When I was younger, (pre-pill) I had cramps enough that the Gynie prescribed me 800mg ibuprophens that helped a lot. I needed them for multiple days. After going on the pill*, I occasionally needed 2-400mg, usually just for one day. *Just the plain ole' 21 days on, 7 days off pill. Changing prescriptions due to acne didn't change my cycle.
Post partum, went back on the pill, and again, maybe needed a couple ibuprophens, but essentially no change in cycle.
Now that I've been off the pill for 10 months, the cramps are getting stronger, but still not to the point that a couple 400mg doses can't get me thru the worst day. I have never taken a sick day for menstral issues. Mental, yes.
My cramps are all in my lower back, and always have been. (I never had traditional braxton hicks, or any frontal contractions during childbirth either!! Everything for me is in my lower back. Yeah, I was the lucky one who suffered through
hours of back labor before being whisked off for an emergency C-section
) They are the worst right before the flow actually starts, and the first day. My periods have always been 3-4 days of bleeding, (reg tampon changed every 4 hrs with just a pad at night) and 1-2 days of spotting at the end (just a pantyliner). They vary in intensity from month to month, with a heavy month pretty much always following a light month.
I had one friend in HS whose periods were debilitating, and after going on the birth control pill were much better.
Wow. anything else you want to know?
