I remember seeing a story on reddit about some girl who got her period on a plane during a school trip. The pain was so bad she puked several times, then she laid down in the aisle and, in her words, "waited for sweet death to take me, but death has terrible customer service." Apparently, after that she went to a doctor. It's wild how many women and girls put up with agony because we assume it's normal.

i always thought that i was weak because "some discomfort" was supposed to be normal but i was always knocked out. when i was 15-16 i was missing three days of school every month because the pain had me stuck in the fetal position on the bathroom floor. i'm still horrified by the fact that i've heard multiple stories of women ignoring heart attacks because they thought it was just period cramps

It’s so crazy that people can have cramps so bad they pass out or throw up and can’t even stand up😭

Ok, mine aren’t that bad, mine are very very light and don’t come often, it doesn’t hurt that bad it’s just really uncomfortable. I feel very lucky after reading all of these comments. I am sorry for the women who have to deal with fainting, vomiting, and nauseousness. I love you guys. ❤

I went to see 2 separate gynecologists & both didn’t help me with severe pelvic pain & bleeding. One said if I didn’t want hormonal birth control that they couldn’t help me and also told me to just take ibuprofen even though I told them it wasn’t working. The other doctor flat out told me that they didn’t have time to discuss my concerns that day even though I’d made my appt for pelvic pain and went there specifically because they did laparoscopic surgery. She did however, make sure to discuss birth control which I had already said I didn’t want. When I wrote a negative review about her office online, she sent me a letter dismissing me from the practice. I obviously didn’t plan on going back there, but the audacity she had was unreal. I later finally got a laparoscopy & some answers almost a year later after seeking out a 3rd doctor who actually listened to me. It seems like nobody really cares about women’s pain.

I was told by a GP "pain is part of being female, get used to it" I'd literally gone in because I'd been bleeding for months and had cramps so bad I was passing out. Just for reference, I gave birth without any medication so I've got a pretty decent pain tolerance!

I don't know if you'll see this or if you know anything about this, but I would love a video that talks about periods in women with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. MCAS is a horrible disease that can make women spontaneously go into labor, and I haven't heard much talk about it online, but I'm so glad to finally have an answer for what I've been experiencing for years.

I’m one of the lucky ones who doesn’t get cramps. I’m sorry for those that do, I hear they hurt like hell.

When 12 year old me had crippling, vomit-inducing period cramps and my stepmom didn’t get cramps so she told my dad that I was acting dramatic for “attention” and that I must have a “low pain tolerance” 😃

I have 3 daughters who have endometriosis. One of them can't get out of bed for a week every month. My heart aches for each of them.

Seeing these comments is terrifying… People go through so much and some would call them exaggerated, like huh?? I was here going to complain how my legs feel weak and my head hurts a tiny bit sometimes, but daaam… I am grateful, and hopefully people are able to get help/treated (idk how these things are handled)

I think that a lot of People, Men especialy, know a shockingly small amount about reproduktive circles and that should change

Other symptoms that can fuck up your life are mood swings, digestive issues, heat intolerance, orthostatic intolerance (issues when standing up), etc. Most important thing I want to share though is that feeling suicidal on your period is not normal like I thought it was.

I'm nearly 30 and I only learnt LAST WEEK that not all period sufferers have cramps, and especially not ones that hurt so bad you can't stand. Genuinely felt gobsmacked to learn that.

As a woman with PCOS. I can tell you as a teenager I would be curled up crying every night I came home from school on my period. Which chainsaw massacre 3 was coming out of my netherlands.

Yes, debilitating pain is never the norm for anything.

My periods growing up from middle school to about 21 years old were extremely painful the first two days of my cycle to the point that I would take PM medications to sleep through those days I would hurt so much. And when I got it at school I would be sent home from the pain and hot flashes I got, one time I had to be taken down to the front in a wheel chair I almost passed out from the pain. And the nurse asked me once, “how are you going to function in the real world? You can’t just go home everytime you’re in pain.” Worst years of my life, I hated every second of it.

Can you explain to women that it's not ok to shame women for being to sick or being in too much pain to work during their period. I had endometriosis for 23 years before I was diagnosed and women bullied me regularly when I would call out of work or leave work early or cry. Now that i've been diagnosed, they immediately back off but we need to end the period pain bullying.

