Ouch. Period pain. Help!?

Question

I am 15 and I get very bad menstrual cramps for 4 out of 6 days of my cycle. I dont know what to do. My mother says that she will take me to a gyno but I really dont want anyone looking down there. I want to go and get checked out to make sure I dont have endometriosis or something. I shave down there and I think that the gyno might think im weird for doing that, and my mother doesnt know. I am a virgin. Why does my period cramps hurt so bad? They are like a 8 out of 10. My mom has cysts on her ovaries and I am at risk for that. Please help!

Answer 1

Your doctor won't think you're weird at all. Most women do shave. Endo can only be diagnosed via surgery, but your gyn can help you decide what route to take (i.e., surgery right away, or a course of oral contraceptives, etc.). See below for more information and support. Be sure to visit the links, there is a lot of free info (including self-diagnostic tests to review with your doc) available:

http://www.endocenter.org - ERC, a free foundation
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/erc - the ERC listserv
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ercgirltalk - the internet home of the ERC's Girl Talk Listserv, for those under 25 who have (or think they might have) Endo

From the Endo Research Center (www.endocenter.org):

About Endometriosis -

With Endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, with Endometriosis, these implants have no way of leaving the body. The implants still break down and bleed, but result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur. Endometriosis has also even been found in the lungs, lodged in the skin - and as far as the brain.

Symptoms include chronic or intermittent pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation is not normal!), infertility, miscarriage(s), ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, dyspareunia (pain associated with intercourse), nausea / vomiting / abdominal cramping, diarrhea / constipation (particularly with menses), painful bowel movements, painful or burning urination, urinary frequency, retention, or urgency; fatigue, chronic pain, allergies and immune system-related illnesses are also commonly reported complaints of women who have Endo. It is quite possible to have some, all, or none of these symptoms. Endo symptoms are varied and often nonspecific, so they can easily masquerade as several other conditions, including adenomyosis ("Endometriosis Interna"), appendicitis, ovarian cysts, bowel obstructions, colon cancer, diverticulitis, ectopic pregnancy, fibroid tumors, gonorrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cancer, and PID.

Despite today's age of medical advances, researchers remain unsure as what causes of Endometriosis. There is NO CURE, despite the continued propagation of such myths by the uninformed who still mistakenly believe that hysterectomy, pregnancy and/or menopause can "cure" the disease. Invasive surgery remains the gold standard of diagnosis, and current therapies continue to remain extremely limited, often carrying side effects.

Mistakenly minimized as "painful periods," Endometriosis is more than just "killer cramps." It is a leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, and accounts for more than half of the 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the US annually. Despite being more prevalent than breast cancer, Endometriosis continues to be treated as an insignificant ailment. Recent studies have even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and other serious illnesses in those with the disease, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself.

Research has shown that genetics, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxins like Dioxin may all be contributing factors to the development of the disease. Endometriosis knows no racial or socioeconomic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause. The disease can be so painful as to render a woman or teen unable to care for herself or her family, attend work, school, or social functions, or go about her normal routine. It can negatively affect every aspect of a woman's life; from her self-esteem and relationships, to her capacity to bear children, to her ability to be a contributing member of society.

The disease can currently only be diagnosed through invasive surgery, and the average delay in diagnosis is a staggering 9 years. A patient may seek the counsel of 5 or more physicians before her pain is adequately addressed.

Once diagnosed, it is not unusual for a patient to undergo several pelvic surgeries and embark on many different hormonal and medical therapies in an attempt to treat her symptoms. None of the current treatments are entirely effective, and virtually all synthetic therapies carry significantly negative side effects; some lasting far beyond cessation of therapy. The exception to this is excision; see www.centerforendo.com to learn more about excision as the leading treatment.

Though Endometriosis is one of the most prevalent illnesses affecting society today, awareness is sorely lacking and disease research continues to remain significantly under funded. For instance, in fiscal year 2000, the National Institutes of Health planned to spend $16.5 billion on research. Of that funding, only $2.7 million was earmarked for Endometriosis - amounting to approximately $.40/patient. This is in stark contrast to other illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Lupus, which received approximately $105.00 and $30.00 per patient, respectively. American businesses lose millions of dollars each year in lost productivity and work time because of Endometriosis. The cost of surgery required to diagnose the disease in each patient alone adds greatly to the financial burden of both consumers and companies alike.

Once erroneously believed to be a disease of “Caucasian career women who have delayed childbearing,” we know that in fact, Endometriosis affects women of all ages, races and
socioeconomic status. Endometriosis also can and does exist in the adolescent female population. Far from the “rare” incidence once believed, studies have found that as many as 70% of teenagers with chronic pelvic pain had Endometriosis proven by laparoscopy. Other reports indicate that as many as 41% of patients experienced Endometriosis pain as an adolescent. The illness can be quite disruptive and cause significant dysfunction, especially at a time in life when self-esteem, school attendance and performance, and social involvement are all critical. Many adolescents with Endometriosis find themselves unable to attend or participate in classes, social functions, extracurricular activities, and sports due to significant pain and other symptoms of Endometriosis. Sometimes, teens and young women lack support and validation from both the home and the school; told the pain is “in their head,” that they are “faking it,” that their debilitating cramps are “normal” and “a part of womanhood,” that they are merely suffering from “the curse,” or that they should just “grin and bear it.” Their symptoms may also be dismissed as a sexually transmitted disease, which Endometriosis absolutely is not. Failure to acknowledge and address symptoms early in the disease process can lead to significant delays in diagnosis and necessary, subsequent treatments. Lack of support from family and loved ones can also add to the patient’s pain and fear - at any age.

