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Doctor Says Period Cramps Are Just As Painful As A Heart Attack, The Internet Reacts (30 Pics)
People are finally talking about period pains, something that we, as a society, still don’t really understand or recognize. Period pain, like much of women’s reproductive health in general, is under-researched, misunderstood, often swept under the carpet, and shrouded in taboo.
Looking beyond the sensationalist headlines (the heart-attack pain scale comparison came from a single doctor’s anecdotal evidence), the conversation raises all kinds of important issues and questions that we are long overdue in discussing.
For example, why is so little known about a condition that affects 20% of women to the point that the menstrual cramps debilitate them from doing their daily activities? Why do doctors take women’s pain thresholds less seriously? Why are women left with little option but to keep quiet, take some pain relief, and get on with it? Would there be more research and understanding if men had to deal with period cramps too?
Right now, there isn’t really a prominent lobby pushing the need for further research, and there still appears to be a general media discomfort about using period-related words on their channels. There are such deep-rooted linguistic and societal links between the womb and the emotional over-reaction of women, and even the word ‘hysteria’ stems from the Greek word for uterus. You could say that this has been going on for a while now. So if things are going to change anytime soon, we really need to start talking about period pain, to normalize it, and to get doctors to start taking it more seriously.
Ironically (or not), it took the revelations of a man for people to start the conversation. But talking about it, they are. While some people are shocked by the headline-grabbing comparison to millions of women, this is old news, and they took to social media to share their stories. Scroll down below to check out some of the best Tweets and let us know what you think in the comments. Because after all, change has to start somewhere, doesn’t it?
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#1
stellermatt 6 years ago
so this guy has access to the internet yet is still so uneducated on a simple fact? idiot. (and he can't spell 'though', idiot.)
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#4
LittleGrayMouse 6 years ago
Yet here we are, pale and bent over from pain, off to work, cooking for our man, doing the household; without even complaining anymore
#5
LittleGrayMouse 6 years ago
My principal wanted proof because "everyone was using it as an excuse". I don't think he's ever said that to another woman since that day...
#7
LittleGrayMouse 6 years ago
I've been fainting monthly for about 15 years, starting at age 10. No medication helps. I can't wait for menopause.
#8
stellermatt 6 years ago
pain is pain, if it hurts it hurts, you shouldn't have to justify what level, just expect sympathy/empathy/understanding/help/etc/etc
#10
Chris Pitch 6 years ago
I will agree as long as they agree man flu exists. Joking. I have seen my ex with some severe cramping and it looks very VERY painful.
#12
Daniel Sipes 6 years ago
As a dude, I feel horribly guilty just reading about all this. Isn't their some medication we could use that's better than ibuprofen? Like hugs or chocolate?
#15
Ethel Othello 6 years ago
I agree with Diane, it's not funny. Guy spends years of "accusing people of being dramatic" because that's okay now?
#18
LittleGrayMouse 6 years ago
Male boss' will probably tell us to 'plan' it so the worst is during our day off...
#21
#23
Lynda St.James 6 years ago
Something we women and girls have known since about 12 years of age.
#25
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 1 year ago
Feels like someone is scraping out my insides with a rusty spoon. Or like my uterus is trying to claw its way out through my vagina.
#27
Shanna Westhof 6 years ago
My 1 sister has 0 pain, 0 bloating and 0 cramping whilst I get debilitating stomach and back pain - though she is understanding. We all differ and with awareness hopefully more people can stop mocking those who are in severe pain!
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What do you think ?
Leona Farless 6 years ago
I'm a 40-something woman, have always had monthly cramps, had a massive heart attack 2 yrs ago. The heart attack was MUCH more painful than my worst vomit-inducing, kill-me-now, fetal position on the floor cramps. Just sayin'. I also don't think it's good to generalize the very individual experience of pain. And finally, it's true that men just don't understand cramp pain.
Magpie 6 years ago
True this. Also true that heart attack pain varies. Some have " silent" attacks. no pain at all. ( just the falling over thing eventually someone does an ecg.)
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Amanda Snider 6 years ago
I don't think they are compareable. My grandma just had a heart attack and her only symptom was being extremely short of breath, and I have had some friends who have been completely bed ridden because of the pain. There is varying degrees of severity that will result in various degrees of pain. My aunt said that her gall bladder attack was worse then giving birth, though when my dad went to the emergency he thought it was indigestion... He didn't leave until three days later because his gallbladder was completely gangrene and dead. The doctors were baffled. I've had such severe heart burn and esophagus spasms that I was convinced it was a heart attack. It's not about how tough a person is... I can take bruises, broken toes, deep gashes in my skin like a champ but constipation, heart burn and gas can be unbearable. Our internal and external nerves can handle different degrees of pain sensitivity. Everyone is different.
Leona Farless 6 years ago
I'm a 40-something woman, have always had monthly cramps, had a massive heart attack 2 yrs ago. The heart attack was MUCH more painful than my worst vomit-inducing, kill-me-now, fetal position on the floor cramps. Just sayin'. I also don't think it's good to generalize the very individual experience of pain. And finally, it's true that men just don't understand cramp pain.
Magpie 6 years ago
True this. Also true that heart attack pain varies. Some have " silent" attacks. no pain at all. ( just the falling over thing eventually someone does an ecg.)
Load More Replies... Amanda Snider 6 years ago
I don't think they are compareable. My grandma just had a heart attack and her only symptom was being extremely short of breath, and I have had some friends who have been completely bed ridden because of the pain. There is varying degrees of severity that will result in various degrees of pain. My aunt said that her gall bladder attack was worse then giving birth, though when my dad went to the emergency he thought it was indigestion... He didn't leave until three days later because his gallbladder was completely gangrene and dead. The doctors were baffled. I've had such severe heart burn and esophagus spasms that I was convinced it was a heart attack. It's not about how tough a person is... I can take bruises, broken toes, deep gashes in my skin like a champ but constipation, heart burn and gas can be unbearable. Our internal and external nerves can handle different degrees of pain sensitivity. Everyone is different.
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