(NSFW) Period question?

Please do see the doctor. It would be presumptuous of me to venture an opinion. If only to deal with the discomfort, let him check you out.

Lying in bed for five days every month does sound like you are way at the end of the Bell curve.

It is unusual for cramps to become that severe suddenly after already having your period for so many years. I think you should see a doctor just for a quick check. Have you ever been to a gynocologist? Are you sexually active?

I started getting cramps around my 4th cycle, my first few periods were painless and very little blood, but then my cramps were very very bad for years. I only cramped the first 24 hours of my period, even though my periods lasted 7 days. So, these things can change as a normal progression, but I would get checked to be sure it is nothing to worry about.

you need to make an appointment right now.

JLealie, I have never seen a gynecologist before, and I am sexually active.

@Vision Why Have not not seen one? Follow the advice of the ladies (and DrBill) and do so NOW!

Rojo, I’ve never had the need to, before now.
I will talk to my mother tomorrow. Thank you all.

Cycles definitely change as you age and cramps can go from nonexistant to being something you can rely on to tell you when your period is coming, but three to five days per month of debilitating cramps is way too much, you should see a doctor. It could be nothing but severe cramps, but just in case, go.

You need to see your gynecologist. Preferably a woman doctor. Describe your pain and how debilitating it is. No, that is not normal.

It’s probably not a major medical issue, but it never hurts to be sure. Also you can line up either some good pain killers or maybe some birth control to ease the cramping.

It’s a good idea to go to the doctor once you are sexually active anyway, so you will be killing two birds with one stone by going. Update us if you can, let us know everything is ok.

Definitely go see a doctor to check things out, but it sounds like what I experienced early on with my endometriosis.

Welcome to Fluther, @Vision. I definitely second above advice to make a gyno appointment. It might be endometriosis, it might be just a really bad version of menstrual cramps, or it might be something else. Awful cramps can indeed appear after months or years of nothing big. Some kinds of low-hormone birth control like the Nuva Ring can really help with cramps. There are also pain meds that a doctor can prescribe. Good luck, hope you figure this out.

@Vision Welcome to fluther. For what it’s worth, I’ve heard fish oil helps reduce the pain and cramping. When my g/f started taking it her pain reduced considerably. Plus it’s good for the heart.

For any parents of teen girls or if you are a teen girl yourself, menstrual cramps that force you to bed for days is not normal and you need to seek medical care if this is happening.

Also, when you become sexually active, you should see your doctor and discuss birth control and health risks associated with sex and have regular check ups of your girly-bits. You don’t just have sex with that person, you are having sex with every person they ever had sex with. My mother put her arm around me and gently told me she was taking me to my doctor. She was brought up ignorant and Catholic and ended up pregnant and married and before she knew it, had 9 kids. She was a good mom, but if she hadn’t been so naive in the late 60’s, I wouldn’t have come into existence.

I have sisters and now their daughters have problems like this and their problem is a somewhat serious issue. There are several things that can cause this and they all require a medical professional to diagnose. Let us know how you go.

I had similar periods to yours a number of years ago. My doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory, and he kept upping the dosage until my periods went away altogether! He seemed to be fine with that, but I knew that THAT was not the result I needed! My body needed to go through its monthly cycle to be healthy!

Then I finally found someone who told me to take magnesium. I learned that magnesium deficiency often results in cramps, and although it’s good for all muscle cramps, it’s especially good on hollow muscles. And guess what? The uterus is a hollow muscle! Try it. If it doesn’t work, you’re not out anything. If it does, you saved yourself a doctor visit!

By the way, my daughter had the same problem a couple of years ago. I gave her magnesium citrate and every other form of magnesium we had in the house. Her symptoms cleared up within two hours.

I had a friend that had cramps like you do, and it was normal for her. But like everyone said, it’s better to check it out. I hope it all goes well for you.

That’s normal.
However if you’re worried I suggest you ask a doctor. Its always nice to get advice from others, but it seems you are worried about this a lot so your best bet would be to go see a doctor. The doctor could give you a clearer answer.