Recent studies have also shown that Endometriosis may in fact have an even bigger impact on younger patients than older women. One such study discovered that in patients under 22 years of age, the rate of disease recurrence was double that of older women (35% versus 19%). The study also revealed that the disease behaves differently in younger women; leading some researchers to believe it is a different form of Endometriosis altogether. Surgery, considered necessary to accurately diagnose and effectively treat the disease, is often withheld from younger patients based on the injudicious belief that early surgery somehow negatively influences a young woman’s fertility. Extensive, cumulative research has shown this concern to be unfounded. What can impact fertility, however, is neglecting effective treatment of the disease. Some researchers also feel that symptomatic, adolescent-onset Endometriosis is most often a lifelong problem that will progress to severe fibrotic disease.

While it is possible to become pregnant with Endometriosis, the key is to obtain early, effective treatment such as that offered by specialty treatment centers like the Center for Endo Care (see www.centerforendo.com to learn about the success of excision as treatment). Hysterectomy is not a cure for Endometriosis. Any disease left behind by the surgeon (whether by design because he or she 'couldn't get it all' or accident because they don't recognize the disease in all manifestations) will continue to thrive and cause pain and symptoms. It does not matter if the ovaries are removed or if HRT is withheld; Endo produces its own estrogen-synthesizing enzyme known as aromatase. Thus, it enables it's own vicious life cycle and sustains the disease process. You would be better off getting all disease truly excised from all locations at a specialty center like the CEC (www.centerforendo.com).

Due in part to the efforts of foundations like the ERC, research is ongoing as to the causes of Endometriosis and potential cures for the disease. For more information, please visit http://www.endocenter.org.

Answer 2

Relax. Just about every woman gets nervous about pelvic exams at first, but they're fairly simple and part of being female. You're going to have a chaperone, and your mom will be out in the waiting room. Here's a link below about what to expect.

Don't sweat about the shaving; you're not the first to do it, you're not the last, the examiner doesn't care, and she/he sure isn't gonna tell.

Menstrual cramps can be hellish, especially when you're young and your cycle is starting to establish itself. (I started at 13, and was praying for menopause before I turned 15.) Cystic history in the family can be a potential problem; there's only about 27 or 30 other things offhand that I forgot from my OB/GYN classes....You may find that oral contraceptives, or other medications as prescribed, relieve the severity of cramping.

Until you see the nurse practitioner or doctor, try any or all of the following for pain relief: over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, heating pads (no more than 20 minutes at a time over the belly---you can get burned, even at the lowest setting!), exercise (some people swear by yoga or gentle stretches), warm to hot showers, or masturbation to orgasm (increases pelvic blood flow).

www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/medical_care/obgyn.html
Also read Our Bodies, Ourselves---great book for any woman who wants to know more about how the neat thing works!

Answer 3

If applying heat to your abdomen and/or low back doesn't help, Mydol or equivalent doesn't help, or combo of both, you may need to see a Gynocologist. Its not a big deal, I hate it every time but pain is an indication something is awry. No one cares if you shave. Athletes, bathing suit wearers, people who are hot there, shave all the time. I hate being examined, will never get used to it, but pain is pain, and if other methods don't work, bite the bullet, it only takes a few days to grow it back if you're concerned, then you'll appear neat and clean. Yes, if your mom has problems like that, you very well could be a candidate. If caught early enough, you'll have to deal with less care, than more.

Answer 4

Your mom is right you do need to see a Gyno to make sure nothing is wrong.There is nothing wrong with the dr. looking around down there. I understand the embarrassment of it all. After its done you'll go " Is that all"???? It's not as bad as it sounds. And believe me the dr has seen many shaved privates amongst other unusual things....It's nothing to them....

Pain medication is great to help with pain. Herbs such as Wild Yam cream is wonderful for helping with discomfort...rub a 1/4 tsp on your belly where it hurts. Hot water bottle on your belly might help too. The drug store sells those heat wraps that will stick to your belly and the heat really helps.

I had terrible cramps as a teen. They went away after I had my kids.

Answer 5

Girl I was the same way, If you go to the dr. he has seen everything. Everyone shaves now your mom dosent have to go back there with you, He will give you birth control and your flow will be lighter and the cramps will go away ! Good Luck !

Answer 6

First of all it is not abnormal to shave your pubic hair. I use to get bad cramps before my period came. There was nothing that the doc gave me. I took extra strength tyenlol. For some it works, for others it might. Go to the doc and see what he/she says.

Answer 7

gurl the doctor seen a lot of vaginas trust me so u should never b shy to go to him. he knows best. it doesnt mean u have problems cuz lots of girls get bad cramps but u gotta go just to make sure. plus lots of ppl shave down there too so its no big deal. i think its nasty if u dont shave especially if ur on your period it make a bad smell so ur only normal :)

Answer 8

i feel your pain... honey i'm 22 and i still have horrible cramps. when i was your age, the doctor put me on birth control pills and that knocked the pain out... however they will need to do a pap smear before they prescribe them to you.. i'm thinking about getting back on them. also you have to treat the pain before it comes. if you just started your period 10 minutes ago, and although you may not feel any cramps at the moment, you need to go take some pain killers before the pain gets there. i normally take alieve. midol with apple juice works wonders.

Answer 9

u really should go see the gyno. He/SHe would be better telling you more about it. If u are really afraid of someone looking down there, get a female doctor. Good luck sweets!

Answer 10

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Answer 11

go to the gyno! you should do it for your own health anyways. they can try to put you on medication that might help you with that kind of stuff. I was scared to death when I first went, but I promise you it's not that bad!