How do I become better at handling pain?
1 comment so farThe last time I got period the first stomach cramping felt like the end of the world, even though I've been menstruating for more than 4 yrs. Whenever I am having any kind of pain, it seems to consume my attention and I can't eat comfortably, which causes other problems. But when the pain is gone, I am normally happy again. I know that pain goes away when you stop thinking about it, but that is so hard! How do I become better at this?
And also, is slight diarrhea a common symptom during menstruation?
If you're rather young (which it seems you are), it can take awhile for your body to get used to menstrual flow. When the cramps FIRST start, it can be from a "back-up" of blood (the tissue swells and makes a duller pain), so use a heating pad. This will get the blood flowing. After that, for sharp pain, use aspirin, if you can, since it reduces chemicals known as "prostoglandins", that cause pain. They're present in semen, so if you're sexually active, you would want to have your partner use a condom before and while (if you do that, some people do) you're menstruating.
(btw, yes, diarrhea IS often present during menstruation, but tends to go away as you get a bit older).
If your blood flow is too heavy, try lying still for a few hours, with an ice pack on your lower abdomen. Remove it after 20 mins., to avoid skin damage, then put it back after your skin warms up.
If your problem continues, see your gynecologists for some tests, as cramps CAN be signs of more serious problems (like endometriosis). But it sounds like you just have regular cramps, awful as they are. Your gyn may ask if you want to try oral contraceptives, to give you a break. That's your decision and remember there ARE risks, so only choose the lowest dose.
There are other natural remedies for cramps. According to an article on about.com:
"Supplementing your diet with zinc and calcium has been found to reduce cramps, bloating, and related PMS symptoms.
Herbal remedies such as Viburnum prunifolium, Scutellaria spp., and Cimicifuga raemosa have an antispasmodic effect that may reduce some menstrual cramps. Other useful herbs include cramp bark, squaw vine, unicorn root, bromelain, evening primrose oil, and blue cohosh. "(1)
You should be careful with straight progesterone, though, as it can cause terrible headaches and possibly, uterine cancer, later in life.
But the main cure will be time! They should ease as you get older.
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If you're rather young (which it seems you are), it can take awhile for your body to get used to menstrual flow. When the cramps FIRST start, it can be from a "back-up" of blood (the tissue swells and makes a duller pain), so use a heating pad. This will get the blood flowing. After that, for sharp pain, use aspirin, if you can, since it reduces chemicals known as "prostoglandins", that cause pain. They're present in semen, so if you're sexually active, you would want to have your partner use a condom before and while (if you do that, some people do) you're menstruating.
(btw, yes, diarrhea IS often present during menstruation, but tends to go away as you get a bit older).
If your blood flow is too heavy, try lying still for a few hours, with an ice pack on your lower abdomen. Remove it after 20 mins., to avoid skin damage, then put it back after your skin warms up.
If your problem continues, see your gynecologists for some tests, as cramps CAN be signs of more serious problems (like endometriosis). But it sounds like you just have regular cramps, awful as they are. Your gyn may ask if you want to try oral contraceptives, to give you a break. That's your decision and remember there ARE risks, so only choose the lowest dose.
There are other natural remedies for cramps. According to an article on about.com:
"Supplementing your diet with zinc and calcium has been found to reduce cramps, bloating, and related PMS symptoms.
Herbal remedies such as Viburnum prunifolium, Scutellaria spp., and Cimicifuga raemosa have an antispasmodic effect that may reduce some menstrual cramps. Other useful herbs include cramp bark, squaw vine, unicorn root, bromelain, evening primrose oil, and blue cohosh. "(1)
You should be careful with straight progesterone, though, as it can cause terrible headaches and possibly, uterine cancer, later in life.
But the main cure will be time! They should ease as you get older.
References :
(1)http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/crampsmenstrual/a/cramps.htm