I had terrible pain from endometriosis. My female gyno told me to "woman up", it couldn't possibly be that bad during my period, I was such a wimp. I changed doctors and my male doctor said, "sounds like endometriosis, let's do laparoscopic surgery to find the outlying bleeders, and put you on hormonal birth control to help". Both things helped tremendously. Then later, I had four kids, and being pregnant helped, and when I was done with that, I got an IUD and haven't had a period since. Glorious! You just need a doctor that believes you and knows how to help!

I have an ex who suffered with endometriosis, poor thing would be laid up for days on end in bed or on the sofa. Her mother of all people would insinuate she was faking it or exaggerating, I couldn't wrap my head around how cold she was about it.

I ended up having a hysterectomy in my 20s, but it took a long time for anyone to take me seriously. Nobody was laughing though when it took 2 days of transfusions for me to have enough blood for the doctor to even perform the surgery. It's probably difficult for some people to reconcile, when feminine hygiene commercials show women windsurfing and playing tennis like everything's just peachy thanks to this cute little pink plug👐 In reality, for a lot of women, it's like being simultaneously kicked in the spine, punched in the ovaries, and stabbed in your uterus, coupled with bleeding so much that you seriously question how you are still alive. The commercials should just be women yelling "FUUUUUUCK!

Tbf, labour is different for different women. Mine was unbearably excruciating. That doesn't mean I have never felt bad pain since then. The worst period cramps happened after I got back on treating my prolactinoma and went on a higher dose of Bromocriptine. If I had a job at the time I would have been calling in sick and sticking it to them if the boss tried coercing me to come in. I was on the bed reeling. Something I did notice that just really bugs me is there's this belief that once you've given birth to a baby, suddenly other pain you experience afterwards is supposed to just be a mere tickle. Why does there have to even be this competition or gate-keeping of pain and pain tolerance, or there lack of? It should be understandable and deserving of sympathy for someone in immense pain no matter the cause.

It IS a sign, though, that you need to get checked out. Supposedly - can't relate since I, too, have a case of broketycrotch - it's not supposed to be wholly debilitating. Always get your junk checked. The pain is absolutely horrifying and scary and you deserve to know if it means there's something going on.

Eventually Pamprin and a heating pad were what I found helped the most, basically making it so I could sit reasonably comfortably. Then I was finally able to get a hysterectomy. When I was young I just suffered because my parents didn't take it seriously. I also took waaayyyy too much ibuprofen because I didn't know better.

It took me years to figure out that limiting my salt and sugar intake could help ease menstral cramps. Also, oddly... vigorous sit-ups. I'm extremely thankful for being post-menopausal now.

I was diagnosed with a severe estrogen deficiency in 11th grade (16-17) after passing out twice that year from blood loss. I only had a period every 2-3 months, so they were super heavy. The 2nd time it happened, they called my dad. When the Dr at the ER refused to believe me, dad reamed her out & got a different Dr. I'd never had cramps before, but I was doubled over. First thing he did was administer meds. Referred by him to a specialist who actually listened and diagnosed me after testing. Don't hesitate to find a new Dr who will listen. Pain is NOT normal during menstruation. Because of this, I had no trouble believing when my daughter started having problems and got her in to an obgyn immediately.

Girl, same. I was accused of faking the pain for years. Had to get a complete hysterectomy at 28. My doctor was so horrified by the damage endo had done. He actually apologized for not taking me more seriously. He was amazed I could even walk. Don't miss that uterus at all!

My mom and I both suffered from endo. The pain is unbelievable, the nausea, the headaches, not being able to function for days. And then the doctor/obgyn telling you: pull yourself together, you're just on your period. Thank you. Not! ( Was back in 1980, I was twelve when it started)

I'm a man, but come on, we could emphatize. Back pain, stomach pain, muscle spasm is generally terrible, so I usually try to imagine those, and imagine them being amplified, plus blood and associated shame, when trying to imagine dysmenorrhea from endometriosis. It's clear, women who have it should have extra days off. I'm telling you if for us, men, our d***s and balls hurt like hell for days and bled, the world would stop for a week every month.

I've blacked out from cramps. Like full on fainted from the pain. Standing in the kitchen, sitting on the toilet. If that's not real pain I don't know what else.

I just had a golf ball sized mass of Endo removed. I am so sorry. I would just lay down on the floor and cry. I hope you are able to get help.

I got a hysterectomy. Best decision I ever made.

I’m so lucky the pain for me is still low enough that I can function with it. There are only like two days in my life I remember the pain being so bad that I had to sit down and hug my knees and wait it out.

I'm thankful to not have cramps as part of my period, but I have all the sympathies to women who do. It makes me so mad when I read about providers who ignore women's pain, esp. when they are fellow women. Why are women not be believed?

I feel that all doctors, even female doctors, are trained to view women as hyperchondriacs. Like WTF? We are more than half of the population!

My doctor sent me to the best gyn he knew who took one look at told me I didn't have to live like that. I was 40. He performed a partial hysterectomy, took care of the endo, done. Not going to get tmi with it but I couldn't go out in public when I was on my period. There was no combination of feminine products that could handle that.

Me too, period cramps are horrendous. And men never understand it. They NEVER understand.

I chose a career over endometriosis and it meant taking the steps to not have children. I realise now this was God's plan for me all the way along so I would be a better Aunty, Godmother and Volunteer for the homeless.

I had a radical hysterectomy at 21 because of endometriosis. It feels like they took it even less seriously back then tho

Ibuprofen helps a lot.

Get another doctor! There are so many of us out here with this. Most men have zero empathy on subject. Met alot of women too who just bc they cant relate are dismissive.

Yes! Most people roll their eyes about it. It's so painful!!

Ditto. I used to feel like I was going to pass out and would get so sick. I yeeted my ute at 39. Best thing I ever did. Bless my kindly doctor.

Any doctor who has not experienced this (male or female, because I get cramps but not too bad) or really anyone who is in a position of power over women, but especially doctors, should have to wear one of those devices that imitates menstrual cramps set at the highest setting. Then see how they fell about giving relief medications or time off!

Yup. I had to have a hysterectomy. And I always look for female gynos, and if they don't believe me I move on.

I had to fight for three years to go on the contraceptive pill to stop my periods. They were excruciating, causing major mood swings and depressive episodes, couldn’t keep food down during them, and they were erratic to say the least. Wouldn’t have one for two months or so, would then have one that could last anything between six to eight weeks. My weight was dangerously low for a long time and eventually after demanding to see a female Dr, she let me go on the pill. It took about six months for them to completely stop, and aside having COVID twice which messed me up again cycle-wise, haven’t had a period for years. It changed my life. MALE physicians dismiss women’s symptoms constantly thinking we are just too emotional and exaggerating.

Can confirm.

I know how bad menstrual cramps can get. My ex gave me a bloody nose once because of them and all I did was fart in bed. I suppose asking her if she could smell popcorn didn't help