Menstrual problems
 

Hi, everybody. I'm 20 and find that menstrual time is uncomfortable and difficult and gets in the way of my everyday life. I haven't started working as of yet and don't think I'd be able to cope as I'd have to have at least five days off every three weeks.

I have heard of a pill called Lybril (or something like that) that stops menstruation temporarely until you come off it and would find this helpful as my menstruation really gets me down and is painful.

Could anyone recommend a treatment or have heard of this pill?

Thanks in advance for any advice and experiences regarding any treatments.

Pabloh,

Have you had any testing or procedures? I am just asking because of going through YEARS of endometriosis and infertility beginning in my 20's. Anyway, before taking a pill I would find out the cause first. A long time ago my Reproductive Endocrinologist told me that yes, while menstrual cramps are painful, they shouldn't be so severe as mine were. Soooo...I probably had endometriosis in my teens...just didn't know it then. I would just get checked out and let the doc know what you are going through. Back in the day all I could do was to take Tylenol and was put on the "the pill" which did help. But never knew I had this other until I tried to get pregnant. Just a thought. :)

Thanks for your advice, Kathi49. :)

I haven't been to my GP at all about my menstrual problem and haven't had any procedures done.

I have heard of a variety of procedures that can be done, including endometrial ablation which I have heard can be effective in making menstruation lighter and less painful.

I would preferably like to be rid of my menstruation altogether as it completely stops me doing my general day-to-day things which is why the Lybril pill sounds good to me and still would like to know if anybody has had it and any experiences. By the way I suffer from miegrain and apparently some pills are not suitable for miegrain sufferers and wondered if anyone else has suffered with miegrains and actually been able to take a pill or Lybril.

Pabloh,

Talk with your GP or preferably an ob/gyn. A friend of mine just had the endometrial ablation done but she is in her 40's and there was just cause for it. I don't know...being only 20 I would think twice about turning things on and off without just cause. And I just mean menstruation is a naturally occuring function. It is possible that you could have more issues down the road. And I do understand about the migraines and pills. But please, talk with the doc first and see what he or she might recommend. Again, you could have something else going on that you just don't know about yet. I'll put it this way. My own daughter is 24 and if she wanted to stop her menstruation because of pain and maybe continuous bleeding, I would DEFINITELY advise her to talk to the doc first. I would hate to hear her say she just wants to stop her cycle because it interferes with her life. Again, pain or cramps that bad should be checked out...it is not normal to have them for that long and that bad. Okay, I don't want to sound like I am telling you WHAT to do. But, please check with an ob/gyn for their advice/recommendation. I guess just having been down the road with Endo and Infertililty, I would hate to see someone as young as yourself have problems down the road.

I agree with kathi,
you really should have a gynecology check up to make sure there are no other problems. Then you and the dr can discuss what would be the best treatment plan for you..

Thanks for your help and advice, Kathi49 and Jo55. :)

I understand the fact it is natural but it shouldn't interfere with people's lives if it's natural? Just a thought.

I also understand the fact and agree with you on the fact that I am young and not to make myself infertile as I may want children of my own. I haven't got a boyfriend yet, that's probably a long way off.

Work and career is what'll probably come first as I can't see me getting a boyfriend anytime soon.

Would work sack me if I kept having a 5 days to a week off every three weeks? Would they understand about this and keep me? I don't know. That is what I'm worried about.

I have thought about going to my GP but they'll probably just tell me 'it's natural'. I could try and see a gyn.

Thanks once again, Kathi49 and Jo55 for your help and advice. :)

Pabloh,

Your boss or company should be understanding provided you have a doctor's excuse for appointments, etc. :) But, please, go to an ob/gyn NOT a GP. The GP just will refer you out anyway. Besides, it is not their area of expertise IF there are problems. The main thing is to get an ob/gyn right away so that you won't have this ongoing problem. I wouldn't worry too much about work at the moment. Just explain, diplomatically of course, what is wrong IF they ask. Hang in there. :)

Lybril or other long duration birth control pills like Seasonale, work for some women. However, for some others they may not be a good idea. So you have to discuss this with your doctor.
If you smoke, they may not be a good idea for you.
Also if you have any clotting disorders, or other hormone issues such as PCOS, you may not be a candidate.

Discuss this with a good OB-GYN doctor.
It seems fairly common today, for young women to have frequent periods. You should get a good check up and have your Iron tested, before considering a long duration birth control pill.

