Menstruation Issues - HELP!!!!!!

[RoadtoHappy]

I am very emotional today/ this week and could do with some advice. I hope I am posting in the right area. This post is for females really and I am embarrassed to post it but I can feel my symptoms overwhelming me and I need to get it off my chest. Am I on my own with this?

Basically I suffer with terrible period pain and I am very anxious and emotional around this time. I have discussed this with my T as she is aware how it escalates my anxiety and I have gone to Gyn, had test and am going for an endometriosis test next month as my husband and I are trying to conceive the past 12 months with no joy. About 1 week before I am due the pain starts and the anxiety gets bad. My T hjas me tracking my symptoms and what has come to light is the panic and stress when I know I am due. I now believe this to be part of my trauma.

I have a fear of seeing the blood. I didn't understand why before but now I realize it reminds me of the aftermath of my trauma (15 years ago). I struggle with using tampons and I struggle with using sanitary towels. I will alternate constantly hoping it will ease my fear. The tampons scare me because I really hate to pout them in, once In I am alot more content. Sanitary towels remind me of the blood and make me panic. I didnt connect it to my trauma until recently. Is that normal? Not to know why you have such bad anxiety using these products and now being able to relate it? Also I am so stressed and upset as unfortunately there is nothing I can do to stop the natural process so I feel panicked that I am unable to stop it, control it and I cant escape my body when it happens. I feel like a failure as a woman to be so stressed over something so natural, to have such a fear around sanitary products and for knowing the blood will remind me and trigger me.

I haven't spoken to my T about how bad it is. She knows I suffer with severe pains and I dont like the image of the blood but we have not discussed my issue around sanitary products and my juggling with alternating different products and the fear it instills on me suing them. I am mortified to discuss it and I think it should be something I should be able to cope with be stringer and cop on, its natural and nothing to do with trauma.

Sorry for ranting. My brain is all over the place and I am so emotional.

 

[Powder]

I believe everything you said is entirely normal after trauma. It's normal to have somatization of traumatic experience as well as just feel physical symptoms and not realize that they could be attached to the traumatic memories or experience.

I suggest that you find a female and near your own age as possible provider who can guide you through options that women tend to pursue for the problem.

I had a really great experience with a similar situation post baby and am really pleased with the care and respect I felt. It helps to voice it finally and be told that it probably is just the PTSD and also have how PTSD affects us as women understood.

I want to express that you're not alone and deserve respect for what you've done to build up your life.

All the best for you, Muse

 

[Stephernovas]

Not sure if it makes you feel any better, but I usually get mine on the 1st of every month. I have yet to get mine and it's due to the sheer stress and anxiety I'm in (I have a buttload of upcoming tests and assessments that are stressing me out beyond belief - I will likely be hospitalized over it soon bc it's taking a toll on my body). I have most of the other symptoms, and I've done everything I can to take care of myself (mentally, physically, emotionally and etc - cleaning is done, showered, appointments booked, bills are paid), yet, I sit here in anxiety. I could be napping, or enjoying a TV show, but nope. I continue with nagging anxiety.

I empathize with you on the bleeding portion because although it's not usual for me to get severe pain, I think most women totally get how uncomfortable this time is - especially those with trauma and PTSD that has a correlation to blood as a trigger/stressor. The best advice that was given to me (which is working for me at this time) is to stay home and lock the doors. Cut yourself off from the outside world and give yourself whatever you need to feel better - the whole point about staying home was to avoid being nasty to others and then having to deal with the stress of smoothing things over again. There is a post I found (which I'll see if I can add here) which has allowed me to 'give myself a break' so to speak. No more trying to cram in things above what I can handle (or at least that is the only thing I will strive for).

 

[Nessa7]

Have you considered dark colored period panties? You might not be able to completely stop using other period products, but it might work for light flow days.

 

[rosey]

Have you considered dark colored period panties? You might not be able to completely stop using other period products, but it might work for light flow days.

exactly what i was about to type. The black ones mean you would not see the blood. They are generally very efficient, they can be pricey to start out with but save you money in the long run.

Having said that the better longer term option is to work through it with your T in attempt to get rid of the fear. I hope that the pain side of it is something that can be treated.

 

[whiteraven]

Have you considered dark colored period panties? You might not be able to completely stop using other period products, but it might work for light flow days.

Wow, this is a really good idea. I have never seen these before (have no use for them now, but I think it's awesome that they are available). Are you able to get this in the same place you get the others?

 

[Friday]

@whiteraven dark colored period parties are just black, navy, maroon, chocolate, or plum colored knickers. So they don’t show bloodstains when washed like light or bright colored panties.

