Period Pains

[Suzannew]

Can anyone suggest an alternative form of pain relief for severe period pains in a child of 13. All prescription pills have failed and I think she is too young for the contraceptive pill.

[Laney]

Dear Suzanne, Suggest you try cutting out ALL sugar in the young girls diet, this should help to cut the period pain in half, it worked for me for over twenty years, if any sweetener is required try natural honey as it also acts as an antihaemorrhage agent. Good Luck. Laney 15/09/05

[nicola_red]

You can buy magnets which I think clip to the clothes, a friend says these are very effective, or Lil-lets make heat pads which stick to your stomach or wherever and just heat up themselves, I use those a lot. A more expensive solution would be a TENS machine which delivers electrical impulses to the area thus killing the pain, these are expensive but a permanent drug-free solution.

[nicnicnic]

I went on the pill at 13 because i had severe period pains and very heavy periods and i found it effective after i had found the right brand. Just because I was on the pill i did not feel the need to sleep around or anything like that. Nobody else would need to know except you and your daughter. However, you should go back to your GP and he would explain the benefits/drawbacks with you. There are very few medical risks associated with going on the pill at a young age as opposed to an older age, but this is for your own personal choice. Just dont not put her on it because of the stigmatism associated with a young girl being on the pill. At the end of the day your daughters wellbeing is most important! Sorry this wasnt supposed to be preachy please dont be offended! Let us know how you get on!

[tomd]

Don't tell her it's a contraceptive pill, just tell her it's for period pains.

[heartache]

I don't think you can beat the good old hot water bottle for those pains.

[Suzannew]

Thanks everyone for the tips. My concerns about the pill are the side effects and possible health risk rather than using it for contraception, inevitably once on it I suppose she could actually be on it longterm. I like the sound of the magnets, and cutting out sugar is a good idea. Thanks.

[RevShirls]

The heat pads that nicola_red suggested are excellent. I had terrible period pains even when I was on the pill - the pain was so severe I got really faint. The heat pads are fab and really helped. They just look like really big elastoplasts. You stick one one your stomach and it heats up very quickly and lasts for several hours. I bought them at Boots when I lived in Scotland. They can be pricey if you use them regularly but I used a hot water bottle at home and the heat pads when I was out. Acupuncture can really help too. too.

[vittoria]

I hope the heat pads etc., work but if you want to try another painkiller, have you heard or tried something called Buscopan? It may be sold in the UK under a slightly different name.

[nykkieberry]

She may not feel like it but exercise is a good natural way to ease pain. Try gentle swimming, walking or cycling. Also how about some complementary therapy? Try Omega 3, Magnesium, Evening Primrose Oil, B1 and B6 and Raspberry Leaf Tea. Or how about a TENS machine?

[Suzannew]

We have tried the heat pads, I agree they are very good. As she often has to come home from school if we can catch the pain before it really takes hold that would be good. I am thinking along of diet change/complimentary medicine. Thanks everyone.

[stonemonkey]

I've used IBUPROFEN in the past. It's brilliant.