Bitch about Aunt Flo.

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Is your Aunt Flo a nasty, vicious bitch, or is she just a vague monthly annoyance? I know that these days we're all supposed to feel empowered by our monthly bleeding ritual, but honestly I'd feel more empowered if I didn't spend 48 hours hunched over in pain, unable to function like a normal human.

Share the pain. And if you have any solutions (that don't involve the medical profession; getting any help from my HMO is just about impossible -- although I do have an appointment next Friday), share them, too.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Answers

Non medical solutions: as soon as the pain goes away, start incorporating massive numbers of stomach crunches into your workout - or if you don't work out, at least do these. I never in my life had cramps until I let my abs go, and I have also never met a woman with great abs who had cramps. And of course the bonus is, you get 6 pack abs.

Or do what I do and just never take the sugar pills in the pill package. Go from day 21 to day 1 again, and you skip pms, and the whole messy business. Never is an exageration, but skipping them 4 out of 5 times isn't. Why put up with this shite if you don't have to?

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

I usually don't get cramps or anything. I mean ANYTHING. I just got my first real period in four months. It finished yesterday. I did get cramps, but no PMS. It's the pill I'm on. Until I went on the pill, I'd get evil cramps. They were so bad I'd have to stay home from school. And WOAH! The clocktower sniper PMS!

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000
I think I might start skipping the pills. I mean, I do 120 crunches a day, I drink a ton of water, I take my B6 and my calcium supplements like a good little girl -- and my cramps just get worse and worse.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000
Some herbal solutions I like are Lemon Balm and Raspberry Leaf tea. Lemon Balm is something I stumbled onto way back in my teens, when I wasn't on the pill and used to get doubled over, cramping, vomiting reactions to the onset of my period. It used to grow wild in my Mom's yard, and it makes a very tasty tea. I tried it once for PMS and found - to my surprise - that it really does work at relaxing those muscles which are cramping up and causing you so much pain. Be generous with your dosage - put a bunch of leaves in a pot and let 'em steep in boiling water for a bit. It's usually sweet enough w/out sugar, too.

The raspberry leaf is also a calming herb, but I never use it without the lemon balm because it's a bit more bitter.

The rest of my advice is standard: try heating pads, don't invert your body (a yoga tip), drink lots of water, avoid caffeine and chocolate (horrors - I never follow that advice because it's physically impossible for me to avoid chocolate). Oh! And try back pain pills if the lemon balm doesn't work; back pain pills are great because they REALLY relax those muscles (although they might make you a bit rubbery and la-la, it's way fun).

I hope you feel better soon, Beth!

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Hey Beth, you're totally singing my tune for the day. Aunt Flo happens to be visiting me, and kicking my ass right at this moment. I try to take a few aleve at the start to help get rid of the crampage. But for some reason I still turn into this hideous monster that even I don't want to be around. While everyone else is BBQ'ing and having picinics this holiday weekend I think I'll stay in my bed with the curtains closed...waiting for the monthly madness to end.

-Z

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

I have had amazing luck with the pill I'm on now, Ortho-tricyclene. My PMS is minimal most of the time and I only cramp the first day.

Before that, though...whoa. It could get nasty. Lemon balm tea and taking 500mg of Evening Primrose Oil made it much better, tolderable, but not as easy as I have it now.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Calcium, magnesium, and potassium. I'd seen references to magnesium for years, but I'm now seeing reports of these being the magic 3, and I'm starting to hear anecdotal evidence that they really do help. I started taking extra calcium and magnesium (was already taking extra potassium) two weeks ago and started my period yesterday, and while my cramps are never horrible, they are usually noticable. Yesterday and today I've only had a few twinges.

Regular multivitamins don't provide the full RDA for any of these, generally they only have 25% or less of RDA for calcium and magnesium, and often less than 1% for potassium. Too much potassium can be a problem for people with certain heart and kidney conditions, and even 100% of RDA is hard for most people to handle. I take 4 99mg (2% RDA) potassium tablets over the course of a day, and that's generally enough or more than enough for anyone.

As studies have shown, not a lot of women get all the calcium they need through diet alone, so many of us need supplements anyway.

As for magnesium, apparently that's one of those things almost nobody gets enough of.

