Post # 1
Member
2004 posts
Buzzing bee
I would like any advice or insight from the hive I can get. I know you are mostly not doctors and that even if you are you can’t dispense official medical advice over the internet, but here goes: I get intensely painful cramps several times a day (lasting about 5-10 minutes each) for about 5 days leading up to my period. Sex only makes it worse and sometimes brings on the pain, and I think gives me a bad association of sex = pain, which also kills my libido because I start dreading the pain. It is so, so frustrating and it’s ruining my sex life.
I don’t take any medications other than multivitamins and I don’t take hormonal bc, nor do I want to (I do not tolerate it well). They seem to happen when I am changing states, like getting up from my desk chair after sitting for several hours, when I get out of bed in the morning. It also wakes me up in the middle of the night at least once a night for those 5 days. Once I get my period I am fine.
I talked to my doctor about it and he looked at me like I had three heads. Internet research has thus far turned up nothing, because I can’t figure out how to sort out the references for people who have cramps during their period, which is not my problem. Any insight or even some comiseration would be so appreciated. Does this happen to anyone else? Does anyone have any idea about what could be causing it or how to fix it?
Post # 3
Member
7082 posts
Busy Beekeeper
Chels-
Did you see your Ob/gyn? I’d be surprised if they looked at you funny, considering it is not that uncommon. Leading up to ovulation there is a state called mittleshermz. No one definitively knows what causes this pain, but it is believed that as the egg breaks out of the follicle it can cause pain. You can usually take some ibuprofen when you know that you are ovulating (and I know you always do!) to treat it or use symptomatic treatment with warmth, drinking lots of fluids. Here’s a nice little summary of it.
http://www.epigee.org/menstruation/mittelschmerz.html
However, there are other conditions that may cause the pain that you are having. Your Ob should work with you to figure out if one of these may be contributing:
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)- cystic ovaries can cause pain, and large non-regressing cysts can be quite troubling. Your doctor can help you decide if this is the problem.
Endometriosis- this is where uterine tissue is growing outside the uterus. Symptoms include painful periods, pain at ovulation, bleeding between periods, painful stooling or urination, deep stabbing pains during intercourse. Read this article for more information on it:
http://www.epigee.org/menstruation/endo.html
Phew! I’m getting a medical workout today!
Regardless, you need to find a provider who isn’t looking at you like you have 3 heads, and who is taking this seriously!
Post # 4
Member
2004 posts
Buzzing bee
Yeah, I do get mittelschmerz pain, which I find more amusing than anything, not debilitating. What I’m talking about occurs well after that. The other possibilities just don’t seem right because I have none of the other symptoms.
But you’re right, I do need to find a medical provider who takes me seriously. I am just so scared that they won’t care about a diagnosis and instead will just say the only solution is "go on the pill," which I don’t want to do. Blerg.
Post # 5
Member
5399 posts
Bee Keeper
Thanks for some great info Doc, you gave me some things to also think about!
