When learning about the menstrual cycle as teenagers, we are taught the basic facts: Every 29 days, give or take, a woman will shed her uterine lining if her egg is not fertilized. She can experience heavy to light flows, cramps/discomfort, mood swings (from fluctuating hormones), fatigue, nausea – the list goes on and on. They tell us, “This is all perfectly normal.”
But the excruciating levels of pain and sickness I was experiencing – that didn’t feel “normal.”
The first time I started my period was during one of my 7th-grade basketball tournaments. My stomach hurt but I wasn’t too worried, I assumed it was just the nerves. I just kept thinking, Thank God, I didn’t bleed through my white uniform! Other than the slight discomfort in my lower back I had no other issues.
But that all changed a few months later. I started to undergo severe knee pain that left me either stuck on the couch at home or hobbling around school. Around this same time, my periods became more regular, more painful and I was often so exhausted that getting myself to school felt excruciating. I was having daily anxiety attacks followed by waves of nausea. My period, the seven days that it lasted, always felt like hell.
How my painful periods turned even more painful with my fibromyalgia diagnosis
After two X-rays and an MRI, it was concluded that the pain in my knees was osteoarthritis. As for the period sickness and insane cramps, my doctor didn’t bat an eye. I just had to accept that I’d be in pain for the rest of my life. I thought this must be how it is for all women and I'm just being dramatic. What I didn’t know then, though, was that I actually had fibromyalgia.
The pain grew worse: From my knees, into my stiffened ankles, up my calves, my wrists, elbows, and even some of the joints in my fingers. I woke up almost every morning with tension headaches. Without fail on the first days of my period, I fought severe brain fog and dizziness or I was throwing up all night. Finally, I knew I had to go back to the doctor. After months of searching for answers with testing and MRIs, being referred to specialists, and logging symptoms, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
“Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues,” one Mayo Clinic article states, “Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals.”
Women with the disorder experience higher amounts of menstrual pain and symptoms since the brain is more sensitive to pain signals, according to The National Fibromyalgia Association and Healthline.
How I’ve managed to manage period pain with fibromyalgia
Unfortunately, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. However, there are ways to treat it. Releasing tension from the body, I have noticed, has been the most helpful. This goes hand in hand with taking care of my mental health and actively working towards moving my body in ways that feel good. Meditation, yoga, cardio, and strength training can drastically improve the way my body feels and functions, especially during my period.
I have also switched from normal tampons to using a menstrual disc. My personal favorite is the DIVA Disc. Once I made the switch, I found that not only did the cramping lessen, but so did the discomfort when moving my body. The flexible material made it so much easier to do the things I love without the constant nagging of finding a restroom to change my tampon every few hours.
Ultimately, the most important factor in managing my condition has been taking the steps necessary to advocate for my health and well-being. Far too many people that deal with chronic pain conditions or dysmenorrhea: the medical term for moderate to severe pain caused by menstrual periods, according to Yale Medicine.
Their pain is often overlooked or not believed. Though it may be a lengthy process, finding doctors and medical teams that can tailor to your needs is invaluable — I know, because I did it.
This is the writer's experience. As always, please consult your own healthcare provider for any advice or medical needs.
