<p>mimk6: My cramps worsened in my 40’s. OB/GYN said it was due to uterine fibroids and recommended D&C. Having gone through these after miscarriages, I elected to suffer each month because I don’t think my mental health could tolerate another D&C. You might want to check with your doctor to see if this is the cause.</p>
<p>re: such experiences in our 40’s</p>
<p>My admittedly uneducated and unsubstantiated opinion: Peri-menopause sucks (and I almost never use that term!)</p>
<p>I will not go into other details, for the same reason I do not think that expectant mothers should have to listen to stories other women’s birthing nightmares.</p>
<p>I had horrendous cramps for years. To the point of vomiting. The ONLY thing that ever worked was ibuprofen, which is a godsend. The key thing is to take at least 2, possibly even 3, every 4 hours as soon as she feels them starting.</p>
<p>Well, birth control pills worked too, but that’s a drastic solution for a 16 yr old unless she’s sexually active.</p>
<p>NOTE
please remember that ibuprofen and naproxen should be taken with food. This is especially important if taken frequently or at high doses. The deleterious effects to the stomach do not all result in discomfort; consequent internal bleeding can be present without pain.</p>
<p>p.s. I am not a physician, but have had a family member hospitalized for ibuprofen-induced bleeding. It was not a minor incident.</p>
<p>I have had 'orrible cramps in the past, ( I also had an ovarian cyst the size of a grapefruit)
but if medical conditions have been ruled out…
acupressure is very effective
[How</a> To Relieve Menstrual Cramps With Acupressure Video | Acupressure & Acupuncture Videos | Howcast.com](<a href=“http://www.howcast.com/videos/180325-How-To-Relieve-Menstrual-Cramps-With-Acupressure]How”>http://www.howcast.com/videos/180325-How-To-Relieve-Menstrual-Cramps-With-Acupressure)</p>
<p>sex
[YouthNoise</a> |](<a href=“http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=2708]YouthNoise”>http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=2708)</p>
<p>and herbal remedies to tone the uterus like raspberry leaf tea and dong quai
[HowStuffWorks</a> “Dong Quai: Herbal Remedies”](<a href=“http://health.howstuffworks.com/dong-quai-herbal-remedies.htm]HowStuffWorks”>Dong Quai: Herbal Remedies | HowStuffWorks)</p>
<p>As a teen, I was given a little port wine. I was told it would help with the anemia too, but I really don’t know if there is iron in port. Anyway, it helped with the cramps.</p>
<p>Exercising on a regular basis does work. Just do not start doing it on a first day of period. I mean this is a lifestyle change, not a fix for one day.</p>
<p>Have read through all this thread - terrible that so many woman suffer so much with this pain! My D is one who does as well - as I did before I had kids - she seems to have much more trouble pre-period actually starting than I did…</p>
<p>She has been trying the Tylenol/Naproxen route as prescribed by her doctor with SOME help SOME months - not entirely consistent though. She is going to see her doc this week again - I’m wondering if doc will finally suggest/encourage BCP’s…D has been reluctant in the past to consider this option.</p>
<p>I remember when I discovered prescription strength Motrin (1600mg) and it changed my life. I was so grateful for that. I remember the cramps did lessen after childbirth, but have worsened again with age and fibroids 
</p>
<p>I have two girls with cramping and other issues and one has tried various BC methods, but the whole over bleeding & cramping is still problematic.</p>
<p>Just to give all you perimenopausal women some hope … I simply stopped one day when I was 47. No issues, no problems. I guess it was my reward for years of pain!</p>
<p>I am fortunate in that I have not had the problems many of you ladies have had (mine are pretty uneventful), but when I hear of all the suffering, it reinforces for me that there is no such thing as “intelligent design”!</p>
<p>
I hate you ;)</p>
<p>I have been pg 5 times- ( two live births)- I don’t remember having significant cramps ( other than labor) for years- still having regular periods though at 51- I have stomach issues but not cramps.
But try the acupressure I mentioned earlier- it helps.</p>