Period cramps question??

Question

Ok im going into the military and i get really bad cramps any advice how to deal with that during boot?? please this is a really serious question!!

Answer 1

The military will give you a birth control shot that will keep you from having a period.

Answer 2

I used to get terrible cramps with my periods. I found the only ways to relieve them was to exercise or take pain killers. I don't necessarily recommend this as a cure but the thing that ended these cramps for me was having a baby. It almost makes me wish I had had a baby a decade earlier than I did.

Answer 3

Take Motrin,each pill is only 200mg so you could take 4 at once, (800 is a prescription dose) Just don't take for more than a couple days in a row at that dose because ibuprofin is very hard on your stomach. You can also take water pills along with the motrin, that always helps me. Also. the birth control idea is a good one. If you got a depo shot, you would not get your period for 3 monthes, that would get you through boot camp. But depo shoots usually cause weight gain. Talk to your ob-gyn. Good Luck

Answer 4

Here's Mother's time-tested, super-reliable remedy:

1) Make sure you are taking a serious multi-vitamin & mineral supplement from a health food store. Nature's Plus is one good brand.

2) Take two Pamprin and one Advil every four hours. Don't substitute Midol or Tylenol.

3) Eat at least one banana every day if possible (two is better), for the potassium.

4) And if you still feel icky, add some caffeine to the Pamprin and Advil.

Best of luck!!

Answer 5

Naproxen is a great pain reliever for cramps - it starts working fast, and it lasts for a long time (8-10 hrs). Also, the Therma Care patch is also very helpful and it's indiscrete. Good luck girl - kick butt!

Answer 6

Movement and exercise helps to get rid of cramps, so you should be fine on that. If you're not fine, then try advil or a heating pad. Good luck, period cramps suck...

Answer 7

It might be advisable to first find out the cause of your dysmenorrhea (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). Some mild cramping is expected; if it is interupting your life or will impact your career with the military, it would be best to get diagnosed/treated accordingly before it impacts your experience in boot and beyond.

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 8

I can only suggest to try to head them off. If you know when you are going to start you can take advil before they hit for a few days prior to them hitting. This sometimes works for me. Sometimes the pill can work to help lessen the horros of a period.

Answer 9

try taking a good pain reliever like ibuprofen before you go out to train. Don't forget to eat something first, or you'll get sick, i know from expireince. If that doesn't work, see if there is a reason your cramps are so bad, i heard it may have to do with your diet.
good luck!

Answer 10

I don't know if this will help or not, but you can get homeopathic drops called "cramp bark". It hasn't helped me like I was praying for, but then I have some other issues 'down there'...give it a try? check with your doctor first in case your taking any other meds that it could interfere with!