GIRLS: I've been told by a few people that people with severe menstrual cramps experience similar pain to labor pains. Do you think it's true?

[Anonymous]

Basically, I have awful, awful cramps. I have learned to somewhat manage them. I mean... it still hurts like hell, but... well.. I don't have all the other things it usually does to me. Without any remedies this is how it is: I get chills and hot flashes, I pass out, I vomit often (sometimes 10+ times in a night), usually bedridden (can't walk). I've been rushed to the hospital for cramps several times. I've been to many doctors over my period cramps and basically I'm just a very unfortunate person who has terrible cramps. They're like this every single period. Like I said though, I have found remedies that at least take away all the other stuff (not the pain though).

My question is.. I've been told that my period cramps are possibly the same pain as a woman in labor goes through (by a doctor and by other people as well). Do you think that's possible? Also, someone said maybe childbirth would be easier for me if that's the case. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

What you've been told is true and it's truly a blessing that it is. My problem is solely the chills, hot flashes and nausea sometimes so my heart really does go out to you. Though from observation, I have witnessed almost every month, my older sister go through all of the agony you go through and it is very horrible. I seriously wish I could help her. Likewise, my mom went through the same exact thing as you both all the way up until she had my sister, but YES she did say that going through labour felt exactly like the menstrual cramps in the past. She said that as unfortunate as her menstrual cycles were, they helped her cope with labour better. She was thinking"Oh it's the same pain I go through every month." That's not to say that labour was a piece of cake but she was already used to the awful feeling. In result, now she is much better and can actually go on with her day by taking the odd Tylenol/Advil or sometimes she doesn't need any pain killers. Mutually, many teachers I spoke with told me the same thing, that a child relieved their cramps and nausea too. Honestly, I pray the same outcome will happen for all the of the females who go through this like your self and my sister, but sweetheart please have faith as very hard as it is, because there is certainly hope for you in what those people told you.

Warmest wishes <3

[MissBex95]

Yes it can be true. I remember when my older sister was going through labour she told me that the pain she was feeling was similar to cramps she's had and if anything her menstrual cramps were worse than labour pain!

[Asker]

Wow! Does she have similar cramps to like I described? I had a family friend tell me something similar like that. She had severe cramps and said childbirth for her was similar to having period cramps.

[MissBex95]

Your symptoms sound very similar yes! I remember several times growing up when she would be on her period and feel the need to throw up or pass out so yes!

[Asker]

Very interesting... does she still have severe cramps now? Or did they get better after giving birth? I've heard sometimes they get better after giving birth.

[MissBex95]

Yeah she told me her periods are shorter now and cramps are less! So yes it's all true lol

[safaa152007]

Your menstrual pain doesn't correlate to labor pain, some girls like yourself have sever dysmenorrhea (painful mentruation) and it can be managed by analgesic drugs, nevertheless labor pain is quite excruciating I bet you won't recognize or measure its intensity compared to other types of pain.

[front2back]

My mom said passing a kidney stone is worse than birth, which was worse than periods.

Apparently passing kidney stones must really suck.

[Asker]

Ouch... I can't imagine... I salute your mom for her pain tolerance!

[Anonymous]

Acutally, no. The exact opposite is going to happen. (That's at least what my doctor told me)

You experience pain every month because your body doesn't adapt its hormonal levels to it. Histamine makes us feel pain. The hormone that inhibits this is called Dao which has to rise when you histamine rises in order to break it down. So when you go on your period for you your histamine level rises... but Dao doesn't adapt. -> leads to pain a person can hardly handle.
When you get pregnant a lot of things happen to your body (I mean seriously, it basically stretches the belly to the 5x size if it.. that would normally hurt, wouldn't it?). What happens is that your body will adjust its Dao levels to the histamine levels which means this will probably be the only time in your life when you won't have any pain or cramps simply because your period will stay away for 9 months :)

I had the same problem. There is a "drug" you can take besides painkillers (although they have pretty hard stuff on the market). It's called DAOSIN and it is supposed to adjust you Dao level before you go on your period. Two doctors both told me it's a 50/50 chance if it works for you or it doesn't. I was lucky enough to be relieved from this. Might wanna give it a try :)

[DiggerForTeal]

Omg I have terrible cramps as well! I have to double my dosage of Midol just to be able to walk and move at all! But it still hurts like a bitch! I'm not sure if it's similar to labor I've never had a kid to know, but it probably builds up a good resistance to pain so labor isn't as bad. I heard chamomile tea works wonders for your period. I haven't tried it yet. I usually take a while bunch of meds and then lay in bed crying with a heating pad on my stomach and eventually I pass out. And omg I geg chills and hot flashes too! I feel like I'm going through menopause! I hate that I get such bad cramps especially because none of my friends even get cramps so when I start i usually have to cancel becasue I can't even get up. But they don't see it that way, they think I'm being a baby or just don't want to talk to them. It ticks me off because then along with the cramps I have to explain my pain a million times to them.

