I’m 35 and my periods have always been really super-crampy. As in, cramps that leave me curled up in a ball on the floor, whimpering. After years of not having it, thanks to birth control pills, this week I find myself hosting an unwelcome visitor because of a pharmacy mix-up.
AUNT FLO
So, to cope, I went on Youtube and watched a couple funny videos about our monthly nemesis. In the comments section of this one, I read about a 10-year-old girl who is getting her period for the first time and isn’t sure what to do.
Remember feeling that way? I do! So I prepared a rough and ready memo sheet. Hopefully it’ll help.
- Certain types of painkillers work better on periods than on regular pain. There’s a prescription one called Mefenamic Acid, and it works on the smooth muscles, which are part of why you get period cramps. You need a prescription from your doctor to get them. It’s very important to NOT take any other type of NSAID at the same time (ie aspirin or ibuprofen).
- Talk to your doctor about getting birth control pills to either stop the period completely, or at least make your bleeding less heavy, and there are a few types out there. One type of birth control pill is when you take it every day, but always stop taking it for one week every month, and that’s when you usually get your period. Another type is one that you take every day, and you DON’T take a week off from it each month. These types can stop the period from happening altogether.
- You can ask a female teacher, relative, guidance counselor or friend for advice. If you forget to bring pads to school one day, chances are that there’s at least one or two other girls in your class, or even one of the female teachers, who has an extra pad they can give you.
