Am I the only one that gets really bad period pain?

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It sucks for sure. I started my periods with severe pain and vomiting for about 24 hours solid. I get migraines - of which headaches are only one possible symptom - vomiting and migraines went together for me for years ... diverting a tangent here ...

I've had a rough ride with the menstrual rodeo, but here is my personal experience:

- The more bloated I am, the more painful my period. Counter-intuitive - but keep I hydrated - I drink water. I also find avoiding salt and making sure I get more veggies (especially celery) helps a lot. Walking and moving around more as soon as I feel I am getting close helps - and then a day or two rest when it starts. But - anything that helps you pee and keep from bloating - in my experience - makes for lesser cramps.

- I find a yoga move - lay on my back and draw my knees up toward my chest and just kind of rock a little side to side - helps - good for gas cramps, too. Just don't raise your pelvis of the floor on a pillow or anything - apparently bad during menses. Sitting in a squat and hanging out there I find helps.

- I tried this from Dr. Christiane Northrup's book - and even if it is merely soothing it is nice - flannel soaked with castor oil on your belly, covered with saran wrap, and then a heating pad over top - or hot water bottle or whatever. I find if I help the belly pain, I help the back pain.

- Anti-inflammatory foods seems to help me - such as ginger and tumeric. A butternut squash soup with curry I find great for a bad stomach. Ginger is nice as cubes or grated in hot water with a little honey.

- I take Omega 3s and vitamin d - both anti-inflammatory.

- Of course, a good check up - may or may not be helpful - but may help you rule out or specify what you are dealing with.

- I have fibroids - most are not symptomatic but mine are - irregular, heavy, and prolonged bleeding with pain. I take supplements with iron and I will ride them out - they apparently shrink when you get to the change - they are estrogen driven. Do your research on your options - I feel that I may be more miserable in some respects but safer and healthier in the long-run. There are trade-offs, risks, and options to consider - I think it is UBC that has a great site on current research and wisdom in this arena.

Best of luck! LM