I'm grateful that you are available for the young ladies of the world, but I wish you had been around before I went through menopause. We had to learn things (or not learn things) the hard way. Thank you for the knowledge you share.

Thank you so much MDJ, I feel validated in my decision to go on the pill to address these horrible cramps

I remember when I learned periods aren't suppose to hurt as bad as mine do. I could never figure out why my mom never took me to the doctor for the pain

I wish more doctors even understood this. I went for a decade with endometriosis type pain without any doctors saying "hey yeah let's refer you to a gyn and check this out". I've been happily uterus free for 3 months now and its the best I've felt in years. No, doctors, being crippled by pain during your period is not normal. Who knew? 💁‍♀️

Omg I have the WORST period cramps like I cannot walk, I throw up every 10 minutes, I can’t eat or smell certain things, and I’m convulsing on my bed like I’m friggin possessed by the devil himself. I always thought it was normal because everyone told me it’s normal to have cramps (I guess they didn’t know the severity because mine are SEVERE) so I just suffered for so long without ever doing anything about it. That was until recently I saw a gynecologist and they told me that my level of cramps are not okay and they gave me birth control. I can finally do my everyday activities without feeling like I’m being punched in the stomach repeatedly by a heavyweight bodybuilder!!!!❤❤❤

When I was a teenager I had HORRIBLE periods. I would get nauseous, vomit, get dizzy, faint, be in excruciating pain, SUPER heavy flow, etc. I actually developed iron deficiency anemia because of all the blood I lost. My period made me miss my first ever day of highschool. I’m so blessed to have access to birth control, it literally changed my life.

Man, these comments are heartbreaking. My 16yo just got diagnosed with pcos a few weeks ago. I've suspected she had it for a few years. Talked to her pediatrician multiple times about it. She had an ultrasound, and we were told everything was normal. Her pediatrician retired recently, and the new one actually read her chart and looked at all of her labs for the last few years. One of the first things the new doctor asked was if we had a history of pcos in our family. And I was so relieved someone finally believed me. She has also suffered with ibs symptoms for years that were dismissed. The new doctor gave her some meds to try, and it's absolutely changed her life. From now on, I'm going to absolutely advocate for a second opinion if something feels wrong. I might not have a ton of medical training, but I do know what's normal or not for my child.

The most I get is uncomfortable, and I’m so eternally grateful for it 😮‍💨

Read a story about a woman who had horrible period pain, she was told to suck it up and that it was normal. When she had her first kid she felt almost nothing because it felt so similar to her period which she was used to

Yes! I was told periods don’t hurt bad and I was super dramatic. I was sobbing in my bed, I didn’t eat for days and I missed a bunch of school

I read these comments of women saying how bad their cramps are and that just reminds me how thankful I have to be to not feel any kind of pain or discomfort during my period or before it. So glad that I'm made this way 😅

I'm bedridden for the first three days of my cycle. Have to take off work because I physically can't move. My Dr. Prescribed me painkillers and just gave me more when I complained the painkillers didn't help. Apparently I'm over exaggerating my pain. So I deal with it. 🤷‍♀️

Many many women take birth control specifically for period cramps and yet we make it nigh impossible for people to get it.

Watching This As I'm On Mine, And In So Much Pain That I Can't Move. I Threw Up My Guts Yesterday And I've Been Taking 5 Ibuprofens Every Time 9 Hours Passes Just To Get Some Relief. The Physical Pain Is Excruciating And The Mental Pain From Dysphoria Is Horrible Too.

Severe pain one week before, during, and one week after my daughter’s period ended up being stage IV endometriosis. She lost both her fallopian tubes during a surgery that was suppose to help her get pregnant. She will have a full hysterectomy this fall. She’s only 34. She fought with doctors for over 10 years before one finally took her serious. To late though.

