Things I told my doctor: * I've been missing school about once a month for years * My period pain is so bad that I have to take more than the recommended dose of ibuprofen to get by * My pain is so bad that sometimes I start throwing up uncontrollably * I've been rushed to the hospital by ambulance because I ran out of ibuprofen, collapsed from the pain, and couldn't stop vomiting My doctor prescribed naproxen and birth control. 7 doctors and 14 years later, I finally found a doctor who suggested it might be endometriosis. It was. Moral of the story: if your doctor doesn't take your pain seriously, switch doctors, and keep switching until one listens.
Yes 👏 Yes👏 Yes!👏 Not all doctors work for everyone. Just like not all bras fit every woman, sometimes you got to look around for a new one if it's not working. Everyone has different bodies, including doctors. Sometimes they don't understand you the way you need to be understood and there is NOTHING wrong with finding a new one who WILL listen! Glad to hear you got the help you needed! I have a similar story, but about PCOS and low progesterone levels. I would literally have gushing periods, three week long periods, where I bled through a tampon, a pad, through my clothes, down my legs or all over where I was sitting. Doctor and mother were like: so maybe change your products more often. And for me, changing both of those more than once an hour did not make any sense!! Glad I now have a doctor that listen and is willing to work with me! My periods are much better than they were (though not all the way "normal" or "average"), but I'm happy with the progress my doctor and I have made!
It took me seven years to get diagnosed with endometriosis despite years of pain. My parents are really religious and when my pediatrician recommended that I see a gynecologist because she recognized my period symptoms weren't normal, my mother said no. When I was 18 (several years later) I finally got to see one who prescribed me birth control, but did nothing further to diagnose me. I finally found an endometriosis specialist through word of mouth and had surgery at age 19. I shouldn't have had to find a doctor myself but I'm so glad to be out of that hell! Best wishes to all of you in this comment section :)
@@serenemolly 16 yrs to get diagnosed with PCOS. I got the, it's all in your head, you just want attention crap for 16 yrs. So, I'm a biologists, I've studied PCOS a lot. I go to new drs. who get made at me cause I dont just blindly listen to them about PCOS. Had one dr. who wanted to change my meds, her reasoning, the computer says this other meds also treat it. Good lord, I think I know more than the freaken computer.
I have really bad period cramps back then. When i got pregnant and in labor, gosh! That is so painful! Its like ripping my pelvic bones apart! Now, i dont really have bad cramps anymore like i have before my pregnancy.
Naomi Garrett It May actually help you deal with it. I had really painful periods too, and labor was definitely similar and you can use the same coping mechanisms to deal with it. I’ve heard women who had no idea what real pain is talk about how labor pain just totally caught them off guard and they had a really hard time dealing with it. Side note, your periods will probably improve after having a baby-yay!!
Had a pain so sudden and sharp when I was like 15 I almost blacked out. Mom took me to the gynecologist and they just said oh a cyst might have popped. Then prescribed me birth control. Thank you for this video. I learned more in these 15 min than any gynecological visit.
Cyst are normal believe it or not. But still might want it checked out. That's what i thought mine was just cyst. Ends up i have Endometriosis instead. However surgery is needed to diagnose it properly.
Yes, the magical purring! Our girl is tiny (2,5kg/5pounds), but shes just purrfect for menzies! And she can do the Sphinx-pose for hours on my belly, untill she falls asleep and lops on her side. And usually Ill fall asleep right after, the pain is gone and everything is right in the world again :)
Elida Silva I cant have ANY weight on me. Not even pants. I take medication to take the edge off and moving too fast or something touching my stomach is too much.
Yepp, like when I had an ovary cyst. My doctor said the only option is surgical removal. 'Well I can't do that right before my finals as a high school graduate. But it's hurting so bad that I can't keep up my jogging routine.' - I said (also excersize is crucial in a stressful period). 'Then don't jog.' was the answer and I was excused from my appointment.
I got lucky to have both times a good ObGyn who listened to your concerns. The 1st good one did blood tests and found out I have PCO, prescribed me meds (pills) perfect for my issue, and finally after years of double periods on a month, or months without periods and cramps to die for, I finally had a clockwork period every single month. The 2nd ObGyn is also very friendly and open, both males, first one is retired already, the 2nd one still works but no matter what concerns I have I can ask him no matter what. I was concerned that sometimes my ovaries hurt, especially on left side but apparently you can have pain there due to gas on the intestines and while I'm on pills the ovaries don't work they re tiny and sleeping, who knew that lol 😅. He also makes the check-up very relaxed, even tho my blood pressure is through the roof ALWAYS when I have the check-up 🙄
So much yes! I went years with fibroids with my former gyno saying “it’s all in your head” “maybe it’s your back” “try to lose some weight” because he had done an ablation a couple years earlier and was convinced my uterus was empty forever. I kept looking until someone listened.
It took me 3 obgyns to discover that actually, the reason all exams were painful to me was because I basically had no opening and they were forcing it open every single time they did an exam. That was the first one I was okay with. Until she told me that things would be better once I had children. The one after that was fine and even willing to talk further about getting rid of periods entirely for me, but she moved. The next one said I needed to try an implant first, so I got one and now my current one is refusing to accept that I don't want any of this nonsense any more so I'm looking yet again.
When your only 11 but have been through 46 doctors for lots of varied reasons and still can’t find a good one or you went through a life threatening situation when you were only 2 because you couldn’t breath- That’s me!
I apply a cat in case of cramps. Seriously, the combo of heat and purr actually helps the pain. And the cat gets warm and gets pets. Good deal for all.
Yes yes yes! Warmth is definitely beneficial, being close to a beloved pet (or person) is relaxing and Yea.... As far as I know purring is observed to have a positive impact on how people feel and can have a relaxing effect.