Oh... unless Nessa is talking about the padded ones. Exact same problem as wearing pads or belts. Squelchy stank awfulness. :wtf: That you can’t even throw away.

Most chicks I know have dark panties for light flow days where there’s really only blood when you wipe in the loo, not enough to leak out elsewhere 99% of the time. Of course, that 1% = dark panties. And trousers. Because that 1% times itself for the most embarrassing moment possible! (By law, or something? Did the world get together behind our backs and vote on this? Because it is soooooo guaranteed!)

 

[Nessa7]

I think the biggest brand has made it into some underwear stores, but they're mostly sold online still.

The better ones are made out of fabric that is designed to dry bizarrely fast and not have odors. The ones with more of a pouch design are more like wearing a pad.

 

[EveHarrington]

What are the better kinds of period panties?

I’m still not convinced they are for me because I still like being able to throw a liner/pad away as needed to feel fresh again VS wearing period panties that can’t be changed as often.

 

[RoadtoHappy]

Thanks so mcuh for the advice and responses. Makes sense to wear dark underwear. Never occurred to me to do this.. Duh! I spoke about it with my T and she was great. Thankfully I don't need to worry about it for another 3 weeks so we will work on it in session in 2 weeks as so much other crap to focus on until then. Its never ending really. You deal with one issue and 10 issues arise from it with 10 different emotions that all need to be worked on.. So many layers. I feel like ti never ends but then again I feel like I am making good progress with stuff I couldnt even speak of not so long ago. Sending you all strength and support and thanks from Ireland :)

 

[lynn T.]

I am very emotional today/ this week and could do with some advice. I hope I am posting in the right area. This post is for females really and I am embarrassed to post it but I can feel my symptoms overwhelming me and I need to get it off my chest. Am I on my own with this?

Basically I suffer with terrible period pain and I am very anxious and emotional around this time. I have discussed this with my T as she is aware how it escalates my anxiety and I have gone to Gyn, had test and am going for an endometriosis test next month as my husband and I are trying to conceive the past 12 months with no joy. About 1 week before I am due the pain starts and the anxiety gets bad. My T hjas me tracking my symptoms and what has come to light is the panic and stress when I know I am due. I now believe this to be part of my trauma.

I have a fear of seeing the blood. I didn't understand why before but now I realize it reminds me of the aftermath of my trauma (15 years ago). I struggle with using tampons and I struggle with using sanitary towels. I will alternate constantly hoping it will ease my fear. The tampons scare me because I really hate to pout them in, once In I am alot more content. Sanitary towels remind me of the blood and make me panic. I didnt connect it to my trauma until recently. Is that normal? Not to know why you have such bad anxiety using these products and now being able to relate it? Also I am so stressed and upset as unfortunately there is nothing I can do to stop the natural process so I feel panicked that I am unable to stop it, control it and I cant escape my body when it happens. I feel like a failure as a woman to be so stressed over something so natural, to have such a fear around sanitary products and for knowing the blood will remind me and trigger me.

I haven't spoken to my T about how bad it is. She knows I suffer with severe pains and I dont like the image of the blood but we have not discussed my issue around sanitary products and my juggling with alternating different products and the fear it instills on me suing them. I am mortified to discuss it and I think it should be something I should be able to cope with be stringer and cop on, its natural and nothing to do with trauma.

Sorry for ranting. My brain is all over the place and I am so emotional.

You have all my sympathy as I am female, old now! way past menopause but understand that pain. My suggestions are to have this pain addressed first because there could be an easy explanation for it but always seek out the medical issues first with tests they do for endometriosis, etc. with a good GYN. MD. You can discover the cause of things and then proceed with a cure, possibly a little surgery. What a relief that would be. Just don't assume you're stuck with this all your life. I would be forthright with any therapist because you are paying them for help and investing your time so why not discuss what's on your mind with the therapist? therapists have heard it all before. It's an issue most women have had, totally understood. The image of the blood and 'messiness' is of course uncomfortable. I used to think I'd die from anemia alone, ha. Get your iron level checked in blood, could be low. Maybe get the fresh pads out, close your eyes, remove the old quickly to prevent you from seeing all that, have trash bag ready and get new on pronto. Hop in shower.
A hot shower has always been one of my favorite so-called therapies because I feel relaxed afterwards.

 

[Cypress]

Why don't you talk to your GYN about trying tranexamic acid around your menses. It won't affect your fertility and it reduces flow and pain. Its in the same family of drugs as Ibuprofen, an NSAID. Even taking Ibuprofen a few days before and during your period can reduce flow and pain.

Period underwear like Thinx come in black.