Question About Female Issues

[duckie1978]

This is a bit personal for me but I feel like I am amongst some supportive women here.

Has anyone ever developed PMS symptoms suddenly? Over the past two months I have experienced severe PMS symptoms, mostly bloating, intense mood swings-mostly anger, acne, and stabbing pain in my abdomen about 2-3 hours before my period actually starts. I have tried to take ibuprofin but it did nothing. I have never ever had these symptoms before and was wondering if I should go in and have my doctor check me out. I am wondering because I have been having some weird changes over this past year. I am not on any medications like the Pill but I have been experiencing facial hair growth and an increase in acne overall. I have also had a major decrease, well standstill really, in my libido. I had a major weight gain three years ago as a result of a depression but have been doing a lot better. I have lost about 40 pounds this year and maintained a weight of 140 for the past month or so (actually I was at 130 but had to gain back about 10 pounds because I couldn't afford to buy new clothing-how frustrating is that?). I went over the summer to my doctor to talk about the facial hair and acne but all the hormone tests came back fine. She said that there was nothing wrong with me. Any suggestions? I figured I should get a check out anyways after this big weight loss but wanted to get some further opinions.

Also does anyone have any suggestions for the PMS symptoms? I have never had to deal with them so I am at a loss of how to treat them. The abdominal pain is so severe that I am doubled over and almost in tears.

[xmysticprincessx]

I've had some really bad cramps in the past, so bad that I just want to lay down in bed and not move. They are usually so bad that I cannot function unless I take acetemenophen/Tylanol. (I am alergic to aspirin/Advil.) How about trying Midol or something designed specially for cramps? I also really like to have my comfort foods. I have eaten a whole pint of Soy Delicious (chocolate-something, of course) to make myself feel better.
By the way, my PMS symptoms kinda just started out of nowhere a few years ago. I dont remember any major changes in my life at that time. I had never had cramps or anything PMS like that before. I do know that my mom and maternal grandmother had bad cramps, so maybe you could talk to your mom or other female relatives and try to figure out if this is genetic.
About all the other symptoms and stuff, I dont really know. I would probably recommend going to the doctor. If your regular doctor doesnt have an answer, ask some friends who they see and get a second opinion.
Good luck!

[annie7]

Duckie, how old are you? (Meaning, could it be something pre-menopausal?)

[PikkuMyy]

Hi Duckie, (I've always wanted to call someone that!)

Those horrible abdominal pains are from your uterus contracting to begin to release the blood - hence your period starting a few hours later.

I take birth control pills so I have hardly any symptoms and a light but long period. HOWEVER, as a teenager, I had horrible, let me repeat, horrible cramps that kept me in bed (which is bad of course because exercising actually helps loosen the blood and make the clots smaller resulting in less cramps...) Anyway, my mother went to the local health food store/herb store and asked the woman there for something to help me. She gave my mom a bag of "YARROW" flowers (they're small and yellow). She told my mother to run a really hot bath with a couple of handfuls of the herbs.

That day, I was crying because I was in so much pain and could hardly move. About 10 minutes after I got into that bath my pain was gone and I felt so relaxed.

Please try it if you can, it really helped me during those bad years. (It's not expensive at all either. Much less than the heat pads.)

Of course, if you have no bathtub access or get the cramps at work you can get some of those Thermacare stick-on heat pads. They make a shape specifically for menstruation so it fits well over your abdomen.

Another option is a hot water bottle held to your abdomen while sitting down.

Emily

Emily

[duckie1978]

I am only 25 so menopause is probably not the cause.

I will have to try the bath with yarrow. I collect herbs and have yarrow from my parent's yard. Mine comes in white and in purple though too.

I used to take BC pills to regulate my migraines. I used to get terrible migraines before I would get my periods and the only thing my doctor could think of that would help. I tried all the headache medications she could get for me and I tried herbal medicines--nothing worked. After a while on the BC pills my migraines subsided but I gained quite a bit of weight (that and I was really depressed). I loved being on BC pills because I skipped my period every month. It was amazing not to have to be concerned with it :0) Luckily my periods haven't changed in any other way. It is always three days and fairly light and the cramping is over once my period starts.

Thanks for everyone's input! I really appreciate it.

[PikkuMyy]

I'm sure Yarrow comes in different colors. It smells nice, too.

Emily

[sarahrose]

I also got PMS very suddenly. It used to be that I would have no symptoms at all, and then suddenly out of nowhere one month I was a raging b****! I thought for months that it was everyone else purposly being annoying and 'starting stuff' with me, but finally have had to face that it is not everyone else-it's me. Not only have I had the symptom of bitchiness, but I have also started to have cramps. I am on BCP's, so it is alot less than I'm sure it would be otherwise though.

[alexis]

Taking evening primrose oil helps with the cramps...that's according to one of my girlfriends who said she stop having the mother of all cramps when she started taking evening primrose oil.

[Jenica]

I'm not sure about suddenly having PMS symptoms as mine seem to come and go. However, I have found the intensity of mine is directly related to two things: a) the amount toxins I'm taking in (alcohol, environmental pollutants, too much salt/saturated fats, etc) and b) how much exercise I'm getting.

