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If I go to the doctor for really bad period pain will the only option be the pill?

I've had really bad period pain for many years since my mid twenties before that it was mild pain that wasn't really a problem or no pain at all, now I'm in my early thirties. For the first few years I didn't do anything just bared the pain with no painkillers, everyone in my family has painful periods and when I was at school my friends were open about having period pain and I just thought it was normal, I also didn't want to be reliant on pills then later on I started taking painkillers because the pain just got worse every year to the point where as soon as my period started I'd take 2 paracetamol the largest ones you can buy I think 500mg because 1 tablet did nothing. The pain is so bad at this point that I can't do anything just be lying in bed for ages holding my stomach until painkillers kick in. I'm self employed so work from home which is a good thing, if I had an employed job then I don't know how I'd be able to work while on my period. There are rare months where I don't get any pain but then the next time it comes back with vengeance to make up for the time with no pain.

I feel like I'm being punished as a woman's body is designed to have kids and I don't want kids ever so every month I'm being punished for not having a kid. I'm single anyway and doubt I'll ever meet anyone if I did I still wouldn't have kids.

I want to see my GP been wanting to see if they can help but I'm just worried they'll say it's normal and to keep taking painkillers or will be put me on some sort of contraceptive which I don't want to take. I've researched all the options and they all have side effects and are linked to cancer so no thanks. Also can't take pills as I'd forget and don't want something inserted down there. Also tried the pill the ones where you take 3 every day when I was like 14 to stop my period for a different reason as I didn't have much pain then and the pills just made me really sick so I stopped taking them.
Are there any other options? Is it even worth going to gp? I doubt I'd even get an appointment my last GP was too busy since COVID but miraculously had cervical testing appointments and this new one I have since moving to a different area had barely anyone there in the waiting area the two times I went to register so possibly could get an appointment but unsure if it's worth even trying if they won't be able to help.

I can't even be excited about my period stopping one day through menopause because although I'd never experience period pain again it can cause other issues which I'll probably get because my reproductive system hates me and wants me to suffer 😭

Why do we even have to have a period every f in month? It's the worst thing about being female I just hate it, why not once a year or 9 months like why every month for most of our life, how many f in babies does our body want us to have? It's not even realistic the older you get the chance of a full term pregnancy and successful birth decreases so what are eggs cells still being made for? And males have sperm their whole lives so their bodies are also designed to have kids wtf is this obsession with having kids?
(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 1

Original post by Anonymusy
I've had really bad period pain for many years since my mid twenties before that it was mild pain that wasn't really a problem or no pain at all, now I'm in my early thirties. For the first few years I didn't do anything just bared the pain with no painkillers, everyone in my family has painful periods and when I was at school my friends were open about having period pain and I just thought it was normal, I also didn't want to be reliant on pills then later on I started taking painkillers because the pain just got worse every year to the point where as soon as my period started I'd take 2 paracetamol the largest ones you can buy I think 500mg because 1 tablet did nothing. The pain is so bad at this point that I can't do anything just be lying in bed for ages holding my stomach until painkillers kick in. I'm self employed so work from home which is a good thing, if I had an employed job then I don't know how I'd be able to work while on my period. There are rare months where I don't get any pain but then the next time it comes back with vengeance to make up for the time with no pain.
I feel like I'm being punished as a woman's body is designed to have kids and I don't want kids ever so every month I'm being punished for not having a kid. I'm single anyway and doubt I'll ever meet anyone if I did I still wouldn't have kids.
I want to see my GP been wanting to see if they can help but I'm just worried they'll say it's normal and to keep taking painkillers or will be put me on some sort of contraceptive which I don't want to take. I've researched all the options and they all have side effects and are linked to cancer so no thanks. Also can't take pills as I'd forget and don't want something inserted down there. Also tried the pill the ones where you take 3 every day when I was like 14 to stop my period for a different reason as I didn't have much pain then and the pills just made me really sick so I stopped taking them.
Are there any other options? Is it even worth going to gp? I doubt I'd even get an appointment my last GP was too busy since COVID but miraculously had cervical testing appointments and this new one I have since moving to a different area had barely anyone there in the waiting area the two times I went to register so possibly could get an appointment but unsure if it's worth even trying if they won't be able to help.
I can't even be excited about my period stopping one day through menopause because although I'd never experience period pain again it can cause other issues which I'll probably get because my reproductive system hates me and wants me to suffer 😭
Why do we even have to have a period every f in month? It's the worst thing about being female I just hate it, why not once a year or 9 months like why every month for most of our life, how many f in babies does our body want us to have? It's not even realistic the older you get the chance of a full term pregnancy and successful birth decreases so what are eggs cells still being made for? And males have sperm their whole lives so their bodies are also designed to have kids wtf is this obsession with having kids?

