Hi, I'm a 16 year old girl and I have been experiencing problems with my menstrual cycle.
I began my period when I was 13, and have had it for about 2 1/2 years now. Ever since then, my periods have been somewhat irregular and I experience severe menstrual and ovulation cramps.
My average cycle is around 30 days long, but it fluctuates, with two or so months in a row lasting 24 or 25 days and then usually a few months around 34 days long. It has been like this for more than 2 years.
When I menstruate, I typically wear a tampon (heaviest) and the heaviest nighttime pad together. Using both, I find I have soaked through the pad completely in 3 or 4 hours. I made the mistake once of only wearing a heavy tampon when I went to school and it lasted less than an hour and a half. I experience what i tentatively describe as moderate to severe menstrual cramping for the first 10 days of my period: in my back (mid and lower), abdomen, thighs, and vaginal area. I combat this pain using Aleve, but it is ineffective at relieving the pain in my thighs and vaginal area and only dulls the pain in my back and abdomen. I have missed three days of school for my period in the past, and that was only because it was so bad I could barely stand from pain and because I felt nauseous and dizzy. I am an AP and honors student and I wouldn't miss class unless there was no physical way I could make it. My average period lasts about 12 to 14 days and is fairly consistent, although I think it is important to mention that when I'm on a shorter month I have 12 or 13 days and on longer months I have the 14 days. I am a relatively healthy teenager, and I exercise fairly regularly and I am a healthy and nutritious eater, particularly during my period (I eat foods like spinach which my grandmother recommends for period cramps). I take iron supplements for period blood loss (recommended by my physician) and I take Zyrtec and Singular and Flonase. I have never experienced sexual intercourse. I also wear an average sized pad for my 6 day ovulation week (usually begins the day or two after the end of my period) and I have to take Aleve for that as well. I should probably mention that I use heat for period cramps and ice makes it worse. I don't know of any medical conditions around this subject in my family. Thank you for your help!