Now, if they'd just hurry up and make Flintstones chewables for adults.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Never: the Flintstones vitamins include the RDA for adults on the package. I compared them to the label on an adult multivitamin (Centrum for women, I think), and they were virtually identical except for, I believe, iron, magnesium, and calcium. I take daily supplements for all three of those, so now I happily include a purple Fred in the mix.

This has been a public service announcement.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Thank God, Beth! Now I know I'm not the only one obsessed with those Flintstones Chewable Vitamins. Now if they'd only make Flintstones chewable morphine for those cramps!

Seriously though, I've never had much trouble with my periods. On occasion I will have a twinge or two in the direction of cramps, but other than that there is nothing worth complaining about. My periods are regular and extremely light and I never have headaches or any other period-related symptoms (and no, I'm not on the pill nor have I ever been).

One side effect: I am a complete and royal bitch the day before I start. I will make a point of biting off anyone's head if it happens to be in the way. And pity me? Lose an arm. Offer to help me? Lose a leg. But I'll be back to my normal sweet ol' self in 24 hours.



-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000
The pill has erased my cramps, but before that, I got some use out of the advice in Dr. Penny Wise Budoff's books. Specifically, if you cut out salt and caffeine, you'll suffer a lot less. I wasn't always able to do it - when you're feeling sick and tired and you need to work and going to bed is not an option, you will drink coffee and take aspirin for the pain - but it helped when I did. Calcium- magnesium pills helped too.

Oh, and when I ran two pill packets together, like it said in the tampon thread, the next period lasted a week.

I'm wondering if we could find a more empowering euphemism than "Aunt Flo."

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

speaking of which, I recently read an article in US News or Newsweek (or some other such magazine in my doc's office) about the Pill and having your period. Specifically how it was never intended for women to have a period while on the pill, that by having so many regular menstrual cycles can actually be increasing the cancer risk for human females, and that it's a little known trick that by skipping the sugar pills and just starting a new packet up right away you can go without a period for as long as you like. (though the article did say that most docs suggest going through on every 3 or 4 months)

My husband was horrified when I mentioned this (me - I was like "Cool!") with a "that can't be safe" and "why isn't that more well known?". I pointed out that other forms of birth control on the market now supress the menstration process for 3-6 months at a time, so it's not that unheard of or crazy of an idea.

Course, while I was reading the article I was thinking of all the times I missed out on New Years Eve sex cause of my period, or other special occassion sex when I could have just skipped my whole damn period altogether. If I'd only have known then.

I can't find the article anymore, and my searches around the web haven't resulted in any finds on the topic either. Anyone run across this little gem of wisdom anywhere and can provide the url, it would be most appreciated.

- t

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

I spoke too soon - I found the article.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/000605/pill.htm U.S. News: With new pill, is monthly period necessary? (6/5/00)

- t

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

I have heard and believe the caffeine thing - I'm not a big salt person, so I can't vouch for its elimination helping ease cramps....

I've also heard that yoga can help cramps. Check that out. At home (where I'm not now), I have a yoga book that says specifically what postures help - I'll post here later tonight with their names....

I can't believe what I'm to write - but here goes. I heard that having sex (specifically the orgasm) can help cramps. Since that's not (sadly) happening at my house right now, I can't vouch for its truth either.

I'm gonna have to try that pill thing - once I find one that isn't !!!EVIL INCARNATE!!! And whoever said that you're a real bitch the day before - I hear your pain. Because my period was sooooo irregular, that used to be how I was able to tell I'd be starting soon.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

My (male) doctor suggested to me once that soy milk alleviates cramps. He recommended getting the chocolate-flavored variety. He also said something about ginger. I haven't tried either (as long as I'm excising regularly, mine stays light and relatively painless), but apparently some of his female patients have and claim that both of these things work.

Any other thoughts on non-chemical remedies?

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

I always had irregular periods until I got on the Pill, but regular pills raised my blood pressure to phenomenal levels and gave me awful mood swings. So now I'm on a monophasic Pill (my hormone level does not change from week to week like on a normal Pill), and now I rarely have periods at all. This means I rarely have cramps and PMS. The weird thing is, when I DO have PMS symptoms, I have them during the first week of a new pack of pills, instead of the last week of pills in the pack (not the sugar pills - the last week of real pills). Anyone else have this problem?