I'm well done with menstruation, but found this information both informative and infuriating. I will explain: I began having periods around age 12. My mom, who was a nurse, handed me a medical book opened to the chapter on menstruation and that, was pretty much that! I don't recall any conversations about my period with my pediatrician or referral to a gynecologist as a teenager. I suffered through heavy periods (frequent pad changes and eventually I had to wear a tampon with a pad), cramping, clots and loose bowel movements that went on for 7 long days. Every month, an entire week waa was dedicated to balancing life with an uncomfortable and inconvenient cycle. And nobody said anything to help me through it. I thought it was "normal"! I think that I was 40 when my mother happened to mention that her cycle was only THREE days, 4 at the most. I waa just so angry to think that I could have gotten help with all that. Thank you doctor for sharing this information in such an open, easy manner. I sure could have used you 54 years ago!
I'm so sorry. ❤️🌹 Sounds like we had the same kind of mom. I had cramps and barfing every month from around age eleven to age eighteen when I left home. Even my oldest sister told my mom birth control pills had helped her and would probably help me. But mom was sure I turn into a 'ho if I went on birth control 🤦 Yes, so much more convenient to pick me up from school each month and keep pulling the car over so I can barf. 🧐
I'm really sorry that you had to suffer in silence with such difficult, heavy periods for so many years thinking it was 'normal" - that truly sucks. In the UK we have mandatory sex education in secondary school (11-16yrs) along with personal & emotional health (PSHE) sessions each week. Our PSHE sessions were in our small tutor/ registration groups and the topics ranged from relationships, sexual relationships & Social pressure, periods (pads & tampon demos) My mum also gave me a book to read in personal time but was very open about it, gave me a pad to keep in my room & how to use it for when I started, knew where they were kept, demonstrated how to use a tampon by making a fist etc& explained about cramps, mood swings, acne etc I also have an older sister so that helped, but it truly saddens me that people didn't receive period education as I was frightened & embarrassed when I started my period but because I'd been shown everything, after the initial shock of waking up to 'it' I knew where to get a pad & how to use it and told my mum afterwards. Sending much love & thank you for sharing your experience as I know you're sadly not alone as many of my friends only learnt from school & had no discussion from their family at all, even after she started they just bought her pads & told her not to talk about it xxx
I want her to be my doctor. She doesn’t seem like the kind of doctor that would rush you through an appointment. If you have a problem she will help you. 👍🏼
Right?! I told my doctor about my severe cramps before and after my period. She just prescribed me birth control and told me to call her in a month. She called me to tell me to stop my birth control due to my liver enzymes and ask me what you should do? You're the doctor you tell me? Ugh!
I am so lucky to have a doctor like her! Really listening to what I want, doing a great job explaining things and looking at what goes on in general in my life, not just in my female organs.
If you live in Weschester NY Dr. Vivian M Sone, MD is a doctor primarily located in Fishkill, NY, with other offices in Fishkill, NY and Fishkill, NY. She has 27 years of experience. She always take her time and never rush you NEVER,
There are great doctors out there. If you feel you may not be getting the best treatment then switch..you deserve to be comfortable, especially with someone who literally has to see your vagina, in and out..I got lucky, was comfy with my very first gyn', and never had to go fishing. The more women are selective and spread the word, the easier it is to set the standard of care.
I have gone to the Ob twice and I gave up on finding a good one, the first doctor told me I had cysts and I would need operations and treatments which had me freaking out (I was 17 at the time) so I got a second opinion from a specialist in ultrasounds and he said it was fine and not out of the normal, I totally think the other doctor only wanted my money (I mean he ended the consult without looking at both of the ovaries and was telling me if I didn’t get an insane amount of medicines the cysts could become cancerous). But anyways, the reason I went in the first place was because I had been on my period for like 3 months, which made me anemic and messed with me to the point that I couldn’t function, so I went to this other Ob and she said that I just had to go see a psychologist because I was probably depressed and that was causing the period like wtf honestly, of course I wasn’t being really talkative with her asking me a lot of personal questions in-front of my dad cuz yeah my mom couldn’t be bothered to take me and I was mad but that doesn’t mean I was depressed and she shouldn’t explore any other reason that explained what was happening to me. I ended up going to a hormone specialist that gave me birth control and some other pills that finally stoped my period but to this day I have no idea what caused it in the first place, literally the best answer I got was that I had some hormonal issues. 🤷🏽♀️
I'm a guy and honestly I like watching this stuff lol I like to think if my gf is having a issue I can be a little helpful and or recommend she goes to her obgyn and go with her if she wants ,I never thought or was awkward to talk about female stuff and I dont get why some men are .
The reason I decided not to date this one guy was because I didn't feel comfortable simply asking a friend for a tampon in front of him. I've always appreciated that my husband, though he didn't know a lot about it, he's always been fine with my talking about what I'm going through. And I'll definitely make it a normal thing for my boys.
Please, please, please do a video on PCOS and Endometriosis! There really isn't a whole lot of information out there about either one and I would love an in depth video on it. I suffer from both and it is horrible!
Yes! I am surprised that with 1 in 10 women suffering from endometriosis it wasn't covered more here. I had endometriosis and adenomyosis. I had excision surgery and hysterectomy at the Center for Endometriosis care in Atlanta GA. I highly recommend them!
Brittany Fisher I second that! I have endometriosis and really didn’t find out till I was 20 (pretty recently lol) and my doctor isn’t telling me a lot about it, just that dhe can’t do anything about it.
This video got me to go to my ob/gyn and I ended up having endometrial ablation. It really has improved my quality of life. No more 10 day, heavy, devastatingly painful periods. I now only have a 2 to 3 day, ridiculously light, painless periods.
Mine are awful. I hate having to explain to my boss and co workers that I *have* to go to the bathroom every hour or so because I'ma have an accident if not. I hate it s omuch, it's so embarassing.
Been there, done that. I was at work on my period. I had this horrific sneeze because I was on the docks and there was dirt and dust every where. This look must have come over my face because my female coworker busted a gut laughing....she knew, I knew....it was a moment.
I love that my car has heated seats mostly for when I have cramps. Doesn't matter if it's the middle of summer, I turn on the heated seats - helps a lot!
Here's a pro tip for arthritis & Rheumatic sufferers; The heated car seats is absolute HEAVEN when you have severe pain in your hips. And, when I have cramps combined when my rheumatism explodes, the car is litterally a life saver. But I wonder what my neighbors think when they see me sitting in our car for hours reading or watching RU-vid....🤪👍
I cry alot, then my husband gives me a snickers and says, you're not yourself when your hungry......he loves to mess with me during that time, but I secretly love the chocolate.
