Girls? Do you get cramps every month?

Question

how long do they last, do you skip school or work when this happens? stay in bed?

Answer 1

yep I do get them for a few hours, I never miss work. but when I was younger I would get them all day and would miss school and sleep all day.

Answer 2

I've only recently (within the year) started getting cramps, but they only last the first day and aren't bad enough to affect my work/school schedule. I find that mild exercise helps alleviate cramps; just go for walk and get the body moving. It's also good to drink plenty of water.

Now here's something interesting. This link states that women who eat right should not only NOT have cramps, but they also shouldn't even have a heavy flow! Look at it and tell me what you think. I haven't tried it myself, I'm skeptical but still keeping an open mind . . .

Answer 3

Yes! And I really hate it. I've had it since I was like 11 yrs old and have been in pain every month for the last 10 years.

It lasts for a day, usually my first or second day of period. I usually stay in bed until the pain go away.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, I am 48 and have had cramps since I was 13. Some months are different, my overies start doing a little dancing. At times when it was so bad, I would miss school/work.
Now I am in PERI menopause, still get cramps, Hope it will be over sometime soom.
If they are really bad, go and see your doctor.

Answer 5

I've been getting cramps since I started my period. I usually get them for 1-3 days and they vary with intensity. when i was a teenager they were so bad i did miss school and work so my doctor put me on the pill for 2 years and they regulated me somewhat, the cramps are definitely not as bad now

Answer 6

I'm on seasonale, so I get 4 periods a month. Craps tend to hurt less when on the pill. For me, my lower back and my tummy hurts, it's just more of an uncomfortable pressure. You can take Midol or Pamprin for cramps. Myself, I take "Naproxen Sodium" (non-prescription) which I get at Rite Aid because Midol isn't strong enough for me. Anyway, cramps last about a week and with painkillers, you can continue on with your everyday activities.

Answer 7

That used to happen to me. I did miss a day or two every month, not to mention feeling miserable. A gynecologist can help with that. Get on hormone pills or birth control pills and it will completely go away. A lot of women with this problem have it (finally) go away permanently after their first childbirth.

Answer 8

Me personally I don't get cramps at all, it's very seldom if I do, but I suggest taking medicine and stay in the house, bed, etc.

Answer 9

Derived from the Greek words dys, meaning “difficult,” meno, meaning monthly, and rrhea, meaning “flow,” dysmenorrhea is the term used to describe painful menstrual cramping.

Almost all menstruating women experience some cramping during their periods, referred to as either primary dysmenorrhea, which refers to "normal" menstrual pain, or secondary dysmenorrhea, which arises as a result of an underlying disease or disorder. The condition is among the leading complaint in women who present to their physicians for gynecologic pain. More than half of all menstruating women have pain associated with menses, and studies have shown that dysmenorrhea is one of the most common reasons women miss work and/or school. Nearly 10% of women with the condition are incapacitated for up to three days each month[1].

"Normal" menstrual cramps occur in almost all women due to the release of hormones known as prostaglandins. These are hormones produced by the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), which cause the uterus to contract, sometimes quite painfully, in order to expel the menstrual debris. Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins than others, so they may hurt more. Increased prostaglandin production can also cause the distressing gastrointestinal symptoms some women may experience. Primary dysmenorrhea most commonly occurs within a few years of menarche (a woman’s first period), while secondary dysmenorrhea can occur years after the onset of menarche.

Pain with primary dysmenorrhea usually begins on or about the first day of a woman’s period and can last up to 72 hours. In a woman with secondary dysmenorrhea, she may have painful symptoms occurring a week or more prior to her period and lasting even after her flow has stopped. In the case of a woman who has secondary dysmenorrhea, there are other reasons for her pain, including diseases or conditions like Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, cervical stenosis, structural abnormalities in the vagina or uterus itself, fibroids, or similar concern.

Dysmenorrhea can be diagnosed based on symptoms, patient history, physical findings, and when appropriate, diagnostic tests such as vaginal or pelvic ultrasound, hysteroscopy (an examination of the inside of the uterus) and/or hysterosalpingogram (an evaluation of the uterus and fallopian tubes). In cases of secondary dysmenorrhea, laparoscopic surgery can be very beneficial at affording a diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause. Symptoms often include painful pelvic or abdominal cramping, headache, suprapubic cramping (an area of the pelvis overlying the bladder), backache, pain radiating down into the thigh area, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea and even syncope (a temporary of consciousness). Upon physical exam, those with primary dysmenorrhea exhibit normal vital signs and a tender uterus, but no cervical or ovarian abnormalities. Patients with secondary dysmenorrhea may exhibit varied vital signs depending on the underlying cause and may be found to have tenderness, nodules, and/or enlargement of the uterosacral ligaments, the rectovaginal septum or other adnexa (the region of the pelvis that encompasses the ovary, fallopian tube and surrounding broad ligament).

Treatment options are based on the underlying cause of the pain (primary v. secondary dysmenorrhea) and range from medical to alternative therapies. Commonly, Non-Steroidal Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen may be recommended to help with cramping, and more recently, COX-2 inhibitors have also been approved for treatment of dysmenorrhea. Prescription painkillers may also be recommended where appropriate. Combination (ethynylestradiol and progestin) oral contraceptives can also help reduce prostaglandin production, thereby alleviating the cramps. Heating pads can also offer temporary resolve of the pain. Avoidance of smoking (which has been shown increase cramps) and reduced intake or total avoidance of salt, sugar, high fat and dairy products, alcohol and caffeine can also afford relief, as can increasing the intake of fiber, calcium and complex carbohydrates. Recent studies also indicate that Vitamin B6 complex, calcium and magnesium supplements, and Omega III fatty acids (fish oil supplements) also may help relieve cramping. Pelvic massage, exercise (which releases endorphins, the body’s own natural painkillers), Yoga (the cat stretch and the pelvic tilt), visualization techniques, aromatherapy, acupuncture and herbs like Dong Quai, Ginseng, Stragalus root, Ligusticum root and White Peony root are also said to be helpful alternative techniques for managing the pain.

If Endometriosis or another disorder is the underlying or secondary cause for dysmenorrhea, you will benefit most from having the disease diagnosed and effectively removed. It is important to determine if the cramps are "normal," or if they could be due to another cause. Pain that is crippling or incapacitating is never normal and should be investigated as soon as possible so that appropriate diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be rendered.

Reference:
[1] Jamieson DJ, Steege JF. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in primary care practices. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87(1):55-58.

Answer 10

Yes! and i have pain for the first couple of days then I'm good, but i still go on with my daily actives.