Yeah....some cramping IS fine, if it's bearable!! What's not fine is if it hurts so badly you feel like you're gonna throw up! You're right MDJ, but the problem is...drs only care if you're bleeding longer then 7 days....it doesn't matter if you're in a lot of pain, or if your periods are heavy, or having huge blood clots...every thing is apparently fine if you're bleeding less then 7 days... NO.IT.IS.NOT.FINE!! Please set these people straight that you do not need to be bleeding more then 7 days for a dr to say "hey somethings wrong with you"!!! Guh! Those bleeding disorder tests are seriously bogus!!! I check off everything on the list for period issues except for the "bleed more then 7 days." And because of that ONE question, it says "you're fine...." Nooooo!!! If I need birth control pills to control the heaviness of my bleeding and the amount of pain I get then noooo I am not fine...also...my period was very irregular till I got on them...bleeding two weeks after the day I was supposed to...so yeah....I am lucky the birth control help me, but I can not go off them at all!!!

Dude. Both me, my mom, my aunt, and my grandmother all have extremely painful periods to where we've all passed out during them AT LEAST 3 times (at least for me). We even came up with the name "The Miller Curse" because my mother's and my aunt's maiden names are Miller

Big hugs, absolutely love the video, and please keep teaching people about their bodies and to get help with normal things. Because you're not born with an internal instruction manual and it normal to ask questions. ❤❤❤🎉

I was hospitalized for 3 days as a teen because my period sent my body so completely haywire. My doctor at the time prescribed me 600mg ibuprofen. That’s it. I now use Mirena iud to stop my periods and, at the time, I went on birth control pills to help. The bc pills were prescribed for actual birth control and not because my periods were hell. The doctor I got them from said my highly irregular periods (I had gone 4 months without a period at this point) were due to a “growth spurt.” The pills helped a bit but it was still pretty bad. I finally got an obgyn that said I likely have endometriosis and confirmed poly cystic ovaries. My gynecological journey is just one aspect of doctors doing me dirty in my life. I’m so happy I have a great medical team on my side now.

My crams literally made me bedridden for two weeks. But my doctor's only suggestion was "let's put you on birth control and come back to it". I was bleeding enough i could have become anemic. I was pale and ill during my periods. I'm 21 and I still have no answers as to why, my family just says it's the family curse. I know I have PCOS which doesn't help but it shouldn't make it so I couldn't get out of bed.

Im crying on my toilet shaking rn. Thank you 😍

I was blessed with having cramps for not one but two weeks! Happy days!🎉❤

After 14 year of crippling period pain finally found a gynecologist who take it seriously. She is talking about surgery want would love to see a video about Endometrial Ablation and Hysterectomy as options for period pains, pros and cons.

My eldest sibling and I had very different experiences with periods. They had awful cramps that would leave them lying on the floor for days hugging a hot water bottle and downing painkillers as often as allowed. I never had much of cramps, but I got awful headaches, and even migraines. I ached all over, felt lightheaded and felt nauseous. Every month. We both had very different experiences, but when my sibling went to get treatment finally, and started taking hormones to stop their period, I didn't. I was convinced that so long as I wasn't on the floor crying, I should be fine. Cause people talk about periods being so awful, I genuinely thought that I had it ok. I thought it was just part of life that I had to learn to accept. I think I was about 10 when I got my first period? I was 21 before I finally went to a doctor to talk about it and get it fixed. I dealt with it getting progressively worse for OVER A DECADE because I was so convinced that I was just supposed to hurt. That it was normal, and fine, and people would tell me I was lucky cause I didn't have the cramps, and I had other symptoms. I got a different hormone treatment to my sibling, so my period isn't gone, but it's much lighter and all my other symptoms are gone. No more headaches, no more nausea, no more planning my life around when I was going to be sore and bleeding, and incapable of doing the stuff I wanted to. I waited so long to get treatment, and I seriously regret it. I wish I had done this sooner, because I wasted so much of my life on that shit. Just because it's not awful cramps, doesn't mean it's fine. It's the only symptom people talk about, but it's not the only symptom people get! If anything stops you from living your life, go get help. Seek treatment, and enjoy your life as much as you can!

👏👏 Thought I was normal for years, turned out that endo and PCOS run in my family. I also see a lot of people discouraging others from seeking help, saying that you probably don’t have a medical condition anyway, and blah blah blah. But EVEN if you don’t have a medical condition, you shouldn’t have to suffer!!!! There are ways to help you either way. No one should discourage others to not seek help because it’s unlikely (there’s a pretty good chance that it is a medical condition too) that someone has a medical condition, THEY STILL NEED HELP. I wish someone had told me this when I was suffering. YOU AREN’T MEANT TO SUFFER. If your period affects your life, go to a health care professional to get help, because they can help you with your pain!!!

