File :-(, x, )
The rag Anonymous
/fit/, I have a problem. I've been trying to lose weight for a while now, I exercise several times a week, and I feel great for it...and then my period hits. I have PCOS, which might be responsible for what I'm experiencing, but I'm not sure.

Basically, for 3-5 days straight, I have cramps that actually make me cry. I've gone to the doctor, and he suggested birth control, but when I tried it, it really didn't help all that much.

How does this go into /fit/ness? Well, because the pain in my abdominal area is so severe, I can hardly walk around. People have told me that exercise actually makes cramps feel a bit better, but for me, it puts me in excruciating pain and it feels like my reproductive organs are boucning around in my stomach. So, in other words, my period essentially thwarts any of my exercise plans, because I am too fatigued and in too much pain to work out during it.

Sorry if this is one of the more disgusting posts in here, but I was wondering if any other the female anons on here had any advice on what they do.
>> Anonymous
exercise helps and warm baths.
if it hurts too much you can really just take a painkiller and thats it.

if you want to get rid of them though, once your bodyfat is low enough you dont get your period anymore... but people say its unhealthy
>> Anonymous
lay on the ground naked and put your legs up on a chair or couch or something

then slam a weight into your lower stomach, all the blood will shoot out and your period will be over
>> Anonymous
ummm why not just use that week or so to rest anyway? Your body needs to rest just as much as it needs to exercise, sooooo just relax and do something else.
>> Anonymous
there are special painkillers for period pains.
My sis uses them and is happy about them.
>> Anonymous
I've heard that sex stimulation (self or other) takes away from cramps/headaches. I'm a guy, but my ex swore by this method. just passin on the info
>> Anonymous
>>3225
bloody masturbation is ew
>> Anonymous
>>3208
You mean like Midol? Tried it, it does absolutely nothing. I also tried pamprin and a few others...none of them do anything. I even have prescription strength Naproxen, which worked so-so for a while, but then I occasionally got chest pains and stopped using it immediately.

>>3207
I just don't like resting for an entire week, that's the thing. By the time my period is over, I'm back to feeling lazy and essentially need to completely restart my exercise routine.
>> Anonymous
>>3225
that is true.
It sometimes works with headaches.
I just beat the monkey and headache-be-gone.
>> Anonymous
That's tough, I got pcos too, but cramps aren't really problem. I'm on pill at the moment which took away any kind of pain, so maybe try swtiching to different pill, what were you on?
I'd say just rest for a couple of days, good to have break form exercise. If you feel need to binge, have nice fruits around not choc.
>> Anonymous
>>3320
I can't remember the name of it, but it was one of the few that my insurance covers, so it might just be because it was a crappy brand or something.

I tried the nuva ring once, and it helped out a bit, but considering that I don't have a full time job, $65 a month is more than I can afford right now.

I do get pretty uncontrollable binging urges, but I suppose if I can manage to not have sex for five days, I can find a way to (wo)man it up and not gorge myself with junk. I just wish the pain would go away.
>> Anonymous
Sounds like you and I are in the same boat with cramps. I'm absolutely fucked when mine hit; I had to leave school last week and spent the rest of the day writhing in bed.

I've found something that works very well for me, and I hope it helps you:

Take your painkiller before you get your period. I've learned to notice minute changes in my body that indicate I'll be getting it within a day or two, and this is when I take midol. I take it one every 6 hours until it comes. I still get pain, but it's not een a quarter of the pain I get without having taken the midol early.
>> Anonymous
OP, this is NOT one of the more disgusting posts on this page, its just a frikkin period.
>>3320
is right on the money. It sucks but you probably will have to try other pills to find one that works. I have your problem and the pill is the ONLY medication that keeps me from fainting from pain on days 1-3 of my 6 day period and bowled over for the other 3. The pill is it, not only for your exercise routine but also for your pain, which sounds like it is getting in the way of a lot of other things too (I used to sleep through classes till I went on the pill, provided I could sleep!).

Try ortho tri cyclen lo? Its what my school gives out for cramps... if you have a nice doctor they often have samples of tri cyclen so you can go on it for about a month (at least be on it for three months to judge the difference it'll make). I'd say its the cheapest option too but the government cut bc for schools/planned parenthoods because they're oh so afraid we're out to fuck everything in sight, but that subsidy looks like it might be coming back (and when it does, ortho is around $10 a pack).

Also try some planned parenthoods, I know it sounds embarrassing but they might be able to direct you to the cheapest option.
>> Anonymous
>>3572
Continuing...

