A
female
age
26-29,
anonymous
writes:Hi, I'm 16 years old, and I suffer from awful PMS. I've had my period for about two years now, and despite hours of research, I can't seem to find any information on how to aid my symptoms. I get severe breast tenderness. I can't even wear a shirt when I sleep at night because they hurt so bad! I get diarrhea in the mornings. As for cramps, they range from being so bad I have to stay home with a hot water bottle to not having any cramps at all. I get so tired. I get cravings that are almost impossible to ignore, but when I satisfy them, I just feel worse. However, the worst symptom of all is the mood swings. I get so irrationally angry and then extremely upset that it scares me. Yesterday I screamed out my little brother because he forgot to clear his cup from the dinner table! I always get sad too. Its usually the same thoughts (Why don't I have a boyfriend? Why don't I have plans tonight? What am I going to do with my life? I have no goals--no plans--what does the future hold? Why did I say that my goodness I'm an awful person). I never think about these things unless I'm on my period. And the worst part is I can't seem to find anything to even out my mood. I want to talk to my mom about going to the gyno and seeing about birth control or other remedies, but I can't seem to work up the courage. The company my dad works at isn't doing very well and I know that money is getting tight. My brother and sister both have pills my parents have to pay for, I don't want to be another expense. Do you have any home remedies that helps you out with your PMS? Do you think I should talk to my mom about my PMS anyway? And what should I say if I do talk to her? I'm sorry this is so long, any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (26 June 2013):
 Hi, you should be able to find a low-cost health care provider here: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/
Exercise, take ibuprofen before your period starts, masturbating can help pain as well. So Very Confused gave you great advice, as did the other aunts.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/info-for-teens/our-bodies/going-doctor-33816.htm
Your job is to be a teenager, not to manage your family finances. When something is important, and your health is, then there's a way to get medical help. So be brave and woman up and ask for what you need. Okay?
A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (26 June 2013):
 There are ways to help PMS and PMDD (sounds like you may have a bit of that)
and talk to mom by all means... let her know, trust me she will understand.
As for what to do:
The full spectrum of Vitamin B is helpful including B6 and B12 take one every day of the month
also magnesium
same for Vitamin E
also please make sure you get enough Iron and Calcium and D (never take iron with any other vitamin except C btw)
Also avoid sugar... refined as well as natural (fruit in moderation is fine but fruit juice is a no-no)
also avoid sodas and caffeine
and start taking an anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) about 10 days before your period is due through day 2 of your cycle
this webpage was not a bad article: (a google search for Natural PMS relief got tons of hits)
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainManagement/story?id=4256403&page=1#.UcspuNhyTzg
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (26 June 2013): Why not start a diary, and log the symptoms that you have and how they relate to the days of your menstrual cycle.This would be a good indicator if it is true PMS.As there is no cure as such for PMS, you need to manage the symptoms. You may find that you are able to predict when these physical and emotional changes are likely to take hold of you. Have you heard of the phrase forewarned is fore armed...it just means that you can be prepared.You need to use this knowledge to be kind to yourself during these time. Notice how you are feeling, "my breasts are tender," "my stomach aches", I'm feeling angry etc. Acknowledge that this is due to your period being due and that it will pass. Then concentrate on the symptoms..paracetamol or paracetamol with codeine (c0-codamol)that you can buy over the counter may help and codeine in co-codamol can cause constipation so a small dose may help alleviate diarrhoea. Taking a regular painkiller for those couple of days in anticiption of pain may help to prevent the pain starting in the first place, but stop it when symptoms are over.Using heat by way of hot water bottles, warm baths etc can relax muscles, try on your tummy or back.Be kind to yourself diet wise, its may sound boring but try to resist gorging on bad things, you will feel healthier with a healthy diet, but don't let that stop you from a little something you fancy.Stick to a routine of bath, bed with as much sleep as you need, and be disciplined about getting up at regular time, and doing things that you know need to be done before doing an activity that you may want to do..ie a soak inthe bath with a face pack or hair treatment etc.I would suggest talking to your mum. It may well be that she had similar symptoms at your age, and it may help you to bond and at least you will have an ally if tensions do mount with your siblings. Why not say, "mum, is it ok if we talk about something that is worrying me....for a couple of days every month I feel like.....and its always around my period. Take the conversation from there. And how about chatting to friends too, if you are not already.A visit to your GP may help, but I suspect they will recommend simple measures first before going onto prescription pain killers or contraceptive pills, or referring to a gynaecologist.Most importantly...recognise the symptoms and be kind to yourself. You are having a normal reaction to pain and discomfort that will impact on your mood along with your fluctuating hormones. I hope this helps
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (26 June 2013): I would talk to your mom and explore options. Even though health insurance, medical care, etc. is astronomically ridiculous here in the U.S., I've noticed that family planning/birth control is not. As an independent adult, I went to Planned Parenthood, showed them a couple (low) pay stubs, and a month later, received a card in the mail that entitles me to free birth control of any type and kind I want, with no limits. I got the expensive Paragard IUD for free, and since it made me cramp so badly, I was able to get it out a week later with nothing lost. Also free abortions (eeek), although I hope I never have to go there. Now, I have just high enough of an income and no privileged status (disabled veteran, single mom) that would enable me to get OTHER medical care free, but the nurse practitioner at PP practically threw months' worth of BC pills at me for no cost. I am sure that you could do the same, perhaps even more so, as a minor. There's no reason not to get your parents involved, though. You never know what surprising benefits you could come up with.
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A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (26 June 2013):
 You should talk to your doctor about these discomforts before you jump ahead to think you must have birth control pills and before you start thinking about how much they will cost. Birth control pills are inexpensive, to tell you the truth. Even here in Norway, where everything costs a fortune (you wouldn't believe how much I pay each month just for a tiny studio) birth control pills are cheap. So, I hardly think you will financially ruin your family if you got them. The trip to your doctor will surely cost way more.
I wonder if you can talk to a school nurse? Or someone at school, to get referred to a free clinic? Are there any free clinics where you live? I never went to a gynecologist or doctor to get my pills, I just went to a nurse at a center, or to the clinic for sexually transmitted illnesses which offer free treatments (at least here in Norway they do). They have to measure your blood pressure, ask about family history if illnesses, and thats all. Then you get the prescription for the pills, or you get the pills if they have them in the office.
But I don't think you should be scared to talk to your mom about it. If your mother thinks it will cost too much, well then at least you asked and no harm done. And, your mother is a woman too. She knows what it is like to have the period, to have menstruation pains. But maybe she never had it real bad, so tell her how it's like for you so she knows. Just ask her if you can talk to her in your room, and sit her down on your bed and explain it to her. She's your mother, you shouldn't have to worry about telling her how you are doing.
As for at home remedies... I have none. I used to get extreme belly aches when I was younger, they were so bad I had to lay on the floor with my feet raised up high and breathe like you see women do when giving birth. I even had to do this at school sometimes, sitting on the toilet seat with my feet up against the wall and just breathe... Missed several classes. But it sounds like you have it even worse.
The only thing that helped for me was time.. I grew out of the extremely painful cramps, I rarely have it that bad now. And birth control pills. They help.
Other than that I'd suggest you take a bath when it gets bad, to help you feel more comfortable. Eat chocolate, remember to breathe, try to be as comfortable as you can. Wear a comfortable bra so that the shirts don't move about over your breasts and irritates them. Stretch out your belly when you can, raise your feet up high if the cramps are bad. Avoid coffee and only drink green tea or water. But nothing really helps aside from the birth control pills. However if it's of any comfort, it'll probably be better as you grow older.
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