Have you tried one of the birth control methods that prevents you from menstuating? If you don't want kids in the next 5 years (or ever) you could try the IUD. Several of my friends have it and LOVE IT. No periods, no pain, no babies. Kind of expensive to get it put in, but it amortizes to about $12 a month over the five years, I think, and insurance MAY cover it.
Even the ones that allow you to have periods (like the pill) help me a lot, but they also have really negative side-effects for me. So anything other than a physical barrier is, I'm afraid, out of the question for me.
Have you tried all the different pills out there? There are so many new ones now, I totally recommend giving it another shot. When I first got on the pill, I used Ortho-Cept.. and it was AWFUL: weight gain, acne, nausea... Then they moved me to Ortho-Tri-Cyclen... and it was a godsend. I loved it. But that doesn't work for some people either, and I've heard lots of rec's for Yasmine? Jasmine? something like that. You should reconsider...trust me. This is coming from someone who knows cramps and migraines like nobody's business.
I got the impression that if I screw with my hormones in any way, my body was going to rise up against me. I seem to be mostly screwed when it comes to that option.
I totally agree with you. It is complete and under bullshit.
I look at the field of medicine and wonder when they are going to really try to find something to help us ladies. The cramping, the bloating, and the just all together feeling like crap is getting out of hand.
The only reason I can some what through it is my good friend vicodin. Now did my gyno give me that..no she said I should take aleve(this coming from another woman. I wanted to punch her in the face). I have a lovely neurologist who gives me the vicodin for my migraines, but I use it for this as well. I would be lost without it. Oh my other favorite thing was when she told me the cramps would go away after I have children. Thank you bitch for being so thoughtful. I am not married and I want to wait to start a family, so it makes me feel great to know because I am single(un-married) and without children I am meant to suffer. ASSHATS!!
I keep hearing that about female gynos, that they're worse than the guys! And what IS up with the "just pop out a baby" thing? I mean.. hey, might work for the cramps, but then you've got stretchmarks and babies to deal with. Not like.. the best cure for the problem, in my eyes.
Luckily ibuprofen is usually enough to keep the cramps tolerable, but it does nothing for the rest of the issues I have. Most of the time I don't need stronger stuff, but I have some Darvocet I hoard JUST in case.
The pop out a baby thing is total bullshit. My mother's cramps got WORSE after she had us, not better. I've never met a single woman with serious menstrual cramps who has said that they went away after birth.
Bull. Shit.
And yes... women doctors are far worse. My last one watched me break into tears in her office and actually bullied me with the threat "You're going to have to just suck it up unless you want to have a hystorectomy. You don't want me to have to do that, do you?"
Seriously. Fucking. Bitch.
Mine have gotten a lot better since my surgery, but I still have a huge stash of muscle relaxants and I still spend several days a month incapacitated.
sometimes I think women who have never had cramp issues (yep they exist) are worse in the sympathy department than guys. most guys can at least conceive (heh) that woman have organs that they just don't have. but women who don't get cramps seem to automatically assume that everyone else is making it up, because, you know, they don't get them.
I was/am one of the lucky ducks that did respond well to the pill as far as cramps went, but I remember those days when they were so bad that OTHER bodily functions were not behaving so well either.
I would also be in the exact same position (well, not exactly right this moment, but in general of course).
However, my doctors actually got me Anaprox -- which for me, works wonders -- which is good because otherwise I litereally get sick, I throw up - I get really light headed and of course massive cramps.
My mum's been on it for years, hence how I knew about it. It apparently can cause some stomach upset, but I have never had any issues with it. But basically, it's just a really strong anti-inflamatory.
the ring. low dose. don't have to take it daily. and oooooo fun. try it. I love it. in fact it is time for the 6 month ring update.
anyway, my femal gyno is freaking awesome and has done things for me that my old male gyno never did...like talk to me. the guy once told me I was getting fat!!!! she rocks though. if you aren't happy with the one you have CHANGE!
I really think even low dose wouldn't cut it for me. I could be wrong, but even the lowest dose BCP's gave me issues.
Oh and.. hehe, I don't HAVE a gyno right now. Once I quit the birth control pills, I figured.. screw 'em, I'm young and monogamous and recent research indicates going yearly at my age probably isn't necessary. *shrug*
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I got the impression that if I screw with my hormones in any way, my body was going to rise up against me. I seem to be mostly screwed when it comes to that option.
Reply
I look at the field of medicine and wonder when they are going to really try to find something to help us ladies. The cramping, the bloating, and the just all together feeling like crap is getting out of hand.
The only reason I can some what through it is my good friend vicodin. Now did my gyno give me that..no she said I should take aleve(this coming from another woman. I wanted to punch her in the face). I have a lovely neurologist who gives me the vicodin for my migraines, but I use it for this as well.
I would be lost without it.
Oh my other favorite thing was when she told me the cramps would go away after I have children. Thank you bitch for being so thoughtful. I am not married and I want to wait to start a family, so it makes me feel great to know because I am single(un-married) and without children I am meant to suffer. ASSHATS!!
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Luckily ibuprofen is usually enough to keep the cramps tolerable, but it does nothing for the rest of the issues I have. Most of the time I don't need stronger stuff, but I have some Darvocet I hoard JUST in case.
Mostly I'm just tired of being female!!
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Bull. Shit.
And yes... women doctors are far worse. My last one watched me break into tears in her office and actually bullied me with the threat "You're going to have to just suck it up unless you want to have a hystorectomy. You don't want me to have to do that, do you?"
Seriously. Fucking. Bitch.
Mine have gotten a lot better since my surgery, but I still have a huge stash of muscle relaxants and I still spend several days a month incapacitated.
*hugs*
I'll drug you if you need it. ;)
-Bree
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I was/am one of the lucky ducks that did respond well to the pill as far as cramps went, but I remember those days when they were so bad that OTHER bodily functions were not behaving so well either.
Reply
However, my doctors actually got me Anaprox -- which for me, works wonders -- which is good because otherwise I litereally get sick, I throw up - I get really light headed and of course massive cramps.
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My mum's been on it for years, hence how I knew about it. It apparently can cause some stomach upset, but I have never had any issues with it. But basically, it's just a really strong anti-inflamatory.
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Well, ok, not just for you. But I do agree that it's really unfair.
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And bonding.. great idea! I can picture the conversations now. ;)
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anyway, my femal gyno is freaking awesome and has done things for me that my old male gyno never did...like talk to me. the guy once told me I was getting fat!!!! she rocks though. if you aren't happy with the one you have CHANGE!
Reply
Oh and.. hehe, I don't HAVE a gyno right now. Once I quit the birth control pills, I figured.. screw 'em, I'm young and monogamous and recent research indicates going yearly at my age probably isn't necessary. *shrug*
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