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000
Diana: I chose "Aunt Flo" because while I'm now aware that it's an old and prissy euphemism, I never heard it until recently, and I thought it was hilarious. Y'all can say "bleeding like a stuck pig" if you prefer.

I know about the salt thing; it's supposed to reduce bloating. Unfortunately I absolutely crave salt (and dairy foods) right before my period. I don't have much bloating, though, if I've been good about drinking water and taking the B6.

I keep trying to give up caffeine. I keep failing.

I've heard that orgasm thing too, but it doesn't work for me. An orgasm will leave me shrieking in pain when I have my period. If I don't have really bad cramps to begin with (it does happen now and then), an orgasm will give them to me. This sucks more than I can tell you.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

I find that Midol before and Motrin during are the only things that help me. My Motrin is the prescription type, though it can be mimicked by taking 4 Advils or Motrin IB's. This is the only thing that's killed my cramps. I'm anemic, so I'm also supposed to take iron supplements. While this helps my cramps, it messes everything else up, so I mostly just stick with the Motrin.

I too know the Super-Plus tampon/Pad changed every two hours plan. And it sure does suck.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Aha, I recognize the anemic => iron pill => messed up thing. Never made the connection before.

Has anyone tried acupuncture? I'm amazed we've been discussing health care this long without mentioning Eastern medicine.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Black kohash is supposed to be unparalleled for alleviating cramps. My mother suffered (I mean really suffered) with horrible cramps for her entire life, but I told her about a woman I worked with who swore by black kohash and she picked some up from the health food store -- and hasn't had a cramp since.

My cramps are only mild, so I don't even complain about them. I actually think it's neat when you consider how female bodies are designed and how they work, and since this little ritual of womanhood doesn't cause me much pain, I have the luxury of mostly thinking it's kind of cool.

Except for the messy bits, obviously.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

I don't think words can express how much I hate the whole thing. I've never felt positive about it for one second.

I'm very lucky not to have horrible cramps or PMS - naprosyn takes care of the cramps I do have - but I just feel lousy in a million little ways, not to mention dirty. It makes traveling, going to meetings, a million other things a huge drag.

I took the pill for years so I had very light flow and it was regular. I went off it for a while and was amazed at how much heavier and awful it got. No thanks. I went back on it. About 5 years ago it stopped working - lots of break through bleeding. I went off it again and have been hating it. I'm even more irregular now (they tell me I'm perimenopausal - please, can't I be menopausal??)

I just got another prescription for pills. I'm going to try again.

I don't care to call it anything empowering because as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing empowering about it.

Good luck with the doctor, beth.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

From what I understand, most women opt for the sugar pills and monthly menses to be certain that there pills were effective.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000
VANESSA: Are you on the Pill? If so, since you need iron, you might consider trying Loestrin Fe (if you don't know - Fe is the symbol for iron). That's what I'm on, and my sugar pills are an iron supplement.

Just a suggestion. =-)

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

It's mostly a vague monthly annoyance, though it seems like every time I turn around, it's "that time" again.

I'm on the pill, so I know when my period is coming, and it always ALWAYS starts between 11:00 and noon on the Wednesday after I started taking the sugar pills. I have severe cramps from about 5 am to noon, and then perhaps a mild cramp every now and then to remind me what's going on. By Sunday morning, it's over.

You don't have to tell me how lucky I am. If only the rest of my life were so well-behaved.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Can I be a total bitch? I haven't had a period in almost a year now because I was pregnant and now I'm nursing. Best period relief EVER and all natural. Of course, it does add a dependent to your tax form, make you give up your body as your own for a long damned time, and nursing sends your libido out to sea.

As for cramp/PMS relief, black cohosh or evening primrose oil are the best damned things I've ever used. Try taking evening primrose oil about a week before you're due. Take the maximum dose and space it throughout the day with a lot of water. I used to be comatose the first day of my period and that stuff not only shaved my suicidal pity fest the night before I bled to a "Waah, I broke my nail" whimper, but I also stopped bleeding as heavily and never have cramps when I take it.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

I know it's got its downpoints (and is medical), but I'm on depo- provera and after you've had a shot or two you generally don't get periods anymore. I haven't had one for months. Of course, there's always the possibility of eventually getting all the missed ones at once (well, that's what it feels like). That's only happened when I allowed my shot to lapse, though; when I keep getting them on time, I keep skipping periods. No, it's not for everyone, but I think it's sometimes used as a treatment for endometriosis and if you haven't tried it it might be worth a shot (so to speak, har har, I kill me) for 3-6 months. I'm already fat and hairy so depo didn't make it any worse, and heck, it doesn't happen to *everyone* who takes it..

