ladies, it's that time of the month nvr
Posted by laurabs on Jan 08, 2008 · Member since Jul 2006 · 2610 posts
after many years, it's that time of the month for me. (I haven't had to deal with this because of my low weight - my GP just put me on birth control pills for my bones and to get the hormones back on track . so things are... working again - too much info? whatever) it's been so long, I don't really know how to deal.
I'm not feeling good about this - it's been so convenient to not be bleeding for a week every month. but it's natural. and it's healthy. besides, I can join the diva club now!
what do you guys do to ease things? what helps with cramps, cravings, etc?
Oh, and I second the pampering yourself bit of advice!
Shower, take a tylenol, and then go back to bed. When you wake up, put on a facemask, paint your nails, try out your special lotion, whatever. And get a hot water bottle. Man, they're great, and not just for periods. For snuggling up to on winter nights in bed, too.
Agreed!!
yes! I do have a hot water bottle - and I think it was the only reason I was able to get to sleep last night. too bad I can't strap the thing to my stomach and take it to class... that would look a little funny.
hmm. I really like the idea of pampering - I could use it. I indulged in a little chocolate, which always makes things better - don't you think? and I wore a new sweater, one that I haven't yet (I got it for christmas and think it's really cute), because well... I wanted to feel good about something ::)
I will officially join the diva club, once I can find a place that sells diva cups! I know of a few places in my hometown, but where I go to school? I don't even know if they've heard of them here...
But I know that there are some yoga positions you can do to help with cramps, the only one I've done/heard of is to sit on your knees, put your head on the ground and your hands clasped above your head. It works for me
Be careful with some yoga poses, though--some can make cramps uber bad! I don't know much about yoga, but I know that I went to a yoga class w/ a friend once when I was on my period and holy shit, I had the worst cramps of my life afterward! I read later that certain poses should not be practiced by women who are menstruating. Ooops...
The only poses that you want to avoid are inverted poses, i.e when you are upside down. At least that is what my Yoga teacher tells me and she is a midwife so I think she has a pretty good idea.
Edit- I did not read your post vz sorry for the repeat
yes! I do have a hot water bottle - and I think it was the only reason I was able to get to sleep last night. too bad I can't strap the thing to my stomach and take it to class... that would look a little funny.
hmm. I really like the idea of pampering - I could use it. I indulged in a little chocolate, which always makes things better - don't you think? and I wore a new sweater, one that I haven't yet (I got it for christmas and think it's really cute), because well... I wanted to feel good about something ::)
I will officially join the diva club, once I can find a place that sells diva cups! I know of a few places in my hometown, but where I go to school? I don't even know if they've heard of them here...
They sell thingsthat are like heating pads that you can wear all day. They're similar to the ones that they sell fo your back, only you sitck them to your underoos. They stay hot for 6-8 hours. I have no idea what's in them and I haven't bought them for years. But I remember them.
yes! I do have a hot water bottle - and I think it was the only reason I was able to get to sleep last night. too bad I can't strap the thing to my stomach and take it to class... that would look a little funny.
hmm. I really like the idea of pampering - I could use it. I indulged in a little chocolate, which always makes things better - don't you think? and I wore a new sweater, one that I haven't yet (I got it for christmas and think it's really cute), because well... I wanted to feel good about something ::)
I will officially join the diva club, once I can find a place that sells diva cups! I know of a few places in my hometown, but where I go to school? I don't even know if they've heard of them here...
They sell thingsthat are like heating pads that you can wear all day. They're similar to the ones that they sell fo your back, only you sitck them to your underoos. They stay hot for 6-8 hours. I have no idea what's in them and I haven't bought them for years. But I remember them.
Yeah! I used to wear one of those when I had to go to work or class & was feeling icky (they're super-thin; like an ultra-thin maxi pad for your tummy, back, etc.)... I remember wearing one once just because it was a freezing cold day & it kept me warm. ::) ;D It's been awhile, and I wouldn't use them again unless I found out what's in them that makes them warm, but I do remember it being nice...
I have a hot water bottle thing that is designed to look like a fuzzy little lamb. It is so cute, and just the sight of it always makes me feel better! Like cuddling up with a stuffed animal... ;)
i use those stick on heaters every month. On my tummy and my lower back. They are extremely effective. They are air activated and to tell you the truth, I don't know whats in them, but if not for them, I couldn't get out of bed some days. :-\
from the thermacare heat wrap web site:
ThermaCare HeatWraps are made of soft layers of material that contain
heat-generating ingredients (iron, charcoal, table salt, and water) that heat up when exposed to oxygen in the air.
ThermaCare gets warm, and stays warm for 8 hours, penetrating deep to relax tight muscles so circulation flows in—helping pain flow out.