I need to find a way to come see you. I have a lot going on and i think i need a doc with compassion for their job, like you.

I remember seeing my sisters absolutely debilitated by her periods when we were growing up. When I was 29, I was dx with stage 4 endometriosis and I strongly suspect both my sisters have it too. It’s easier to find people who understand and specialize in endometriosis now. (I’m 52 now)

I think we all need to talk about what is normal for periods as a whole. I have a cousin who had a heavy flow for two months straight and didn’t say anything about it because she thought it was normal. Her mom finally caught on some how, and took her to the hospital where she had to get blood transfusions because she had broke the record for “Lowest Blood Pressure in a Living Patient,” at that hospital. She’s fine now, and on birth control to help regulate her periods.

Theres also ignorant fools out there like my mother who allowed my older sister to stay home from school for period pain in high-school [even though she WAS faking] and when i got to high-school she ignored my pain because i had an overall higher pain tolerance and she thought i was faking....i was not.... now in my 30s she's FINALLY realized ive never faked or over exaggerated my pains. I even had a teacher who was more understanding and would allow me to rest in her classroom when i was hurting.

THIS. SO MUCH THIS. After years of absolute h**l, I was diagnosed with PCOS, depsite no visible cysts ever being found. When I brought up the crippling agonising pain, my GP just said "Some people are just unlucky". That was pretty much the sentiment of every doctor and I saw from then on. I've been getting progressively sicker for about a decade with no answer; it's like my entire endocrine system has gone out the window. First FEMALE doctor I see declares that if you include the symptoms they put down to being caused by PCOS, I am a textbook case of having a certain hormone deficiency. That the pain I was describing wasn't normal or able to be caused by PCOS, and is more likely to be endometriosis. And that since doctors basically ignored "severe period pain" as a symptom they almost certainly misdiagnosed me as having PCOS rather than 'endometriosis plus something else'. Them incorrectly chalking up certain symptoms as being caused by PCOS, which I likely never had to begin with, is why I spent my entire 20s in and out of doctors offices feeling like crud. All because these medical professionals didn't consider severe period pain as a symptom or something abnormal.

We need to stop normalizing heavy period pain! I’ve had friends who I had told for YEARS that it wasn’t normal to have periods as bad as theirs and they just accepted it as a way of life! It’s crazy how people are taught to just deal with pain like that

I'm a retired nurse. I'm very glad that you're doing this. It's unbelievable that we have declined in reproductive education. It's insane what some young people think is fact.

I have little to none cramping and I'm so grateful

If its weird compared to your usual, Get checked If its always terrible and your calling out of work/school constantly Get checked If you aren't having any of the above or a period at all, Get checked. You deserve to be heard, all bodies are different. Dont let a doct tell you its "normal" unless you know its normal. Make them prove it

I’m one of those who has no cramps or very mild. You can bet your ass I am never going to belittle other people’s period pain. If I could share the lack of cramps with them I would do it in a heartbeat. It’s not worth judging people ♥️

Infuriating is when some usually man says it hurts because God cursed you due to Eve and that stupid apple.

Story time abt cramps- 4 days ago I was in math class and started getting cramps at first it wasn’t very painful but it still DID hurt then I felt leaking so I thought “oh sh!t I must’ve got it” I raised my hand and asked the male teacher to use the restroom and he said “No,Kardemon u should’ve gone at lunch” soon after that I was cramping so bad and I’m talking some of the worst freaking cramps of my life and I raised my had and told him it was an emergency then he said “NO. YOU MAY NOT. U ALREADY USED UR BATHROOM PASS THIS YEAR” and then my cramps got so bad my classmates started to notice I was in pain and asked asked if I was ok or needed anything 15 minutes later I passed out apparently I woke up 30 seconds later tho and when I woke up I started crying because it was so bad the teacher sent me to the nurse and on my way there I puked. Long story short that was the worst day of my life 😃. Btw I’m 12

this month i had absolutely no pain, no cramps, nothing i was just bleading. its been years since this has happened to me, feels awesome !

It's tough when you are in extreme pain, to the point it interferes with your life, but your doctor just dismisses you and says it's normal. Like, I've thrown up and passed out from the pain. And this is a running theme with my family, my sister ended up getting two units of blood because her period was so heavy and painful and they still don't know what's wrong and no one is looking into it.

