[Amanda_1981]

Every saturday I volunteer at the local public library store. Today when I woke up I could tell that I had my period so I made sure to put on 2 (overnight) pads right before I left to do my shift. My shift is only 3 hours so I figured I'd be ok with the 2 pads... so I get to the library and after my shift I go to the washroom and realize that I have completely leaked from my period. It was VERY noticable because I was wearing light coloured pants (why oh why would I wear light pants on the first day of my period??) I should have known better! It frustrates me so much that I always have to wear 2 at once or else I'll leak. I just got home not even 2 hours ago and already I can tell that the two new pads I put on when I got home need to be changed soon. I had a pap done last month from my gp and everything came back fine so i'm guessing maybe it might be a genetic thing because I remember my mom telling me her periods were awful as well before she got a hysterectomy. I hate always having to worry if I'm going to leak and I wish I wasn't so paranoid about wearing tampons (for some reason I have this huge phobia of getting that toxic syndrome thing from them) so I only wear pads. I also don't understand why it always seems that it's every other period that is really bad. For me, if my period cramps are not too bad, then I know my next period that they're going to be awful.. and they are. My last period wasn't too bad pain wise, so I knew this month it would be a bad one. Anyone else notice that with their periods? One of my friends mentioned that she notices that too with hers.. I wonder why that is?

Ever notice how your periods completely wear you down too? I have zero energy during the first 3 days of my period and can literally sleep all day and all night from the tiredness. I think the only thing preventing me from getting a hysterectomy is that I really do want kids someday (and I doubt they'd even do it on people under 30 unless for medical reasons...) but it's days like today where I wish they would sometimes make exceptions. But I really do want kids so even if they did, I know I wouldn't get one.. I'd sure be tempted to though!

Anyone else have really bad periods? Any natural remedies (or special types of herbal teas/vitamins you find that help with the pain and heaviness that doesn't make you feel like a zombie afterwards?

[serafim_etal]

A pap will actually tell you or your doctor absolutely nothing about your period. A pap is a specific test to determine if there are abnormal cells on your cervix...that's all. The rest of the exam can tell the doctor if you have any cysts, enlarged organs, masses, etc. But again, that's all. The rule of thumb is if you leak through ONE heavy-duty pad in an hour or two, your period is too heavy. The run down feeling could very well be because this is too heavy! Unfortunately, there very well could be a genetic thing going on, but it's important to remember that just because your mom had an issue, that does not mean it is normal! Tell your doctor about this...get some blood tests done. If your doctor is not a GYN, get a referral to one. At the very least you may need some iron supplements during your period.

As far as a hysterectomy goes...a doctor won't do it unless there is no other option...and there are LOTS of options for making your period easier!

[Rapunzel]

Yeah, mine are really bad too. My mom used to use 3 tampons together. I use a combination with pad and tampon. And I'm wiped out too, and don't feel like doing anything, and my depression and anxiety get worse. Being pregnant was easier on me than menstruation is. I had easy births and didn't find that to be significantly worse than the monthly curse.

I've heard that if you have a really bad period every other month, it could be because your uterus is tilted. You ovulate from one ovary each month, alternating, so when you ovulate on one side it affects you worse than the other. I think there is a way to correct that, so talk to your doctor about it.

If you aren't trying to get pregnant right now, birth control pills or shots really do make periods lighter and less painful. There is even an option that reduces periods to once every three months.

There are nutritional strategies too. You will find some if you google it. I googled "nutrition during menstruation, herbal remedies" and found several interesting articles such as:
http://www.diethealthclub.com/blog/h...l-periods.html

[NuckingFutz]

I use to have very painful periods. They were heavy as well. My doctor prescribed Naprosin for the pain. I also started taking iron suppliments a week before and the week of my period. I also changed my pad a lot...about every hour. I wish my mom had taken me to a gyn because I had endro and the scar tissue kept growing. I am sterile.

[Amanda_1981]

Thanks serafim and rapunzel and NuckingFuts...

I had no idea that period heaviness problems can't be found out from a regular pap.. I'm wondering if I should at this point be asking my gp to refer me to a gyn. I've only ever had 3 pap tests done in my life and they were all done by my family doctor. I don't even know if she would even refer me to a gyn though because she always thinks my problems are all psychosomatic related due to my anxiety and never really takes me seriously when I have a concern about something that isn't related to my mental health issues.. but I guess it's worth a shot to ask when I go next month for my b12 shot. I know I often have problems with my iron but I always figured it was because I don't eat red meat. If there are types of birth control to take to lessen the heaviness and pain from my period, I'd love it but all the previous types of birth control pills I tried before made me sooo nauseous that I had to stop them because the nausea was so bad it was worse than the original menstral cramps. Anyone know if they have any other birth control in non pill form that doesn't cause nausea? I tried the nuva ring before (solely for the purpose of preventing pregnancy though, not for my periods) so I'm not sure if that type of birth control is also used for period control? It was so long ago I can't even remember if it helped my periods or not. I'm willing to try just about anything at this point, I just really hope it doesn't keep causing severe nausea like the other ones.

