<p>For PMS, on the herbal/supplement side only Evening Primrose Oil and Calcium have shown positive benefit. Fish Oil will help your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
The most common side effects for birth control are minor and tend to go away. They tend to be things like nausea and stomach cramping. Some people do bloat when they first go on the pill, but since the weight goes away, it’s not considered a side effect of weight gain.
You need to keep cost in mind, if that is an issue. The absolute cheapest price is $9 (generic Ortho Tri-Cyclen at some pharmacies) and the most expensive is Yaz/Yasmin/Lybrel at $60.</p>
<p>I want to second (or third or whatever 
the recommendation to take fish oil and calcium. Both have research showing significant benefits. I had awful PMS and bad periods, but have neither on fish oil and calcium. BTW, I take them all month, but increase the amount a few days before my cycle starts. Wow, have they helped my mood swings! So much so, that when I ran out last summer and did without for a few weeks, my whole family noticed.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the wonderful advice!</p>
<p>I’ll definitely still talk to my doctor (I have to go in soon and get some vaccines for college) and see what she recommends…if she suggests I go to a GYN, I’ll make an appointment with my mom’s (I’ve never been to one before).</p>
<p>Please see a gyn and ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. People are assuming that the problem will be relieved by birth control pills, but there are hormonal issues that are not so resolved. Thyroid issues, for example. I have Hashimoto’s disease and it causes monstrous periods for me – still does. BIrth control pills wouldn’t/didn’t help, but appropriate thyroid maintenance does.</p>
<p>No one has mentioned one cause for painful periods: endometriosis. Uncontrolled endometriosis can threaten fertility and cause scarring of the pelvic organs. A friend of mine had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of the uterus and ovaries) at 40 as a result of her endometriosis and scar tissue was found surrounding the bowel and appendix as well. I had endometriosis for years–which I controlled with birth control pills–but was fortunate that the years of pregnancy and nursing served as treatment and cured it.</p>
<p>You need to see a good gynecologist. </p>
<p>If you don’t smoke, BC pills are generally quite safe. <a href=“https://www.ortho-mcneilpharmaceutical.com/ortho-mcneilpharmaceutical/shared/pi/ornov150.pdf[/url]”>https://www.ortho-mcneilpharmaceutical.com/ortho-mcneilpharmaceutical/shared/pi/ornov150.pdf</a>
(Note that the chart is for users of all kinds of oral contraceptives, not just the particular BC pill.)</p>
<p>Oh, and thanks Rrah for the vitamin reminder. I think it is a good idea for all college students, but especially young women, to take one multivitamin a day. Young women have the concerns of folate deficiency and pregnancy, but also anemia. It is important to take only one vitamin, because some vitamins are toxic in overdoses - Vit A, particularly - this isn’t a case where if a little works, a lot works great. A little extra iron, calcium and Vit C is also safe for almost everyone (there are some rare allergies to the components of the vitamins, but most people know by young adulthood that they can tolerate a multivitamin).
A good indicator of stress for many people is mouth ulcers - aphthous ulcers, not cold sores - when you are not eating properly or getting enough rest, you get more and more mouth ulcers. Vitamins strengthen your body’s repair functions (at least this is the theory about the impact on mouth ulcers) and the ulcers become less frequent. The ulcers can act as a warning sign that you are getting the rest and nutrition that your body needs.</p>
<p>Grace – See your doctor pronto. I have a dear friend who suffered from ‘female problems’ for years because her mother and sister had similar difficulties and she thought it was ‘normal’. Only after her first child was born and she happened to discuss her problems casually with a nurse did she realize that her 10+ years of suffering had been unnecessary. She’d missed an awful lot of the fun of her teenage years because of her dreadful ‘time of the month’ which usually lasted several weeks. Finding out the truth not only helped her but also her family members. </p>
<p>Hey, what do the others here think about this new ‘pill’ which limits your periods to 4x a year?</p>
<p>HGFM: </p>
<p>This may be TMI but understanding what causes normal cramps (I agree with advice above to make sure they are normal in origin and not pathological) can reduce pain. </p>
<p>It is simply the muscle contractions of the uterus (the strongest muscle in the human body, of either sex) expelling the unfertilized egg. It’s just a muscle doing it’s job (maybe in overdrive in your case). </p>
<p>Natural things that reduce uterine cramp pain, gleaned in natural childbirth classes: relaxation, deep breathing, pooching out your belly (opposite of the way we usually stand, tummy tucked in), hot water bottle, hot bath, visualization, squatting, movement, etc. </p>
<p>“Normal” pain is less scary and less painful than “uh-oh” pain. When you feel “uh-oh” pain, your natural reaction is tension and adrenaline and the pain worsens. Especially with recurrent pain like a cramp when you’re bracing yourself for another one.</p>
<p>Normal pain, however, does not produce this response. Normal pain = stretching tight muscles, pain of major workout, pain of simple injury, pain of normal headache. Basically pain with no fear element.</p>
<p>I have experienced horrible cramps only two or three times-- it is just like labor pain. Maybe some of these things can help and you’ll have a big head start on handling child birth one day.</p>
<p>Seasonale, Seasonique, and Quassense limit the number of periods to four a year. Lybrel allows you to have no periods. However, it might be cheaper to just skip the placebo pills on an older birth control brand. Some don’t come with placebo pills.