Before my most recent family doctor took me on, I was taking a total of 24 painkillers a day while I was awake. I needed to take 6 every 3.5 hours just to function my normal day to day life. Now I'm currently prescribed stronger meds that I take maximum 2 a day for the 7 days. And I'm on the list for a hysterectomy. Took 7 years to get an endometriosis diagnosis, and I pushed for the hysterectomy before the age of 30 while single and childless. Sometimes, you just have to fight for your health.

I had constant anaemia, super painful cramps and TERRIBLE PMS. My gynecologist was so quick to suggest an hormonal IUD and I'm so glad for that. Had it for 2.5 years now, and when this one comes out another one is going right back in.

Just wanted to say thanks i ended up talking to my dr because of this. I no longer have excruciating pain. 💙 Grateful.

Back in the 60’s when I started my period at 13, I immediately experienced horrific pain. I missed at least one day a month from school for 5 years. My mother took me to doctors who said things like, “It’s you body’s way of preparing you for childbirth”, or “They won’t feel so bad after you have a baby”. I suffered for so long (after having 2 premature babies my periods were still terribly painful) and finally when I was 45 when doctor finally agreed to a hysterectomy. It was like being reborn!!!

I was always confused because I didn't feel pain with my periods, I just got hot and dizzy and nauseous. Now, many years later I realise I was in pain but had been so conditioned to think I wasn't in pain I didn't realise I was unwell until I almost fainted. This was so bad that at 17 I had started crying traumatically in a class and couldn't give a reason. I was sent to the Dr who worked out that I was in pain and had an injury I hadn't realised was hurting. I hope we do better for women and girls.

I thought I was weird not to have cramps so this made me feel better about myself. Thank you!

I always remember my Mother telling me about her friend from school bk in the 60s...whose periods were THAT bad, she couldn't get outta bed, couldn't go to school, couldn't go out with her friends, nothing! She was in best with hot water bottle, paracetamol or something & still unable to get outta bed. Bless her. My Mom always said she was so glad she never had any pains with hers, and glad she never even had periods till she'd left school cos it was awful bk then...having those massive pads with an elastic waist band that holds em on (if ur family was good enough to get u 1) & the fact u had to ask the teacher for a pad outta the cupboard, that's in the classroom, in front of every1...they all knew exactly what the teacher was going in for & all the boys would start whispering & then saying stupid sh*t aimed towards u afterwards! That was the 60s for u tho as young teenagers...how times have changed.

When I first started getting periods, they were very painful. I would have to curl up in bed for 2 or 3 days. I didn't think there was anything I could do about it. I was both a track and a cross-country runner through high school. Then years later, I started taking a yoga class. The pain during my period completely disappeared! That miraculous cure kept me doing yoga for the rest of my life! 😁

I never had a period without pain till I consulted with an RE. NO ONE EVER TOOK THE TIME TO PRESCRIBE THE APPROPRIATE TESTS. I had fibroids. I’d had them for years. After the hysteroscopic myomectomy my quality of life improved immeasurably and I was finally able to conceive. She’s 20 now ❤️

I've literally tried to tell my mom this, but she brushed me off and left me doubting myself. Thank you for this validation!! 😭💕

Back when I was in high school, I had a bus driver who told me she only gets her parents for three days and she doesn’t get any pain. She is so blessed. I wish I was her daughter and get the same treatment.😭

Mine can get just below the threshold of where I can’t act normal. But when I don’t have to act normal, I still choose to curl up into a ball and cry because they are still bad. My favorites are the ones that happen at 3am because then I have to eat something to take a painkiller, and then wait like half an hour in agony for it to kick in so I can go back to sleep

I have a very conservative family, and I was brought up on birth control bad, abortion bad, end this is my story of how birth control saved me. I was JUST getting my second period ever when I also was being diagnosed with a digestive chronic illness that caused severe abdominal pain. I was in and out of hospital a lot, and suddenly I was in a period, which was very new to me. My first went okay but my second caused such severe cramps that I threw up all the time, and the doctors could not tell if it was chronic illness or period. The amount of blood I was losing for more than a week was far more than is safe, especially with anemia, and I was out on a birth control pill. My parents willingly agreed because the problems were so big but I was actually scared I would go to hell. Don't let your kids be scared of something that can save their life, and it you need help, ask for it.

