Severe menstrual cramps

I had a hysterectomy due to severe prolonged bleeding. This was in 1998. The doctor opted to leave my ovaries due to my age (29). I suffer severe cramping and lower back pain, even after all these years! I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what to do about it. My dr. just tells me to take ibuprofen. She's hasn't been much help.

Goodness! I am so sorry to hear what is going.
Which doctor have you talked to you....? your Gyn doctor?
If you are not getting help definately talk to your primary or get in contact with another physician that will work with you. Ovaries even now are viable. They may simply be trying to put up resistance even more now because you are nearing peri-menopause/menopause.
Please do not accept hurting as the answer.
*hugs*

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Originally Posted by Vlb1609 I had a hysterectomy due to severe prolonged bleeding. This was in 1998. The doctor opted to leave my ovaries due to my age (29). I suffer severe cramping and lower back pain, even after all these years! I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what to do about it. My dr. just tells me to take ibuprofen. She's hasn't been much help.

, and it's time for a second opinion AND a change of doctors. I agree with Lisa that hurting should not be the answer - that's your body's way of letting you know something isn't right. There could be adhesions, cysts, endometriosis which wasn't noted before... any number of things. Could also be hormones which could be managed, given that you're closer to menopause. Any one of those things your doctor can and should be working with you on, if she cared.
Hope you get an answer from a doctor interested in your welfare!

Your heading indicates you're having menstrual cramps. If you keep track of them, and find that they do occur on a cyclical basis, then I agree with Cussette that it could be hormonal. Your intestinal tract is in the same general area as where your uterus used to be, and it can be stimulated by the same prostaglandins that would stimulate your period. I usually recommend ibuprofen for this, but it sounds like you've already tried that. My next recommendation would be magnesium, which relaxes the smooth muscles in there, so they don't contract so forcefully; food sources include leafy greens, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and dark chocolate. Hope you start to feel better soon!

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Originally Posted by Lisa Rene ...They may simply be trying to put up resistance even more now because you are nearing peri-menopause/menopause...

That was my own theory as my menstrual cramps became more and more severe the older I got. By the time I was 40, I'd had to stop wearing tampons because they made the cramps worse. (I was 55 when I had my hysterectomy.) The moment I noticed the first signs of cramps, I'd start taking 400 mg ibuprofen every four hours (which is *not* what the bottle says to do) and stay on it for a week. If I missed a dose, I'd get cramps that would drop me to the floor.

As Tiger_Eye mentioned, your ovaries are still cycling and any smooth muscle tissue in your pelvic region can be stimulated into cramping.

I'm afraid I can offer only sympathy, not answers. It never occurred to me that my cramps were unusual. I thought they were just part of the deal of being female. Eventually I finished menopause - I had my last period at 51 - and then no more cramps. Endometrial cancer four years later, but no more cramps.

One thing I remember reading is that avoiding caffeine can help ease menstrual cramps. I never tried that, though. I like my tea and coffee too much!

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Originally Posted by Lisa Rene Goodness! I am so sorry to hear what is going. Which doctor have you talked to you....? your Gyn doctor? If you are not getting help definately talk to your primary or get in contact with another physician that will work with you. Ovaries even now are viable. They may simply be trying to put up resistance even more now because you are nearing peri-menopause/menopause. Please do not accept hurting as the answer. *hugs*

Thank you so much for your reply. I've been living with this for so long, and with the insurance I have, I don't have a lot of options. Thanks for your support

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Originally Posted by SurprisedInNB That was my own theory as my menstrual cramps became more and more severe the older I got. By the time I was 40, I'd had to stop wearing tampons because they made the cramps worse. (I was 55 when I had my hysterectomy.) The moment I noticed the first signs of cramps, I'd start taking 400 mg ibuprofen every four hours (which is *not* what the bottle says to do) and stay on it for a week. If I missed a dose, I'd get cramps that would drop me to the floor. As Tiger_Eye mentioned, your ovaries are still cycling and any smooth muscle tissue in your pelvic region can be stimulated into cramping. I'm afraid I can offer only sympathy, not answers. It never occurred to me that my cramps were unusual. I thought they were just part of the deal of being female. Eventually I finished menopause - I had my last period at 51 - and then no more cramps. Endometrial cancer four years later, but no more cramps. One thing I remember reading is that avoiding caffeine can help ease menstrual cramps. I never tried that, though. I like my tea and coffee too much!

Thank you for your reply. I take 400mg ibu 2x a day. It usually takes the edge off. As far as caffeine goes? Life is too short to live it without coffee lol

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiger_Eye Your heading indicates you're having menstrual cramps. If you keep track of them, and find that they do occur on a cyclical basis, then I agree with Cussette that it could be hormonal. Your intestinal tract is in the same general area as where your uterus used to be, and it can be stimulated by the same prostaglandins that would stimulate your period. I usually recommend ibuprofen for this, but it sounds like you've already tried that. My next recommendation would be magnesium, which relaxes the smooth muscles in there, so they don't contract so forcefully; food sources include leafy greens, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and dark chocolate. Hope you start to feel better soon!

Thank you for your reply. I'm going to try magnesium. I also may try a low dose bc pill. I just have to decide if the benefit outweighs the risk
One interesting fact: about a year ago I had to take 10mg prednisone. I was on it for almost 8 weeks, and during that time I never felt better. No pain at all. It was wonderful while it lasted

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Originally Posted by Vlb1609 ...One interesting fact: about a year ago I had to take 10mg prednisone. I was on it for almost 8 weeks, and during that time I never felt better. No pain at all. It was wonderful while it lasted

That's not surprising. Prednisone's quite effective for dealing with many kinds of pain. Too bad that long term use causes so many nasty side effects. :-(