There is a controversial theory that taking birth control pills will increase your risk of breast cancer.
Here’s an old article about use of CAM is PMS, etc. [ScienceDirect</a> - Reproductive Toxicology : Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in reproductive-age women: a review of randomized controlled trials](<a href=“http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TC0-47RJWC7-2&_user=186797&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000013678&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=186797&md5=23fa625970b2bb945140e51a15a0fa31]ScienceDirect”>http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TC0-47RJWC7-2&_user=186797&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000013678&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=186797&md5=23fa625970b2bb945140e51a15a0fa31)</p>
<p>One more voice here – I got excellent cramp relief on BC, and no side effects that I’m aware of.</p>
<p>I too vote for seeing a doctor. While it’s unlikely, there’s an outside chance that your painful periods are caused by endometriosis or uterine polyps or something else. There’s also a new blood test that at least some doctors are giving before prescribing the pill. It apparently can identify the factor which makes some women more likely to get a clot or stroke from the pill. One of my young relatives “flunked” the test and her doctor was emphatic that she should tell every female relative of child-bearing age to have the test before starting the pill because this runs in families.</p>
<p>In my completely unexpert opinion, every young woman should have a yearly gyn exam starting at 18 (or earlier if there is an issue that needs to be discussed). It’s as important as having a check-up with the primary care physician because reproductive health has such a big impact on general health and quality of life. Try out the fish oil and vitamins and make an appt with a gyn. The two are not mutually exclusive.</p>
<p>Wow…I had no idea that this could be so serious.</p>
<p>I will make an appointment with my doctor ASAP and ask what she thinks.</p>
<p>My periods aren’t at the point where I miss out on stuff, it’s just bad cramps (not disabling, but painful) and depression. Definitely not as bad as what some of you have described.</p>
<p>MarinMom…a great point. My 18th birthday falls shortly after I start college, so maybe I’ll ask my mom to make an appointment over the summer.</p>
<p>I concur with seeing a professional. My D had exactly the same problems you describe. She was terrified about going to a gynecologist, but did not require the pap smear test as she was not sexually active at the time.
She tried a couple different options…the main thing is that she developed a trust with her doctor and now readily goes on her own, even encouraging some college aged friends who are 22 and NEVER been to gynecologist.</p>
<p>Don’t wait. You will feel better for understanding your health, and seeking the best option for you. It really is important. And just because your family members may have had trouble with BC doesn’t mean you will too, especially because there are many many options and ONE of them will surely help.</p>
<p>I promise you will be glad you went.</p>
<p>My periods aren’t at the point where I miss out on stuff, it’s just bad cramps (not disabling, but painful) and depression.</p>
<p>HGFM- heads up with your mention of “depression”.
I know a girl who took Yas for PolyOvarian Cystic Disease, and within 2 months, had intense body changes ie breasts enlarged two cup sizes, but the scariest change was her personality.
