Guys, im desperate, any advice for daughters' very heavy and painful periods?

Originally posted by Darkblade71
Well, depravera (sp) shots might help, it is only once every 3 to 6 months, and pretty much eliminated my x's heavy flow/pms cramps.

I tried that but I had continuous bleeding with it...which just goes to prove, what works for some....

Originally posted by Biliverdin

I definately recommend breatfeeding, I did for 14 months, and then it was another 6 months before my periods started again after that. Bliss! But, they did go back to normal after that unfortunately.

Oh my goodness, no doubt! I plan on breastfeeding for at the very least 12 months, but will do it longer if I feel it necessary. I'm glad to hear that it helped for at least a period of time. I guess I never gave it much thought, but its definitely a nice little bonus! Its so comforting to see that I'm not the only one to suffer through this and get a little bit of advice from others(though I would never wish this upon anyone).

for decades I'd have severe pains to the point I couldn't even breathe and would fall to the floor at work screaming. (trust me, this post IS relevant. It saved my life fully))

My uterus is 2 times the size it should be cuz of fibroids. I have to get them out at some point.

But if she's open minded, tell her about menstrual cups. A friend told me about them and they are so win it's not even debatable. You buy one for 20 to 30 usd and it lasts up to 10 years. It does not dry you out like tampons do, no odor, no mess, no toilet paper used up, no waste like pads and tampons do. you can leave it in a day or so before your time as there is zero TSS associated (not cotton) and you can go up to 12 hours before emptying it and such so you don't have to clean it out in public.

I would go through a super plus tampon and super pad in an hour. With the cup, they hold 2 oz of blood etc. Mine is about half full at the end of the day. No joke.

The one I got was the Diva Cup and a size 2 because i'm over 30 and/or had a baby. Size one is good for those who are smaller, are under 30 and/or have not had babies. I'd suggest any woman over 30 if she had a baby or not get size 2 just because our bodies change.

But my cramps are almost non existant now. I LOVE it. Just google 'diva cup' and you can check it all out. I look forward to my periods now because the cup makes it so amazing. You don't get dirty, there's no smell, but there IS a learning curve on putting it in the first few times - you can practice before your period comes as it is safe to use prior. Heck you can measure your own secretions if you were curious haha. But there are a few folding patterns that you can try til you find the one you like.

Look in to it. there are more cups than just the diva, but I got that and will NEVER go back to tampons or pads ever ever again. A one time investment of 30 bucks for 10 years and no waste sitting in dumps for years - PLUS ZERO CRAMPS? WIN.

Originally posted by DisasterButton
Oh my goodness, no doubt! I plan on breastfeeding for at the very least 12 months, but will do it longer if I feel it necessary. I'm glad to hear that it helped for at least a period of time. I guess I never gave it much thought, but its definitely a nice little bonus!

Its so comforting to see that I'm not the only one to suffer through this and get a little bit of advice from others(though I would never wish this upon anyone).

It is the loveliest time as well, and so much easier than bottles, I slept with my son when he was a baby and was just able to roll over and feed him without too much sleep disturbance, no getting up, no sterilising. I would recommend investing in a breast pump too, and lots of nipple pads as your breasts will leak at the most inopportune times...but yes, to get back on topic, the cessation of the periods is an added bonus...almost tempting to do it for longer...and you might get to go on the cover of Time magazine if you do..hehe!

reply to post by sarra1833


Sorry ladies, I'm out.

Apparently not as evolved as I had wished.

Last word from me. You may get good info here, seems like there are people that understand. They don't know though. She's got to see a specialist.

yes intrepid, she needs a few tests to rule in or out any underlying conditions that may be the cause, then go from there. A lot of good suggestions in this thread, temporary things to do in the meantime until she can get the tests done.

what works for 1 person doesn't necessarily work for another. it's up to the mom and daughter to do what they think is best in this situation.

reply to post by intrepid


Haha Intrepid.

Cups stopped my cramps fully. I mean fully. I was turned off to them for about 7 months after my friend told me about them. Then I just got tired of tampons. I read up how positive the cup is and went for it.

Best investment ever. Saves money, saves toilet paper, saves the planet, saves your mind from debilitating cramps.
And it's not dirty and gross like pads/tampons are. At ALL. It's amazing. Tis why I told her about it. They've been around since around 1912 or so so they aren't new at all. Just the tampon/pad companies push their products (which are NOT good for women at all if you think on it) and not many hear of the menstrual cups except via word of mouth.