Dude once when I was 12-13 i was on my period and it was so painful that I couldn't stand up and I had to go to pe since that was what I had next but thankfully the teacher that we had was kind and let me stay in the class to sleep ever since that she had been my favorite teacher I wish I got to tell her how much that actually meant to me and I still remember this story to this day

Bruh I was in French class DYING from cramps. Like I couldn’t breathe and I was going through waves of pain and looking pale according to my friend. I could barely stand to even request to use the restroom 💀 and once I got there I couldn’t stand back up the moment I sat down. I was a step away from tears bro and I don’t tear up. I broke my arm and didn’t know for three days, I broke my ribs and didn’t know until they healed oddly. And this pain is an every month scenario that I thought was just normal wtf ?!!

I wish someone has told this to 13 yo me because i spent way to many years with cramps that where so bad i couldn't even breathe properly

I have a heat pad- I have tried so many things- on meds right now and I am still rolling around in tears. My mom has endometriosis, and she suspects that I also might have it. So sick of this. So much pain. Can’t get out of bed, and so emotional.

I live in the south, and you don't know how many doctors I've been to that have brushed me off when I bring up concerns over my period pains. I can barely get out of bed. I have to call out of work bc the pain is so bad, and it blows!

Facts! Periods can be uncomfortable but if its debilitating you should be able to get help. Unfortunately some doctors say that periods are supposed to be painful and just give a painkiller which is why pcos and other conditions like it are under diagnosed.

I used to have periods so bad I would pass out from the pain, have a high fever, and cold sweats. I would tell doctors and they would all say it was normal and to take naproxen. I'm not exaggerating I promise. Things got better when I became an adult and started taking birth control, but even with that there's still pain. Only difference is that now I can make it through the day, but as soon as I stop taking them it's back to how it was originally. To this day I don't have an answer and I just accepted that it's just how my body is. I know I can't keep taking birth control forever, but by the time I stop them hopefully I can find someone who will work with me to at least return it some

All my life, my period was this evil thing that had a habit of showing up precisely on the very days I didn’t want it to, starting with my first one crashing a Thanksgiving gathering. Birthdays, holidays, a swim-team exchange trip to Bermuda, the first day of my senior year-all were ruined by my period gate-crashing them! To make things even worse, I suffered from killer cramps with my periods (as if starting them at age TEN wasn’t bad enough!), to the point where prescription-level doses of ibuprofen would only work if I spent half the day in bed. Trouble was, Mom wouldn’t let me skip school even though I was in so much pain my friends said I looked like walking roadkill! When I was 16 and learned about the birth control pill and how it helped in health class, I begged Mom to let me go on it, but she flat-out refused. Her reasoning? “It would make me promiscuous.” Needless to say, after two more years of UNNECESSARY pain and suffering, my first act as an adult was to go on the pill when I turned 18! My older daughter suffered from the same debilitating periods, but I told her she could go on the pill for them even though she was only 14. No way was I going to let her suffer like I had! My younger one doesn’t get cramps like that at all, the lucky duck. But I told her if she wants to use contraceptives for any reason, permission more than granted! Health reasons matter, and for many of us preventing unwanted pregnancy is simply a bonus!

As a girl that have no pain this video realy warm my heart up❤️❤️❤️

I take BC without a placebo week, best choice I’ve made about my body. I had absolutely debilitating cramping the whole time I was having a cycle (started at 10)

Growing up, I only had mild cramping. Usually only the first day, maybe take one basic pain pill, and it's good to go. After I had my daughter, it got insane. Would feel it from my back to my legs, have to sit on a massage pillow till meds kicked in. I had to leave my husband's work christmas party early because I had forgotten to take some pills before we left. Turns out I had endometrial hyperplasia. Hysterectomy for the win.

I actually feel worse before the period than when I’m on it. Those PMS symptoms-cramping, diarrhea, fatigue, bloating, headaches, etc. are the worst. Once I start bleeding, I actually feel better. Everyone is different, I guess, but either way, it sucks when you feel like 💩.

Pain and bleeding contributed to me leaving medical school after 2 1/2 years of hard work. I was told to take Ibuprofen. It helped with the pain, but not with the mess of bleeding while trying to function as a medical student. Later, I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. A hysterectomy made my life so much better.

