ESPECIALLY FOR TEENAGERS: IS PERIOD PAIN NORMAL
Menstruation is a normal part of a girl’s development. Some girls start having periods at the age of nine while others do not have a period until they are fourteen or older.
At the time of their period some girls develop bad stomach cramps or pains. Because pain is nature’s way of telling us that something is wrong in our body it should not be ignored.
Many teenagers experiencing period pain are told that every woman has period pain and that it is quite normal. In fact, some women never have cramps while others only have mild discomfort.
Many girls are told that they will grow out of their menstrual pain. Unfortunately, if there is any underlying problem causing your period pain you will not grow out of it. In fact, in time it could get worse.
Others are told that everything will be OK once they have a baby — not very helpful advice for a teenager.
You should visit your GP if your menstrual cramps are so severe that you have to take time off school each month.
Your GP will want to know how you feel throughout your menstrual cycle. Be sure to provide as much accurate information as possible. Write the details down beforehand if necessary. You will be asked how long your period pain lasts, how severe the pain is and whether it stops you from doing your normal activities. You should also be asked if you have any other problems at the time of your period, such as heavy bleeding, backache or pain when you go to the toilet.
If you are not asked these questions and you do have any of these problems then you must say so. If you are sexually active and have found that intercourse is painful you should tell your GP as intercourse is not normally painful.
After your GP has listened to you and asked questions it may be suggested that you try certain tablets such as Panadol to help ease the pain.
It may also be suggested that you try taking anti-prostaglandins such as Ponstan or Naprogesic. Prostaglandins are substances in your body that help control the contraction of your uterus (womb). An imbalance of these prostaglandins may cause your uterus to contract too strongly and therefore cause pain. Anti-prostaglandin tablets may help to dampen down the effect of the prostaglandins and thereby reduce your period pain. Your GP may even prescribe the birth control pill. If you do not ovulate (produce an egg ready for fertilisation) your period pain may not be as severe.
For the majority of teenagers the above treatments will significantly alleviate the pain. However, if none of these treatments help your pain then your GP should refer you to a gynaecologist who specialises in treating women with complaints like this.
If your GP does not suggest that you see a specialist then it is OK for you to ask to see a gynaecologist.
When you visit the gynaecologist you will be asked numerous questions about your menstrual cycle. It will be necessary for you to be examined and the doctor may perform some tests to determine why you are experiencing so much period pain and/or other problems.
One of these tests is called a laparoscopy. This is an operation performed under a general anaesthetic where the gynaecologist inserts a telescope-like instrument into a cut just below your navel. The gynaecologist can then inspect your organs to see if anything is wrong.
During the operation it may be discovered that you have a disease called endometriosis — pronounced EN-DOUGH-MEET-TREE-OH-SIS.
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