Alternatively, have you tried using pills such that you don't *get* a period (ie not taking the placebo ones or not going 7 days without)? You can do that for a few months at a time without anything being wrong with it. Sorry that I don't know of anything but massive amounts of advil that will help once you've got one.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

I guess I'm the lucky one, cause Aunt Flo lasts for 2 days, and almost never any discomfort. Yes!

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000
I'm another lucky one. My period only gives me aches on the first day, lasts five to seven days (but is just brown stuff after day 3) and it's usually a 6 week cycle. This fortune is one of the many reasons I'm reluctant to take the Pill, though the way my social life is right now, that's not even an issue.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000
Oh, this is "timely", ha ha. Aunt Flo is 2 days late (nope, not knocked up) and I'm feeling horribly bitchy and absurdly depressed. About every 3rd month this happens. What I do: avoid other people do they don't have to deal with me. I feel rotten, really down. It isn't some run of the mill blah feeling. It is the "you know, maybe you've been fooling yourself and you really are a dismal failure" feeling.

And then my period starts and the depression strangely lifts a bit....I get a massive burst of energy, which often means I get up off my sorry ass, accomplish something and then self esteem is restored.

This ever happen to anyone else? Once my period actually STARTS, I feel more energetic...

That said, I love having my period. I like knowing my body is doing what is is supposed to and cramps have never been an issue for me (thank god). It sounds so goofy but I just like it. It also might have to do with how my mood shifts back into place once it starts.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000

Gads, if I'd have known about the skipping my period by taking the pills consecutively, I would have used it judiciously for travel, convenience and lots of other things. Usually I can cope with falling off the roof (there's another euphemism for you... but I've notinced that many euphemisms from Texas involve "falling"...hmm there's a whole 'nother thread) Anyhoo...I'll be testing this out this next month. On a slightly different note... anyone else notice that your sex drive goes down on the pill? I used to be a total monster, I really don't take the initiative for anymore. Oh sure, its fun enough when I'm in the middle of it all, but it just doesn't occur to me anymore. sigh.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000
I used to get a prescription for Anaprox, which was the only thing that helped me whatsoever. I used to stay home from work or school almost every month with unbearable pain, which usually only lasted a day. The only trick was that you had to start taking the Anaprox before the cramps started, or it didn't work as well. Now you can buy Aleve, which is the same medication, over the counter -- but the dosage is not as high and I haven't been as happy with it. In the last couple of years the cramps have been a lot less severe. I don't know exactly why. In that time I also radically changed my diet -- stopped eating meat, started eating much better but still probably don't get enough iron-- and started taking Triphasil birth control pills (other kinds had no effect on the cramps). I still take Motrin, have a hot water bottle on hand, and -- I swear -- peppermint tea really helps.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2000
Ya'll ready for those yoga postures for cramps?

Happy posturing :-)

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2000

I'm another lucky one who doesn't suffer in this area - maybe a slight tummy ache the night before it kicks off, but otherwise I forget it's 'that time of the month'.

My alternative to Aunt Flo is 'the circus', as in 'the circus is in town'.

Jackie R mentioned people taking the sugar pills to make sure the Pill is effective, but I'm sure I've read somewhere that if you stop taking the Pill you will bleed regardless of whether you're pregnant or not ... it's not a real period. So the presence of bleeding while on the Pill is not necessarily proof that you're not pregnant, and you should take the test if in doubt.

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2000

I really, really hate my Aunt Flo, for she is an evil and persistent bitch. I'm lucky in that I don't bleed much, but I have PMS something awful and also terrible cramps.

I usually refer to the process as "becoming a bear" from the Native American notion that menstruating women are attractive to bears. I believe (and it's been awhile since I read any folklore, so I might be remembering incorrectly) that women were sometimes suspected of communing with bears while at their menstrual huts. But no one really cared, 'cause bears are cool! Another interesting fact: bears were what led humans to start using willow bark (and its modern equivalent, aspirin.) Apparently, while observing bears, it was found that they ate the willow bark to relieve pain. No wonder they're associated with menstruating women!