You know looking back a few years when I was in high school, and having cramp pain so bad I took the whole week off and cried in bed shaking for about 5-7 days. I don't know how I thought that was normal. Pain killers did nothing. Thankfully it's fine now and I rarely need more then 2 pain killers a cycle. Jesus I wish I had told a docter or something.

I remember having to skip school for 2-3 days a month because I couldn't move much on my period, like I was in paralyzing pain. I had to skip school because they wouldn't accept Period complications as a valid excuse. I thought it was normal I basically had to pump myself full of pain meds to function. I am currently taking estrogen free birth control which has surpressed my cycle for 5 years now and while I feel the side effects of the medication, I have never felt more free since I started my period. I'm planning on getting a partial hysterectomy as I am not interested in reproducing anyways but I am also not willing to go back to my restrictive life with my cycle.I can't wait to be free of it till the end of my life

I consider myself lucky for experiencing painful period cramps once in a while... I heard of so many girls and women who have to suffer for days every month and they don't even get the medical attention that they deserve. I hope medicine will find a cure for this kind of condition...

I’ve had such horrible periods that I’ve developed a constant rocking motion from being in pain. Now, even when I’m not in pain and not thinking about it, I rock back and forth all day like a crazy person. I’ve brought it up with my gyno and he did tests but we can’t find anything wrong so I’ve just been dealing with the pain and the weird involuntary rocking that comes along with it.

I went 8 years, starting at age 11 with horrific periods that would last months and got told over and over that it’s just “being a woman” or that I was “too sensitive”. I ended up with an endo diagnosis at 18 once I saw a competent obgyn who actually listened and took me seriously.

When I was 12, my obgyn told me this. It didn't make sense that I was in excruciating pain while my friends didn't have an issue. 27 years later, I found out it was Endo when I could no longer stand to cook or shower. My pelvic pain around ovulation and during my cycle was debilitating by that point.

I have 9 day-long periods with extreme heavy flow (I bought a 12-hr menstral cup and It fills in 3 hours) and I will vomit and pass out from sheer pain on my periods. I hate it so much but my mom just says “well that just means you’re really fertile! It’s a good thing!” But I literally cannot stand my periods anymore

I used go through so much pain every month that i had to stay home from school and i would bleed like a pig someone stabbed, so i started taking hormone pills and now I only get my period every three months. It has made my life so mich easier

I was taken off of birth control for about a year because my doctore told me i didnt need it because my intimate partner was female. Well, i had cramps so bad i was dizzy, couldnt get up from my bed, it was just overall horrible. I am now back on birth control and havent had any cramps since ❤ new doctor, new life. Im so happy

I learned after about a decade of cripplingly painful periods that I could, in fact, have safely taken more than 200mg of ibuprofen, multiple times a day, all this time. Learned it from mom offhandedly mentioning how much she took to ease the pain of shoulder surgery. Not that it mattered much as soon after this I was prescribed birth control pills and they also knocked out the pain real good lol

I rarely had cramps and they were light, to my feelings anyway my pain endurance is high. However, I had the legs hurting, the back, the 10 lbs bloating, the insomnia, the shakes….cramps are not everything we get, there are lots of other symptoms doctors have no clue how to treat, they give anti-anxiety pills 🙄

The amount of stories I’ve heard/read where a woman didn’t recognize she had something had gone terribly wrong internationally (appendicitis, gall stones, ruptured spleen, etc) because they thought it was just period cramps and/or the pain wasn’t as bad as their period cramps is so, so depressing

ya'll stay blessed and have a great day ❤

In my experience if someone asks if they hurt, they’re referring to the bleeding not cramps. So that’s what I think every time someone’s like “yeah it hurts “ or “no it doesn’t hurt” I would try to explain it better in case they’re worried abt that and not referring to cramping

I was told periods were meant to hurt. I was also told that periods are only a few table spoons or something. So it seems like a lot of blood but it’s not. I passed out (at a very young age) because of a lack of iron from my periods and it turns out I have Endometriosis. It also turns out I could’ve been on the pill or SOMETHING to try slow down the effect and everything 💀

yeah I'm slightly worried now that you've said that

I am glad that I am blessed with a period without cramping!