Pain relief with menstruation?

[Charisse]

What does it mean when your IC pain increases the week before your period, but majorly decreases (to almost nothing) once you start menstruating? I'm already on the birth control pill. I also take an estrogen-only pill the week I menstruate to keep my hormones up otherwise I get a headache. I can't take continuous bc because it makes me feel worse (like I'm in a constant state of PMS). But I always get relief once I start to bleed. Is this just a coincidence?

[SandyRN]

It's that build up of hormones you get right before you start that make you have pms that causes the increased IC pain. Once your period starts full swing, you have a drop off of those hormones and it levels off, so your pain drops back to a more manageable level. I'm like that every month and I'm not on BC pills right now. The week OF my period is the best week of the month for me!

[Charisse]

Thanks Sandy. This makes sense to me. I'm just wondering now if I should change something with my pill? So far you are the only one I know besides myself that doesn't feel worse with their period.

[Vicki]

I too was better the week of my period. I had a hysterectomy two years ago so now I am pretty much the same every day. However, the hysterectomy and hormone replacement has its own whole new set of problems. -Vicki

[kadi]

I'm also better the week of my period. Unfortunately, the week leading up to it, not so much. But, continuous use bc pills have been very helpful for me, especially because without them I get very bad cramps...

[Vampireness]

I guess this would be the right thread to post in. So, lately I've been having really bad headaches and feeling extremly tired and I start to get period cramps and my period is coming on late, I usually get it on the mid of the month, like 25th or so and it's 31st today and I still haven't got it. The last time, this happened, when I finally got my period, I bleed little.....

Anyone know what could be wrong? What type of tests should I ask for, when I visit the gynae? When should I start worrying, after it repeatedly happens more than three times etc?

[ICNDonna]

Vampireness: I would make an appointment if it happened twice. And what helps will depend on what your gyn finds.

Are you still taking three antibiotics?

Donna

[Vampireness]

I started Bactrim one week ago I guess, and currently I'm on three antibiotics. This started last month, while I was on two antibiotics.

I meant, what tests should I ask for. A scan? etc
I'm thinking of asking for a full blood count, since I'm always tired and I haven't checked this, in a long time.

The last month it came atleast but little, but today is September 1st, I guess if I don't get it by the end of today, it should be considered as me missing my period.

[meme]

I also have a much better week when I'm on my period. The week before, and actually the day or two before, I have increased frequency but then once I start I may only need to pee 2-3 times all day. Except for the horrible PMS, I love my period!!!! And really its just the people around me that have to deal with the PMS-LOL

[marsi4]

I tend to feel my bladder pain less when I have my period as well, but have pretty bad pain and menstrual cramps. I wonder as well if hormones play a role.

Marsi4

[elsie3205]

I am the same way and ask my gynocologist about it recently. He said during my period, both estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels and that would indicate that menopause would improve my symptoms. He said I could take a medication to shut down my ovaries but I would have all the symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, etc. I decided not to try it.

[Kellie]

My symptoms also get a lot better with my period. I have been wondering why that was.

Take Care,
Kellie

[Vampireness]

I'm only 22, menopause.....
I have been loosing appetite, feeling so weak, and feel like wanting to throw up, I had MAJOR headache five days ago, even water makes me want to throw up.

I have the period cramps and my frequency and all, increased alot a week before, but no period.....

Strange enough, when I was on my period, I felt alittle better.

[Charisse]

Well the rest of my body seems to be the opposite. When I'm not on the pill I feel awful. My fibro pain increases ten fold and I'm nauseated, hot, can't sleep etc. So my dr thought these were all signs of being low in hormones. So I take the pill which helps everything except my IC I guess.

[Kellie]

I'm really sorry to hear you are in so much discomfort. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Hang in there,
Kellie

[Vampireness]

My period finally came....two weeks late ...but it came and I am bleeding "right", the way I normally do, thank god the whole pain involved before is gone and now I feel crappy.....I don't feel better, I was wrong.....I feel like I have to pee every few seconds ...and I feel gross.....having constant urge and feeling wet down there, is really uneasy and if I were to pee there would be drops....

But yeah, I don't feel well/better on my period......

[mich2604]

Mine has changed thruout my IC battle.

Now My symptoms are better a week before my period. the first two days of my period are beyond painful. This month i was in bed with a heating pad. I have nausea too and more frequent bowel movements. I just feel terrible and whiped out. Im pale as well during this time. Then about the third day, i am a bit better.

My vulvodynia really flares after my period. ugh.

[Kellie]

It seems like there is no rhyme or reason with IC sometimes. I had three months in a row where my periods were the best time of the month for me and this month it's bad again. It's a mystery. I hope that you are all feeling better soon.

Take care,
Kellie

[Vampireness]

Mich & Kellie - I'm sorry to hear period is giving you trouble.
It's confusing what's wrong but I guess hormones play a role.

Isn't there something to help Vulvodynia?? Seems like I read some herb could help it or supplement, can't remember.

Your signature is scary, every fifteen seconds.... though I doubt it lol sometimes, it's going on as long as seven years till someone gets diagnosed and they misdiagnose you alot before the actual diagnosis.

How does one get diagnosed with PFD?

[Angeles]

I'm also better the week of my period, day before is pretty bad: IC and V V flares. The first day is mostly my IC , but it gets bettrer as days go by. I just finished my period and having a bad vuldodynia flare today. I'm supposed to start a new BCP today Loestrin, to lessen my yeast infections and spotting and bleeding the week before my period.

[Vampireness]

spotting and bleeding the week before my period.

Is that normal?

Vampireness

[Angeles]

It is not "normal" but many women on BCP have that same issue on the third week. (even those not taking BCPs). It is called breakthru bleeding I guess. I happens more to the ones taking BCPs that are higher in estrogen.

[Vampireness]

It is not "normal" but many women on BCP have that same issue on the third week. (even those not taking BCPs).

Oh I see. But, I read on this site that spotting and stuff could mean, you have a cyst or something serious if you're not on any pills. I had to ask.

Vampireness