Well that's funny (what he says to u.. Not u 😢)! My boyfriend was always told to keep chocolate around when i come over and it's my time... Too bad for him though (& myself!) I am allergic to chocolate😞
I sooo needed this info 50 years ago. I had terrible periods when I was young and my Mother was absolutely clueless. The cramps were so bad that when my appendix ruptured, I thought is was just my period and I nearly died from the subsequent infection. Thanks for the info and answering question for other ladies dealing with difficult periods.
I was on my period last month and woke up and had this sharp pain and literally couldn't move and my mom wasn't home so I sat there for about five minutes to see if the pain would go away when it got worse I got paranoid and thought my appendix ruptured I called my Aunt then she called my grandma and then she called my mom I was excused from school and stayed at my aunts house all day after going to the doctor to make sure I was fine, I really thought I was gonna die that day
Tell me about it! My periods were so painful (including having to defecate on the toilet for hours on end and barfing into a bag simultaneously). The pain was so intense that nothing helped it - not even when they would give me narcotics in the emergency room. It felt like what I imagined having a baby would feel like. When I did have a baby it felt EXACTLY like having my menstrual cramps (except for the crowning head, ie the "ring of fire").
same. i have pms with pelvic pain and when my ovary ruptured, for that entire day i was thinking it’s pms, until the pain became completely agonising and i was taken to the hospital
These types of vids should be packaged into a "welcome to your period" series and shown to every single period having human when they get their first cycle!!
Chloe Crawford this is a great idea. When my period first started and I was vomiting because of the pain and missing school. Everyone but my mum thought I was being dramatic. This is real and many women have to deal with this and need serious help.
😂😂😂....I have a farting problem bc I’m addicted to Pepsi and the gas in my life I can’t fathom to save my “Guts” 😳😳😳 It’s so bad if I press on my stomach I pass gas due to being bloated....But I’m on my friend now and this is the heaviest flow I’ve ever had in my life and I think it’s due to my living arrangements 🤦🏽♀️...But other then that I don’t get Clots, Cramps or anything else but if she can help me with this “Gas” that’ll be perfect bc I don’t even have a Car so I’m confused 😳
Thank you for mentioning not all natural supplements are safer than conventional medications. As a pharmacist you have no idea how often I have to have the conversation that natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe!
I just love how litteraly everything is made of chemicals, we're full of them. Your digestion is made possible by chemicals, metabolism is possible by chemicals, most of your bodily function is chemical reactions going on constantly. Some people are just suckers for the word "natural". Formaldehyde is natural too lol.
Yes!! Me with horrible Endo stage IV, oh the just take this magical plant or essential oils, or go vegan...might as well use hemlock, foxglove, formaldehyde, arsenic, strychnine or cyanide, you know whatever works!
When I was recommended “natural” skin products in the beauty/health store, my ‘friend’ said “thats great!” - she was kinda rushing on me and kept asking if I had started using it and I said “listen just cuz it’s natural doesnt mean it’s better, there is still a possibility that I might have an allergic reaction so Im gonna wait till friday evening to use it so I dont risk walking around looking like a tomato” 👍
I *specifically* recall going to one of those "Female teachers will answer your anonymous questions!" events in 7th grade (in the 90s). I asked about period poops, and when they read my question they made an odd face and completely glossed over it! I would have felt better with an "I don't know" response, but they just moved on as if that question wasn't a thing. I stopped asking questions because I didn't want to be embarrassed or ignored, and figured out what I thought was "normal" on my own. These videos have been awesome, and if I ever get any questions from someone, it's great to have a concise and science-based source of information. Thanks for showing us that we're not gross, we're not abnormal, and our feelings (both emotional and physical) are completely valid and worthy of being taken seriously!
My mother in law and doctor keeps saying my camps are normal even though I’ve left work, left school midterm day, lay in bed or the restroom floor or shower for a long time vomit, fainted, and lost my vision for at least minute. But this is normal and my doctor said I just can’t handle pain well. And apparently my mother in law has felt this too but I think she’s just saying that. Thank you, I will find another doctor lol.
Good on you. I had something similar, with uncontrollable vomiting and sometimes migraines with vision loss. After a doctors visit and 2 gynaes I was put on the pill and it's been like a miracle. I really hope you find a Dr who can help you find a good treatment plan!
@@tasha-db2nd Thank you ^_^ I was actually offered to be put on the pill but I didn't want to go on it. Still looking for answers atm. I'm trying to improve my diet and remove any day to day substances with harmful chemicals and choose more natural alternatives. Meanwhile, Advil seems to do the trick and a heat pad. I prefer to stay home on bad days tho. But at least I don't suffer as long as I have these things with me. ^_^ Glad you found a treatment that works for you ^_^ Take care! I know how hard it was. :o
@@sallyrobles1851 I use the pill too. I tried all the natural stuff and medication over the counter and from the doctors and I was still throwing up, passing out, couldn’t walk from the pain went on the pill and after a few months the pain was so much better
In my family your period are either right on time (as in 8 in the morning every 4th sunday) or we're screaming in agony. I'm in the last group, and it's been a long journey to find what works for me, because we shouldn't have to endure this. My IUD has really made a difference in my life. I practically never have my period, or it's so light and painless that I hardly notice. Your doctor and mother in law are wrong. You don't have to live like that, and you deserve much better.
As someone who literally just called in sick from work yesterday because I was throwing up all day and in so much pain, I really needed to hear this. I am going to make an appointment with a doctor soon. People just like to tell you that you're overreacting or being emotional. But it shouldn't be that bad. It really shouldn't.
I hear you! I just had the worst pain I've had in years and I'm about to see my first gynecologist in years! It's time for us ladies to take control of our health!
@@Evija3000 That's what I say too. But even my mother who was at one point a pharmacist used to say things to me like "Women tend to hold their emotions in their stomach. You just need to calm down and you'll be fine." Which is just a ridiculous statement. I can't fathom how people (especially other women) can convince themselves of things like that. Still to this day after how far we have come in issues like this.