Rapunzel, what is the name of the pill (or shot?) that makes you only have your period every 3 months? Is there any potential serious side effects to it or is it basically the same as most type of birth control methods? Does it lessen your chances of becoming pregnant later on in life? If not, then I may seriously consider it (if my drug plan covers it).

[Amanda_1981]

((((NuckingFuts)))) I feel for you.. I've been living with horrible period problems since I was about 14 or 15 (am now 28).. my mom always said that it just 'runs in the familiy' and that it's normal for some women and I never even considered getting it checked out and therefore never really thought to ever mention it to my doctor. I think at one point I may have asked her for pain meds and she did give me something called ponstan or something like that but we never really talked about my period issues since. I think it's time maybe to re mention it to her!

[anna342]

I think with any of the pills you can run 3months together and so stop your periods for that time but you'd need to check specifically for the one you're getting just incase. You can also do this with a contraceptive patch. I've done this since I was 16, now 22, and I've always been ok and doctors have said it's fine.

[Rapunzel]

I think it is the depo provera shot that prevents periods for three months. You only get the shot once every three months. Everything has side effects. I don't know that the side effects from depo would be any more serious than with other birth control, but it is a little scary that once you get the shot, it is in your system for 3 months, with no real way to discontinue it until it naturally is eliminated from your system.

More information:
http://www.birth-control-comparison.info/bcdepo.htm

I have this problem too and use the most heavy duty pad and tampon together, and still change every hour. I have the problem also with it being worse every other month. Now while my period only last 3 days at the most, I can't really can't exercise because of the leakage, certainly not yoga and I try to stay at home as much as possible during the worst day. Are you having clots?

I have been to a OBGYN and there is nothing wrong. There are some treatments for this. I can't do birth control meds either and they tried a hormone replacement thing, and I broke out in hives from it. There is some kind of surgical treatment for it too (i can't think of the name right now) You should see an OBGYN, normally you don't need to be referred from your doctor. I would check though. Insurance companies are getting really picky now days.

If I remember correctly, it seems like that the toxic shock syndrome can happen when a women leaves the tampon in too long. Well with your periods, the most it would be in would be an hour. But I understand your worries. Good luck, I hope someone can better help you

[Perna]

The toxic shock syndrome thing was big back in the 1970's and 80's because they came out with super absorbent tampons. I used them and had a problem once with one that scared me so I quit using that kind and just went back to my regular Playtex. I never had a problem with them. Birth control pills helped my flow and I think the nausea thing might be adjustable with strength of the pill/amount of estrogen? I'd go to a gyn just to ask a bunch of questions and see what you can learn.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menorrhagia/DS00394

[Gracey]

Scratch the tampons, go with a Luna or a Diva cup. They make a disposable cup as well, Instead. I have a Diva and I swear by it.

Go see a gyn!! There are lots of reasons (not too many of them very good) that you could be having such heavy periods, and frankly, most GP's aren't skilled with gyno care besides pregnancy tests and paps.

[beatlesmarley]

I had the same problem basically. Except it would last for weeks and weeks and weeks, and it was so heavy it was insane. I would wear 3 pads, and I would sometimes even wear "spankies" (The shorts tennis players wear under skirts) under jeans, just to make sure nothing leaked. Sometimes it got very close to leaking, even through all of that. My doctor found absolutely nothing "wrong" or "weird" about it, she said it was "normal" for someone my age. So I decided to start taking birth control for it. It really does help, and the weeks in between the actual pill, my period has been way, way, way, way, way, way, way lighter and easier to manage. If all else fails, remember that!

I use a diva cup too, and I swear my periods are WAY lighter since I started using it. I did read somewhere that all of the chemicals in conventional pads and tampons affect our reproductive system and our periods. I don't know if that is true, but I do see a difference when I use a diva cup and cloth pads. My period is actually way shorter as well.

It was hard to get used to at first, but now it's as easy to use anything else.

[sadden]

I have had these hugely awful periods too. I sympathize with you. I found that my meds for MI issues affected my periods. When that changed, my periods changed from being so awful. My gp suggested, when they were so heavy, the IUD mirena would help a lot. I never did that as my meds changed and the heavy heavy periods changed.

[shezbut]

Amanda 1981,

I have been there with horribly heavy periods. Man, does that suck! I'd seriously recommend that you have your GYN do an ultrasound. They can see if your uterus is tilted, any abnormal growth/s, and discuss what possibilities may be best to ease your symptoms.

I suffered for 20 years before I finally had my hysterectomy (in 9/09). I don't miss that darn uterus or cervix one bit! The cause of my long history of problems was a tilted uterus, and mainly ~ adenomyosis. Doctors typically don't recommend hysterectomy until one has tried all other possibile treatments and still has problems.