#turns out an antispasmodic pain killer helps against painful cramping

[dinosaurcharcuterie]

"Take some ibuprofen."

"Even four time the recommended prescription dose did nothing. Same for paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, hyoscine butylbromide and pantoprazole."

"Who would prescribe panto--Have you tried losing weight?"

"This issue has existed since I was thirty kilos lighter. You are the fifteenth doctor I see about this."

"Excercise."

"Contraindicated by an existing orthopedic issue at the moment, previously only partial improvement of abdominal cramps, not emotional changes, headache, constipation, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and general malaise."

"You should take the pill."

"I have taken these three types of oral birth control, this injected birth control and this IUS. All made the issue worse and came with severe side effects. The implanted birth control that did work was discontinued due to concerns of the German medical association by your peers, but if you are willing to restart--"

"Psychosomatic."

"Three months in the twelfth best psych ward on the continent excluded any and all psychosomatic causes of this particular issue."

"You're being difficult, please leave my office or I'll call security."

Gyno #16 found an effective pain medication, which is illegal and/or highly controlled in most countries, despite being low side effect, non-addictive and not useful as a recreational drug.

Gyno #18 found diabetes. Turns out that contributes to this, which absolutely no one tells you.

Endo #1 found CAH, and also that my Hashimoto's was not as well medicated as it ought to be. Again, the latter contributes to that because more than two hormones regulate your body.

Gyno #19 found endometriosis and PCOS. The latter going untreated for over a decade might have contributed to the early onset of diabetes. Oops.

Gyno #19, in their final report, also put forward a suspicion of adenomyosis.

Go be fucking difficult in a gynecologist's office today. And take a friend. Ideally one who is willing to pass as a white guy over 25 for the 10-40 minutes you'll be in there.

health resources on painful periods are so funny. they're like 'talk to your doctor if you regularly experience cramping or discomfort beyond your normal menstrual cycle. btw a normal menstrual cycle can fluctuate between 21 to 35 days. also it's normal to cramp during menstruation (or just before or just after) and it's also normal to cramp before, during or after ovulation.'