PERIOD POOPS ARE SO REAL! I thought maybe i was just imagining that i was having #2 issues while on my period every month until i looked it up. Thanks for talking about it! I love that you talk about “awkward” topics on your channel.
Yeap, I knew they are real too, and my husband sure knows it as well, as it also gives me bad gas XD Maybe we should conduct a study and take some ibuprofen, to see if it helps
At 53 years old and post menopausal, I truly wish you had been around when I was having issues. You explain things in such a way that it is easy to understand. Thank you for putting out this information. So many young women need this information.
Oh I'm envious of you! Post-menopausal at 53? I'm a year older and still peri-menopausal. And yes, I SO WISH this matter of fact approach to educating us about our bodies had been available when I was younger!
Start taking iron supplements, and get tested for being anemic. Also get on hormone therapy or birth control. These two things helped me like a miracle. I can now work and go to school during my period.
Edit. Recently had blood work done. Requested VITAMIN D test. Guess what, barely had any! Started taking 1000 ic till my appointment with doc. All my pains in joints, cramping, sleep, pretty much everything was improved! Get it tested! 52. Perimenopause sucks!
You sound like me. I can aleays tell my period is on the way because i will literally overheat at night. I am in so much pain i can't eat and often go all day without food. I also tend to feint on the first day because it is so painful.
She didn't talk of constipation, which I suffer from right before my period-- I think something to do with water retention, and then diarrhea hits after, which I always though was because of the constipation, so glad to know that I was wrong but at least it's explainable.
Pretty sure this is why some women go up a dress size just before they start their period - their body is storing it until the right moment and then once you start menstruation it all gets released with multiple #2's a day 🙈😂😂😂 (Just before anyone thinks I'm saying others are full of *bleep* - this is what happens to me too - no diarrhoea, but going to the loo multiple times a day from the moment cramps start until about three days or four days later.)
Fun Fact (nurse here) actually everything from one poop every 3 days to 3 times a day is still considered normal. ^^ Aside from that, I'm so glad I found out that period poops are a thing. I always felt like it was just me. That's something they don't even teach you as a nurse, at least not where I went to school.
I always thought severe cramping was normal because I heard it from so many women. I’ve always told my doctor my period pains were normal.. but they definitely interfere with my life. I appreciate the information so I can go talk to my doctor properly now! You are amazing Mama Doctor Jones 😁
It kinda is sometimes.. I get very severe cramps, but I get absolutely zero cramps if I take pamprin when I first noticed I've started (before they even start, regardless). I have no health issues, just bad cramps. My mother says it was the same at my age.
Sarah M- I feel like I hear this so often and I feel like when you're first going through periods and you complain about pain some older woman in your life goes "oh suck it up it's a part of life." So you're like "K I guess this is normal." Where maybe their idea of "bad cramps" is a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. But for you your cramps are a 10 out of 10.
@@SjofnBM1989 I feel like this is a major human issue - the inability to realise that someone else's experience might differ from their own. If we can't get past that way of thinking, it's pretty much impossible to be empathetic.
My mother used to tell me to suck it up too. Years later she sat me down and apologized. Apparently, she had very normal periods and it never occurred to her mine would be different lol
@@ACLionheart Oh no, My mother has extremely painful periods too. when we were kids she would say it's roughly equivalent to labor pain and that "you're going to be so good at giving birth when you're older". To 12 yr olds.....
@@EdenYell I rather meant it's sad that she saw that level of pain during period as normal. Sounds like she basically said that she goes through (near) childbirth level of pain monthly. Yikes. That's why more conversation about these topics is important.
thank you for being so awesome! my 12 year old is generally terrified of dr appointments, especially new Dr's, because she has severe GAD and ADHD. this morning we are going to her first ob appointment because her periods are awful and I directed her to watch you're videos to help her not be afraid, and we are going in without tears, which is amazing! thank you again! 🥰
I'm glad your definition of "too heavy" is causing interference with daily activities. Many years ago, I went to my family doctor about my heavy periods and he laughed at me and didn't take me seriously. I would have cycles going through super tampon and a pad in an hour, big clots, 40+ days apart, and very bad pain. He didn't believe me my periods were heavy until a blood test showed I my iron was 4.0 g/dL.
Andrea Robyn I hope you feel better and please go to a Gynecologist as most Family doctors, don’t fully understand periods as it’s not their true forte or study. Please get thine tushie to a gynecologist! ❤️❤️
@@megd7593 Yes things are a lot better now! Been anemic twice more since then but never as severe as it was back then. Having an IUD to manage periods has been fantastic.
@@aylazelanagrebiel3210 Thanks, yes I have proper control over it now since I got a hormonal IUD and don't get it anymore. My current doctor is really understanding and thorough
I hate doctors like this :( I once had an ER doctor make a joke out of me and my pain one night after I fell on my knee and the pain was extreme. I hope he got his karma, the bastard.
Sounds like my doctor! You answer the questions he asks then he looks at you like you aren't telling the truth. Stop being judgmental! You have no idea the hell it's like some months as a woman. It sucks!
As someone who's constipated, period poops are my favourite thing about my periods. I usually go for a #2 about 2-3 times a week but when my period is on I go everyday, sometimes even twice a day, its awesome! 😅👍💃 Sorry if its TMI but I kinda got excited 😋
Finally I get confirmation about the period poops T^T anytime i say "oh I get diarrhea when i get my period" no one else was able to relate im so happy about this ;-;
Me too. It didn't always happen, but in my late 20s it started and at first I thought it was weird. But then I just figured everything was cramping in my abdomen area so it was normal. But I clicked on this video just to see if period poops were a real thing.
"This is interfering with my daily life" is going to help me so much. I have a lot of medical issues and have been to several doctors and changed doctors repeatedly because they don't take my pain seriously and after a short time stop trying to help. It's hard to deal with doctors when 95% of my symptoms aren't visual, so they don't quite understand that I'm living with a daily average pain of 8/10. I knew already that my period issues were more extreme than most people's because it'll typically put me out of commission for half of it, but it's so hard to figure out if it's exacerbating my existing medical conditions or if it is it's own issue. Thank you so much for doing what you do on this platform.
isn't it wild how one dr is like wow doubling up on pads and bleeding through regularly them isn't normal but all my doctors since i was 11 (am 23 now) are like yeah that's normal lol. just been diagnosed w an ovarian cyst, can no longer use heat to help my cramps bc of my ms/nerve damage - can't feel the heat which results in blisters on my tummy. i love that you're talking about this stuff. it's so reassuring to have ONE medical voice saying that what i was experiencing isn't normal!!! thank u for being such a badass!!!!!
