I am 19, and since I began having periods they were always irregular and heavy. I started taking the pill to make them more regular, which worked. However they were still always heavy. Because I was suffering from headaches and migraines, doctors took me off the pill as they said I could have a stroke. But A year ago I started taking it again after seeing a different doctor and telling them it was the only one suited to me as I had no other side effects. I didn't tell them about my headaches, but this made them regular again. A week ago I had my 7day break from the pill and had my period which was heavy and painful as usual. I took the first two days of the pill packet but decided to stop taking it altogether after having bad headaches on the days that I took them. 3 days later, I have really bad period pains and blood clots even though my last period only stopped 3 days ago. I don't want to keep taking the pill as it gives me headaches. Doctors have given me mefanemic acid tablets to reduce the blood but these don't work.

Has anyone else been in this situation?
If so, what have you done...
Do you think I need some sore of internal examination?

I'm not too sure, but have you ever thought you might have endometriosis? All I know is that it's a condition that gives you extremely heavy, painful periods.

I get hell periods as well, fainting, puking, but I've always been able to take medicine to help all that. It's different that you can get rid of the migraines yet you still have a heavy flow.

Like I said, I'm no doctor and not sure, and other kr members know a lot about this stuff, but it might be something to look into.

Also, it's really important to be truthful with your doctor.

I used to get really really bad ones but they got better as I got older. Now I just take the pill non stop because I want to avoid it altogether.

Usually I would just take shitloads of painkillers then lay in the shower, vomiting with the hot water flowing heavily on my stomach until the painkillers kicked in. Can't do this everyday though.

Once I started taking a pill and it gave me a really bad headache so I stopped after a couple of days and that was when I experienced the worst pains I have ever had. Was cramping all over my back and legs etc. Maybe the same is happening to you cause you stopped. It should pass though.

__________________
Juices like wine, like the blood in the sands.

I have been getting really bad periods for years also... dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, weakness, shaking, severe cramps. I have tried to find out why the hell this happens (only on the first day of my period) but haven't had any luck. I've never been on the pill and don't want to take it. Mannequin what medicine are you talking about, just otc stuff like midol?

You could try supplementing with Vitex/Chasteberry instead.

I wanted to stop taking the pill because doctors told me i shouldn't be on it basically. if you get migraines and headaches whilst taking it, it means you are at a higher risk of having a stroke. I usually take anadin ibuprofen tablets... but you can only take 6 in 24 hours.. I usually take 8 or 10 because it's unbearable in the night.

I did come off the pill for about a year and it didn't settle down.. That's why I started taking it in septembe last year.

I need to transfer doctors as I have moved from University now.

You might have endometriosis. My doctors reckon I might have it so they are very keen on me having exploratory surgery to have a look. I am less keen on it.

Basically, if you can't take the combined pill, that doesn't mean you have to suffer. You could try the mini pill or a common treatment for painful heavy periods is the Mirena coil (another thing my gynaecologist wants me to try, but I can't because I need to combined pill to control my asthma- long story). Most people's periods get a lot lighter and 1 in 3 stop having periods on it.

Check it out:
Mirena IUS: Is the Mirena for You?

" Mirena for Heavy Periods

Although the IUS was originally developed as a contraceptive, the discovery that it leads to much lighter periods was a great bonus. Many gynaecologists now suggest the Mirena as a treatment for heavy periods if tablet treatment doesn't work.

After 3 months use, the average blood loss is 85% less, and by 12 months the flow is reduced by 97% every cycle [2]. About one third of women using the IUS will not have any periods at all. Although women initially find it a bit unusual not having periods, it doesn't cause any problems. There is no 'build up' of blood, because the hormone in the IUS prevents the lining of the womb from building up at all. Often it is the excessive thickening of this lining that is the cause of the problems in the first place.

One study looked at 54 women who had heavy periods and were awaiting hysterectomy [3]. They all used the Mirena, and just under 70% were taken off the waiting list because they were happy with the treatment. In another study of 50 similar women, 82% avoided major surgery [4].

The Mirena is now licensed for treating heavy periods, and although this official licensing is relatively new, it has been used 'off-license' for some time in this way."

Talk to your GP about the options- seriously, cause you shouldn't have to keep suffering.

I have terrible periods. Heavy bleeding for days, cramps from hell, all that.

I went to a doctor who gave me an ultrasound, and he said I have fibroids...I'm supposed to have a procedure done, and it should lessen the heavy flow and pain.

See a doctor. Periods like this are simply horrid.

Good luck to you!

Pretty much, I swear by aleve.

HOWEVER, the trick with aleve is that you need to take it AS SOON AS you feel pain. If you take it too late it will literally do nothing.

I had a friend's mom who had horrendous periods, fainting and all that, and I had the same thing so she recommended aleve and I've taken aleve for every single period.

I fainted at a friend's house once, and that's when I started thinking about the pill. They're hesitant to put me on it, though, because my aunt and grandma had breast cancer and apparently it will increase my chances, since there's a family history.

I've not heard of aleve, how come no doctor ever offered it to me when I went there begging for anything to make me feel better? Mine aren't so bad atm, but I don't want to get my hopes up because this has happened before and then they've gone bad again.

Anyway, the only thing anyone's ever offered me is mefenamic acid, which I have to take a week before and during for it to really have any slight effect; when I say this, everyone tries to pressure me to go on the pill. I feel like I still spend half my life with some related symptom.

Periods are rubbish, you have loads of my sympathy.

exercising frequently helps

When's the last time you saw your ob/gyn? If you're on the pill and it isn't helping ask for an IUC. They insert a plastic device into your ueterus to defy pregnancy. It also changes your cycle. My sister-in-law likes it.

__________________
ignorance is no excuse for stupidity

I forgot to say IUC means Intra-uterine contraceptive. In the 70s they had these made of metal or s'thing... IUDs (intra-uterine device).

__________________
ignorance is no excuse for stupidity

It's not a prescription medication. It's also a brand name of a drug called naproxen.

__________________
ignorance is no excuse for stupidity

Its not been licensed for use in the UK really. Earlier this year they stuck it in one product, Feminax Ultra, but that is the only way you will get hold of it. I had some from the US, but to be honest I didn't find it to be a massive help. But then I think my womb is beyond help.

Sex...

If you have good hard quality sex when the period begins the rest of the period will be less painful....

Try it...

I saw my gyn about 2month ago. I had everything checked (stis and all that) and I was fine in that area...

I've heard about the coil thing that they insert inside you, but I'm not sure if I want something put inside me...

I know it's kind of contradicting to say that as I have been putting hormones in my body for the past few years. I have tried something similar to the mini pill too... I just couln't do with that because if you didn't take it within a similar time slot everyday, I ended up with breakthrough bleeding...

And as for zoanthropy's response, fuck off... you clearly havn'teven had sex yourself yet.. and probably never will...

This is also part of your problem....

1. You must start to think happy thoughts
2. Stop being so angry

Doing the above may help you with feeling less pain...

I would reccomend a nice long talk with the gyno.
There's loads of treatments for these problems. Eventually, you'll surely find one that works for you. It just takes patience.