[Asker]

Yeah, a lot of people don't understand. It sucks when I'm on a trip and my cycle starts or something, because other people don't understand. They think I'm dying or being melodramatic, Some people tell me "that's not normal!" but really, some people are just unfortunate to have bad cramps. I have found the things that work best for me are: 1.) Eating Bananas. 2.) Avoiding Salt and Caffeine around period time 3.) Birth Control pills. So you might consider trying some of that. I didn't want to go on B. C. pills, but I was desperate and they seem to help a lot, so I take them for cramps. I do drink chamomile tea a lot! It can help, but it depends... once I felt nauseous and drank chamomile tea and somehow it pushed my body to throw up. It made me feel worse. But typically, chamomile tea does help, because it relaxes your muscles and will help you sleep. It's a great tea to have in your house, because it works for a lot of illnesses.

[DiggerForTeal]

Oh wow! Thank you so much! I'm going to try all of those!

[nurseanne]

I had a friend who had similar severe cramps as you, first days totally incapacitate her and does not eat nor drink during first days, but then one day, those severe cramps. Have you tried exercising? It does not have to be when you have your mense. Usually, exercise lessens the pain, when you get it. And im not sure regarding your menstrusl cramps equals that of labor pains. I've cared for women with labor pains, and its dangerous :) its like if you made one wrong word or move and they will probably give you that look 'i will rip your hair out'. Hehe.

[Asker]

Haha! Yeah, I've heard they get really irritable. With that pain, I guess who wouldn't? :p I have tried exercising. I mean... I exercise in my daily life. During my cramps, it's way too painful to even stand and walk let alone exercise, so unfortunately I couldn't. I have found that birth control pills (though I hate the idea of taking them), bananas, and avoiding caffeine and salt helps. :)

[nurseanne]

Sorry to hear exercise didn't work, happy to know you got alternatives to lessen the pain.:)

[Nairamata]

Well with both birth and your period the uterine walls and cervix are contracting. I imagine birth is going to be way worse.

And I know you didn't ask this, but to deal with the horrid cramps I would go on hormonal birth control pills. That's what I had to do because I have very similar symptoms as you. The vomiting and being unable to move and generally ruined for 5-7 days each month. Now I have a light, mild to no cramps period for 3-4 days every three months. If you haven't considered it, now may be the time.

[snowangle]

It's very possible! Menstrual cramps are caused by the uterus contracting slowly to help pass the blood. And as you know, labor pains are caused by uterine contractions. So, as severe as yours are, the pains are probably very similar. That sucks! I'm happy you can at least manage the other symptoms.

[Teeny1]

Until you have a child (I have had two) there is absolutely no similarity to the level of pain of a bad period and having a baby. Remember not only is your uterus contracting during labor, you are also pushing out a 5-8lb baby! But you can get drugs for that. I personally didn't I went au natural and yes it was intense but worth it.

[Asker]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, is maybe contractions might be similar, but in the end, there would probably be a sort-of ripping pain at the entrance or something. I respect your decision to go natural! I want to, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle it. I'll make that decision when the time comes, but knowing me (someone who has natural approaches to every ailment) I'll probably end up doing a natural way.

[Teeny1]

one good thing though, if you have kind of weird/bad/painful periods I have heard that having a baby changes that part of your period. And no there isn't a ripping pain, you get an slight cut right before you push them out but trust me you don't even feel that lol... Birth is fearful until you do it; then its like ok yea I did it! The au natural thing for me was my baby was experiencing pain, and just felt it was kind of chicken shit to not take it on myself and share the entire birth experience with my child.

[ladymcbeth]

Never had a baby so don't know. I have had kidney stones and my Endometriosis was that bad as far as pain when I was 15 before I had surgery and they burned it off. I take herbs and mange my symptoms by diet so its never that bad anymore. Do you know what you have? Obviously something medical. If your doctors ate having a hard time, google your symptoms and you should have some answers along with some practical things to help.

[Asker]

Every doctor just says severe dysmenorrhea. I've tried a lot of remedies, and mostly diet (avoiding caffeine + salt and eating bananas) helps. It's weird, because warm baths used to help, but now they make it 100x worse. For some reason when I bathe during cramps, it makes 'down there' feel "enflamed". It's like a burning feeling, and it hurts so bad. So I never bathe while having cramps, because it's way too painful. It didn't used to be this way though.

[Teeny1]

never ever go in water if you are cramping; I don't know what it is, but swimming taking a bath wow, I would cramp so bad. Just to ease you gals who worry about giving birth. Yes it is painful but its more like a wave of it and the faster the waves the sooner its over. Actually the worst part for me was when you want to push but you are just not there yet, and then the baby comes out and viola! the pain is gone. Just don't ever forget your body is literally designed for no other reason than to give birth.