You could try the rice like she talked about. I have one with beans and herbs in it and it smells really nice. You microwave it and use it until it cools so there's no way to burn yourself.
Please see a new GYN, you may have Endometriosis, the sooner you are diagnosed the better. I have had Endometriosis, since I got periods at age 10/11 as well; but wasn’t diagnosed until I was 17 after really horrific bleeding/huge ovarian cysts, and then had a laparoscopic surgery(my first of 6, as of 2018). I really hope you see a doctor ASAP to relieve pain, and get it under control. Do some research on Endometriosis, and PCOS.
It is really validating 😭 I can fill up a 70 ml cup in less than three hours. I missed 3-4 days of school almost monthly because my period. I have lost consciousness because of the pain. Doctor after doctor and gynecologist would just do a visual exam like they're going to find broken glass or something. I can't afford to find a new doctor. I'm 30 now... maybe they'll listen. I really just don't know, anymore. The last time I went in, it was because I had a "normal" period and instead of stopping, black stuff started coming out. Wasnt like my period flow but I still needed an overnight pad every 4 hours. That didn't stop for 34 days. My doctor said it was because I wasn't climaxing with my boyfriend. I assured him that wasnt an issue, he made me follow him into his office and tried to grill details from my sex life out of me. After he had examined me for longer than any doctor has. He seemed irritated I didn't want to talk and wrote a script for two birth control pills a day. I just hate paying so much to be dismissed and possibly sexually harassed.
Shout-out to all the other fellas out there taking in the excellent content MDJ is tossing out here! I love my wife. I love science. I like mitigating my ignorance. Thanks for the great authentic content MDJ! Perhaps a video of 5 things you wish all guys knew about.... whatever? I'm sure there's been more than a few times you've had a lady stressed out of her mind due to some ignorant thing her boyfriend/husband/etc said or did. Outside of the stellar job you are already doing to equip these awesome ladies with information about themselves, do you have any plans on creating some content for them to drop some knowledge on us dunderhead-ed dudes specifically?
My suggestion has roots in my own experience unfortunately. I am trying though. I was going to add that I keep a supply of her favorite chocolate on hand in case we run out of stock, and I never balk at going to the store for supplies. After a while, I stopped getting embarrassed when people saw what I had. I even got a few chuckles from the women cashiers when they see the tampons and chocolate. =D I agree we need more men like this. I have two boys and plan on raising them to take care of the women in their lives. Because they need taking care of? Maybe. Because they deserve it for going through stuff like this? Definitely. Thanks for the love MDJ and everyone!
Are you on the pill? Progesterone can cause constipation and when your period starts it drops in level. But if you’re on the pill its progestin and can cause the same and the week you go off the pill mimics the same
Katie what would say the cause if there is no birth control and no diarrhoea. I normally just get constipated for a few days and then normal after my period hits.
I have a friend who has terrible periods (like me, we have swapped tales and advice) she informed me that she finally had enough of the cramps/etc that she went to her doctor to discuss birth control. She wanted something with a really low level of estrogen and he prescribed her pills. She said she ended up feeling terrible, like something wasn't right in her body..she ended up calling the office a few weeks in, but her doctor wasn't in so she spoke with someone and they told her that the pills she was on had the highest level of estrogen for birth control that is out there...make sure you investigate what you put into your body, ladies (and people in general, even with any other medication).
Thank you for the phrasing of "This is interfering with my daily life." My doctor was immediately more involved and I feel like she took me more seriously about my issues after I told her this. And I ended up with a satisfactory resolution. Eventually. But more progress was made in the last 6 months than in the last 6 years to get me to a better place.
Re: Period poops. I am thrilled if I get loose stools right before or during the first part of my period, because it's either that or I get constipated, and that is absolute torture, which makes cramps so bad they are debilitating!
I'd get constipation starting a few days before my period, and about the third day in, it would switch over to diarrhea in the space of an hour. Heat on the small of my back would help with the pain.
I'm thrilled to find out that these are a real thing. I get similar symptoms from setting off my gluten intolerance, and worried that my period was somehow messing up my gut even more. At least this is normal!
FINALLY! Some info on why we have “ period poops” ( begins at 12:10”) I always felt I was the only person who noticed I’d have cramping and run to the bathroom to poop and have blessed relief 🥲
Honestly getting the craps can be painful in itself. I believe more than half my cramping is my bowels acting up in response to the prostaglandins. Ginger helps digestion and stomach issues and I have a hunch that’s why it seems to work so well on period pain too for a lot of people.
This is the first time I've ever found a doctor who can attest to the reality of period poops!!! Why doesn't anyone about it?? I don't get diarrhea, it just becomes easier to go to the bathroom when I'm about to get my period, and I LOVE it!!!! Haha!!!!
I had to stop watching dr.mike because of something's he did and I felt like he did not take it the way he should have. I am thankful for him because that's how I found her and lots of others doctor channels 😂
@@wjshty so we found out that he went out for his birthday, and it was on a boat but there were Soo many people there so it broke all the guidelines at the time. This was when he was preaching that you have to stay inside but he couldn't even do that. Anyway the reason why people don't know about it is because he put his apology video on his second channel that has little views and subscribes. Like why didn't he put it on his main channel? And I say you go watch the video because to me he used being a health care worker as in excuse to go out🙄 he's just a hypocrite
@@sugarlu9388 oh he always gave me a weird vibe idk why,, like trying to profit off of being this "sexy" male doctor who educates people on RU-vid things they weren't taught before if you know what I mean but as usual all big creators tend to do something terrible and never care to learn edit: just saw it and everyone's shitting on him as they should
Wish I'd known having to double pad and missing school and work wasn't normal... Probably would have helped me get diagnosed way earlier... Can you do a video on endometriosis?
