I don’t know why, but my dysmenorrhea has always been bad—my mom is the same way. Sometimes all I need is a painkiller but other times, it’s just too intense that I become bedridden and start throwing up. Now, don’t worry too much. I have gone to a doctor and she said there is nothing wrong with me. If you’re experiencing something similar, speak to your doctor about it as well. After a regular check up and ultrasound, she didn’t find anything wrong. So, the pain is somehow something normal.
Because I’ve been dealing with these cramps for many years, there are some things I do to try and avoid them. I found that exercising does help tremendously. I jut have to be good about it and actually stick to a routine. Also, I found that the medicine that works best for me is Mefenamic Acid. It does take a while for it to kick in but it does the job. Personally, other options don’t work for me. Heat pads also help a lot. I suggest using one with water since it heats up quick and stays hot for a long time. Lastly, if you can get someone to give you a light foot or hand massage to get the blood flowing, it could definitely help.
Now, the cramps aren’t always debilitating but it has happened enough that I am able to fight through and not always let it get the best of me. Of course, in a perfect world, I could just stay in bed but that’s not always the case. Keep on reading as I recount some of my dysmenorrhea experiences and how I stayed strong.
The first time
The first time I got my period, I was in 5th grade, I think. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but all I could focus on was the sharp pain. It was so bad that some of my classmates had to carry me to the clinic. I even started to throw up because the pain was so intense. Laying on the clinic bed with a trash can beside me, the nurses gave me a painkiller. I tried hard to doze off while waiting for the cramps to go away. Once it finally did, I went back to class. I was a little weak, but I made it.
At work
A few months ago, the first day of my period decided to coincide with an event we were throwing. No big deal, right? Well, our event involved a boxing class at Flyweight. Sitting at my desk, I waited for a painkiller to kick in so that I could least interact with the guests before the class. Surprisingly, I had so much energy when we got there that I decided to participate in the class anyway. Needless to say, it was a great endorphin-filled day.
On vacation
A few months ago, my boyfriend and I went to Bali to celebrate our third anniversary. I knew I was going to get my period while we were there so I stocked up on the essentials. On our fifth day, we planned to make a trip to Ubud and have lunch at this restaurant recommended to us by a friend—it was overlooking a beautiful rice field. To get there, however, we had to walk through winding paths that passed through rice fields, small resorts, and stores. When we got to the restaurant, I was fine but I could feel the cramps kicking in. It ended up getting so bad that I locked myself in the restroom for a while. I couldn’t even eat. At one point, I had to laydown on one of the couches as beads of sweat ran down my face. The pain didn’t fully go away until later that afternoon but I had to get up so we could walk back. This was probably the worst experience I’ve ever had but at least I had a nice view.
At an event
I will never forget sitting at a venue waiting for an event to start, only to find out that it was first day of my period. Oh, and I was wearing white pants. I thought I’d wait for the event to start but I just couldn’t. I booked a Grab and limped very slowly to the pick up point. I remember getting in the car and it took everything in me to not throw up. I got my breathing under control and held it in. Once I got home, I somehow had enough strength to change in to comfy clothes and then finally pass out in bed.
Art by Marian Hukom
For the latest in culture, fashion, beauty, and celebrities, subscribe to our weekly newsletter here
Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Viber
Related stories:
Bertiz compares his outburst at NAIA to a woman having a fit on her period
How NOT to deal with someone on their period
I tried exercising on my period for the first time and I didn’t hate it
Top 5 superpowers you get from your period