worst cramps ever, does the pill really help?

Question

i am almost 19 and for the few years, have experinced the ultimate WORST cramps ever. my breasts get incredibly sore as well, it hurts to even touch them at all beginning the week before my period starts. in high school i would sit out class sometimes because i honestly felt like i was going to pass out, from my back/legs/abs hurting so badly, feeling nauseated, and everything feels bloated all the way down to my feet.

i am very healthy, healthy weight, enough sleep, good nutrition, etc. i am not big on taking medications but i will if i have to! so does going on birth control really help? i mean, these are massive cramps. i feel like i can't even move. :/

Answer 1

Yes, birth control can help with cramps. "The pill" works in one way by thinning the lining of your uterus. This thining of your uterine lining makes most women experience shorter and lighter periods while on the pill. From personally experience, I can tell you it works.

Since your cramps are as bad as you say, you should know that this is not normal and certainly not something that you should just have to deal with as part of being a woman. Definitely talk to your doctor about your symptoms as you may have an underlying medical condition. Also exercise and NOT being overweight help, so if your weight is on the heavier side of healthy or if you are overweight, try and fix that problem and your cramps might fix themself.

EDIT: You can also use the pill for menstrual supression. You can skip your period on almost any monophasic hormonal birth control as many times in a row as you like. This way you'll be avoiding cramps and not having a period at all.

Answer 2

I sympathyze, because I know how you feel. The only pills that have ever worked for me have been Advil Liquid-Gels Extra Strength, take 2 of those, hunny, and you will be fine. But since you already took 3 pills, that might be a bit dangerous. So for now, apply as much heat as you can. You are going to have to ask yourself which you find more uncomfortable, cramps, or the heat. Drink a lot of water and even (I know it's the last thing you want to do right now) try and move around. Get up and walk or hop up and down a bit. You stomach is tighening to try and flush out your womb, so by lying down, you aren't much help. And if that doesn't help, you are going to have to wait it out. It will pass. It won't last longer than an hour. Remember next time, as soon as you feel those cramps coming on, pop a couple of those advils and your cramps won't be half as bad, hope this helps! Get well soon!

Answer 3

I used to have incredible cramps like that, too. Sometimes I would just lay in bed and cry, hoping I'd die so that the cramps would stop. Then when I was 16, I got on birth control for the reason of not getting pregnant. They took my cramps away and my periods were lighter, shorter, and normal. I'm 19 now, and after 3 years on the pill, my periods are returning to the way they used to be. About a year and a half ago, I started getting pretty bad cramps again, though not as intense. They still aren't nearly as bad as they used to be. What I'm trying to say is that, yes, the pills may help, but they aren't tiny one-a-day-miracles. I hope this helps...good luck :)

And as a side note, the pills have other effects than just helping cramps and stopping babies from forming. Just be aware of everything that could happen before you get on them.

Answer 4

I would advise you to go to your gynocologist so they can run test on you for endometriosis & ovarian cysts. The "worst cramps ever" from your question is what caught my eye. Then when I continued to read & saw where you have severe pains in your back, legs & abs- these are the same symptons I had back in 1995... in which got so bad one day that I went to the emergency room, & discovered I had a large mass on my right ovary. That's why I was having pains & numbness down my right leg. I had to have emergency surgery the next day! They ended up having to remove 2 large cysts from my ovaries, along with large amounts of endometriosis (which is web-like scar tissues) I don't think no one knows what causes it... but pregancy is the only cure- besides a hysteractomy (as far as I know) They may suggest you get on a birth control pill. NOT trying to scare you or make you think you will experience these same situations , just wanted to give you a heads up so you won't have to go thru what I did! And if you've been going thru this for a few years & the pain/symptoms are getting worse- you definitely need to get an appointment w/ your gyno. I have a very high tolerance for pain now & my doctor said it's because I've become so accustomed to these pains that I've learned how to block them out! My paps were always normal. An ultrasound is usually suggested if they think the pains are severe enough. And I'm like you, healthy, eat right, etc. I'm also not one to take medications -But, yes, the pill did help me! I did cramp but not like before! They also made my periods lighter & helped w/ my upset stomach. It took me 10 years of going thru h_ _ _, before I finally found a doctor that suggested the good 'ole birth control pill. The pill tricks your body into thinking it's pregnant & remember what I said earlier (pregnancy is one of the cures for endo) & this usually keeps the endo from becoming severe (like w/ me). Just don't forget, EVERYONE is DIFFERENT, & just because me & you have the same symptoms, does not mean we have the same illness! And just because the pill worked for me, does not mean it will work for you. Some women can't take the pill due to different reasons. Promise me you will get an appointment ASAP! But until then... right before you start your next period here's a few suggestions- avoid caffeine-including chocolate! Use pads (NOT tampons), applying heat to your abs, back & legs will probably ease your pain. I think heating pads, or even putting a towel in the dryer for about 5-10 mins, then laying it across where your having the pains always helped me the most.
I hope this helps get you some relief... I feel your pain! Literally!
Good Luck & I'll say a prayer for ya! K! Smooches! ; )

Answer 5

I used to get cramps like that before. I am still in high school and sometimes the cramps were so bad that (even though i drive) I had to have my mom pick me up. Then I went on the pill for my acne problem and to regulate my periods, and they told me that it would lessen the intensity of my cramps!! I was so excited, but thought that something weird was up. After using the pill for over a year I have found that yes, my cramps have decreased, but watch out becuase if you dont take it right it can really make you feel weird during your period.

Answer 6

It will help! I used to get cramps so bad that I would curl into the fetal position in bed and not be able to move. After going on the pill, I still have cramps some months but never as bad as I used to and then I only get them for like a couple of hours one day during my period.

Answer 7

Hey there, take it from someone who knows: have yourself examined by a competent Ob/Gyn for the following:

1) fibroids (especially if there is heavy bleeding)
2) prostaglandin imbalance (especially if the pain is worst BEFORE your period)
3) endometriosis (especially if you have heavy bleeding and the pain is worse AFTER you start flowing)

I suffered for 12 years with endometriosis before a doctor explained that I was not making it up. the pain can be as bad as labor pain! Ibuprofen is a smooth muscle relaxer, and keeping a moderate dose of a prescription strength in your bloodstream helps a lot.

Birth control pills do help in many cases- they relieve hormone imbalances, and cause the uterine lining to thicken less. if the pain is from heavy bleeding and clotting, they will work wonders. Get the checkup first, though- you deserve to know.

Answer 8

I had that too ! I was told I had endometriosis at 19. I had the same type of pain. i wasnt able to function the day my period started.
I remember doing every test under the sun because it came to the point where i couldnt eat anything and was losing weight rapidly.
Get to your gynocologist as soon as you can and get it checked to rule that out. There was another girl that mentioned fibroids and she is absoltely right.
Im on the pill , and granted, I had gain alot of weight since then because of it but now it is comtrolled and I can function.
Its not nice beng in pain lie that , get checked

Answer 9

Birth control did not help for me. It made my cramps worse. But you may want to get checked for cysts, fibroids, or even endometriosis. Some women just have really bad cramps, like the women in my family.

Answer 10

YES it does, I know from experience. While I was on them, I had no pain or less than before. Now that I'm off them again, I get horrible pain. Also, if I have sex a few days before I get my period it trigggers enormous pain. That's when I know I'm about to get it.
I always have to run a really hot bath to ease the pain. I don't know what it is about a hot bath, but it sure does the trick.