Same, I leaked through at school 3 times and I thought that was normal, I also missed a lot of school and especially PE when on my period. I leaked through at night every night, it was horrible. Now I am diagnosed with Endo, Adeno and PCOS, so I know that that wasn't normal, whoops haha
@@toomanyplantsiguess It's relieving to have a diagnosis and knowing what is going on and the reasons, i still don't know and the doctors i have been to don't seem to get the problem and it's frustrating i don't know how to make them understand how serious it is
@@hyewookhan6041 Yeah, my diagnosis took 12 years, the average time for an endo diagnosis is 8 years I believe, mine was by accident, I had seen a lot of doctors and they didnt notice anything, so I started doing acupuncture. The lady kept saying she saw no improvement in me and that was not normal. So she said to go to a gyno and specifically ask for a blood test for my hormones, then they found out i had a Prolactinoma (not the cause of my pain). Was treated for that and still had pain, so went to a different gyno and he did an MRI and they found the Endo, Adeno and PCOS haha, really had to push for a different doctor though
I remember when I was a teenage, my best friend was having a really heavy period, and it had lasted for almost a week. I went with her to see a doctor, and she said she had a cyst. Fast forward a year or so later, and a co-worker of mine was saying how annoying her period was this month, and that it was 5 days in so far, and really heavy. I told her about what happened to my best friend, and that she should go see a doctor in case it may be the same thing. The following week she comes up to me and says I was right, and that she also had a cyst. This is why it's so important I think for people to not be ashamed of their periods, and to talk to people about it. If she hadn't told me casually how annoying her period was, then who knows how long it might have gone on for? I have yet to meet someone who has had the same exact experience with their period as I have, or be able to compare two other people who have had the same experience. It's fascinating how something that is said to be "something every women goes through", is actually not at all the same.
Were their cysts worrying the doctors in any way, though? Where were they located? It's pretty common for younger women (especially if they haven't given birth yet) to have some cysts on their ovaries.
@@SomethingStupide Not sure. With my friend, the only treatment I can remember her getting was that she started to go on birth control right after. I wasn't that close to my co-worker, so I don't think I would have asked or she would have told me any details. She just came up to me and said I was right and thanked me for letting her know that it could be a cyst. I think she was prepared to just wait it out. Both of these incidents happened over a decade ago. I'm not claiming to have saved her life or anything. My point being is that causal talk about your period leads to gaining knowledge that can either help you, or help someone else. Saying "It's common for younger women to have some cysts on their ovaries" is pretty harmful in my opinion. If I were to tell someone that their heavy period may be caused by a cyst, and then someone else who overhead said that to them, it may prevent them from going to a doctor. Even if that wasn't the intention, the seed of doubt is now there, and can't be taken away.
Yes I used to frequently break out into a cold sweat and pass out and or vomit. Went to many different Drs. All told me it was normal and take paracetamol and deal with it 🙄😳
Yes but I also realized it was also because of anxiety, it started happening when I wasn’t on my period and I realized I was shaking, sweating, and had blurred vision because I was stressed out. On my period my cramps would make me stress out and cause this. I’m trying to be less stressed on my period now.
On my period right now, silently screaming and lying on the floor and of course trying to understand this stuff better by watching RU-vid videos WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH???!!!
I drank vitamin water after struggling with cramps for years. 'Revive Vitamin Water' and drank the whole bottle in 1 minute. Significantly reduced my cramps. (Don't tell 50Cent lol) But it worked for me. Then a few years later I had a baby and I haven't had cramps since. Go figure
@@rebeccap5538 my mom said that too. That usually after a baby woman loses all this problems or are significantly lowered. She is a doc. And I have a problem with all of this. I have 'good' periods that are medium in strength of pain, occasionally don't vomit and can eat dry foods usually that happen if I have wormed my feet and ankles prior to getting my period and drink shh loud of Magnesium. That is like few times a year. Rest of the time I vomit, pain makes me cry and cring like a precle, poop and all the work that comes. Usually 1st and second day.
With regard to using heat to treat cramps: I have endometriosis and other period problems, and after a while heat stopped working for me (and actually made things worse sometimes.) Ice started to be my best friend. One night I was desperate after spending hours sobbing and not being able to manage the pain in any way I possibly could, and I grabbed a bag of frozen blueberries from the freezer. Within half an hour the pain had lessened enough to actually fall asleep. Now, I woke up covered in sticky blueberry juice because the bag had leaked so I don't recommend exactly that lol, but ice has worked really well for me ever since then for my most painful cramps.
I will say the wording MDJ suggested is what really helped for me! I found it difficult to put into words. Finally I just cried to my doctor “I can’t live during my period” and she finally was like- okay this isn’t normal let’s get you some relief!! Honestly for me I was living on Midol, turns out all I needed was to increase my water (more like double my water!) and take 800mg ibuprofen! Periods are soooo much easier!!
@@jeanibeanibeach1177 Absolutely the solution in most cases, but not as easy as you'd think. Where I live I've tried 4 doctors and none have met my expectations. They all seem to think the same and are dismissive of my concerns. This is frustrating, expensive, and time consuming.
Yeah, year ago I told my obgyn that I have really bad cramps, it's really affected me, she did the check up, nothing seemed amiss, so she just went "oh, it will probably get better after you have a baby"...
When I was 16, I told my doctors & nurses about period poops and they looked at me like I had 3 eyes. Very dismissive. Glad I found this channel and it validated my observation! More GYN's need to have open discussions like this! Thank you! I also had really bad clotting years ago. It was so bad, I took pictures. I told my ob/gyn (and showed him the pictures) but he was dismissive. After years of this, I was admitted to the ER with fibroids.
When I used a mooncup and realised that I was losing over 80mls an hour for 3-4 days, I went to the doc. Long story short, I had an ablation as my family was complete. Best thing ever.
I bled so heavy in January that I ended up in the hospital and received four pints of blood. It turns out I had a huge fibroid hanging out of my uterus and into my cervix. I had it removed.