In the mean time (and/or until you go through 3 months on the pill), a few hints...
1) right before you get your period, take 3 of whatever painkiller you usually use. Yes, it sounds like an overload but it generally weakens cramps before they start. With a weakened first day, you can then exercise, etc. to make the rest of the days (also with painkillers, but *no* overloaded days) a little better. Does not always work but helps.
2) Chocolate. I hope you like chocolate. It actually does make your brain put out chemis. to make you feel better. Only use dark though, white chocolate isn't chocolate and milk is mostly sugar. Both of these have so much crap in them they'll make you feel worse (I know the less healthy I eat before a period the worse I feel/felt).
3) masturbating IS gross during your period, especially when you're heavy. Unless you a) do it in the shower, b) do it during your lightest days and right before you start. This might help a little, though I can never stand the thought of it, so I can't vouch for it myself.
4) green leafy vegetables & tea/coffee. I don't know why the veggies work but small amounts of caffiene can help relieve pain.

Hope all this helps & even more hope you find an affordable b.c. soon. Sounds like you really need one :<
>> Rin
OP, if you're not planning on having kids, just get the fucker removed. Seriously.

If not, don't eat/drink caffeine before or during your period. That means no chocolate. Don't keep taking non prescrip painkillers, you'll get addicted. Your doc could give you special painkillers for this sort of thing, though. Lay (tummy down) on a hot heating bad for an hour or so before bed.
>> Anonymous
Not OP, but also have bad cramps and I was considering the pill.

I didn't go on it because I heard it's prone to causing weight gain.

Can anyone who's been on the pill for a while enlighten me? what's your experience with the pill and weight gain?
>> Anonymous
>>3189

This is what I do:

Have periods that aren't painful. Good luck.
>> Hammerknife !7ITukp3Pj2
An old girlfriend of mine once had me just give her a full-body massage for a half hour when the cramping became too severe, she said it worked wonders.
>> Rin
>>3662
I assume you're talking about the chocolate thing?
Chocolate helps so much with pms and the emotional stuff "FUUUCK, I JUST WANT CHOCO OMNOMNOM" but it makes cramps worse. That, and energy drinks.
>> Anonymous
>>3683
Eugh, energy drinks are just bad for everything.
>> Hammerknife !7ITukp3Pj2
>>3687

Energy drinks are for sedentary people that want to sleep.
>> Anonymous
You could get pregnant, that'd solve the cramps problem.
>> Anonymous
>>3658
Thanks.

See, that's enough to scare me away from the pill!
>> Anonymous
>>3683
Yeah...I'd rather stay away from the chocolate. I work at a chocolate shop, and it's because of the damn stuff that I gained so much weight to begin with.

I will try taking midol before my period instead of during, since so many of you said that it helps out a lot, and try seeing if there are any cheaper birth control options.

Anyway, thanks so much, glad to see that anon still delivers.
>> Anonymous
I've just grown to accept that my body really absolutely refuses to move more than it necessarily has to when I've got cramps so bad I can't stand up straight. :/

Have you tried liquid capsule painkillers? Some of them work instantly for me, but make me drowsy. I'd rather that than cramps, though.
>> Anonymous
>>3717
Sorry :<
but really, if I wasn't so lazy, I'd still prolly be a 0. :<
>> Anonymous
>>3728
Which brand do you use? I tried the Aleve liquigels, but they didn't do the job for me like I wanted. (Plus, I had been going for the Advil anyway, and accidentally grabbed the wrong product).
>> Anonymous
>>3722
I'm on Yasmin pill, best one for pcos apparently. I get it free (NHS yay!) but prob expensive if you're not in UK.
>> Anonymous
Actually had a pretty good thread about this on /ck/ a little while ago, but from a more food related standpoint (obviously).

Someone recommended the heating pad/hot water bottle (as someone already has in this thread) and I tried it for the first time last week.

It was.. incredible. I put on some good music and leaned back in my computer chair with the hot water bottle wrapped in a towel on my abdomen and it was the best thing I have ever felt, ever. It was like all the discomfort got sucked right into the hot spot. The relief was nearly instantaneous. I put one on my back when I went to sleep and there was a huge difference, too.

I'm definitely going to end up getting a heating pad for my future terrible cramps. Of course, it's not going to be the same for everyone, but this is the best solution I've found so far.
>> Anonymous
>>3898
Yeah, they're a lifesaver!
I use a heat pad and the pain is instantly gone.