Question for the LADIES. :p Sorry guys!

[TFTpwnsYou]

You could try taking a B-complex. I started taking that a little while ago, and it really seems to help with that and the flow itself for some reason. I was on birth control for 7 yrs., and that girly problem was a breeze. When I stopped taking them I got back to the way they used to be and cursed myself....lol. But after I started taking the B-complex things got lighter on both the issues. I hope you find something that helps, cause I know we all feel you on this one. Gotta love being a girl. lol.

[Catty1]

Dong Quai.

Prescriptions - ask for a type of med called an "anti-prostaglandin"

These have been around since the 70's - an early one was called Ponstan. Here's the theory:

1. The hormone that tells the uterus to contract is a prostaglandin.
2. Women who have too much of this hormone get cramps, as the uterus over-contracts.
3. ANTI-prostaglandins cut down the amount of this hormone.


It was a LIFE-SAVER!!!!!

They MIGHT be over the counter by now, but there are several kinds. Maybe a phone call to your doc and you might get some free samples to try? You have to take it as your period (or cramps, whichever come first) starts, so you might have to wait a month.

If your doc is a male, he doesn't get these cramps...so chatting up his nurse might get you further!

I never had to take more than three, right at the beginning.

Good luck!

[lizbud]

These are all good suggestions that you're getting here. But really, if the
pain is intense pain every month, you should go see a Doctor. There are
procedures that can help overcome this. It's never a picnic, but it should
not cause such pain.

[Logan]

I agree with what Lizbud said. Please be careful about self medicating.

I have suggestions, but I sure would like you to hear them from your own physician before you try anything. Heat does help and that certainly doesn't have to be prescribed. Also Ibuprophen works for me. But I take an increased dosage, suggested by my doctor.

Poor dear. I hope you will feel better soon.

Logan

[borzoimom]

Okay- first of all- get some b complex- you can get this at walmart etc in the vitamin aisle- and it helps the hormone system function. If its really bad, you can take two a day at 12 hour intervals.. Second- avoid caffeine like the plague- caffeine tightens the uterine wall... Not sure of your age- but you can also take " Estrovan". Although made for menapause, it also helps regulate the hormone system.
As far as pain- I use to use pamprene- or 3 advil ( 600 mg) every 6 hours.. Another thing I used was a hot water bottle- and no- this is not a heating pad-... lol.. But try the other things I mentioned first...

[catnapper]

Take it from me, someone who hates to go to the doctor because our medical insurance stinks (we would be better off without any at all) please get yourself to the doctor. If you are young and a student, or low income, you should be able to qualify for government insurance, have you tried looking into it?

[Giselle]

Dong Quai.

Prescriptions - ask for a type of med called an "anti-prostaglandin"

These have been around since the 70's - an early one was called Ponstan. Here's the theory:

1. The hormone that tells the uterus to contract is a prostaglandin.
2. Women who have too much of this hormone get cramps, as the uterus over-contracts.
3. ANTI-prostaglandins cut down the amount of this hormone.


It was a LIFE-SAVER!!!!!

They MIGHT be over the counter by now, but there are several kinds. Maybe a phone call to your doc and you might get some free samples to try? You have to take it as your period (or cramps, whichever come first) starts, so you might have to wait a month.

If your doc is a male, he doesn't get these cramps...so chatting up his nurse might get you further!

I never had to take more than three, right at the beginning.

Good luck!

Do you mean Danggui? It's pronounced Dang Guai in Cantonese, so I assume Dong Quai must be a phonetic Mandarin translation.

Due to my change to vegetarianism, maintaining my iron levels has been an issue, so my mother/private herbalist () recommended drinking danggui soup. It's like a female ginseng and is unique in the fact that it is the only non-animal source with significant levels of Vitamin B12. It is also used for anti-inflammatory effects. So in essence, if you decide to combine the previous suggestions of NSAID's and vitamin B complexes, you've got the option of using danggui, a double whammy.

Almost forgot, I'm pretty sure most people don't consume danggui in powder form, so my suggestion is to contact an herbalist and see what soups you can make. I thought it might be interesting to add that I have *never* had a bad menstrual cramp. The only cramps I ever got were from running LOL!

[TamanduaGirl]

a specific stretch that helps blood flow to thev area is on kees foread tp the ground in front of you. Read that and it helps some. Make sure you eat even in nasiouse as hunger makes it worse. The yoga or other stretching will help too.

If I use tampons or anything that inserts it always makes my cramps worse.

Other than that not much to add to what was already said.

[Muddy4paws]

I know exactly how you feel, I went through it all before I went on the pill - its the only thing that stopped the pain for me its not completely gone but its so much less. I used to have days off of work because I could hardly move!

Try the heated wrap they do work wonders! I find a hot bath helps too and plenty of water.