Tired of painful periods every month?

As a teenager, I suffered from excruciating menstrual cramps that left me writhing in agony. Each month, my period would bring a week of unrelenting torment. The pain was so intense that I would vomit repeatedly, missing countless days of school. Sleep was impossible as I lay curled up in the fetal position on the cold, hard bathroom floor, hoping desperately for relief. After enduring a year of this monthly torture, my mother finally took me to the doctor, desperate to find a solution. The doctor's recommendation was birth control pills to regulate my hormones. While this treatment helped manage my symptoms, those painful early teen years remain a traumatic memory that left a lasting impact.

With a sigh, I look back on my teens and twenties, when I clung to birth control pills hoping they would be my savior. At the time, those little tablets seemed to magically ease my monthly misery. I naively thought they were the answer I had been seeking. But they were merely a temporary fix, not a true cure. So, when I finally went off the pill after having my babies, I was crestfallen to find all my old symptoms rushing back as painful as ever. If only I had known, then that simply masking my symptoms would come back to haunt me.

Periods can be a painful and troublesome time. Between the bloating, cramping, and hormonal breakouts, getting through the workday in regular clothes can feel impossible. The physical discomfort is compounded by blows to self-confidence and mental health. When facing monthly misery becomes the norm, it's time to take back control. There are solutions to consider that can help make periods more manageable. With some exploration, you may find an option that provides relief so you can feel like yourself all month long.

The truth is that periods should never be painful. While some discomfort is common, severe cramps, heavy bleeding, and other intense symptoms are signs that something's not right. Your period is a vital sign of your health, and you deserve to feel your best all month long. So, if your monthly visitor is more like an unwelcome houseguest, don't suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor to get the care you need and find relief. You have the power to reclaim your cycle and make your period feel healthy again.

I knew I had to take action to improve my skin, so I made an appointment with a dermatologist. When we met, I was adamant that going back on birth control was not an option I was willing to consider. The dermatologist suggested some alternative approaches: adjusting my diet, trying an oral antibiotic called minocycline, and partnering with an OBGYN to find solutions tailored to my needs. While minocycline can have drawbacks, which I'll discuss another time, I appreciated having options that didn't involve hormones. Working with professionals who listened to my concerns put me on the path to clearer skin. Their expertise guided me toward lifestyle changes and treatments that made a real difference.

Considering a possible ablation? You're not alone in seeking relief from troublesome uterine symptoms. Many women find themselves sitting in an OBGYN's office, like I once did, weighing options.

After a thoughtful discussion with my doctor about my personal situation, we decided an ablation was the best solution for me. The goal was to remove the uterine lining that caused me so much discomfort each month. For women finished growing their families, ablation can provide lasting relief by permanently preventing periods.

Of course, every woman's health history is unique. While ablation worked wonders for my bothersome symptoms, it may not be right for everyone. Your compassionate OBGYN can help you determine if ablation could improve your quality of life. Together, you can decide if saying goodbye to periods could bring the freedom you’re looking for.

To fully understand what a uterine ablation is, let's take a step back for a moment. A uterine ablation is a procedure that removes the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. This procedure is typically done to treat heavy or abnormal uterine bleeding. During a uterine ablation, the doctor uses heat, freezing, microwave energy, or other methods to destroy the endometrium. This helps lighten or stop menstrual bleeding altogether. While not as invasive as a hysterectomy, a uterine ablation is still a surgical procedure that requires anesthesia. It's important to understand the potential risks and benefits before deciding if it's the right option for you.

If you're on the younger side, it's possible that your uterine lining could return after ablation. I speak from experience. I had the procedure done in my early thirties, and it only lasted about six years before the lining grew back. Age is a major factor - the younger you are, the more likely your lining is to regenerate. For me, ablation was only a temporary solution. But there's good news: the older you are, the lower your risk of recurrence. For women over 40, ablation may permanently end heavy periods. So, while age may increase the chances of needing repeat procedures, ablation can still offer lasting relief for many. My experience shows it's not a permanent fix for everyone, but don't let that discourage you. Just know the possibilities and plan accordingly.

As the big 4-0 approaches, I find myself once again wrestling with a familiar foe: the return of troublesome symptoms. It seems my body is staging a comeback, but will I be able to fight back? I’m weighing my options and asking the tough questions. Do I go for round two in the ablation arena, hoping for a knockout this time? Or do I change course and bring in the surgical heavyweight: a partial hysterectomy? If I go under the knife, what will that mean for this aging body of mine? I’m seeking answers to guide me in this next round, hoping to land a decisive blow against these disruptive symptoms. Though the future is unclear, knowledge is power. I’m arming myself with information to strategize my best path forward. This is a fight I intend to win.

What is a partial hysterectomy? A partial hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part of the uterus. The uterus, also known as the womb, is the hollow muscular organ where a fetus grows during pregnancy. During a partial hysterectomy, the surgeon removes only the upper part of the uterus. The lower part of the uterus called the cervix, is left intact. The ovaries, which produce hormones, are also usually left in place. A partial hysterectomy is done to treat various gynecological conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, abnormal bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, or cancer. The procedure aims to alleviate symptoms while allowing the patient to keep her cervix and ovaries. While less invasive than a total hysterectomy, a partial hysterectomy remains a major surgery requiring general anesthesia and a hospital stay. Recovery involves rest and avoiding strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks. Most women can return to normal routines within a couple of months. When medically advisable, a partial hysterectomy provides an option to improve health while preserving fertility and hormone production.

As I think about my options, I wonder if it's worth trying to uncover the root cause of my severe symptoms. At my age, is that a journey I want to embark on? A quick internet search reveals several possible culprits for intense menstrual pain like mine - endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, or dysmenorrhea, which has no known cause beyond some women being prone to it. While some seem unlikely in my case, I can't rule out any of them without comprehensive testing and research. Do I have the energy for that diagnostic odyssey? Or is it wiser to focus my efforts on managing my symptoms regardless of the underlying reason? I'll need to weigh the pros and cons as I decide which path is right for me.

I'm on a quest to feel my absolute best! Lately, I've been diving into some super insightful books - "Beyond the Pill" and "Is This Normal?" by the amazing Dr. Jolene Brighten. Her research and advice have been so eye-opening! I'm also having some great discussions with my OBGYN to explore all my options.

And I can't forget to mention the healing powers of red light and infrared sauna therapy. I've been continuing sessions as part of my self-care journey, and I seriously feel the benefits. For any fellow mamas reading this - these could be wonderful investments for your daughter's feminine health too! 

I'm feeling so empowered learning more about my body and implementing holistic practices. It's a journey and I'm taking it one positive step at a time. I hope my experience might help motivate you to listen to your body and nurture your health too! We all deserve to feel our best.

I would love to hear from you! Your experiences and stories mean so much to me. Please feel free to connect with me by leaving a comment, joining my Facebook community for heartfelt discussions, finding me on Instagram for inspiration, or sending me an email to share your journey. I cherish every opportunity to connect deeply with my community. Your thoughts, feelings, and insights are a gift - don't hesitate to reach out. Together we can support each other on this path of growth and self-discovery.

Talk to you later,

~ Tina