I facilitate a program for young girls ages 8-12 years old.  This month they are learning about their bodies and the changes they go through.  On topic and a question that most of the girls have is how to deal with cramps.  I would like to give them a variety of myths and truths about relieving cramping pains. \n\nIf you have any personal pain reduces of cramps, please let me know.  Also, include any funny stories about your first experience with your memstral cycle.  This is so the girls feels confortable when they finally get their cycle and also to let them know that it is a way of life that we as women all go through.
128186
Hot water bottles and heating pads saved me, I had cramps so bad at least once a month my mom would have to take me out of school. Even as I got older I usually had to stay home from work one day a month, because the pain was terrible. BTW, my mom had terrible cramps as well. Nowadays I am on Seasonale, so I only get periods 4 times a month. It is HEAVEN!\n\nHere's my funny story - I was a late-bloomer, I didn't get mine until I was in 9th grade. I was on the phone talking to a friend, and happened to be wearing a jean skirt (does this date me??!!). I look down and I see what has happened. I carefully walk to the kitchen where my parents were eating dinner, and tell my mom that I need to speak to her. "What is it?" she asks, in front of my dad. Again I tell her I need to speak to her, and again she wants me to tell her in front of my dad. Needless to say, I finally pulled her into the bathroom, asked her if I had indeed gotten my period, and she said yes. I was already prepared, having ordered a box through mail order that had info booklets, pads, etc. The funniest thing was that my dad, once my mom told him, didn't know what to do. He ended up buying me a bouquet of flowers as a sort of "congratulations" gift!
64070
You should start taking an over-the-counter pain reliever (the best for menstrual pain is Aleve), two tablets 3 times daily, 2-3 days BEFORE your period is due to start and continue until it stops. Also, put a heating pad or hot water bottle in your lower abdomen at the first sign of cramps. For pain relief on-the-go, you can use a self-heating, self-sticking pad like "CUREHEAT Menstrual Relief" or "ThermaCare Menstrual" (look for them on the woman's care section of your local pharmacy). Since menstrual pain is often caused by blood clots that are too large to pass through your cervix (the opening of the uterus), you can do what I do myself, and have teached my teen daughter to do: sit on the toilet and strain like you do when trying to hard to urinate; most of the time, this dislodges the clots and offers great relief when they are expelled. Get lots of rest and keep yourself well hydrated. If these measures don't help, go to your gynecologyst, since you could have a condition such as ENDOMETRIOSIS or an hormonal imbalance that might require medical treatment like oral hormonal medications (usually the Pill), stronger analgesics, or even surgical intervention (in extreme instances). Only your doctor can accurrately diagnose and treat these conditions. I hope that my advise has been helpful, and that you get better soon.
377429
Hi I knowI am not a woman but my wife has had it.  She was dealing with it ever since she first started her period but did nto knwo it and was put on the pill to control it.  When we got married it intensified and got ten times worse, sex was out fo the question, rough honeymoon.  Anyway she did the Lupron and it did the same to her as it seems to have to you, nothing.  She was a wreck and it still was there.  She did surgery and it helped for about 2 months.  HErs was stage 4.  The doc was offereing a hystorectomy but we ha just married and wanted kids but not now.  She found a chiropracter that practiced applied kiniseology.  It was kinda crazy but it worked.  She had her on all these "potions" to support her body and did alot fo work with her more emotional than physical.  Not sure what happened or how it worked but she has been Endo free for 8 yrs, zero pain.  Still struggling with the weight gain but now we can blame it on two wonderful kids.  Find a doc in your area that practices applied kinesiology, usually a chiropractor.  Sounds crazy I know but it worked a miracle for us.  All the pointion and tinctures and emotioanl counseling she did for my wife was on top of the world when it was over.
550465
I never got PMS before I had my children- no cramps, mood swings, headaches.  The only problem I would have would be a sore pelvic bone and menstruation.  It's normal to not have side effects of PMS and completely normal to be a B****!!!  Consider your boyfriend, family lucky!!!  My husband loved me not being hormonal until I had my kids especially after my last one.  I miss the abscense of PMS.  In fact Labor with my oldest was the first time I had any cramps at all!!!!  ENJOY!!!