I don't feel empowered by the process at all, though. Ick. Ouch.

My boyfriend rocks because he advocates giving women regular time off from work during their periods. As he says, "It makes you feel sick doesn't it? Why should you have to work when you're sick?" Exactly. My boyfriend for president!

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2000

Angie - does your boyfriend have a brother around the age of 20? Your sweetie would have my vote as president! :o)

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2000
For some songs to bleed to you may all want to check out

http://www.menstral.com/

I bought this cd & though it doesn't help the hateful cramps etc it is fun.

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2000

Angie - What about a brother about 27-30?

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000
Meghan and Grace-

I'm sorry to report he only has one brother--27, and married two weeks ago. I'll send out a general alert if I find any like 'em though!

My bf has also woken up at 4 am because of my wretched moaning from sudden cramps and ventured out to buy me advil. Oh, how I love that man!

If any men are reading this: Trust me, this kind of stuff will endear you to a woman forever. And, all you have to do is subtly remind her of it when she's pissy with you. Suddenly, she forgets why she was ever irritated with you 'cause you're obviously the best man on the planet. However, if you ever ask in the middle of a hissyfit if she is "y'know, having that time of the month?" you will need to actively rebuild your best-man-on-the-planet status, and fast.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

Hey would one of y'all send Aunt Flo my way? PCOS chases her away most of the time. Once a year I'll bleed for several weeks (straight) they put me on hormones, it stops.

It sucks. I would rather deal with the monthly cramps, then deal with this.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

I can't believe that no one has mentioned Endometriosis. It is quite common, and painful. The menstral lining gets loose, and starts attaching here, there, and everywhere that it is not supposed to be - and those attachments swell up at "that time". If that is the case, the best remedy is endoscopic surgery, or have a baby. (Having a baby breaks up those attachments) Sometimes regulating the cycle with the pill helps.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000
I have learned to hate Aunt Flo since I've had fibroids. I bleed often and heavily -- wet, runny, bright red blood. The cure for my particular brand of fibroids (intramuscular) is a hysterectomy, which freaks me out: a stranger cut into me with a sharp knife? No thank you.

But I've been rethinking since Aunt Flo really let me have it -- on the day I flew from London, England, to Auckland, New Zealand. Look it up on a map, it's a long way. It takes more than 24 hours.

I couldn't change my window seat for the aisle seat because it was occupied by an elderly crippled lady. She couldn't even get out of her seat to let me by, I had to squeeze my bleeding butt past her face every time.

The plane was full. The toilet queues were long. The stewards were fractious. Add both in-flight and menstrual bloat to the picture.

I think I may be ready for that surgery now ....

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

Wow, I'm sorry to hear so many people have so much trouble. I started an online menstrual diary a few years ago called Bleed because I wanted to see if there was a connection between my cycle and my mood. At the time I had a lot of people insisting that my/their/their coworker's/gf/mother's behavior was tied to the cycle. I was just starting to get to that point in my life where I allowed myself to be angry, instead of acquiescing to every twit who uses the old "are you on the rag" routine when I don't let them get away with B.S.

I discovered a lot about myself and others. I realized I had water retention which I'd never thought about before because a few pounds don't show up on me or make a difference in my clothes. As I told my boyfriend at the time, "it's like my pelvis has a cold and is all stuffed up." My cramps vary from vaguely there to doubled-over (though the latter is rare). I found out I was right, I tended to get pissed at people for genuine reasons, rather than because of my period. If anything, I discovered I was less likely to fly off the handle because I have a natural tendancy to reserve my energy for myself.

I don't remember anyone ever saying our periods should be empowering, unfortuantely, but I do think of it as a natural, obvious time to take better care of myself. I tend to be less social, more introspective. I tend to read, write and design more. So, I guess it does empower my creativity.

I find that the things I crave actually help my symptoms: red meat and spinach give me a little extra iron (I'm borderline anemic), chocolate (especially really fudgy brownies) seems to give me a little boost, water seems to keep my system flushed out (I drink more water than most people I know, anyway). Luckily, I'm not big on salt or any major sources of caffeine (besides the chocolate) and I can't believe it when I see friends buying a ton of tampons and salty snacks to prep for their Red Letter Days. I also drink chamomile tea if I need it. I usually don't because it's the one time I get plenty of sleep.