Oh your poor Daughter

I have had this problem for over 20 years. I get nowhere with Doctor's in trying to establish some sort of relief. After being fobbed of for years that this was something I had to deal with, that irregular, painful periods happened to some women. I also suffer with Menstrual Migraines, medication makes me vomit and I just crawl into bed and try to sleep through the ordeal. I too could not take any Pill as there is Thrombosis in the family. I had to have a coil fitted and this has probably added to the problem. I am not lying when I say I could be in agony, totally drained for up to 7 months, none stop. Then have a week or two grace, then it would come back again for about 3 months. Finally the Doctor sent me to a Specialist in a Private Hospital. I thought this would solve everything. But oh no, a prescription for Prozac!! This would relax my muscles and alleviate the cramping pain!?

I lost faith in them after this. This problem is quite widespread. I know many women who suffer, who get nowhere. I tell a lie, they are all offered a Hysterectomy! Then told they have to live with the pain as they have ignored medical advice! Bizarre, I know.

Years ago I came across an article on the internet. A few drops of Rose Oil on a tissue placed in your bra, really does take the edge of the pain. It is not a nice smell for a young girl, but there is a tiny bit of relief. I did not care for how I smelt, just relieved I felt relief.

I will look into acupuncture. I have never contemplated this! I am only sat waiting for the Menapause, so it all stops completely!!

I hope your Daughter finds relief, also the other posters on this thread. I would not wish this on my worst enemy.

I used to encourage my ex girlfriend to continue taking the pill and miss them. That way there was no break in the sex.

No periods either

Sorry to hear of the woes and I can't think of anything that has not been mentioned already. I hope you fins some relief for her.

I also just wanted to pop in and say, thanks ATS neighbors, for offering suggestions and concern. I posted a thread asking help about dealing with rheumatoid arthritis for my mom and got some wonderful responses. We are ATS and we care!

Peace,
spec

reply to post by thedoctorswife


My older sister suffered from day one with her menstrual cycle and it wasn't until she was in her 20s that the doctors had sense enough to see she had endometriosis. At that time they told her, she could go on a male hormone for 18 months and let the tissue reabsorb then continue on the the 'pill'. Or have a hysterectomy to end it once and for all, or finally get pregnant as that sometimes seems to reverse it. My mom took her to her own doctor at first and the fool insisted that she was just a little princess that didn't want to grow up! Can you imagine that? My advice is ALWAYS get another opinion. Doctors aren;t god and make mistakes and fall behind on info. Don't let your kid suffer with something because of a misdiagnosis.

Obviously I'm no expert... but wouldn't a copper IUD be an easily reversible but still permanent solution?

My ex had one and I was curious and did some research... it seems to be a great method of bc because it stops menstruation (mostly, may have a little spotting), there are no additional chemicals, and you don't need to remember to take the pill/patch/needle. They can last up to 10 years, and are easily removed when wanted.

Oh Jeez, I'm sorry. In 6th grade, I suffered terrible periods. Maybe you should have her go on birth control. It will lighten her periods and even give her control over them. If you don't want to try that or it doesn't work, try red raspberry leaf tea. It regulates and lightens periods. That saved me many l periods and heavy ones, too.

This site suggests to take antiinflammetories. This site suggests it could be endometriosis, which is when the uterine lining grows in places it shouldn't.

I had low iron when my periods just about killed me. I can't find a site backing this up but this person on yahoo says that low iron can give you painful periods. I can't explain how but anemia will cause long, heavy, painful periods, which actually further assist anemia. I'm really sorry your daughter is suffering. I hope this helps a little.

This is not something for amateurs. I urge you to take daughter to a very good gyno. My wife had the most hideously painful periods - hormone shots didn't work, painkillers were a joke - until a full exam discovered the presence of uterine tumors. Nasty bastards, required serious surgery - but the surgery worked. Hope your daughter needs less than that.

I feel your daughters pain.
Ive suffered so much with terrible cramps growing up
I would faint from the pain ,the cramps felt like giving child birth .
I am also 21 and they have gotten better ,but lately these past months the cramps are back !
Im gonna give the molasses a try i bought it this month in this store called sprouts"
Youre supposed to see the difference in your second period . You also have to take one spoon Of it a day .
Theres a youtube video of this girl talking about it and giving her experience with it .
She said it made her periods lighter and vanished her cramps .I hope it works . I say give it a try its organic .
I said no to birth control pills .

reply to post by thedoctorswife


I have to laugh at the concept of someone called 'thedoctorswife' asking for medical advice on a conspiracy forum.

