Includes Expert Content
excruciating pain during every other period
mrhea posted:
hello. im a 28 year old female. mother of one. i have horribly painful periods alternating months. the pain is so bad that it causes me to pass out and vomit at times. Its much worse than labor and lasts about 1 to 3 days with no relief in between. It started when i was 23. i had one episode and ended up in the E.R. Then got pregnant so i didnt have another episode until I was 24. but since the its like clock work (every 56 days) alternating periods. the pain is always on my right side. my doc has tested me for every std and has done numerous sonograms etc. In aug 2012 he did a laparoscopic procedure and found a "signifigant" amount of endometriosis. He told me the procedure should give me a couple years of relief, but my pain was back in Nov. Also i have pain in between periods (feels like there is a rock in my back) and i have been growing thick wirey facial hair. my doc still insists its not a hormonal problem. Please help! I feel like im missing out on my life!
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:excruciating pain during every other periodhello. im a 28 year old female. mother of one. i have horribly painful periods alternating months. the pain is so bad that it causes me to pass out and vomit at times. Its much worse than labor and lasts about 1 to 3 days with no relief in between. It started when i was 23. i had one episode and ended up in the E.R. Then got pregnant so i didnt have another episode until I was 24. but since the its like clock work (every 56 days) alternating periods. the pain is always on my right side. my doc has tested me for every std and has done numerous sonograms etc. In aug 2012 he did a laparoscopic procedure and found a "signifigant" amount of endometriosis. He told me the procedure should give me a couple years of relief, but my pain was back in Nov. Also i have pain in between periods (feels like there is a rock in my back) and i have been growing thick wirey facial hair. my doc still insists its not a hormonal problem. Please help! I feel like im missing out on my life!
mrhea responded:
forgot to mention that my blood flow during the painful months is much less than the non painful months....
Report This| Share this:excruciating pain during every other period<i>forgot to mention that my blood flow during the painful months is much less than the non painful months....</i>
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear mrhea: Often the severe cramping, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, is a result of excessive prostaglandin production. Most menstrual cramps are caused by the release of prostaglandins from the lining of the uterus. Prostaglandins create both the cramps of labor and menstrual cramps by making the uterus contract. Common cramps may start prior to the onset of flow and usually last 72 hours. There are also receptor sites for prostaglandins in the bowel and central nervous system. Thus prostaglandins can produce not just cramps but also nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and other "flu-like" symptoms.
In your specific case you also have the known, marked endometriosis ("endo"). Sometimes the endo can even invade the muscular walls of the uterus--this is called adenomyosis. In both instances the pain of menstruation, caused by prostaglandins, is amplified by the pain from the bleeding of the endometriosis implants.
What is most perplexing to me is the precisely every other month (right side only) severity of your pain. Endo implants do not usually act this way. One thing I would wonder is if your uterus is to the right of the midline of your body--or if there are more endo implants on the right side. Some women do seem to have unequal menstrual pain from month to month.MULTIPLE literature searches at the National Library of Medicine site did not yield any useful citations. One journal article from 1984 described a patient with a pelvic mass on the right from a supposed IUD caused infection where pain was erratic.
In terms if the coarse facial hair, one cause MIGHT be increased male hormones ("androgens"), or decreased levels of sex hormone binding protein produced in the liver. One of the common causes of this can be polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Usually women with PCOS are plagued with irregular/missed periods, acne, unwanted hair growth, and may be overweight. Typically none of these would be likely to cause your pain symptoms.
I would urge you to return to your GYN about the reappearance of the severe pain. They may want to do a trial of one of several types of hormone therapy used to suppress endometriosis to see if this can eliminate the cyclic pain. Gosh, we hope something can be found to give you back your quality of life.
In Sympathy,
Jane
In your specific case you also have the known, marked endometriosis ("endo"). Sometimes the endo can even invade the muscular walls of the uterus--this is called adenomyosis. In both instances the pain of menstruation, caused by prostaglandins, is amplified by the pain from the bleeding of the endometriosis implants.
What is most perplexing to me is the precisely every other month (right side only) severity of your pain. Endo implants do not usually act this way. One thing I would wonder is if your uterus is to the right of the midline of your body--or if there are more endo implants on the right side. Some women do seem to have unequal menstrual pain from month to month.MULTIPLE literature searches at the National Library of Medicine site did not yield any useful citations. One journal article from 1984 described a patient with a pelvic mass on the right from a supposed IUD caused infection where pain was erratic.
In terms if the coarse facial hair, one cause MIGHT be increased male hormones ("androgens"), or decreased levels of sex hormone binding protein produced in the liver. One of the common causes of this can be polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Usually women with PCOS are plagued with irregular/missed periods, acne, unwanted hair growth, and may be overweight. Typically none of these would be likely to cause your pain symptoms.
I would urge you to return to your GYN about the reappearance of the severe pain. They may want to do a trial of one of several types of hormone therapy used to suppress endometriosis to see if this can eliminate the cyclic pain. Gosh, we hope something can be found to give you back your quality of life.
In Sympathy,
Jane
Report This| Share this:excruciating pain during every other periodDear mrhea: Often the severe cramping, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, is a result of excessive prostaglandin production. Most menstrual cramps are caused by the release of prostaglandins from the lining of the uterus. Prostaglandins create both the cramps of labor and menstrual cramps by making the uterus contract. Common cramps may start prior to the onset of flow and usually last 72 hours. There are also receptor sites for prostaglandins in the bowel and central nervous system. Thus prostaglandins can produce not just cramps but also nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and other "flu-like" symptoms.<br /><br />In your specific case you also have the known, marked endometriosis ("endo"). Sometimes the endo can even invade the muscular walls of the uterus--this is called adenomyosis. In both instances the pain of menstruation, caused by prostaglandins, is amplified by the pain from the bleeding of the endometriosis implants.<br /><br />What is most perplexing to me is the precisely every other month (right side only) severity of your pain. Endo implants do not usually act this way. One thing I would wonder is if your uterus is to the right of the midline of your body--or if there are more endo implants on the right side. Some women do seem to have unequal menstrual pain from month to month.MULTIPLE literature searches at the National Library of Medicine site did not yield any useful citations. One journal article from 1984 described a patient with a pelvic mass on the right from a supposed IUD caused infection where pain was erratic.<br /><br />In terms if the coarse facial hair, one cause MIGHT be increased male hormones ("androgens"), or decreased levels of sex hormone binding protein produced in the liver. One of the common causes of this can be polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Usually women with PCOS are plagued with irregular/missed periods, acne, unwanted hair growth, and may be overweight. Typically none of these would be likely to cause your pain symptoms.<br /><br />I would urge you to return to your GYN about the reappearance of the severe pain. They may want to do a trial of one of several types of hormone therapy used to suppress endometriosis to see if this can eliminate the cyclic pain. Gosh, we hope something can be found to give you back your quality of life.<br /><br />In Sympathy,<br />Jane
Featuring Experts
Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, RNP, is a nurse practitioner and has been a practicing women's health care specialist for 15 years. She was on the facul...More
Helpful Tips
birth control pills and gelatin-like clots
I started taking birth control pills because I had an ovarian cyst that made periods painful. Now when I'm on my periods, I will go to the ... More
Was this Helpful?
34
of
73 found this helpful
Helpful Resources
Expert Blog
Below the Belt: Women's Health - Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, RNP
From HPV to irregular periods to PMS to fibroids, Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, is here to share her knowledge and insight...Read More
Related News
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Women's Health Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.