A question regarding menstrual cramps?

Question

I get the worst cramps each month... and I have since I started menstruating three years ago. I am tired of taking pain meds each month for three to four days that barely work and have to be retaken every few hours. I have birth control pills, but I do not take them because I really don't want to gain the weight. I am missing school because of these cramps, and they ruin my life once a month. Should I go ahead with the birth control? Or does anyone have any other suggestions for relieving the horrible pain? FYI- my cramps start in my lower abdomen, wrap around my back, and go down my legs.

I have talked to my doctor- that's how I got the pills.

I also don't want to have the side effects from the pill of nausea or vomiting. I am a severe emetophobic.

Ortho Tri-Cylo

That's the kind I have.

Endometrosis runs in my family (both my mom and grandma have it)

I have been to a gyno, but she just gave me the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo

Answer 1

The birth control is probably your best bet. If you experience weight gain, talk to your doctor about trying a different perscription until you find the right one for you. Also try hot pads and advil, advil has been shown to be more effective at relieving the symptoms of cramps. I am sorry you get them, believe me I know it sucks!!

Answer 2

I started taking the pill three months ago after a six year long debate. I didn't want to gain the weight either. But I learned that it isn't the pill that causes you to gain weight. The change in hormones makes you hungry, and that is what causes the weight gain. Once I knew that, I knew to watch what I ate once I started.

I haven't gained an ounce since I started the pill. In fact, I lost five pounds.

Now, everyone's body responds differently, so the pill may not resolve your pain issue. But I recommend giving it a try. If it doesn't work out, you can always stop.

Good luck to you, and I hope you get the pain under control. I had pain that bad when I first started, but it did lessen as I got older. That and three Advil a day does it for me now.

EDIT: By the way, the side effects I've had from the pill have been minimal. I'm on Aviane. My periods have gotten lighter. At first, my acne got worse, but this month has been really good. I was nauseous on the first day, but nothing since. And I've never experienced vomiting. All in all, I've had a great experience with the pill so far! Wish I'd have done it sooner.

Answer 3

I would ask you first if you have taken birth control before? If you have and you gained weight than try another kind of pill. Now if you are talking about the Depo shot then I would not suggest taking that unless you dont care about gaining weight because the shot will definetly make you gain weight. I take Sprintec 28 day (the substitue for Ortho-Cyclen 28 day) and I havent gained any weight. You really only gain about 3-5 pounds if any when you take the pill. The only other thing that worked for me when I had really bad cramps was placing a heating pad on the area that hurt but it sounds like you have worse cramps than i did. I would say try the pill and if you gain weight then stop, your only gaining water weight so its not really that big of a deal,,,,if the pills help I would rather gain a lil weight than have to put up with what you have to put up with. I also wanted to say that they have birth control pills now that shorten your period and take away your period for up to 3 months (its called Seasonale, i took it but it is expensive, even with insurance it costs me $250 but it was for a 3 mon supply and I didnt get my period the whole time) My periods used to last the usual 7 days but now my periods are 3 days long and i dont really get cramps though I do get headaches the week before I get my period.

Answer 4

Have you been diagnosed with anything like endometriosis? Since you have the birth control pills, I assume you've been to a gynecologist. What did he/she say?

I, too, have horrible cramps each month...and have since I began my period about 18 years ago. I took birth control pills for several years. The amount of hormones in them made the cramps ease (as well as the heavy flow).

I am no longer on the pill, and experience the extreme cramping only every few months.

Answer 5

Take the pills. Not all pills make you gain weight, and it also differs from people to people. I have been on Ortho tricyclin for almost six years. It helps a lot with regulating me as well as my cramps. It is also good for your skin. I have gained weight, but I do not attribute it to the pills, just to my eating habits. I would try it. It never hurts to try. If you do gain wait it will only be a couple of pounds, and you can get off the pill and lose the weight. But take the pills, it will really help.

Answer 6

I suggest you take the BC pills. I used to get cramps so bad that I couldnt get out of bed. I would black out and sometimes even throw up from the pain. I started taking the pill and my periods were more regular and my cramps were slim to none. I would advise you tho - when I first took the pill, I bled for a month straight...freaked me out, but the doc said not to worry, it was normal.

You mentioned weight gain as a reason for not taking them - I actually lost 15 pounds after starting the pill. Besides the annoyance of having to remember to take them the pill was awesome.

If you havent tried it, maybe get a heating pad, that helped me a lot. Put a heating pad on your stomach and press firmly down on it...it feels worse at first, but give it a min or two and ull feel MUCH better. Also drink A LOT of water during your period.

Good luck!

Answer 7

i used to get bad cramps and miss school, and i would even throw up. i started taking ortho tricyclin low and now i can function and go to work. i didn't gain much if any weight, so if you are worried about it just try to watch what you eat a little more closely and it shouldn't be an issue. hope that helps, good luck!!

PS , birth control I did gain weight with: Seasonale, Ortho Novum 777, Depo Provera(never do the depo shot-i had awful side effects and there isn't anything you can do about them since the shot lasts 3 months and the side effects can last much longer-stick with the pill)

Answer 8

Try seeing your gyn and having a paps, ultrasound, or a vaginal ultrasound. these test will reveal if you may be having systoms from ovarian cysts or fibriod tumors. They can be awfully painful every month and or heavy periods. I advise you do take your birth control pills. They will regulate your cycle and don't worry about the weight gain. That can be managed by you participating in regular exercises or any physical sports you enjor, but haven't been able to do because of the pain; and get back to school and the activities you enjoy.

Answer 9

You are lucky to be living in this day and age. My mother use to just tell me to "get use to it"....That was 40+ years ago. I too had horrible cramps. Lots of Aspirin(before Advil came along)heating pad, long hot soaks in the tub. Today you have the option of so many meds. Have you tried the Birth control Pills? If you gain too much weight(some don't)perhaps your Dr. can give you another brand

Answer 10

I use to be the same way and had to endure that for MANY years. I was 11 when I started my period and they put me on birth control right away because it was horrible. I know you are concerned about gaining weight but they really do help. Excersie also helps cramps and will help with the weight gain. Drink lots of water.