[gon3withth3wend]

My periods have always been unpleasant. I have bad cramps for about three days, and need to lay down most of the day. I'll get nauseous, but I'm pretty sure I don't have the ability to throw up - haven't done it since I was maybe 5 or 6, even if I felt like I needed to. Mostly, I get very moody. I had not self harmed for a month, and recently got the urge to do it again and I caved, and then I got my period and realized that I was really just PMSing. Given the fact that it had been a month since the last time I did it, I might have been PMSing then too, but I don't remember. That month was the longest I didn't do it in a while.

I was given some vitamin supplements to help with PMS, but I did not react well to those. I was also taking St.John's Wort and some other stuff, but I didn't like that stuff. I feel like my period interferes with my life. I can't be productive emotionally or physically - but my mother is very anti-birth control, and given the fact that I'm 17, what she says goes. I think the pill would be good because I just want to have more control over things like when I get my period - also I want to already be on the pill whenever I might become sexually active, instead of having to worry about it at that time. What can I do to control how I feel both physically and emotionally on and before my period?

[nicoleb2]

I don't really have a whole lot of advice, but I can relate to the pms.

I had a mirena IUD for almost 5 years, and no periods for almost that long. IUD fell out recently, and I am back to having a period and all the awful hormonal crap that goes with it.

[Maven]

It's too bad your mom won't let you get on birth control (but when you're 18, you can get it legally yourself), because you can ask the gynecologist to put you on a regimen where you stop your period for about three months, then you have it one month, and then off for three months, then have it again. Studies have shown no ill effects from this, and it can actually lower your risk for certain cancers. I used to do it, but I'm 44 now, and don't know if it's safe for me to be on birth control (because of the risk of blood clots at a higher age). It was great! You might look into that.

Here's an article with more info: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/womens-health/WO00069

[Big Mama]

I used to have horrible cramps. I'd pass out the flow was so heavy and the pain was so bad. I took midol over the counter, wore supertight pants, and sat in a rocking chair and rocked bunches. I feel for you. My folks were the same way, no birth control, no way, no how. When I was 16 I went to the school councelor and told her I was sexually active. Which I really was not. She arranged for me to go to the health dept. and get put on birth control and override my parents concent. I chickened out. I didn't want to go alone and have some doctor missing around down there. So I just suffered until I was 18. Then I went after I really was sexually active.

I wouldn't suggest lying to your mom. Thats just not good. If there was side affects you didn't like then you would have a more difficult getting those things taken care of w/ out saying what you are up to. Deception is never good. I'm 38 and still get cramps. Not like when I was 16 but bad enough. I feel for you and hope it will be something you will outgrow soon.

[oceancries]

Why is your mother against it?

[hamster-bamster]

Cardiovascular exercise and avoiding prolonged sitting help with cramps. Cardiovascular exercise is good overall, AND for cramps specifically. Avoiding sitting is good overall, AND for cramps specifically. Lying down or moving during your period, but not sitting, should be your MO.

There is also the most basic advice that does not stop being right even though it is so basic - you must be super-hydrated. I know it is hard to do when you feel nauseated, but it is an absolute must.

[hamster-bamster]

Maybe your mother is against BC because she is afraid that the pill will give you a false sense of security and deter you from using condoms. You can tell her that you will consistently use condoms all the time nonetheless, and that the pill is something you want to take to achieve painless periods, which is a worthy goal in and of itself. Women take hormonal BC for reasons other than contraception - for a variety of reasons including acne control. You clearly suffer too much from your periods which are emotionally and physically draining (especially with that SI trigger, OMG!) and you deserve a break from it.

[Big Mama]

I just forgot an old remedy, well not that old. Take Aleve the week before and durring and it should lessen cramps, bloat and mood problems. Aleve was still solely over the counter durring the time frame I had period issues. I would take a friends meds.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by Big Mama

I just forgot an old remedy, well not that old. Take Aleve the week before and durring and it should lessen cramps, bloat and mood problems. Aleve was still solely over the counter durring the time frame I had period issues. I would take a friends meds.

I was gonna suggest that! It's ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory. Even just a couple of days before the start is good, then during your period as needed. And definitely use a heating pad on your tummy. I'm sorry your mothrer isn't being more of a resource and more sympathetic.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by hankster

I was gonna suggest that! It's ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory. Even just a couple of days before the start is good, then during your period as needed. And definitely use a heating pad on your tummy. I'm sorry your mothrer isn't being more of a resource and more sympathetic.

Since it is a PC forum, let me warn that Aleve should not be taken if you are on Lithium. Lithium and NSAIDs do not mix well.

[Big Mama]

Thank you Hamster, I did not know that. Thay may be useful info to know.

[gon3withth3wend]

Thanks, I've heard some of these things, and I'll try them for next month. I haven't really thought about starting to take something the week before my period.

While I started talk about periods, is it normal for people to kind of feel post-menstrual PMS symptoms? I feel that I am more sensitive and tearful for a few days after my period than normal. I think my mom believes that BC will lead me to sex. Although I'd have nobody to have sex with, and I'm pretty well behaved. Thanks, sometimes being a female is horrible!

[Big Mama]

I'mno spring chicken and still get cramps, I have bad headaches, and I get tearful. I know I will get either one or the other. I will either get 2 days of headaches or two days of tearful feelings. I don't know which is worse. Both have an impact on the people around me. Just in different ways.

[Maven]

I'm due to start my period today. I'm going to say something weird that I don't have to tell you, but I think I'd feel better if I get it off my chest. It'll probably sound silly, but whatevah. I hate when my period comes for the obvious reasons, but also because I don't masturbate when I get it. In fact, I usually don't masturbate within a couple of days before I'm due, because it seems to sometimes start it. It's not that I can't enjoy masturbation when I bleed, but I hate that it makes me bleed more. I guess that's why it's good for cramps, since it relaxes the muscles. I don't masturbate much anymore due to lack of desire (going to try to talk to a doctor about that yet again), but I like having the freedom to do so, and when my period's around, I don't feel like I have that freedom, at least not without a mess. I've been feeling the need to masturbate lately, but I've fallen asleep before starting, and like I said, I'm now due for my period. Ok, now you can all laugh at me and tell me how silly I am!

[Big Mama]

My poor H, there is only one or two day's out of a month that I actually want to have sex. Right after my period. God does know what he is doing. You ovulate around the time frame of your period. You can get pregnant when you are ovulating. So sometimes ovulating increases your desire.

I'm w/ you Maven. That is one full week that one part of your body gets no touching because it is incredibly messy. There now we both said it Maven. Another first for me. AHHHHHH lack of masturbation while on your period is no fun. I can't believe I said it.