It was very interesting to me to hear the bear story. I think we sometimes forget how important menstruation and women's reproductive functions are to human civilization and development. I'm not saying we should be defined by it 100%, but it was the original foundation for mathematics, played an important role in our interest in astronomy, etc. Similarly, I think we don't often make the connection between cooking and healing -- isn't that where medicine came from? While I don't think women should be restricted to or defined by domestic roles, too often their significance is dismissed or not even considered relevant to the sciences, customs and other fields they created/inspired.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

I forgot to mention that someone, I think the makers of Pamprin, used to make a cocoa. It really helped my symptoms and put me to sleep, as well as giving me the chocolate fix. Does anyone know why they don't make it anymore? I'm curious as to if it was dangerous or just unpopular.

Also, no one mentioned the MUM the Museum of Menstruation's website. It has a ton of related links from medical and historical perspectives.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

I already went on about endometriosis at length--perhaps too much length--on the "Do You Like Your Gynecologist?" thread about a year ago, so I'll try not to spend a lot of time on the subject now. But I did want to respond a bit to Gayle's post.

It's true that many doctors still recommend pregnancy as a remedy or "cure" for endometriosis, but the top specialists in endo do not, and neither does the Endometriosis Association. In some cases, pregnancy does reduce symptoms of endo, but it doesn't work for everyone, and some women even find that their symptoms become worse during pregnancy. For those who do experience reduction of symptoms through pregnancy, there's a wide variance in the length of duration of relief: Some women can go for years with few complaints, but others find that their problems start back up almost immediately after the birth. Furthermore, since endo is a leading cause of infertility, pregnancy is not always feasible as a treatment plan.

BTW, I don't mean this as a personal slight against Gayle; as I said, this is still a common belief even among many in the medical profession. But despite the widespread prevalence of this belief, it is not supported by the last decade or so of research. I hate to see misinformation spread, however well-meant, about something as life-changing as the decision to have a baby. Gayle is correct about the usefulness of surgery, especially when accompanied by some sort of hormonal treatment, whether the pill, depo-provera, danazol, or one of the GNRH-inhibitors.

Some things that have worked for me: Try taking naproxen (Aleve) twice a day starting seven to ten days prior to your period or at the first symptom of PMS; if necessary, double the dose to approximate the prescription-strength dosage. According to the doctor who treated my endo, taking naproxen this far in advance of your period can substantially reduce cramping, which I've found to be true. It also seems to help lessen the amount of flow. It may take a couple months before you notice a difference, though.

Crampbark is an absolutely wonderful herb. Traditional Medicinals makes a PMS herbal tea that includes crampbark; the taste may take some getting used to, but I learned to not only like it but actually crave it. Frontier makes an herbal supplement called "Cramp Bark/Valerian" in both tincture and capsule form; again, it works best if you start using it prior to your period as well as during. It also contains black cohosh, ginger root, and wild yam root, all good for "female problems." Ginger is especially useful for nausea.

Another good cycle regulator is vitex (chasteberry). I use this during the "other" times of the month, and then switch over to the crampbark products once I start getting PMS-y. Others have already mentioned evening primrose oil, chamomile tea, magnesium, potassium, and calcium; I've also had good experiences with these. One caveat is that natural remedies might take a few months before results become noticeable, so be patient and persistent.

I've been an on-and-off vegetarian for years, sometimes close to vegan, and I find the closer I am to being vegan, the better my periods are--and vice versa. Haven't had acupuncture but I've tried acupressure and other forms of body work, again to good results.

Lest I sound like too much of an eco-freak, though, I have to admit I still can't shake the dairy and chocolate cravings I get each month, and there are times I'd happily spend the entirety of Aunt Flo's visit hooked up to a morphine drip. Ah, morphine, the drug of choice...

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

I refer to it as the "Red Baron." Though I don't think it is in any way, shape or form "empowering." I feel so less powerful when I'm on the rag- I'm not in control of myself like I'd like to be. It always seemed to come right during finals or vacation too (BLECH). Summer's the worst- it's 110 out and you're wearing all black and a diaper, plus my mother brainwashed me to think that everyone could smell me all the time too. ARGH! The whole experience is humiliating to me. Once again, I thank God for Depo so I can escape the whole damn mess of being a girl.

