A Little Worried

[Chu]

Before I begin, this is about my menstrual cycle, so if you don’t want to read about it I suggest simply moving on.

I really feel like my periods are worse than those of most people. Firstly, my periods are extremely irregular. At once it was bad enough that I didn’t have one for three months and then when it began, lasted for two straight weeks. They got better last year, but when summer came around the irregularity came once again. This was before I had sex for the first time, and afterwards, they actually became a bit more regular. I still have no idea why.

The problem is that my periods get so bad that I can’t even go to school whenever I start. I’ve been using midol since I began getting periods but it’s working less and less. I missed school again today, and all day I’ve gone through the usual thing: I’ve been extremely weak, dizzy, and shaky.

I took two midol, had a hot bath, and got my heating pad out, but they didn’t help at all. My shakes and fatigue have been so bad that I couldn’t even get out of bed to eat or call my mom. Finally when she got home and brought me some food, I got a little bit of energy, but even as I’m typing this I’m dizzy and my hands are shaking so badly that I have to go back and edit every few words.

I also have an extremely heavy flow, and my periods almost always last for a full 7-9 days. The cramps, however, will last two at the most. If you’ve seen pictures of me, you can tell that I’m a stick – last I checked, I weigh about 98 pounds and I’m 5’5”. (Despite the fact that I eat 3-5 times a day.) My pains extend from my lower back to down to my calves, at the point that I can barely sit up in bed, let alone walk around. I actually just walked across the room and could barely bend my legs.

I have anxiety problems and don’t have a regular sleeping schedule, which is said to make cramps worse. It’s hard for me to function normally without having a breakdown, so my periods make it no better. I’d love to ask my mom for birth control again, but even before I began dating Sam she refused to even consider it. Should I try anyway?

By the way, my mood isn’t usually affected by my periods. I whine a bit more but I function pretty normally once the cramps stop. I don’t know what that says but I figured I’d mention it. I’d just like to know if something could really be wrong with me, or if I can somehow help it. I’m tired of missing school because of my periods, and I’m tired of not being able to do anything but cry whenever I start. Is this really normal?

[Angelic.Demon]

For me, I dont see that as normal. But I think you should try to get on birth control, to help regulate them.
I know that cramps hurt, but I've never had them that bvad. The worst was once when I was sleepy i gotten woken up at 3 in the morning from the pain, took two advil, and they didn't kicked in until 5:30. I was lucky that the Monday was off or I would have gotten no sleep, considering I went to bed at 1.
I can't really know if anyone else has it this bad, but I know that it doesn't affect my mom or I that much.

[Chu]

Most people say that when I ask them. It's just so hard to get it through to my mom that I may NEED birth conrol; not just want it. I've been begging her for two years because most people tell me it's my best bet. D:

[LOL UR FACE]

Planned Parenthood will give you birth control and you don't need your mom to get it. :3

[Chu]

I don't want to go behind her back though. DX I'm too honest for my own good.

I was thinking of talking to her sometime later in the year though. :/ She's actually pretty understanding of that stuff, but she's too protective to be that way with me.

[Maeve]

Getting birth control would probably be the best for you, so having a calm talk with your mom seems like a good idea. Though, if for some reasons you find it hard or anything, maybe you could think about writing down what you think, your reasons for wanting birth control and everything. Usually helps to place your ideas and everything...

About cramps, I know that, personally, cold is a huge factor in how much cramps I'll get. I mean, I usually walk barefoot all the time inside the house, even when it's cold, and with time I've noticed it seems to get the pain really worst. Probably because cold makes your muscles contract or something like that. However, once my period start and I get cramps and understand that it must have been from cold, I can't usually find any good way to get rid of that... Midols help a little, and heat too, but usually don't last for long... So yeah, maybe check if your feet/ legs/ lower back get cold or something.

Other than that, the only way I know for making sure there's not something wrong with you is by seeing a doctor and passing some tests...

Anyway, hope things will go better for you soon! *hugs*

[kerryfox]

I would go see a Dr. first they might be able to help sort out what is wrong as I think there are conditions with heavy periods and such as you may need more then just the B.C.

Too seeing the Dr might help bring your mother around to the idea that you do need it. And remember she might be your mother but you need to take care of your self, so it really isn't going behind her back as you are trying to do what is best for you.

[DistortedBrwain]

Awe poor you! =O

Well like everyone else says, getting birth control might help you to fix the problem of having an irregular menstrual cyclus ^^

Also it may even tome down the terrible pains you have when you are having your period, I heard of many people of which their period got a lot less heavy when they started to use birth control.