131035
Hi Rettajean.  As you can see, the answers on this site can be quite 'diverse'.\n\nA correct diagnosis cannot be made from the limited information you give (and without a good physical examiniation).  Did your pain start suddenly or gradually?  Does anything (e.g. any position) make it better?  Have you had this type of pain before?  These are some of the basic questions your doctor should ask.\n\nAdditional questions include the following.  Did you injure yourself or do any excessive activity prior to the onset of the pain (sudden twisting or fall or lifting or sports excesses, ect.)?  Are you having any difficutly with urination?  Change in bowel function?  Menstrual problems?  Do you have a fever? Chills or night sweats?  Leg pains or numbness?  Any muscle weakness in the legs?  Does coughing or sneezing aggravate the pain?  These are just some of the questions that need to be answered to help guide your healthcare professional to a correct diagnosis.\n\nNote: If you answer 'yes' to any of the above questions, you really should see your doctor or Chiropractor.\n\nHave you tried ice (cryotherapy) to see if that will help the pain?  If you do not have an icepack designed for this, you can buy one at any drug store or you can use a large bag of frozen vegetables (corn or peas work well).  \n\nPlace the icepack or veggies in a thin pillow case cover and place that on your area of pain.  Apply the icepack for 20 minutes (if you are doing it correctly you will feel periods of cold, burning, aching, pins/needles and then analgesia/numbness).  Do not keep the icepack on more than about 20 minutes.  You need to give the area a 1 hour period without ice to allow for return of healing blood flow and to prevent frost bite (freezer burn!).  After one hour you can apply the icepack again for another 20 minutes.  Repeat as needed.\n\nBest wishes and good luck!
353618
You could use a heating pad, or take a hot bath.  This will help relax the muscles ease the pain of the cramps.  Good luck.
130219
Almost all women have some cramping during their periods, classified as either primary dysmenorrhea (which refers to "normal" menstrual pain) or secondary dysmenorrhea (which is a result of an underlying disease or disorder).\n\n"Normal" cramps occur in almost all women due to the release of prostaglandins, which are hormones produced by the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). Prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract (sometimes quite painfully) in order to expel the menstrual debris (and henceforth, start the period). Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins than others, so they may hurt more. \n\nHOWEVER, killer cramps are NOT normal and are in most cases due to secondary dysmenorrhea. Most frequently this is because of a disease or disorder like Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, cervical stenosis, structural abnormalities in the vagina or uterus itself, fibroids, etc. If your cramping disables you, see your gyn to talk about options.\n\nI know you said 'no meds,' but non-steroidal inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen may help relieve cramping...your doc can also prescribe oral contraceptives that will prevent ovulation and reduce prostaglandin production, thereby alleviating cramping. \n\nUse of heating pads, avoidance of salt, sugar, alcohol and caffeine, intake of vitamin B6, calcium and magnesium supplements, and pelvic massage are all said to be helpful as well. \n\nIt is important to determine if the cramps are "normal," or if they could be due to another cause. Pain that is crippling is never normal and should be investigated ASAP so that appropriate diagnosis and treatment can be rendered. Hope that helps.
203736
it may sound like hell\ni know i was scared but i got mine when i was 11and1/2 i hate using tampons so i use pads...\nyour first few times you shouldnt get any cramps\nafter your first time you might not get ti for a while\ni got mine in may, i felt no cramps what so ever and did not start getting it regularly until october
56930
I used Cataflam when I was a teen and kept getting bad headaches.  That stuff ROCKS.  Honestly, the only thing that's really helped me with cramps is the pill.  I went from super plus absorbancy and day-ruining cramps to regular absorbancy and no cramps.  I know it's something you want to avoid if you can, but seeing spots and getting dizzy- that's pretty heavy stuff, chica.  Keep it in mind as a last resort.
665278
Congratulations! First off, is your mom around or do you have a female adult to  talk to? If not, feel free to IM me (I'm invisible on Yahoo Messenger). \nSince this is your first one, it probably won't last long. If you are cramping or feel sick, take it easy. Rest a lot and take a hot bath. You might want to take some ibuprofen. If you feel okay, do what you normally do during the day. Definitely let your parents know what is going on so they can help you out. Don't be embarassed. This happens to all girls around your age. You might want to have your parents make an appointment with your doctor to make sure everything is okay. If you don't feel comfortable trying to deal with tampons, pads are a great alternative. I find the Kotex brand long ones with velcro wings to work best. Don't expect your period to be "regular" or happen every month for another year or so. If you get really bad cramping or feel sick to your stomach every month at that time of the month, it's time to see the doctor. Don't be afraid. You will get used to it;)
674087
I agree with all the other answers. I used to get horrible cramps, the kind that made me want to passout, I found that Tylenol menstrual/Midol or any pain reliever, doing some light jogging, and a heating pad after my jog worked really well. Even though exercising seems like the last thing you want to do, getting those muscles working helps loosen them up so that you don't have that "cramping" feeling. That's why as another person suggested "orgasms" help because they cause the muscles in your uterus to move and loosen or uncramp. Good luck!