Now, to be serious.

Have you taken her to see a naturopath? If she doesn't want birth pills then she will have to try a natural remedy accompanied with a possible change in diet.

The following is info I could find on Ayurvedic cures. I trust this Ancient Indian medicine explicitly.

Herbal Remedies for Heavy Periods

Natural Herbs and Herbal Remedies for Heavy Periods, PMS, Menstrual and Reproductive Wellbeing.

Ayurvedic herbal remedies for heavy periods or menorrhagia or excessive menstrual bleeding are very popular in India. Many of the established gynecologists use various popular and effective ayurvedic medicine to deal naturally with this trouble of women. We will discuss some of the ayurvedic medicine that prove beneficial for women suffering with menorrhagia.

Definition Of Menorrhagia Or Excessive Menstrual Bleeding:

Menorrhagia or Hypermenorrhea is a medical term used for the abnormality of menstrual bleeding when

Menstrual cycle is normal or menstruation occurs at regular interval.
the bleeding is excessive in amount (more than 80 ml) or in duration.
The term Menotaxis is used for prolonged bleeding.
How Can You Guess That You Suffer With Menorrhagia?

Several conditions point toward the possibility of heavy menstrual bleeding. Long duration of bleeding is one. Bleeding that occurs more than 3-5 days is usually abnormal. Passage of big clots also indicate about menorrhagia. The use a large number of thick sanitary pads also suggests its possibility.

Pallor (whiteness or yellowish face) on face, tongue, palm and nails and associated low levels of Hemoglobin indicate the magnitude of Menorrhagia. If you are in doubt, get your Hemoglobin checked at some pathological laboratory and you can get a clear idea. Remember that lower levels of hemoglobin in blood might be due to other causes of anemia.

Causes Of Menorrhagia Or Heavy Menstrual Bleeding:

Medically, several causes of menorragia exist like organic disorders of pelvic organs, other organs, thyroid disorders, blood disorders; Emotional upset and DUB or Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding.

Emotional upset and functional disturbance of female hormones are among the most common causes of heavy periods. About 10-30% cases of heavy periods are due to these pathological causes and they can easily be supported, rather in a better way, with natural ayurvedic herbal remedies.

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies For Heavy Periods:

Ayruvedic herbal remedies for heavy periods offer great benefit over other drugs as they are natural remedies and support this trouble in a holistic and integral manner. The functional hormonal balance is restored without hormonal drugs and their side effects.

The hormonal balance is restored by the action of herbal remedies on uterus, ovaries, other glands and whole of body. The nervous system, blood vessels and muscles are toned and the mind is also calmed down. The hemoglobin level is maintained and the allied symptoms like weakness, irritation, loss of appetite, pain in lower abdomen below navel, malaise or mild pain in whole body, feverish feeling and sometimes burning sensation in body are also relieved.

Single Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies For Heavy Periods:

Many single ayurvedic herbs are useful in menorrhagia. Some herbs are exclusively used for heavy menstrual bleeding. Other herbs play a supportive role in controlling menorrhagia like herbs from hemostyptic group (anti-bleeding herbs), Anti-Pitta herbs, Anti-Vata herbs, rejuvenative herbs, muscle toning herbs, and astringent herbs.

Ayurvedic Herbs and Herbal Remedies For Heavy Periods

Ashoka or Saraca asoca:

Ashoka or Saraca asoca is one of the most famous ayurvedic herbs for menstrual and uterine disorders. This bitter and astringent herb works on excessive menstrual bleeding, painful menstruation and weakness of uterine muscles. The bark of Saraca asoca is of medicinal use and it has hematoxylin, tannin, plant steroids and calcium.

Patranga or Sappan:

Patranga or Sappan or Caesalpinia sappan is astringent and bitter ayurvedic herb. Sappan bark is useful in heavy periods and leucorrhea.

Lodhra or Symplocos racemosa:

The bark of Lodhra has alkaloids - Loturine, Collutrine, Loturidine and some glycosides as its active principle. Lodhra is useful in inflammation of uterus and arrests excessive discharge.

Hemostyptic Herbs Or Herbal Remedies To Stop Bleeding:

Priyangu or Callicarpa macrophylla:

Priyangu flowers are useful in bleeding disorders associated with aggravation of ayurveda pitta dosha.

Nagakeshara or Mesua or Mesua ferrea:

Nagakeshara or Mesua stamens are used medicinally in ayurvedic medicine for arresting bleeding. It is an astringent and bitter herb.

