Why You Shouldn't Ignore Excruciating Periods

Many women dread the arrival of their monthly period. Between the bleeding, cramps, bloating, and muscle aches, menstruating is inconvenient and uncomfortable. However, when periods are excruciating, it can make you really miserable and could be a sign of an underlying condition that needs treatment. 

Dr. Daniel S. Kushner is a skilled and compassionate OB/GYN with medical offices located in White Plains and Queens, New York. Dr. Kushner and his friendly and experienced staff have the knowledge and resources to provide a full range of high quality OB/GYN services to help patients stay healthy and vibrant.

When your periods are excruciating

Your period may be really uncomfortable, but is it excruciating? If it’s severely affecting your ability to get through your day and do the things you need to do, like go to work or school, your period may be too much for you to handle. There are a few signs to look for.

Extreme bleeding

Most women lose 3-4 tablespoons of blood during the course of their menstrual cycle. If you think you’re losing significantly more blood than that every month, if your period lasts longer than eight days, or if you pass many large blood clots, you may have reasons to be concerned about your bleeding.

Intense pain — migraines or cramps

Most women have some cramps during their periods that usually respond to over-the-counter pain medication, exercise, rest, or a heating pad. Some women get migraines before or while menstruating. If the pain from either cramps or migraines is debilitating, talk to your OB/GYN about treatment options. 

Huge mood swings

The fluctuations in hormones, especially estrogen, tends to cause some emotional shifts during a woman’s period. Many women experience anger, irritability, and sadness during the week leading up to their period.

However, some women experience extreme mood swings that make them feel highly unsettled. This is a treatable condition known as premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD).

Why you shouldn’t ignore excruciating periods

Excruciating periods can disrupt your normal functioning and cause you significant discomfort and distress. Treatments are available that can relieve your discomfort and allow you to keep up with life, even while menstruating. 

Excruciating periods can also be hiding an underlying condition that you need to get checked out and treated. Some of these conditions include:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Fibroids
• Infection
• Thyroid disorders
• Kidney disease
• Blood clotting disorder

It’s important to pay attention to excruciating periods and get a checkup with your OB/GYN to ensure that any underlying conditions are identified and treated. You also can get relief from the discomfort and disruption of your life that severe periods can cause.

To set up an appointment, call our White Plains or Queens office or use our online booking system to schedule a date and time that works best for you.