However, for me, it only gotten worse when I got birth control, to the extend where my legs suddenly refuse to carry me when I get a cramp, but I always have the usual sore muscles and migrain attacks on the first 2 days.

So I am not sure what you can do about it except taking some pain killers, I think that Ibuprofen and Naproxen are the best for menstrual cramps. So you may try those? Or ask the doctor for advice. ^^

Another tip I may give you if you are like me and forget to take a pill daily on time (since if you dont do that your period will just break through making the pill useless), is to consider using the Nuva Ring, I know it may sound icky, but yes it is a rubber ring you insert into your vagina (as easy as putting in a tampon, well easier), you dont even feel it, and you have to leave it there for 3 weeks. I use this since I always forgot to take the pill on time, so it was quite useless.

Also since the Nuva ring is close to the womb it has to give off less hormones every day which is a lot better for your body.
Then after 3 weeks you take it out, and after one week in which you get your period you put in a new one. You are allowed to take it out though in between for a set time (forgot how long (if it is the way when having sex or whatever reason)

But the thing I do, is, I ring 3 times, that is how it called, so after 3 weeks I immediately put in a new ring, then after 3 weeks again, then I leave it out for a week, so I only have my period once every ten weeks.

Since I cannot do much about the pain and like you dont wanna miss out on work in my case, school in your case, so I dont have it once a month but once every 10 weeks, it still does not solve the pain, but to have it lesser in a year, is of course a good thing. ^^

if you do not like the idea of the Nuva ring, then if you want to keep on taking 3 strips of pills for 9 weeks (like I do with the ring) which is also possible, then ask for a heavy pill, since if you take them on for 9 weeks a light one may cause you to still get your period break through them.

Well that is my advice. And it is perfectly ok to use birth control for 3 times in a row, then get ur period, then do it for 3 times in a row again. Actually my doctor adviced me this, when I went to him telling him I felt so bad when I had my period. So I hope it will be some use of you.
And if your mom is not convinced to let you get birth control let her read this? ^^

I mean she lets you stay home from school when u have your period so surely she does realise you are truly in pain and feel miserable when having your period.

I wish you good luck with this, being a female sometimes is no fun. x3

[The Unforgettable Fire]

WOW this is incredible we have all the same problems lol I am kinda tiny too well I'm tall but I weigh around 102 lol and Im 17! I get the same things you get shaky,really tired and weak, I get nauseous(sorry 4 not spelling right) and I get headaches now I usally just feel awful my mood swings get kinda bad sometimes I get so angry and depressed and I cry alot but thats kinda just me. The cramps hurt pretty bad, when they really hurt you can forget about walking. I also have anixety problems too lol I worry alot and I mean I worry about just about everything. My mom said I may have PMDD which is a bigger case of PMS lol but yeah we were suppose to get me tested for birth control but she had a stroke I wont get into but yeah dont feel alone just hearing this or reading this makes me feel a lot better to know somebody is also going through bad peroids like me I wonder a lot if something is wrong with me and it really scares me I think that it would be a good idea to go see a doctor the sooner the better I wish you the best of luck and I hope your periods get better

[IgyoHime]

I agree with everyone else who is suggesting the pill. Every once in a while, I would have horrible first days. When I was still in school they were sometimes so bad I had to go home because they interfered too much with focusing on my classes.

But when I started the pill, I've never had those very awful first days since, and my flow has been lighter as well. I do have a first day every once in a while where I have to take medicine and use a heating pad, but they're so much easier to deal with now.

I hope your mom will understand that birth control pills might be the answer to your problem.

[Gossamer]

That's not normal. I mean, Irregularity is one thing. But all of the other symptoms are never good.
If you mom doesn't want you to get on the pill, ask to ask the doctor about it.
On the flip side, I'm not on the pill ( I don't even have a boy friend or intention of having sex anytime soon so it would be pointless), but my periods are rather light. I mean the blood only lasts about five days and is only really bad on the first two days. I wonder if it is because you weight so little. Again, ask the doctor. They should know what they are talking about.

[kaishi]

lol didn't really want to read the responses, so here's just my quick advice.

I have very quick short periods, but on the first day I have cramps so bad I puke and faint from the pain. I've had painkiller shots for them before. The only thing OTC that helps me is naproxen, which I have to take regularly for a few days before they start. I used to be on birth control and even though I don't really want to go back on it, it works 100%. This is pretty much your only answer, and it WILL solve your problems. There's no shame in taking it for medical reasons (or any reason, for that matter) so if you talk to your mom about it, hopefully she'll allow it.