Family Doctors Help Young Patients Deal With Excessive, Painful Menstruation

by | Sep 23, 2022 | Doctors, Healthcare

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When a girl begins menstruating, she may feel like these monthly episodes are inconvenient while also understanding the rite of passage toward adulthood. It is distressing for the girl and the parents as well when the periods turn out to be very heavy with painful cramping. Family Physicians in Schaumburg IL can help this young lady with various strategies ranging from conservative to medicinal prescriptions.

A clinic such as Horizon Medical Center is particularly beneficial for this patient because there are several female doctors on staff. The girl may feel much less embarrassed talking about her problems with a woman than she would with a male doctor.

Family Physicians in Schaumburg IL might begin with having the girl rest during the worst of the symptoms, which usually occur on the first couple of days. Resting with a heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen can help relieve cramping. Ibuprofen and naproxen provide both anti-inflammatory and pain relief. If the parents have health insurance that pays for prescriptions, obtaining prescription-strength ibuprofen or naproxen can be the most affordable choice.

Doctors often recommend having the young woman take birth control pills if the problem is this serious. For example, if the monthly blood loss is too heavy, the girl can develop anemia. Some girls find that the heavy and erratic blood flow prevents them from taking part in normal activities every month, such as being active during physical education or being on a sports team. Physical activity can stimulate that flow and make the situation even worse.

The family may hesitate to have a teenage girl, or one who is even younger, take prescription contraceptives. However, the hormonal properties of the medication provide substantial relief from excessive menstruation and cramping. Some girls endure periods that last longer than a week and that cause abdominal pain for nearly the entire time. If the periods are irregular, this young lady has to deal with the anxiety of never knowing when menstruation is about to occur. She may resort to wearing tampons every day. Doctors generally would rather see the patient taking prescription medication under a physician’s supervision instead of dealing with all those other problems.