anti inflammatories) are Alleve, and Motrin to name a few. The prescription drugs are a bit stronger and in my experience do the trick a little better....what a lot of doctors fail to intstruct their patients, or women tend to forget is to put yourself on a schedule of taking these drugs prior to the start of your period, otherwise they simply won't help.
If you are not on the Pill, you may want to consider taking that, as it lightens your period and helps a lot with the severity of cramping, for me they took away those mestrual cramps entirely, but not so for all women.
Walking helps a lot, too, so just try to do some walking through the pain....if you can.
...............................
A
female
reader, bekaaa +, writes (29 March 2009):
I suffer from bad period pains too. Men don't know how lucky they are! Try having a hot soak in the bath. During my week a hot water bottle is my best friend and really soothes the pain. Make sure to keep your feet warm too. As much as you might not want to try to keep moving, or try doing something that will take your mind off it. Try going to your doctor to see if they can perscribe anything.Hope the rest of the week goes ok!
...............................
A
female
reader, SirenaBlusera  +, writes (29 March 2009):
 ¡Pobrecita!
I think that you need to see a doctor about this. Sometimes an underlying medical problem (such as endometriosis) can cause painful, debilitating cramps. There's probably nothing seriously wrong with you that they can't treat, but you need to see a doctor in order to rule out endometriosis or other problems because, if left untreated, they can be dangerous. I'm sure there's nothing wrong that can't be treated but it's important to get this taken care of. :)
I have a VERY high tolerance for pain... cracked ribs? I put with it stoically? Busted nose? No problem. I got dysmennorhea (severe menstrual pain) and I would cry from the pain.
If they rule out medical problems, then tell the doctor/nurse how much pain you're in and ask about natural rememdies that are available.
I have an article that might help. Before you start any OTC medicine, check with your doctor... but here are some things to ask about:
http://www.ask.com/bar?q=natural+remedy+menstrual+cramps&page=1&qsrc=0&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Faltmedicine.about.com%2Fb%2F2007%2F04%2F26%2Fnatural-remedies-for-menstrual-cramps.htm
Also, ask about certain foods that can help alleviate the pain. Diet is a big factor (Omega-3 fatty acids, found in certain types of fish, can help, for example).
I hope this helps...
...............................
A
female
reader, lotus mama808  +, writes (29 March 2009):
 What concerns me is that you have tred taking some pretty heavy duty pain relievers and they failed to work. I suggest mentioning this to your docter, as there might be a different reason why you are suffering this kindof pain. As for natural pain relief for menstral cramping, the best thing would to drink a red raspberry leaf tea with clover and nettles. (you can find these in a health food store, or you can find these in certain supplements). This remedy may not take the pain away, but it promotes better uterine health, making your uterus stronger, so perhaps it won't hurt quite as much the next cycle around. Like I said before, however, this type of pain could be caused by something else, and should be mentioned to your OB. Have you always experienced this pain during your cycle?
...............................
|