Surapunnaga or Mammea longifolia:

Surapunnaga is also known in ayruvedic medicine as Red Mesua. Its medicinal properties are just like Punnaga or Alexandrian laurel.

Punnaga or Alexandrian laurel or Colophyllum inophyllum:

Bark, seed and oil of seeds of Alexandrian laurel is beneficial in bleeding disorders.

Parnabeeja or Bryophyllum pinnatum:

Leaves of Parnabeeja are effective in checking bleeding.

Ayapana or Eupatorium triplinerve:

Ayapana whole herb is used in bleeding disorders. Native Americans use this herbal remedy in Yellow fever (a bleeding disorders resulting from infection and breakage of RBCs or red blood cells). Its leaves have light green colored volatile oil, Ayapanin, Ayapin, Carotene and vitamin C.

Jhandu or Aztec or African Marigold or Tagetes erecta:

Flowers and leaves of Aztec are used for arresting bleeding.

Shaka or Teak or Tectona grandis:

Teak wood is used in bleeding disorders.

RaktaNiryasa or Dragon's Blood or Daemenorops draco:

The gum of Dragon's Blood have been found beneficial in checking bleeding.

Kukundara or Blumea lacera:

Root and leaves of Blumea lacera are good anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhoids (piles) and hemostyptic (anti-bleeding) properties.

Jalakumbhi or Tropical Duckweed or Pistia stratiotes:

Whoel herb of Tropical Duckweed is rich in minerals and its ash (Pana salt) and plant is beneficial in arresting bleeding.

Anti-Pitta Herbal Remedies:

Chandan or Sandal wood or Santalum album, Kamala or Lotus, Utpala or Indian blue water lily, Ela or Lesser cardamom, Golden Champa, Sariva or Indian Sarsaparilla or Hemidesmus indicus are some ayurvedic herbs that are used in formulations for menstrual disorders because they are generally anti-pitta dosha. These ayurvedic herbs can be useful in arresting bleeding or can prove to be great adjuvant to hemostyptic herbs.

Rejuvenative Herbal Remedies:

Bala or Country Mallow or Sida cordifolia, Vidhara or Argyreia speciosa, Shatavari or Asparagus racemosus, Amalaki or Amla or Emblica officinalis, Giloya or Tinospora cordifolia are the rejuvenative and restorative tonic that regularly used in ayurvedic herbal remedies for heavy periods.

Astringent Herbal Remedies:

Haritaki or Chebulic myrobalan or Terminalia chebula, Vasa or Malabar Nut or Adhatoda vasica, Kutaja or Holarrhena antidysenterica or Kurchi and Dhataki or Fire Flame Bush or Woodfordia fruticosa are astringent herbs with hemostyptic properties. These ayurvedic herbs are used in herbal remedies for heavy periods.

reply to post by thedoctorswife


well my girl had the same problem so i started researching. i came across nattokinase and womensense estrosense for pms support. there is also another natural cure for menstral bleeding called periwinkle extract. its a natural blood thinner but also stops bleeding. one of those wonder cures that defies what we've been told about blood thinners. do your own research and see what you come up with... peace

My sister has the same problem. She had a miscarriage and it only got worse. Her boss tried to fire her as a nurse, but was a little shady in doing so and long story short she was bought out for 25k. If she finds out what it is I'll be sure to post, but shes 25 and this has been happening for a long time every month. It saddens me greatly to see her go through it.

Haven't read through the whole thread, but your daughter's issues sound very much like the ones my oldest daughter experiences, and was wondering, have you had her checked for Porphyria?

Although the symptoms that come with the porphyric disorders don't necessarily affect the menstrual cycle, those that are porphyric almost always experience extremely heavy periods with an intense amount of pain.

Just thought I would toss an alternative out there for you to look into. Porphyria is VERY rarely checked by doctors, and there's a few things that can be done about it, but they won't do a thing without the diag, as I am sure you know by now.

i hope she gets things settled down.

Oh, one other thing to ask, has she also been checked for ovarian cysts? 2 of my ex wives suffered from those, and the pain and menstrual bleeding with those sound very much like what your daughter presents, as well.

Anyhow.. there you go.

The pill. I am surprised the doc didn't put her on it right away, and had her get a sonagram for cysts.

And codeine is a very low dose of opiates. There is no fear of addiction if she is only taking them once a month.

Be aggressive. Doctors dismiss women's problems.