Women only - horrible periods, how do you deal?
By maezee
@maezee (41997)
United States
July 12, 2011 4:16pm CST
I'm sure this discussion has been done over and over, but being that today I am having a horrible period day, I thought I would start a discussion about it. May be slightly TMI for you guys out there with weak stomachs...Beware...
Anyway, I haven't had health insurance for the past 6 or 7 months or so, meaning I also haven't had birth control for that same amount of time, which has caused me to get back into these horrible periods. On Nuvaring, it was a breeze. 2-3 days of a period, which you can totally control when you get it (probably not the best thing to do, but we all do it at some point or another), a really light flow, barely any cramps or symptoms, etc. It was fabulous.
Now the past six months or so it has been horrible, much like I used to have it before the days of BC. Crazy flow, nausea, cramps, dizzyness, stomach aches, extreme fatigue, and a garden variety of other side effects to this horrible gift from mother nature.
Anyway, I will not have insurance for another few months. I am seriously struggling here. What are some things I can do to help myself through this? I try to take a multi-vitamin with iron each day (esp. when I'm on my period), I try to drink a lot of water (not sure what this does, but i figure it must be good), and I try to walk/do crunches to help allieviate the cramping. But is there any kind of 'at-home' remedies to make your periods lighter and less painful? What are some things you've tried and that have worked for you?
(Losing weight is an obvious answer to..I'm working on it but not making very much progress..)
Let's girls band together to help eachother through these terrible terrible periods... 
. Any tips or advice is SINCERELY appreciated!
. Any tips or advice is SINCERELY appreciated!7 responses
@neededhope (1085)
• United States
12 Jul 11
hmm. I would say i'm one for all nature way. But my last period was horrible it had me in tears. I finally decided to try Midol and let me tell ya it's the BEST stuff EVER! I wasn't bloated and no cramps or back aches. The flow was a bit heavier but it was over in 3 days.
Also if you want to be on birth control there usually free clinics that you can go to for free woman exams and they'll give you birth control or ones that are less expensive. May help till you get your insurance back. :)
@angie20 (191)
• Philippines
13 Jul 11
I share the same sentiments with maezee. I felt really terrible whenever I have my period. It make me vomit and sick. My parents advised me not to drink cold liquids few days before my upcoming period. I watch my sleeping habit and make it sure that I'm not really stress. I don't know but some said there is a probable effect of stress toward horrible periods. I eat a lot of veggies and fruits to have enough vitamins. Well, those are the things that I do before my actual period but when I am attacked it's a different story. I take reliever medicines to lessen the pain. I put hot compress on my lower abdomen to ease the tremendous attack of pain. Lastly, I sleep so that I can't feel the pain. But, it is better to consult a specialist to give you a better prescription. Happy periods! ^_^
@Soleil05 (136)
• United States
13 Jul 11
Try not to drink as much water as usual before the days of your period, as this will increase your blood flow. Also, I used to heavy a really heavy flow on the first day only of my period... it was horrible :( I searched and found a solution - and I found a herb called shepherds purse!! I bought it on Amazon and I only drink one cup of tea made of this herb one the day when I usually have my heayiest flow and it really reduces it... it also helped with the cramps and overall discomfort :)
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
12 Jul 11
A hot bath or shower with music that calms you. Heat helps the muscles to relax. I found a great heating pad that is made of wet clay. you put it in the microwave for 40 seconds and it stays warm for at least 30 minutes. It has a strong elastic band so you can keep it in place and still move and be active.
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
13 Jul 11
Old folks have recommended eating food with a lot of sugar or try eating brown sugar. This would let the blood out that they said causes menstrual cramp. I didn't believe it at first but then there's nothing wrong in trying and it worked for me. Try eating lots of chocolates during your menstrual period especially during the first two days. Exercise is best too and if you are in pain put some warm bottle of water on your abdomen, but make sure you wrap them in a towel if you don't want to get burned.
Right now i'm using a sanitary pad that is called Love Moon Anion, it has some ions in it that stops all menstrual suffering including headache, nausea, etc and even UTI. It's more expensive than ordinary pads but if it takes all the pain away and makes me healthy, why not! Try to check it out over the net and you will see its useful benefits to your body.
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Jul 11
Two things I use are Colloidial Silver and Coconut Oil. Look them up they help with a massive number of things! I have my period with taking those for 3 days usually, sometimes less. I do not have any cramps and I don't get too tired either. They work amazing! 
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
12 Jul 11
Well, I don't think there are any home remedies to make your periods lighter, or shorter... but when I get bad cramps, I use heat to aleviate the pain and it works.
When I am having horrible cramps, I take a nice really warm bath (not scalding hot though) making sure I soak my belly area and back where the cramps are.
Also, you can use a hot water bottle and lay it on your tummy while laying in bed.
To reduce the pain some more, I take Midol, or some sort of pain reliever like Tylenol extra strength.