You're in pain and very angry about this yet you're making excuses not to see a GP. That has to be your next step.

Reply 2

If paracetamol helps, why not just keep taking it? If your pain settles with paracetamol, I wouldn't call that bad period pain - for me, codeine just about takes the edge off.

Reply 3

When I went to the doctor and told her that I had period pain, she recommended me birth control. I decided not to take it. Since then, I learned that limiting consumption of sugar, bread, rice, cereal, crackers and food of that sort lowered my period pain. The day before my period begins, I make sure to eat only green vegetables and water, or nothing. Egg yolk, white rice and beef caused blood outflow

Reply 4

For me diet helped a lot.
When I was more strict vegan it was much better, but still now I have much less painful periods compared to highschool to mid 20's. I'm not saying you should be vegan, but consider consulting a dietician or a good naturopath. I'm glad I met one who is also specializing in women's health.
I still don't have them very regular... like the cycle is 28-35 on good moths, but it could be even 60 days without a period, sometimes even more in a stressful situation.
Original post by Anonymusy
I've had really bad period pain for many years since my mid twenties before that it was mild pain that wasn't really a problem or no pain at all, now I'm in my early thirties. For the first few years I didn't do anything just bared the pain with no painkillers, everyone in my family has painful periods and when I was at school my friends were open about having period pain and I just thought it was normal, I also didn't want to be reliant on pills then later on I started taking painkillers because the pain just got worse every year to the point where as soon as my period started I'd take 2 paracetamol the largest ones you can buy I think 500mg because 1 tablet did nothing. The pain is so bad at this point that I can't do anything just be lying in bed for ages holding my stomach until painkillers kick in. I'm self employed so work from home which is a good thing, if I had an employed job then I don't know how I'd be able to work while on my period. There are rare months where I don't get any pain but then the next time it comes back with vengeance to make up for the time with no pain.

I feel like I'm being punished as a woman's body is designed to have kids and I don't want kids ever so every month I'm being punished for not having a kid. I'm single anyway and doubt I'll ever meet anyone if I did I still wouldn't have kids.

I want to see my GP been wanting to see if they can help but I'm just worried they'll say it's normal and to keep taking painkillers or will be put me on some sort of contraceptive which I don't want to take. I've researched all the options and they all have side effects and are linked to cancer so no thanks. Also can't take pills as I'd forget and don't want something inserted down there. Also tried the pill the ones where you take 3 every day when I was like 14 to stop my period for a different reason as I didn't have much pain then and the pills just made me really sick so I stopped taking them.
Are there any other options? Is it even worth going to gp? I doubt I'd even get an appointment my last GP was too busy since COVID but miraculously had cervical testing appointments and this new one I have since moving to a different area had barely anyone there in the waiting area the two times I went to register so possibly could get an appointment but unsure if it's worth even trying if they won't be able to help.

I can't even be excited about my period stopping one day through menopause because although I'd never experience period pain again it can cause other issues which I'll probably get because my reproductive system hates me and wants me to suffer 😭

Why do we even have to have a period every f in month? It's the worst thing about being female I just hate it, why not once a year or 9 months like why every month for most of our life, how many f in babies does our body want us to have? It's not even realistic the older you get the chance of a full term pregnancy and successful birth decreases so what are eggs cells still being made for? And males have sperm their whole lives so their bodies are also designed to have kids wtf is this obsession with having kids?

:doctor: You never know they might surprise you in a good way :console: I get really bad ones too and have also gone back to the GP recently because during my most recent cycle which was combined with a migraine, and I ended up falling over an electrical appliance, which was potentially quite dangerous :eek4: (0/10, do not recommend :no:). Currently, I'm exploring different options with the GP to see what works and what doesn't, especially since ibuprofen and the hot water bottle isn't really working anymore. The GP will probably ask you what things you've tried before, so it is worth making a list so you don't forget anything :smile:
(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 6

I understand you because I have the same problems. For half of my adult life I have been experiencing severe pain during my period. But I take painkillers and live like that

Reply 7

Make an appointment to see a female doctor.

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