If I minimize my toxins and be sure to get plenty of aerobic exercise, stretching, and abdominal/lower back toning I often go symptom free. When I slack on the exercise and pollute my body I can make my premenstrual days truly miserable.

[Casey]

Hi Duckie,
From the description of your symptoms I think it might be worthwhile to go back to your doctor and get more tests done to see if you might have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). You mentioned that your hormone tests didn’t indicate a problem, but apparently there isn’t one single test to diagnose PCOS. If it was me I’d probably do some research on PCOS and then push my doctor a little harder to do some more testing to find out what’s wrong (or tell me why it isn’t PCOS or another condition with similar symptoms). A couple of your symptoms on their own sound like regular PMS, but your cluster of symptoms sounds like it might be something more. Or not. I’m definitely no expert, but I think you’d feel better if you got more definitive answers about these “weird changes” since I generally think that changes in your body don’t just suddenly start happening for absolutely no reason.

And now I'm debating whether or not I should post this because it sounds so negative - feel free to ignore me :) .

[duckie1978]

Okay so here is the strange twist to my problem: I got cramps on Tuesday afternoon and had non-stop pain until this morning, but I haven't started my period yet. I tried a bath with yarrow, nothing; the only thing that helped was really high heat on the area. I have a doctor's appointment Monday so hopefully I can talk to her about some tests to run. I would rather be safe than sorry, which is why I pay attention to these things.

[DawnLA]

Jenica mentioned toxins and excercise....
Caffeine is something to consider...it definitley makes my cramps worse.
I get some of the symptoms you're describing occasionally. Generally if I've been doing a lot of yoga or hiking and/or not drinking as much coffee, the cramps are no where near as bad and my period ends up being a few days shorter.

[sun_flower]

Hello Duckie1978 & all Woman who suffer,

For years I suffered from PMS, pain, cramping and migraines. I would have bowel problems, constipation then loose bowels it was awful. I went to my Dr. who told me "Cramps are normal and the bowel thing is Irritable bowel". I was prescribed stronger and stronger pain meds & antidepressants. At 41 years old I was bleeding rectally and in terrible pain. I went to Emergency and saw a Surgeon who ordered a battery of tests. It was discovered that as well as having PCO's, it was suspected I was suffering from Endometriosis. I tried the birth control pill for about 4 months and felt worse. I decided to research and became Vegan after learning that diet was so important for health. Unfortunately it was too late to help me and I had surgery for a Hysterectomy.

After the surgery I was told I had stage 4 Endometrosis and that my Uterus had been fused to my bowels causing the bleeding and cramping. I did not have Irritable bowel at all! My Uterus was the size of a 3 month pregnancy full of fibroids and I had a large cyst on my left ovary. Thankfully my Surgeon was amazing and took the 4 hours to save my ovaries and cut away 8 lbs of scar tissue. I felt awful waking up but within 3 weeks I was walking around and off all the pain meds. Today at 6 months recovery I look and feel like a new woman. I sometimes take a moment to Thank God for being so healthy and pain free.

I have my life back and feel and look 10 years younger, PLEASE anyone out there getting pain that is not normal, eg. stabbing and pain that stops you from doing normal activities for days please seek help from a Gynecologist. If I had have been referred years before I would have saved years of suffering and loss of enjoyment in life. Sometimes I cry just to think I was told it was all in my head or normal and what agony I suffered because my Dr. did not believe in me. My sisters remember me laying in bed as a young woman unable to get up and move because of terrible pain, I would say I have suffered for over 30 years before finally someone helped me.

You are your best advocate, take care of your health!
God Bless,

Katherine
Toronto, Canada

[duckie1978]

Okay so here is the update: I just got back from the doctor and she said it sounds like I have dysmenorrhea and put me on the pill. I have had cramps nonstop for almost a week and I really didn't want to go back on the pill but I don't see what else I can do. I finally got my period but the cramps have not stopped. My doctor seems to think this is the best answer; I think it is a temporary one. Her only other thought were that I might have a PID or an appendicitis. I have to come back if the cramps don't go away by next week. *sigh* Modern medicine just doesn't seem to have the best answers at times.

Oh, just to add: I avoid caffeine except for rare occassions (that includes decaf stuff as well) and I do yoga all the time. That's what makes it frustrating. I tend to avoid all of the things that make cramps worse already. :0(

Here's a question for those who do yoga: do you really have to wait to do yoga until after menses is over? On the Living Arts videos I have they all have the warning stating to not do any inversions or the like. Any ideas if this is just a wives tale?

[DawnLA]

After reading Sunflower's story: (eek:) make sure you keep on this and get a second or third doctor's opinion if it doesn't get better!

Regarding yoga and periods, all the instructors at my studio recommend no inversions, esp shoulder stands during your period. I have no idea why, and I've been meaning to ask after a class but keep forgetting! I'll try to remember to ask next time I take a class, and I'll let you know what she says.

I hope you get better soon!

[DawnLA]

OK, I took a yoga class today and asked my instructor. She said there are varying opinions on whether it is necessary to not do inversions during you period, and it really depends upon how you feel. Some instructors recommend not doing inversions especially on the first few (heavier) days. The only reason why is the logic that if you're inverted, gravity will cause the flow to go backwards when it's trying to get out, and your interupting the natural flow.