When she returned home for Christmas break, all her family members realized she had serious mood swings/ personality changes. </p>
<p>Mother found out another friend’s daughter had exactly the same side effects. This girl called Dr and switched to one with less effects. </p>
<p>google- blogs, “birth control mood swings, depression” - and, you WILL BE SHOCKED. I know, I know it is just anectdotal info, but THERE is SOME TRUTH to it, when SO many girls suffer.</p>
<p>has anyone mentioned calcium? Taking a Tums or two a few days a week for heartburn has all but eliminated my moodiness b4 my period. It’s another thing to ask yout Dr about. I still get nasty cramps but the moodiness is gone, but that may because I am old enough to be your mama :)</p>
<p>See your doctor…regarding fish oils: A friend of mine just found out that rancid fish oil can cause cancer. Use fish oils from Scandinavian countries as opposed to China. (This was from her doctor not mine.) To take into consideration re: birth control pills…family medical history including breast cancer. And only your doctor would be able to give you input on that, but it is a factor.</p>
<p>OK, so I’m the mom of 2 boys… BUT! I went on BC pills at 19 or 20 (eons ago) to control painful periods and severe migraines, which were hormonally linked. My periods were not heavy, actually, quite light, but unbearably painful. I was on the pill for several years, then went off. Went back on for a short time, then off again when I decided to start a family</p>
<p>Ironically, after having my kids, I’ve been dealing with fibroids, which I’ve been taking bc pills to control for years. I’ve also had a procedure, uterine embolization, to help with shrinking them. But the pills have been a godsend. About 6 years ago, under a doctor’s care, I began taking them without the placebos (before the Seasonal and like pills came on the market) and I never had a period. Sometimes, due to the fibroid, I have some bleeding through, which is what led to the embolization 2 1/2 years ago. I still take the pills, and still don’t get periods. Ever.</p>
<p>Now, I didn’t read every post, so I hope I’m not being repetitive… but… the
Point is… you might have endomedtriosis, as other posters have mentioned. You might have a fibroid. Or just painful periods. But bc pills definitely help. Just because your mom & sister couldn’t “handle” them, doesn’t mean you won’t. Everyone has a different tolerance, and, maybe they didn’t stick with it long enough to find out for sure. It takes a couple of months for your body to adjust – I remember being naseous. Taking the pill at night helps, after you’ve had a full day of food. Never worked for me in the morning. And they’re always coming out with new versions of pills to try.</p>
<p>But just remember… and I’d say this if you were my daughter or my niece… if you’re sexually active, the pill isn’t protection. I told my friend when her daughter started taking the pill as a teen – to remind her that the pill is a medicine for her menstrual problems – not birth control. Actually, as a mom of sons, I’ve told my boys that too!</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Talk to your doctor about what may be causing your problems. He/she can give you the best advice.</p>
<p>You won’t know what side effects BC will give YOU unless you try it. If you hate it, you can just stop taking it.</p>
<p>My D and several of her friends are on Yaz. It has a wonderful side effect - her skin looks gorgeous. No pimples ever. Her periods are shorter and lighter, and PMS is GREATLY reduced (which the rest of us in the family appreciate, lol). She has had no negative side effects at all - no nausea, etc. Other happy side-effect - it made her breasts slightly larger. Since she’s barely an “A”, she was thrilled.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, my gyn gave me a warning to share with her. The Dr had 2 patients who got pregnant while taking Yaz last year. She says if someone is taking Yaz for birth control, they should take Yazmin, which is just slightly stronger. Yaz is good for women who are not sexually active, or those who have had their tubes tied but need Yaz for control of cramps, bleeding or acne. My D does not currently have a bf and I’d like to believe she’s not sexually active, but I passed the warning on “just in case” and told her to warn her friends.</p>
<p>Also - someone mentioned medical history. My family has a history of ovarian cancer. The Pill actually REDUCES the risk of ovarian cancer, which is another reason I agreed my daughter could take it. If you have any history of ovarian cancer in your family this is an important consideration. I believe the relationship between the pill and breast cancer is still unclear, studies have had mixed results (but I could be wrong).</p>
<p>Just something to consider (along with everything else!) is that different methods of hormonal birth control release different amounts of hormones into the bloodstream.</p>
<p>Doses of hormones in oral contraceptives have to be higher than the amount your body needs to “think” it’s pregnant, because a large amount of hormone is lost in the digestive system, and another large amount is converted into inactive compounds in the liver. </p>
<p>For this reason, women who are very sensitive to oral contraceptives can do really well on a method like the ring, which bypasses the digestive loss of hormone and therefore generally doesn’t cause symptoms like morning sickness or breast tenderness. The blood concentrations of hormone in women who are on the ring are lower than the blood concentrations of women who are on oral contraceptives or on the patch (although, of course, the local amount of hormone in the reproductive system is quite adequate).</p>
<p>I’m pretty sensitive to hormones myself, as is my mom, and neither she nor I did very well on oral contraceptives. I have been on the ring for almost two years now, and my contraceptive-related side effects have basically disappeared.</p>