498815
i know you must be hating this for her, i have a 10 yr. old son and of course he doesn't have that problem, but anytime our kids are hurting we look for advice from anybody. Bless your heart and hers.  Naproxen is really good for pain, also my dr. told me it helps the bleeding not be so hard.  ask your dr. about it.  it works really good for me.  Kids can take it i believe.  it is over the counter...I hope it helps.\nGod bless...
666155
I have a condition called endometriosis which causes me to have severe cramps, crazy periods, loss of appetite, and other things. My doctor recommended birth control to help control all of the symptoms (and it was an added bonus because I'm sexually active but didn't want my mom to know). Tell your mom about your cramps and see if she'd be willing to support you. My mom was the same way - even though she knew I had a medical problem, she hated the idea of me getting on birth control because she felt it would give me the "wrong impression" about sex and blah blah.\n\nAs far as everyone saying birth control can mess you up - that's not true. The Depo shot can certainly mess you up, but birth control? No way. It's just a once a day pill you take that regulates things. It doesn't stop your period, doesn't make you fat, doesn't hurt your insides. If it were that dangerous, there wouldn't be dozens of DOCTOR PRESCRIBED birth control pills on the market. So don't worry about the "precautions" some people are trying to scare you with.\n\nIf worse comes to worse and your mom doesn't agree with it, look into some programs to get birth control without your mom knowing. Or have a friend get birth control for herself (pretend) and then use hers. Good luck, hun!
423104
I wish I could tell you how to be taken seriously about your pain.  I have had migraines, fibromyalgia and other problems from car accidents.  I just try to get from one day to the next.  I quit going to the emergency room for migraines when my daughter, now 25 was little and I was pregnant.  The nurse did not give me the anti-nausea drug with the pain med.  Narcotics only make me feel worse in the end, so I don't go there.  \n\nOn the other hand, a friend who is an ER nurse tells me that bums go in claiming to have toothaches and they get strong pain medicine which they take out and sell, then return for more. The hospital is afraid to not give for fear of being sued!  What a topsy-turvy world!\n\nI go to acupuncture and it has helped some.\nHave you tried adding extra magnesium? It helps for migraine and muscle spasms.  It isn't a cure but it does help, just not right away.
354329
Its not out of the oridnary. Lots of girls have this problem. You'll be surprised to learn that getting out of bed and walking will help. Its the only thing that helped my first day cramps.
72101
Heating pads are great. They also sell at the drug store heating patches for mestrual cramps. With me the more active i was the worse they would get and the heavier it would get.\n\nIf it is that bad then u need to discuss it with a physician. There are a lot of options. Hormone therapy (not the birth control pill).\n\nI suffered with the same, but i ended up having a partial hysterectomy. I am pain free and period free. Yipee!!!\n\nThere are solutions. Hope you find yours. Remember all of our bodies are different.\n\nI noticed an answer about saying to get in the tub. No you do not want to get into the tub. That is a good way to get an infection. Way too much temptation for bacteria.\n\nYou could try letting the hot water from the shower spray/massage on your tummy.
105920
Regular exercise helps.  Exercising WHILE you have the cramps only makes them worse-- trust me, I had that problem when I was 18 (at first the doc thought it might be a cyst, but then I just started working out all the time because of a school activity, and I am 21 now, still work out regularly, haven't had them since).  And you said cheaply-- exercise is free!\n\nBut speaking of cysts, it could be one of those.  My friend's sister had killer cramps, and it turned out that a cyst was the reason.  You might want to go to your gyno and ask, especially if the cramps are so bad that you cannot function, or that you have trouble standing up.\n\nOr try Motrin or Midol or something, but if those don't work, seriously, see the doc!