PDA

View Full Version : PCOS irregular periods and pain?



youngwife
03-24-2009, 02:00 PM
I'm just curious if I'm the only one here...
I've always had irregular periods since the very beginning. There was a time that I went without a period for 6 months straight. I'm not sure how significant that really is. My mom did some research which lead me to assume and attribute it to the very disrupted sleep that I was getting in my college dorm life.... it finally came back again when I was finally getting proper sleep.
However since the beginning I have also always had severe cramps. They seemed to get worse over the years, for a time I had counted that they would begin a week before and continue all the way through the week after I had my period. They were painful enough during the first couple days of my period I needed some sort of pain reliever to help me make it through my day... once on birth control the pain seemed to become more manageable however still held its duration. It eventually became a norm to me... however last year I began to notice that the periods were becoming more and more painful per period. It got to the point where I could not even drag myself out of bed for the day until I had taken something that could help me pull myself out so that I could hobble around enough to get some water, or use the rest room. Still leaving me completely indisposed for a good full day... (during the period when this happened I was not on birth control due to lack of insurance at the time)
I finally went to the doctor with this problem and her answer was simply that I must get back on birth control, and to make sure that I start taking alieve before the cramps began. I tried to explain to her that this was very difficult to gage, because my periods have always been irregular, even when on birth control, yet her answer still remained the same.
Being back on birth control the pain has been alleviated slightly making it a little easier on those big days when I first get my period. I'm just curious, is this normal for one having PCOS? Or is this signs of something else all together? I tried to push the issue with my doctor, ... on finding out what is really going on, however her answer seems to be that in birth control and other pharmesuticals rather than seeking out a problem. Which is very frustrating.

drshana
03-28-2009, 11:40 AM
I'm just curious if I'm the only one here...
I've always had irregular periods since the very beginning. There was a time that I went without a period for 6 months straight. I'm not sure how significant that really is. My mom did some research which lead me to assume and attribute it to the very disrupted sleep that I was getting in my college dorm life.... it finally came back again when I was finally getting proper sleep.
However since the beginning I have also always had severe cramps. They seemed to get worse over the years, for a time I had counted that they would begin a week before and continue all the way through the week after I had my period. They were painful enough during the first couple days of my period I needed some sort of pain reliever to help me make it through my day... once on birth control the pain seemed to become more manageable however still held its duration. It eventually became a norm to me... however last year I began to notice that the periods were becoming more and more painful per period. It got to the point where I could not even drag myself out of bed for the day until I had taken something that could help me pull myself out so that I could hobble around enough to get some water, or use the rest room. Still leaving me completely indisposed for a good full day... (during the period when this happened I was not on birth control due to lack of insurance at the time)
I finally went to the doctor with this problem and her answer was simply that I must get back on birth control, and to make sure that I start taking alieve before the cramps began. I tried to explain to her that this was very difficult to gage, because my periods have always been irregular, even when on birth control, yet her answer still remained the same.
Being back on birth control the pain has been alleviated slightly making it a little easier on those big days when I first get my period. I'm just curious, is this normal for one having PCOS? Or is this signs of something else all together? I tried to push the issue with my doctor, ... on finding out what is really going on, however her answer seems to be that in birth control and other pharmesuticals rather than seeking out a problem. Which is very frustrating.

Dear Youngwife,

Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) and irregular periods can be symptoms of PCOS. However, dysmenorrhea can also be caused by uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts and endometriosis. Have you ever had a pelvic ultrasound? This can sometimes be very helpful in ruling out fibroids and cysts.

Some nice home remedies to alleviate cramping include using a heating pad on your abdomen, pelvic area, or back (wherever the cramping is worst). Also, you can use a "castor oil pack" on the painful area. This involves soaking a piece of flannel or cotton in castor oil, placing it directly on the skin over the affected area, cover it with another cloth, and put a heating pad on top of that. This is a nice gentle way to reduce inflammation, and works well for some people. Leave on the castor oil pack for up to an hour and you can do this every day if you want, while the pain lasts.

Some people are helped by taking a calcium-magnesium supplement, too.

I would love to hear back from you. Also, you are welcome to email me direct at drsspector@insulitelabs.com

youngwife
04-03-2009, 01:50 AM
Thank you for replying drshana.
I have not had a pelvic ultrasound... I've been told I should by family members who know of some of my issues, but it's never really been brought to that point at the doctors office. Is this something I should definitely consider pursuing?
I have been using a heating pad for quite some time for my periods, and it definitely does help... sometimes not enough though. I think will try the castor oil that you suggested and see how that helps.
I think that I will also check into the supplements. I am a little leary however with supplements because my stomach tends to not handle very well. However the supplement system that you guys provide doesn't seem to bother me...?
Thank you so much for your reply.

drshana
04-05-2009, 03:34 PM
Thank you for replying drshana.
I have not had a pelvic ultrasound... I've been told I should by family members who know of some of my issues, but it's never really been brought to that point at the doctors office. Is this something I should definitely consider pursuing?
I have been using a heating pad for quite some time for my periods, and it definitely does help... sometimes not enough though. I think will try the castor oil that you suggested and see how that helps.
I think that I will also check into the supplements. I am a little leary however with supplements because my stomach tends to not handle very well. However the supplement system that you guys provide doesn't seem to bother me...?
Thank you so much for your reply.

Dear Youngwife,

I'm glad to hear that the heating pads give you some relief. I do recommend you speaking with your doctor regarding a pelvic ultrasound. It is a quick and routine procedure that can relay good information.

I hope this is helpful!

youngwife
04-05-2009, 08:12 PM
This is VERY helpful! Thanks. I have been debating for some time whether or not to pursue something like a pelvic ultrasound due to my limited knowledge with this. Sometimes I tend to talk myself into thinking that it's all in my head. This is something I will step forward in then. Thanks again! Is this something my regular doctor should be able to do?

drshana
04-06-2009, 08:58 AM
This is VERY helpful! Thanks. I have been debating for some time whether or not to pursue something like a pelvic ultrasound due to my limited knowledge with this. Sometimes I tend to talk myself into thinking that it's all in my head. This is something I will step forward in then. Thanks again! Is this something my regular doctor should be able to do?


Hi there!

Primary care physicians can send you for a pelvic ultrasound or you could make an appointment with a gynecologist.