Menstrual Disorders

T

toastythemosty

Cathlete
My teenage DD a few weeks ago had a very bad time with her period. I picked her up from school early because she was vomiting and had severe abdominal cramping. She had the very bad cramps for about 3 hours and vomiting too. All the other times she has been somewhat fine. I mean, who feels entirely "fine" anyways during that time, but nothing like this. Should I take her to the doctors or something? She did have some chocolate before her period which she normally doesn't eat (pop tarts). I know when I eat large amounts of chocolates before my time, my periods seem to be alittle worse, but not like my daughter.

Charlotte~~
 
Might be worth getting her checked out. However, dysmenorrhea (painful periods) is not an entirely uncommon condition, and many women who have it are incapacitated by it. I have it pretty bad, but it doesn't make me throw up (thank goodness). I am on the Pill because of it - it's the only thing that reduces the cramps for me. I had a friend when I was in middle school/high school who did get cramps so bad that she would vomit, and would have to stay home from school. When it gets that bad, I think medical intervention is necessary because it's hard for a person to function when they have such severe pain every 28 days.

ETA: Food doesn't really have any effect on my periods, but I know that's a pretty individual thing. If anything, I think chocolate makes me feel better during TTOM. ;)
 
Definitely talk to a doctor about it. Or if you're open to it, an alternative medecine practitioner (acupuncturist, naturopath, etc.) who could suggest some drug-free relief that helps your daughter's body find it's own equilibrium in a more natural way.

My acupuncturist says that one reason women can crave chocolate around TTOM because of the copper content of it, which mimics some hormone (progesterone? I think). Pistachios also have copper in.
That may not help your daughter's situation, but I thought it was an interesting bit of related info.
 
Charlotte ~

When I was a young teen, I had HORRIBLE cramps with my periods. The years from when I was about 12 to 15 were awful once a month. I threw up, wanted to come home from school, and had a VERY heavy flow. My doctor suggested that I go on the pill, but my mother was very concerned about putting me on it, since I was so young. Strangely enough, the severe pain subsided as I aged, and by the time I was 17-18, they weren't that bad.

I would definitely take her. There are so many things out there now to ease the discomfort. He/she may even suggest St John's Wort. I take that and love it!

Sarah
 
I agree with Kathryn. Definitely take her to a doctor's for advice. She needs help. Also, she may be losing a lot of blood and could become anaemic, needing extra iron. Make sure her teacher's at school are aware of it also, discreetly, as there may be times when she is too sick to stay in class or simply needs to go lie down for an hour. They must accommodate her health needs.

Why should she continue to suffer unassisted? Poor thing.

Clare
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I am thinking that she will probably be fine next month as this has only happened once so far, but I am going to take her to the doctors anyways.

Charlotte~~
 
I would take her to the doc. i had this every month for years starting at age 12 and continuing until i began having surgeries for endo. everyone just thought i had "bad cramps" and needed an advilx( Wrong! when the doctors finaly agreed to check me out (didn't want to b/c of my age) they said i had several ovarian cysts rupture and i had endometriosis that was out of control and caused me all kinds of problems. it could have been prevented if i had been checked out sooner. hope she feels better soon. it is an awdul feeling to be in that much pain, vomiting, bloated, weak, cold sweats......i wouldn't do that again for all the money in the world!


jes;)
 
If it were my DD, I'd take her to the doctor too. So many things influence our menstrual cycles (stress, nutrition, weight, etc.).

Autumn
 
I had suffered with severe cramps, vomiting, diarahea and fever from about 13 to 18. I just suffered through it. But as I got older, the problems were not as severe. My daughter who is now 13 and started her cycle at 11, have the same problems as me. I had spoken to her dr about it and she suggested birth control pills, which I disagree with. She also said that if she started taking motrin about a day or 2 before her cycle, that will alleviate the problem. I have heard stories that excessive use of motrin can cause problems with your organs. I went to the health food store and they suggested a powdered magnesium, that relaxes the muscles. Also now that I think of it, I had a male friend who was a vegetarian and he told me to cut out sweets & salt, 2 weeks before my cycle and drink a lot of water. That helped tremendously. I feel so bad for my daughter, cause I know exactly what she is going thru.
 
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