Crampswise, I rarely had the bent-over moaning type, but I did have cramps almost all of the time in a minor form. Push on my uterus at almost any time and I could tell I had 'em.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

I'm one of those mythical women whose horrendous cramps are somewhat alleviated by orgasms. This is tricky though - usually my libido is up a few days before my period, then drops off after it starts. Knowing that sex will help the cramps is a pretty strong inducement though. And to whoever it was that recommended raspberry leaf tea, be sure that the leaves you are using are either freshly picked or completely dried, because if you use half-dried ones, the tea is toxic.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000
Ugh, Day One is the worst. Bleeding from the crotch every 28 days does not make me feel empowered. It only makes me a bloated, cranky witch.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000
I tried using the pill to skip my period, which happened to inconveniently fall three months in a row on the one weekend where my long-distance guy was visiting.

I. bled. all. the. time.

Not like a gush, or even like a usual period--but I spotted nearly every day for three months straight, and sometimes it was pretty heavy.

Never again.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

I've been taking the pill continuously for more than a year. I think I've tried five different brands. More than one brand had me spotting 9 out of 10 days, but I just kept trying new ones until I found one that worked (I took a week or so off in between brands). There are so many versions of the pill out there, I think anyone who has been unhappy with certain side effects should just keep experimenting.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000
Skipping the sugar pills-- well, I'm also on the iron supplement ones, so my sugar pills have iron in them so i'm not so anemic during my "special friend's" visit. I skip them when I have something coming up where I don't want to be bothered with a period (a show with costume changes, travel, anniversary, etc.). But I was told by my gyno that it's okay to do every once in a while, but you don't want to make a habit of it. Since it stops the ovaries, you don't want anything building up in your uterine wall.

as for cramps: Excedrine Migraine will kill any pain you've ever had in your life. Oh, man, that stuff's good. Midol PM for when you can't sleep from the pain. Sex. Yeah, orgasms work for me. And so does the yoga. But for those of you just starting the yoga-- it's important to know that you shouldn't do any of the inverted postures when you're on your period. Don't do anything where your pelvis is over your head. No shoulder stands or bridge poses. I don't exactly know why, but it's supposed to make the cramps possibly worse. Do forward bends and sun salutations to your heart's content, but ease up on the downward dogs.

there's a little namaste for you.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

I have skipped the sugar pills on many occasions and never suffered any side effects ... by my periods were very light even when not on the pill.

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2000
ohhhh, its the devil. not in all ways, of course...for a couple minutes after the first-day back cramps start, I'm OK, happy that my body is working properly, that im being "naturally cleansed"...but then the bloating sets in, and that whole cotton-factory-in-my- vaginal-canal thing isnt so great either, and the being a psychotic bitch thing too - it all just equates to something more evil than empowering, i'd say. Advil all the way, baby.

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2000
Melissa, are you serious? I was all excited about trying this pill thing, but now, maybe I'll reconsider. I'm not even on the pill right now, but I just wanted to try it.

I've been on many different kinds of pills and only the "strongest" ones work to even control when I bleed. My period when I was younger, came every 8 to 12 days and lasted at least that long if not longer. And the whole thing was a horrible crampy heavy bleeding mess. I mean HEAVY. I couldn't even leave my house because a tampon and a maxi wouldn't do me for more than 20 mins. I even failed a whole year in high school b/c of it.

All this time my doc was trying to get it under control, and tried me on I don't know HOW many different kinds of pills. My period would still come, even though I was taking the pills by all the rules, (at the same time each day, blah blah blah), nothing seemed to work. Finally we found one pill that could keep it sort of under control, and they we giving me some major iron shots, but those pills gave me migraines and worse cramps, so I stopped taking them. After another year of all this hell, I became more normal, and now, my periods are pretty decent. I only get one every five weeks too. I guess that's to make up for my younger years.

Every three cylces though, regualarly, I get one really brutal one that knocks me on my ass, that is really painful. Does anyone know why that could be? Does any one else have a set time that they get a really bad one, when normally they are pretty manageable?

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

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