Starting in July I decided to try switching to a healthier lifestyle, and I decided to stop taking birth control, which I had been on for almost 4 years. I did not like the idea of pumping my body full of chemicals. Pretty much after I stopped my periods have been horrible. They are pretty irregular, 32-50 days apart. My periods before getting on birth control were uncomfortable, but nothing like these. My symptoms include, night sweats, the shakes, vomiting, diarrhea, (sorry gross), passing blood clots, incontinence only when I am using a tampon, painful swollen breasts, headaches, an uncomfortable tingling feeling on my labia, and worst of all are the cramps. I can't continue on like this, I had to miss work yesterday. I am afraid that my body's hormones are imbalanced because of my previous birth control usage. Also, my mother has had hypothyroidism, which could explain some of these symptoms as well. What do you think? How much longer will have I have to wait this out before my body remembers how to produce its own hormones? I really don't want to take hormone replacement since that is basically what got me into this mess anyway.
I certainly can't speak from experience, as you can see from my signature.
However
If you are using progesterone, it has been know to make PMS worse.
It is the liver's job to break down the excess hormones for both men and women. Digestive bitters help the liver to do this. Zinc, about 50MG, with your largest daily meal will really help this as well. B vitamins help the liver to break down these hormones too.
Try to include foods rich in phyoestrogens such as flax seed, soy, peas, yams, seaweeds, parsley, etc.
A good choice for preventing the smooth muscle contractions include magnesium malate or herbs such as cramp bark (https://health.howstuffworks.com/well...l-remedies.htm). Magnesium works, because calcium is one of the culprits. Magnesium is a calcium antagonist. Calcium constricts the muscles. Magnesium relaxes them. One reason you may be having so much trouble is magnesium deficiency.
Consumption of high amounts of meat can increase prostaglandin levels.
Good luck with this. I'm so glad I never have to. If you research what alternative herb or supplement will help any of your glands, you should not worry about your body producing good hormones.
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- Jim
Life is just one damned thing after another - Elbert Hubbard
Starting in July I decided to try switching to a healthier lifestyle, and I decided to stop taking birth control, which I had been on for almost 4 years. My periods before getting on birth control were uncomfortable, but nothing like these. My symptoms include, night sweats, the shakes, vomiting, diarrhea, (sorry gross), passing blood clots, incontinence only when I am using a tampon, painful swollen breasts, headaches, an uncomfortable tingling feeling on my labia, and worst of all are the cramps.
Hi hallielynnw, welcome to the forum, glad to have you with us! Congratulations for making the switch to a healthier lifestyle, you won't regret it.
I'm older and have been through menopause with no HRT, I used Red Clover for hot flashes and night sweats, and didn't really have many problems. I was never on birth control pills, and thankfully I never really had any bad menstrual cramping or problems.
I'm not an expert, but I can recommend some things to try. First of all, although using a tampon is convenient, it causes the vagina to try to push it out, as it is interpreted as a foreign object. The muscles involved in doing this cause cramping. Also, the material in many tampons is bleached, which is just introducing a poison into your system, not a good thing. Pads aren't a bad choice, they come in varying thicknesses, and frequent changing makes everything more pleasant and doable.
I can suggest some herbal preparations that will help. Chamomile will help relax and calm the muscles, can be taken in a capsule, liquid tincture or tea. This herb will relax and may cause drowsiness, so it is better to take it after work, in the evenings.
Red Clover also has some merit for menstrual cramping, and that too can be taken in capsule or tincture form throughout the day. 1,000 mg twice a day is a recommended dose for caps.
White Willow Bark is a natural form of aspirin, but doesn't irritate the stomach lining for extended use. 800 mg, twice a day taken with food is a normal dose. As with any herbal remedies, always research any side-effects or drug interactions.
Magnesium is a great muscle relaxer and tension reliever. A supplement of Magnesium Citrate daily will be of great benefit, even for those with no cramping issues. Epsom salt baths are cheap and very beneficial also. Therma-Care has a small 8 hour heat pad that is easy to use, thin, and gives warmth to the cramping area of the stomach, worth a try for sure.
Thank you guys for responding so quickly. I have not been on progesterone, I consume very little meat, and when I do I have started to buy organic when it comes to meat and dairy. I have been drinking soy, taking flaxseed, chamomile tea. Yesterday and today I had an epsom salt bath, then have been using a heating pad to help with cramps. I have never thought about a magnesium deficiency, I will try a supplement and let you know how it goes. I also have never tried Red Clover or White Willow bark which I am excited to try. Thanks so much, I hope this will make things a little more bearable. :0)
I would recommend, because your symptoms are so severe that you take some time to locate a doctor, either medical or natuopathic who is familiar with bio-identical hormone repacement..
this is not to say that you will need this treatment but you need to make sure your doc understands all the implications, all the foods.. all the sublte aspects of hormones in all the ways they are produced and can enter into the body.