I wish RU-vid was around when I was 10 and started my period. I spent 8 years passing out, vomiting, living with debilitating pain, and bleeding ungodly amounts with clots the size of eyeballs for 10 days a month. Doubling up on period products and eating Advil like candy was "normal" for me. Now I'm 28 and finding out it wasn't normal at all.... ☹
Same! It’s also nice just seeing other people having the same symptoms, and also angry all the times people in the past told me I was “exaggerating my symptoms”. I straight up broke down one day from my own sister saying that crap when I was having Severe cramps & mood swings one day a few years ago.
Saaaame! Went to my gp to be put on birth control to help and they wouldn't because I didn't have a boyfriend!! Cue a decade more of painkiller overdosing
My college roommate used to throw up in the morning during her period every single month. We could time it like clockwork, got used to it. But I thought it was severe. She would be unable to attend class for days.
I was like that through jr high, high school, and part of my college years. I have endometriosis. Unfortunately, my periods are also irregular so it would hit me out of nowhere. Sometimes I bleed for 2 months straight, sometimes I don’t bleed at all for 4 months. Luckily, my birth control has helped with most of the symptoms.
The entire comment section is so warm and supportive! I used to have pretty stressful periods during the initial years (throwing up, really painful cramps, diarrhea, and emotional distress). I am 22 now and looking back, I think it was my eating habits as a teenager which significantly impacted my painful symptoms. Once I started doing some yoga poses regularly (specifically for reproductive health) and including more home-cooked, high-protein food in my diet, there has been a huge improvement and I can attest I have never had happier periods before!
My boyfriend was actually scared when I mentioned I had some clots with my period. And I wasn’t texting back right away. He went to his mom and his mom felt bad that I have such a bad period. She then told him he better buy me chocolate and just hold me.
Watched this with my wife. Ended up being super educational for both of us. I know I've pushed the midol being some magic drug myth to her, due to a ex loving the drug. This was perfect and thanks for being so open about the research. I know it makes for noisier speech, but it helps my overly scientific mind!!! Thank you so much for making this!
I would love to see a video that demystifies perimenopause. What is the actual sequence of events happening in our bodies? Why do we get hot flashes? Why is our weight up and down like a yo-yo? Why do our periods go absolutely insane? All that kind of stuff.
Came here for the poop discussion. Leaving with trying to get my doctor to listen to how severe my symptoms are to me. I will be using "This is interfering with my ability to live my life like I want" at my upcoming neurologist appointment for neuropathy symptoms. This is a new doctor. The last one totally dismissed all of the symptoms with my feet, which are ruining my life, and acted like the symptoms are no big deal. English was clearly not that doctor's first language and I'm sure she was very qualified, but I am not very good at communicating what I want to say. Interfering with my ability to live my life like I want should really help get the message across this time. Thank you.
I have neuropathy in my feet, due to rheumatoid arthritis, and it is absolutely awful. I had to go through a couple of neurologists before I found a good one. I wish you luck within finding relief. (PS for me it's medical marijuana and cymbalta.)
Definitely need more awareness about "not normal" menstrual cycles. I started having BAD nausea with my cycle when I was 14, felt like I had the stomach flu, didn't get any better...in fact it got WORSE. By the time I was 16 I was misdiagnosed by an OB/GYN who told me I had dysmenorrhea, and that I would (and I quote) "Grow out of it when I was 18". She put me on birth control pill samples (which made me SEVERELY depressed), and sent me on my way. My symptoms started to get worse over the years extreme nausea and pain on a regular basis and no longer just correlating with my period. After seeing many doctors and one specialist, I was finally (correctly) diagnosed with endometriosis. At 23 years old now, I'm still trying to get it under control with medications (after 2 surgeries). But at least I now have a medical team who knows enough about my condition to be able to help.
@Lamiiindustries I was on a chemo drug called Zoladex for a little while (before insurance screwed up), because some chemo drugs used for testicular or prostate cancer can be effective for endometriosis. But with certain hormone therapy treatments, there is a risk of becoming infertile. And meds that work for SOME people, may not work for others. Also there are many different forms of birth control, and some may be more helpful than others. But I am not a medical professional and if the birth control you are on isn't helping, I suggest you bring that up with your doctor.
My best friend had a similar experience with being misdiagnosed. I just feel like endo isn't spoken about enough and not considered by many practitioners as a possible cause that they should check for.
OMG, thank you for talking about the period poops! It is so nice to have my thoughts verified and validated. It is a new symptom I've noticed the last several months.
@@byusaranicole basically a tens unit will send very a gentle electric sign to an area that hurts (way more gentle than getting static shock). Its goal is basically to over load the nerves in that area so they don't send pain signals.
I feel ya.... does the tens unit help? at least a little bit? With my period pains, I can't even seat down sometimes. I even tried to use fabric pads, because they are better for you than normal store-bought one, however, I'm not using them for long enough to determine if they help significantly. ATM the pain is maybe 1 to 2 % less then it was before... :(
And it's all in about a week - and we're expected to act "normal" in public and pretend like we aren't going through this hella crazy set of physical symptoms. *SMH* Society is insane.
Yes!! Seems like many times they may not understand what we are trying to convey, or we are anxious about the visit and don't clearly state what we mean. Having the right words to say beforehand makes a HUGE difference!
In my freshman year if college, we had to go to a "facts of life" lecture in the basement of the dorm. This is where I learned that cramps were all in my head. If I had cramps before my period it was because I knew my period was coming. I knew that was wrong, the speaker was a man. (I turn 70 on Monday.)
I think it's probably true that there's so little information/help on this because men don't even know or think about it. I have horrible periods now after my vaccine shots, and I looked it up and they say they didn't even consider the effects on a woman's menstrual cycle when analyzing data regarding the vaccine. I'm not dissing the vaccine at all, still would have done it, hands down, but so frustrating to hear that women's concerns were disregarded.
Don't you just love it when men think they know how it feels to be female and have all our female problems that are just in our heads. They could have one cramp and blood gushing out of them they would be calling 911 so fast it would make your head spin I turn 70 in november. I had my first period 3 months before my 10Th birthday. Had heavy bleeding for two days and always bled for 5 to 6 days. I thought that was what every girl did. I didm't have cramps every month. We really didn't talk about our periods in those days. When I got married at 18 and started taking birth control pills. It was heavenly only bleeding two days a month and very light flow. I was 56 when I had my last period.
