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lurkette · 01-27-2005, 07:39 AM

Definitely get it checked out. Any changes in your cycle should be checked out by a doctor. The cramps could be due to hormonal changes, or they could be due to some kind of medical cause like endometriosis or fibroids. Going on the pill should help, and there are so many formulations of the pill out there that you should be able to find one that works for you with minimal side effects. I used to get cramps that would literally drop me to the floor and keep me up all night. Even ibuprofen didn't do more than take the edge off.

One simple thing you can do to ease cramps is to change your diet. Cramps that aren't caused by some kind of medical condition are generally caused by excess prostaglandins that stimulate severe muscle contractions. Avoiding foods that produce prostaglandins (dairy, processed meats) can really help. Here's a good article on some simple dietary things (like taking magnesium) that you can do to ease cramps: http://www.jivemagazine.com/column.php?pid=1982

And here's some very basic information on dysmenorrhea (painful periods): http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-.../mencramp.html

I've been on a steady-dose continuous pill for a couple of years now, and I've adopted a semi-vegetarian diet (I still eat meat, but only probably 2-3 times/week). When I do have my period, which is only 3-4 times a year, it's completely bearable.

01-27-2005, 07:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
lurkette My future is coming on Moderator Emeritus Location: east of the sun and west of the moon	Definitely get it checked out. Any changes in your cycle should be checked out by a doctor. The cramps could be due to hormonal changes, or they could be due to some kind of medical cause like endometriosis or fibroids. Going on the pill should help, and there are so many formulations of the pill out there that you should be able to find one that works for you with minimal side effects. I used to get cramps that would literally drop me to the floor and keep me up all night. Even ibuprofen didn't do more than take the edge off. One simple thing you can do to ease cramps is to change your diet. Cramps that aren't caused by some kind of medical condition are generally caused by excess prostaglandins that stimulate severe muscle contractions. Avoiding foods that produce prostaglandins (dairy, processed meats) can really help. Here's a good article on some simple dietary things (like taking magnesium) that you can do to ease cramps: http://www.jivemagazine.com/column.php?pid=1982 And here's some very basic information on dysmenorrhea (painful periods): http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-.../mencramp.html I've been on a steady-dose continuous pill for a couple of years now, and I've adopted a semi-vegetarian diet (I still eat meat, but only probably 2-3 times/week). When I do have my period, which is only 3-4 times a year, it's completely bearable. __________________ "If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France Last edited by lurkette; 01-27-2005 at 07:42 AM..