awful periods

[cheekyminx]

Anyone out there who suffers from awful periods? I honestly thought that by the time I hit 25*cough* 30 they'd be sorted out but no, everything is still the same.

I've suffered with bad period pain and heavy periods since I was a teenager, and they also go for like 7 days. I'm almost to the point of taking the pill to not get a period anymore *sigh* I don't get how a female can loose so much blood either Also kinda sux how 99.9% of gynaecologists are male *not impressed look* yeah, like they can relate "Oh yeah my wife wasn't feeling well the other day due to her period, so I cooked dinner..."

so my question is;

Is there any herbs or crystals that "work"? Cause I'm over feeling like crap for 2 days out of the month and having to does up on panadeine forte and when I can have a nana nap.

Rant over.

 

[motsa]

Hate to break it to you but they just keep getting worse, until maybe you hit perimenopause. LOL

Don't know about herbs or crystals but I swear by naproxen or Advil Liqui-gels (not plain old ibuprofen, has to be the liquid gel ones), both of which should be available in Australia. Naproxen in particular does a marvelous job of quelling the cramping, nausea, and mood swings without making you tired. As for the bleeding, for me that has only tapered off because of perimenopause.

 

[Kahlie]

Dear cheekyminx,

It depends on what causes them and what your major complaints are. I always had periods that were lovely emotionally, so people's suggestion for Moonstone didn't do much for me.

However, I'd lose a lot of blood, and yes, also over 7 days or more, leaking through 3 pads during the night sometimes. My gynecologist was kind enough to check it out. One of the reasons I had such a heavy menstruation was that I had a very small uterus wall lining, so my body would try very hefty movements and scrape it continuously completely clean, causing so much blood. I do suggest you go back and demand that they check what is going on. There are several things that could be causing it. Including early menopause.

In the end, my menstruations have leveled off, I have very little problems now. I went to a physiotherapist that specializes in that area, and she helped increase blood flow and relaxation. It took me at least 8-12 months.

My sister *also* had heavy problems, not with blood loss, but with heavy cramping. I send her to the same specialized physiotherapist by recommendation. 6 months later she is almost complaint free, so she doesn't have to take pain killers several times daily during her period. Once one of her clients told her she should go home, as she looked so drawn and white (during her period) and she must be very sick.

I'm not sure how to translate the type of physio in English, sorry. They also help pregnant women after pregnancy if the bones/muscle structure gets damaged.

If your problem is also relaxation/blood flow, I'd suggest you use carnelian or something like it to help you ease through it at first.

Hope you find what helps you, and find a doc who is willing to take you serious!

Love,

Kahlie

 

[greenbeans]

hi cheekyminx

I get the 7 day heavy period too. (don't you just hate those lucky women with a light, 3 day period??) In fact I just went to consult my natural health book and it fell open on the 'heavy periods' page automatically!

Basically it could have many causes you should consult a doc (I know, I hate it) but the book also advises eating fewer animal fats and more vegetable oils as well as green leafy veg. You could be short of vitamins A,C,E and IRON. (I know, heavy blood loss= loss of iron, duh, but there's a theory it may work the other way too, so it might be an idea to check if you have enough iron in your diet)

It also advises a herb called capsella bursa-pastoris as a tea. I've never tried that, don't know about it, so ask a herbalist about it (or maybe a herb specialists on AT can advise?)

also, this may seem mad, but do you use a Mooncup/Divacup? Its an alternative form of sanitary protection, some people say it reduces the length and painfulness of a period. I use it and it doesn't reduce the length but I definitely get less pain. (It sounds crazy, but I swear tampons give me cramps) Not for everyone, but maybe you could give it a try? Its good for the environment too!

 

[gorgeousbutterfly]

maybe try taking an iron supplement.

 

[Elnor]

Cheekyminx:

another thing that could be a factor, and which is too often overlooked (and is VERY common in women) is a low thyroid.

Here's a website with other hypothyroidism symptoms... have a look and see if there are any others that you suffer with...

http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/thyroid.html

and here is a website that goes into detail as to how it can affect periods:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/menstruation.htm

(this site says "Thyroid disease is frequently the reason behind problems with a woman's menstrual cycle.")

Keep on at your doctor... if he's unsympathetic that's his problem- tell him the quality of YOUR life is being affected by this and he needs to get his finger out. (and I know exactly what you're going through... in my case I had a hysterectomy, and I only wish I could have had it done sooner!)

all the best;
elnor

 

[mystic mal]

Every day take 1000mg vitamin C and 1000mg bioflavonoids in divided doses..500mg in the morning and the same in the evening.These help to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels to reduce excessive bleeding.Bioflavonoids are found in grapeskins,blackberries and citrus fruits.,especially in the pulp and white rind. Chasteberry also helps from good health shops.

 

[memries]

I agree with you Elnor and had the same results. I had low thyroid for years.
Get to a specialist somehow Cheekyminx. Male doctors are not always the most sympathetic listeners.

When I finally had the hysterectomy they found out lots wrong with me that never showed up on tests. It was the happiest day of my life when it was over. I was 41 and had, had my family though.

 

[cheekyminx]

Thank you for the advice and links Khalie, greenbeans, gorgeousbutterfly, Elnor, mystic mal, memries and mosta.

 

[Tarotphelia]

Hi Cheeky ,

This is a very good page on menstrual irregularities and some natural remedies for various symptoms :

http://www.project-aware.org/Managing/Alt/menstrual.shtml

Also , sometimes the pain can be diminished by drinking more water . And, if you eat as purely carbohydrate a snack or meal as possible that helps . Protein and fat interfere with seratonin in the brain , so eating something with as little of those as possible can really make a difference .

In my own case , pms symptoms of painful breast tenderness and excessive bleeding were completely gone after I started taking magnesium, folic acid and B6 every day .
Which was a lot cheaper and less stressful than the hysterectomy the *&^%##! doctor wanted to give me.