You need to have your blood levels checked or your sputum, to look at your hormonal levels... then they will need to be adjusted wither with supplements, foods, or bio-identical hormones for a time until you regain balance.
Being on the hormones that you have been on, as you can see, can really shift the functioning of your glands.. You need to bring them back into balance. The best way to approach this is actually knowing your hormone levels.
The next thing to consider is iodine. Iodine can have a profound effect on glandular tissues, including thyroid, ovaries, uterus, breast tissue, prostate, pineal. of course, except for prostate, all these tissues may have a bearing on your hormonal levels and how you feel. Almost all Americans are Iodine deficient, as well as in other countries too. Iodine supplementation may do wonders for you.
Again it would be best to find a doctor who is aware of this also. Many people take on iodine supplementation on their own, especially if their thryoid function is normal. It can really change your body for the better, eliminating fibrocystic breast disease, ovary complainst, lethargy and fatigue.
If you do a search on www.healthsalon.org you will find many articles on iodine.
I have had the fortune to find a medical doctor who does both bio-identical hormones and iodine replacement therapy.. I think if you look you will find one too. If you find one that does the replacement therapy, which you may or may not need, you can ask them to assist you with the iodine by checking your thyroid for you... but be aware that if your thyroid is normal, you can still benefit greatly from iodine supplementation. If you are borderline, hypoactive, you will benefit. Educate youself on iodine replacement therapy before you bring it up. You certianly need a doc that understands the more subtle aspects of hormones... instead of hitting you on the head like a sledge hammer with them as they did when you were on birth control.
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Charming thread title! Anyway, you might want to get some tonic water (and drink a quart of it throughout the day and a glass at night before bed. See if that helps.
Charming thread title! Anyway, you might want to get some tonic water (and drink a quart of it throughout the day and a glass at night before bed. See if that helps.
Oh what? 'Cause the titles men give to their threads are so much more 'charming' ?!?!
What does the tonic water do? And would it be better if I added some gin to it?
Oh what? 'Cause the titles men give to their threads are so much more 'charming' ?!?!
What does the tonic water do? And would it be better if I added some gin to it?
HEY, this a polite board!
Secondly, it is the quinine that helps out cramps. It use to be over the counter until 12 yrs ago and was called q-vel it was quinine and vit e for leg cramps but then the FDA pulled it. A pharmacist told me they were instructed to tell people that it caised heart problems but that the real reason is it worked for cramps, as a very mild sleeping aid and muscle relaxant and that the drug companies wanted it off the market!
Secondly, it is the quinine that helps out cramps. It use to be over the counter until 12 yrs ago and was called q-vel it was quinine and vit e for leg cramps but then the FDA pulled it. A pharmacist told me they were instructed to tell people that it caised heart problems but that the real reason is it worked for cramps, as a very mild sleeping aid and muscle relaxant and that the drug companies wanted it off the market!
This makes me mad! I never heard of this and the fact that they pulled it because it worked--errr!
I used to have really bad cramps and took ibuprofin which I had to take before the cramps started for it to work which didn't always work out. And I do not react to any type of drug well but it was better than killer cramps. It was only after I gave birth that I realized really bad cramps are like labor pains, so they do really hurt! All the women who had to suffer when they could take quinine. Of course, I have no idea if it works on really bad cramps. Please do let us know if anyone tries it.
Does anyone remember way back when toxic shock syndrome came out??? Tampons were causing medical issues...were causing the toxic shock syndrome right.... I might suggest ditching the tampons also!!! and possible get checked and make sure you dont have TSS.....
How much sugar or fruit do you eat... I noticed with my daughters and I, that if we eat alot of sugars and processed carbs before and during periods, that the cramps seem to be worse. Do you have a serious chocolate craving during period time??? Thats one of the biggest signs of magnesium deficiencies... But I agree magnesium is a great idea. Also, try to drink more water. The daughter has discovered that when she gets dehydrated, the periods are usually alot worse. And I know it sounds impossible, but try to exercise.... During my exercise adventures, I have learned that exercising seems to lessen all the problems of periods... good luck to you... Im sure you can make this work.... birth control pills are dangerous!!!
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Worst Menstrual Cramps Ever
Congratulations for making the switch to a healthier lifestyle, you won't regret it.
Equal opportunity charm, hey?!?
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