Painful Periods

[lindaloo]

Hi all,
I get really painful periods- cramps and fatigue, Im completely wiped out and sometimes so drowsy my eyes closes and i dont even realise! Im on the pill but that doesnt seem to help! I get quite alot of clotting during my period aswell. Anyone have any ideas what might help?

[redcrx]

ask your GP for a blood test to rule out anemia (sp). Eat foods rich in iron and get lots of vit c at same time as it helps your body absorb the iron.
have you tried changing the pill that you are on too?

[lindaloo]

No I havnt actually, I was thinking of doing that but I don't want to be chopping around really, Im on this one a year and a half now. I suppose it would probably help. When you mentioned anemia I had a quick think back to the last time I ate anything with Iron and I cant remember! Im a big healthy eater, into my veg and the likes but I rarly cook any meat or even substitute for it. Thanks Redcrx for your help!

[lindapinda]

In regards to the cramps,Iboprufen is very effective.

[PringlesQueen]

Try taking a NSAID such as aspirin or ibuprofen (so long as you are not asthmatic, have stomach ulcers, are breast feeding or are allergic to either of these products) - I find they really help with the pain side of things.

[cluck]

Sounds similar to what I went through- i was a vegetarian and i had the same syptoms but since eating more meat and increasing my iron in take the clotting is getting much less and the pain isn't as bad; I was told the clotting is because my blood is lacking something and there isn;t enough of it, the metaphor of a stream was used- if there is lots of water (blood) then it runs smoothly and can carry anything away with it but if there isn't enough then it forms small pools(clots) and they are harder to get rid of hence the cramps. Try the iron summplement Floradix, tastes a bit nasty but is really good.

[lindaloo]

Thank you so much for your advice, I really appreciate the help!

I'll get cracking on the iron, I reckon that could well be where the problem lies!