[Starsite]

I think periods can be brutal, but I don't think the two can compare. It is similair in that your uterus is contracting to shed the lining. I don't think anyone can for sure tell you what childbirth will be like for you, but if you have horrendous periods you should be watchful of post baby blues. Talk to your doctor, he/she may have some ideas to help you. :)

[ratherbebeaching]

I speak from experience. When I was a teen and in my early twenties I had terrible cramping every period. Not nearly as bad as you, you poor thing. Sorry to hear what you go through. Labor is similar to your cramping yes. I do not know if I can agree that labor will be easier because of what you go through every month. I do have good news though. After I had my child my periods never hurt again. I think once the uterus goes through expansion and then contractions it is less reactive to menstruation. Hope when you finally get to have your precious baby it brings with it the gift of painless periods like mine did.

[NitNoy3]

Your cramps sound worse than the labor pains that I had. I've had two children and the contractions weren't that bad, but I had an epidural before my water broke both times. I heard the contractions are more painful after your water breaks. My contractions just felt like how your stomach feels when you eat something bad. I thought I just had bad seafood the night before, so I waited 5 hours before going to the hospital to deliver my first born.

[thenecessaryevil]

Menstruation for some women can be so disabling, in the military we actually had a female who could not complete her train in because her period symptoms were so bad. They gave her an honorable discharge. Often these more severe symptoms have an underlying cause though, extreme cramping and pain is often due to endometriosis. There are plenty of commercials (ob regular US t. v.) that now discuss the pain and discomfort of it. Age and child bearing also Change it. It doesn't hurt to discuss the pain with your doctor.

[SuperMommie13]

I don't know labor was pretty intense and I could not wait for that epidural. I don't get severe cramps during my period but I suppose they could be similar but not the same. Everyone experiences labor pains differently though. I had pain across my entire stomach and back while I was in labor, it was hard to breathe talk or move much.

[mehwhocares]

My mother will tell you that labour pains are on par with her menstral cramps. Not all cramps can be managed with drugs and sometimes cramps are more sever because of other issues such as fibroids or cysts. A good gyno can make a world of difference though, he was able to determine from my symptoms what was causing me the most pain and he was able to take it from a pain of 20/10 to an 8/10. I also find that a lot of stress is caused by dreading my period and having to make sure that I have fulfilled all my commitments that fall on the days of my period before hand. I wish you all the best and I hope that your pain management techniques are helping you- it can be a crappy situation.

[mehwhocares]

Just to add- many midol pills have caffeine. Personally I prefer to take my drugs straight with no caffeine added. Naproxen works best for me. My mother would used ibuprofen with acetaminophen (yes you can mix the two just with any drugs it's hard on the liver).

[VIsQveen]

Periods are like free trials of childbirth. (Or that's at least how I think about it lol) These pains you're feeling will at least make you tolerable for early stages of childbirth. As in water breakage and early contractions. But I'm no professional.

I just base it off of what my mom tells me she works in the maternity ward at the hospital.

[Yellowbone]

I used to have excrutiatingly painful cramps. If I didn't have any pain medicine, I strongly believe I'd shoot myself in the head. Then I got put on birth control which helped out a lot.

I don't know if they feel as bad as childbirth but I wouldn't be surprised.

[unicornsandglitter]

I think whoever you are talking to is over exaggerating. I mean the muscles being used to get rid of the inner lining of the uterus are the same as what would be used with labor. However, labor pains are trying to shove a cantaloupe through a pea sized hole and using force to do so. I doubt they are comparable.

[Anonymous]

I went to the emergency room once because of mine ;/ and took pamprin, midol, those things bust the best has been the Aleve Gel tablets. As soon as I feel slightly odd down there or see blood of my cycle starting i take the recommended dose of 2 at first and take one 10-12 hrs later and then another in the next.

You can't exceed 4 in 24 hr period though!!!

Gel Aleves have worked the best by far for me and I was told I might have cramps simular to contractions as well by a GYNO, good luck!

[Asker]

Thanks! Not sure if I can take Aleve with other medications that I'm on, but I'll look into it. I have tried Aleve, but maybe the gel ones work better?

[523206720]

The pain might be akin to labour pains - located in the same area - feel the same type of sensations etc... but I doubt that it is just as painful as labour pains.

[Anonymous]

Did you check to see if you have a condition, like using an ultrasound, to see if the pain is caused by Endometriosis or cysts/pcos? If you do, then the pain might be even worse than childbirth... Otherwise, maybe you're really dehydrated and so your muscles are super tense, I LOVE this woman's massage video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaF03IhHdT4

[usernameismyusername]

I too am experiencing severe menstrual cramps during my period. I also have been told that the pain is similar to labor pain when giving birth but my mom said giving birth is more painful then menstrual cramps.

[Asker]

I'm wondering if It depends on the person maybe, because some people say it's the same, some people say it doesn't correlate at all... so maybe some peoples cramps are so bad that it is similar, or maybe there's another reason for that. It's interesting to me though.