@@harvestmoon_autumnsky Had the same with those periods right after getting each shot. Much more pain and blood. But after that it got normal again. Hope yours wil be back to normal soon too.
Thank God! I knew I wasn’t the only one who had periods so badly. Mine are so bad sometimes I cannot walk. I literally have to lay down most of the day and be lucky to get to the bathroom without complications.
Believe me you are not alone.... Not to mention giant pads,, blood clots, swollen belly,tiredness and depression.....Yet my three sisters use tampons all the way and cry what a tough time they have.
I was really bad after having my daughter. I couldn't walk too. I had to get an ablation done. I hardly get it now but when you get this done, you can not have kids. Also, your liner might come back. I'm happy I got it done. I literally couldn't walk and wanted to cry because my legs hurt so bad.
I literally just had appendicitis and part of the pre surgery was all three of the surgeons I saw didn’t know that you still bleed when you’re taking oral contraceptives. Makes me worry for medical practitioners that aren’t obgyn specialists.
That's insane. Some women try to run pills together to lessen or prevent bleeding but still get some breakthrough bleeding. Otherwise the 4th week of iron or sugar pills is the week that you generally have bleeding. Shouldn't any type of doctor have this basic knowledge?
Hydrating helps me too. Hydration, and slight diet changes in my diet (specifically, more magnesium and iron rich foods like tree nuts) have gone a long way for me.
Favorite period story: Had to pee in a cup for a recruiter once ... when I was on my period. And the only girl in the recruiter office. With like 5 or 6 young men I'd never met before. Recruiter: *sees period pee* Hansen, what the hell did you drink?! Me: I'm ... on my period, SGT. Recruiter: ... oh. The look on his face was absolutely hilarious. XD
WISH TO GOD SHE WAS MY DR!!! Y'all just don't even know just how badly I need a good one and a diagnosis BEFORE ot turns deadly, I'm legit scared...So is my Hubby. ER does nothing either 😏. What is happening is soo NOT normal. I have Endometriosis, but it's not that either right now...😢🙏 BESIDES that, my Ob gyn refuses to check my hormone levels and ither thing's I've asked to please do bc "I'm too young". I'm 33 year's old and have 3 Boy's and a miscarriage get far along...I'M NOT TOO YOUNG, something is wrong Sorry for this little rant , just scared and frustrated and AGREE 💯, about wishing she was my Dr or one equivalent at least around here 😏
@@Boymomx3 If you don't mind me asking what part of the country do you stay in? I have a pretty decent obgyn and I could pass you his info in needed. He helped my wife when no one would take her serious about the debilitating pain she was experiencing in her abdomen.
That's how I know mine is on its way..like a few days before I suddenly get HUNGRY ( along with constipation & lower back pain) and this is a big deal for me as I normally don't have much of an appetite
It's the increased level of progesterone in your system - your body is preparing for the possibility that you might be pregnant (and therefore need extra energy) but it should go away when the period starts. I used to find it really tough because I felt like I was being greedy or something but it's just your body doing what it needs to do and it balances put across the cycle 😊
Oh god, I'm positive there has to be!! I always had a migraine when I had my period which made me get pitting edema in my legs. 2 days after my period ended I was okay-ish. I suffer from migraines anyway but they were worse when I was on my cycle. And I have PCOS so my cycles were insane, I never knew when I was gonna have a period. I went 2 years without one and my doctor told me "oh you'll regulate as you get older " I was 17 and started when I was 12, he wouldn't send me to an OBGyn because I was "too young for that sorta doctor." He'd been my doctor my whole life, it wasn't until I left his office when I was 19 and when I got a different doctor I realize just how badly he was failing me and my health other than asthma.
Do you think it is from electrolyte deficiency? Idk about it for periods, but I know you can get leg cramps from not enough magnesium, sodium, or potassium. I know from when I went into a keto diet, did a lot of research after I had that symptom. I wonder if something in the body changes absorption during periods???
so basically uterus was preparing her little baby, and we didn't give her what she wanted so she literally just killed her own baby. GETS OVER IT- AND TRIES AGAIN AND DOES IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN
I’m no scientist (like the only F I ever received in my whole life was chemistry), but I can tell you that ibuprofen cures my cramps and period poops every time.
It never worked for my cramps as a teen/young adult and I just suffered through. Then at about age 22, some Angel introduced me to Aleve. God bless them! Never had issues after that.
I have a few anxiety problems, and im fairly new to this whole period thing, so whenever i get extremely anxious that something isn’t normal, i go to this channel and find that it’s completely normal, so thank you
Do you think you could make a video about “surviving” your period and the emotional aspect of it. I’m extremely irritable, and my overall mental state plummets a fair amount. I feel uncomfortable and icky.
I just recently realized that my mood goes down the tubes during my period. I had been pregnant and breastfeeding for 15 months so hadn’t had a period but when it came back boy was I nasty! I also noticed more severe cramps after pregnancy. Curious if that’s normal for after pregnancy and childbirth.
@@dhatch04 it is. That's your hormones going haywire and your body being a mom now. It's important that your hormones come in balance soon, that takes time, water and the right food, movement of the body in a healthy way, ... You'll get there. We have to be prepared to have massive changes every 10 years apparently. We need to renew our foodplans, sleeping schedules, stress levels... You can do this.
Yes! Most of my girl friends say that it's not a big deal, it just happens and they get on with it. Well, not me. Altough I don't have so terrible cramps (albeit very noticable), it's takes like a mental toll too. I feel ugly, I feel irritated by the products I have to use (tampon hurts to insert, pad feels like a diaper, or loses its place...), I wanna eat everything at home... I think it has to do with how one is introduced to all this. My mom never talked to me about it, I had to guess everything. It all feels like a burden eveen it means that I can bear a child once. I don't even think that's worth it.
Period poop is real, I experience it every month before my red day. So far I noticed that whenever I take a collagen supplement my period cramps are gone and period poop too, and exercises work on me too.