There is a connection between estrogen dominance and thyroid malfunctions. Also heavy bleeding, suggests you are not ovulating, and making progesterone for the last half of your cycle.
Your OB can run blood tests to see if this is a factor for you. Then you go from there with treatment.

Hi Pabloh,

Everyone gave great advice!

Can you tell me when you get your periods is the bleeding very thick and clotted.

You absolutely need to see a GYN, not a primary care doc.

They will offer you several options.

I have had heavy bleeding and cramping and it got so bad that the yuchy feeling and bloating almost lasted 3 of the four weeks of the month.

When you are getting your period you body produces prostaglandgins which give the cramps and the pain we feel when it comes to periods. NASIDS work the best on these prostaglangins but also borage oil helped me a little.

I was dx with endometriosis and had a lap done and it has relieved many symptoms. I still have a day of a heavy period but its much better

And Mrsd is right...the heavy bleeding can be a sign of estrogen dominance.

Estrogen dominance is pretty common these days given there are xeno estrogens and phytoestrogens in many foods we eat.

Estrogen dominance is related to thryoid dysfunction and insulsin resistance. Do you know if your triglycerides or cholesterol are high? Have you ever had a 2 hour insulin and glucose test.

I do have to say my endocrinologist was right. When I started to control my insulsin resistance and sugar my period problems decreased.

And MRsd is right about the iron deficiency. I was ctually iron anemic due to my menstrual bleeding and take a prescription iron supplement called repliva.

I also have hormonal migraines and get a migraine like clockwork twice a month...at ovulation when estrogen levels dip and by the second day of my period when estrogen dips. I take Fiorcet (which is an old medicine) for my migaines, its the only thing that works for me.

I was also on the pill for roughly 15 of the last 20 years from my 20's to my early 40's. There are many pills today that help the symptoms you are feeling and also the migraines (they have a lower dose estrogen only pill that during the week you get your period to help you avoid the migraine). And docs do say that its fine (unless there are other health issues) for you to have only 4 periods a year and they have pills that address that.

So I urge you to talk to your GYN. They can help you craft a plan.

To the original poster:
you didn't give a whole lot of information, but, I am wondering what types of pain relieving medications you have tried. In your post you didn't mention any. A LOT of women usually feel some sort of degree and cramping and yuckiness and take motrin/advil for the first few days of their cycles---it can do wonders and take the edge off it so you aren't quite so uncomfortable. I usually always took advil for the first day or two to get me through the worst of it....

Also, you didn't go into how many days your cycle is, how often, etc etc so, its hard for anyone to really give you an idea of "normal" --especially when there are so many varying degrees of normal.

I also echo the other posters: you REALLY need to talk to someone about how you are feeling. Most likely your GP will send you to a GYN, but, in some case, a GP will or can do an exam to see if everything looks normal and give you some suggestions and common things to try-- at first; if you are very opposed to seeing a GYN. Please do not be embarrassed to talk to your GP about it--- they have dealt with all things that come with the human body and there is 99.9 % chance they have heard, seen, and had some degree of experience with female issues .

If possible, I would suggest you try to see a GYN too. They can sometimes help determine what is normal and what is not; if it looks like it may not--- they can do testing; and in any case, help figure out the best way to deal with it-- whether it be some sort of pain medication, birth control, etc.

Getting your hormones checked is also a very good idea-- simple blood tests and if it happends to be something is out of sync with them; it is usually fairly easy to fix.

I would not do something so drastic as doing things to make your cycle stop completely. Just because you are in your 20's and want a career and don't have a boyfriend right now; there can and probably will come a time in your life when you may be in a relationship and want to have a child. Nowdays, women are having babies into their mid to late 30's even. Who knows what the future may bring; BUT, if you do something so drastically and with out a medical reason (most doctors will not do any long term procedures on people so young anyway) and later on you decide you want a baby, then what ? (yes I know there is adoption..... )

As far as birth control, I was on BC for about 5 yrs. Never on Lybril, but there is a pill called Seasonique (sp ? ) that gives you a period only once every 3 or 4 months. Even with regular birth control pills, often times dr's will "ok" a woman to skip the last week of pills-- the placebo/non active (basically contain just fillers that have no effect on the preventing pregnancy--- just allows your body to have a period) pills from time to time. I did it from time to time, with my doctors permission....

You have so many options avaliable to you.

But, before you do anything, talk to a dr about what is going on-- let them figure out if what you are experiencing is in the normal range, or if more testing needs to be done. Hang in there and try not to worry too much !

L2L :)