When you open the ThermaCare pouch, the wrap will begin to warm immediately and will reach its therapeutic temperature of approximately 40º C (104º F) within 30 minutes. ThermaCare delivers 8 hours of controlled, therapeutic heat to provide effective relief right at the source of muscular aches and joint pain. Also, experience the temporary pain relief from arthritis. Each wrap is for one-time use only and can be disposed of in your trash.
they are nice in the winter!! :)
another way to make a cheap "hot pack" is to put some dry rice in a old tube sock or sew a little "pillowcase" for it. you can nuke it in the microwave to warm it up. flax seeds can also be used in them.
bp....you are so martha stewart. ;D
or you are indeed nesting!
but wearing a rotten flax seed tube sock tied around my waist isnt so cute. ;D
another way to make a cheap "hot pack" is to put some dry rice in a old tube sock or sew a little "pillowcase" for it. you can nuke it in the microwave to warm it up. flax seeds can also be used in them.
My mom has made those for years--we call them "rice bags" (creative, right? ::) ). They work great for everything from cramps to neck pain. We used a washcloth folded in half and sewn. My mom even got fancy and made "pillowcases" for them so you could wash them w/out having to take the rice out.
the good thing about taking bc is that you can usually find one level of hormones that will get rid of the cramps and moodieness and cravings.
this is generally speaking from me, a girl with a really bad memory with a best friend who is obsessed with being a dula and getting prego. she knows all this stuff, and tells me, but i forget some parts.
ladies, is this correct? is this generally what happens with bc?
I've heard this - unfortunately, it's not working that way for me! I just popped a couple of ibuprofen tablets. I'm hoping they'll ease my cramps so I can get to sleep tonight.
I can't thank you all enough. I still feel icky, physically, but I'm not so scared anymore - I'll be fine. I'm a part of a pretty darn awesome club, to boot.
I feel supported, and more at ease about this (natural) part of being a woman.
:chicken: <-- this little chickin thanks you
when i was on the patch, i still got really bad cramps and my periods actually got worse, i let my midwife know, and she recommended taking a lower hormone level, which is where i am now, using the nuva ring, and now my cramps went away! i think one just has to find the right hormone level, nuva ring has the least, pills are in the middle and the patch is at the high end of hormones.
but wearing a rotten flax seed tube sock tied around my waist isnt so cute. ;D
I like that... ;D
what I don't like... the cramps have pretty much gone away, but that doesn't help the discomfort of, well, wearing diapers! I'm embarrased to admit that I'm almost 20 years old and I haven't managed to properly use a tampon - and it doesn't look like I can join the diva club anytime soon unless I do. I don't know who to talk to about this - a friend? my mom? my GP?
any advice?
but wearing a rotten flax seed tube sock tied around my waist isnt so cute. ;D
I like that... ;D
what I don't like... the cramps have pretty much gone away, but that doesn't help the discomfort of, well, wearing diapers! I'm embarrased to admit that I'm almost 20 years old and I haven't managed to properly use a tampon - and it doesn't look like I can join the diva club anytime soon unless I do. I don't know who to talk to about this - a friend? my mom? my GP?
any advice?
I hadn't used a tampon until last year and the discomfort outweighs the convenience for me...I mean, I did finally manage to *get* it through weird body maneuvers and lube, and I felt pretty damn proud of myself. I'm waiting to get a diva until I get my period since it's been MIA for a few months - I know it's going to be more difficult, but not impossible. I have faith in you, laurabs! Be all you can be!
but wearing a rotten flax seed tube sock tied around my waist isnt so cute. ;D
I like that... ;D
what I don't like... the cramps have pretty much gone away, but that doesn't help the discomfort of, well, wearing diapers! I'm embarrased to admit that I'm almost 20 years old and I haven't managed to properly use a tampon - and it doesn't look like I can join the diva club anytime soon unless I do. I don't know who to talk to about this - a friend? my mom? my GP?
any advice?
Don't let the tamponlessness (?) deter you from joining the diva club! You might actually have an easier time getting used to a Diva Cup if you haven't been a tampon user because they are inserted/positioned differently. I had used tampons for years before getting my Diva and I kept wanting to insert it like a tampon and was having a hell of a time. Get a Diva Cup! Tampons always gave me butt cramps anyway--I thought it was my period, but it was really just the tampons. TMI? Anyone else know what I'm talking about? No? Oh, um... :-[
no, I don't know what you're talking about, with those butt cramps :lol: oh, and that wasn't too much information - no worries.
I hope a diva cup is easier. I'm crossing my fingers. and toes. but the next time I see my GP, I'm going to ask her for some technical advice.
I'll try, try, try... to be all that I can be! thanks fee. that rhymed. unintentionally.
thanks bp. will do.
Someone said earlier that tylenol is a blood thinner, and advil is not. Unfortunately, that's incorrect. Tylenol (acetaminophen) does NOT thin your blood, and advil (ibuprofen) does. If you're only taking it for a few days for cramps, it will not make your flow heavier at all. However, ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, so it's more effective w/ cramps. Aleve (naproxen sodium) is also an AI, and it's not as hard on your liver (not to mention you take a lot less pills). Tylenol personally doesn't do anything for my cramps, but then again, nothing does. If you're only going to take the aleve for a few days, you can take it at a higher strength, taking two pills, twice a day, instead of one pill twice a day. You MUST take anti-inflammatories with food! They will tear your stomach up if you do not. happy periods ladies...
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