Dealing with Extreme Menstrual Pain: For Women Only

I have first hand knowledge of this. I always had cramps, headaches, moodiness, hot flashes and PMS before and during my periods. As I started into my early 40's, my cramps got worse. As time went on the pain continued to get worse and the flow less. I also became irregular and I had always been regular before. I wasn't aware your cycle would start to change in your forties.

Pain Relief

I continued to take Aleve as I always did for the cramping, but it got to the point where the pain was so bad that I could take up to five or 6 Aleve and it wouldn't help. One day at work, it got so bad I had to quit working for about a half an hour due to the pain. I finally decided I had better go see my Gynecologist for a check up and find out what was going on.

Pelvic Ultra-Sound

The Ultrasound doesn't hurt. The worst part is that you have to drink 16 ounces of water before you go and hold it till the ultrasound is over. The doctors were able to see from the ultrasound that I had a fairly large cyst and it was growing every time I had my period. We first tried shrinking the cyst by taking birth control pills, but that didn't work and I ended up having to have surgery.

The Surgery

During the course of the surgery the doctor discovered I actually had two cysts, both about the size of a chicken egg or golf ball. I also had endometriosis. The doctor told me later it was a real mess in there and even gave me a picture. Everything was so bad they had to remove everything. I spent the night at the hospital because I was so sick from the anethesia they gave.

Recovery

I recovered easily from the surgery once I got home. The surgery did end my pain and my periods, which I do not miss. I did go into an early menopause and had to deal with hot flashes. I tried hormones, but they didn't work for me. I now take a product called Remifemin and it works quite well.

Don't Put Off Seeing Your Doctor

So, if you have really bad menstrual cramps get yourself to the doctor and get it checked out as soon as possible. Sometimes cysts can be dissolved with birth control pills and some disappear on their own. Cysts can also burst and I have heard that is quite painful. If you get to the doctor early, you may be able to avoid all this. Sometimes the doctor is able to remove just the cyst itself, (very important if you still want to be able to have children).

Pay Attention to Extreme Pain

My girlfriend had terrible menstrual pain and heavy bleeding. She went to her gynecologist and found out she had fibroids. She had the fiboids removed through surgery and she still has a chance of being able to have children.