Very, very TMI here so guys (and squeamish ladies), run while you still can.

Seriously – press the back button if you don’t want to read a “period piece”.

So, when I was younger and before I had Pies 1&2 (but after my oldest son who I had at 16), I can remember having lower back pain and um, “looser” number twos. I also had a bit of cramping but nothing overly terrible. I would also get really bad headaches when it was all said and done.

Even before I got pregnant w/Pie 1, I stopped having the back pain but my periods got progressively heavier. After Pie 2, they were so bad that for about 2 days, I really couldn’t be away from a bathroom for more than 45 minutes to an hour. And though I had massive amounts of clots, there were no real “symptoms”. I finally went to the doctor about it and had a uterine ablation and D&C done – the one-year anniversary of that is actually today.

Last night I started noticing my lower back was bothering me a bit but didn’t make much of a connection even when I noticed the tell-tale spotting on the t.p. Today, the back pain is worse and it is accompanied by discomfort heading towards pain in my uterine/pelvic area. I can’t say it’s truly crampy, but there have been a few outright hurtful moments. It is uncomfortable to sit or to stand – frankly I just want to lay (lie?) in bed and go to sleep. I just took some ibuprofen so hopefully that will help.

Does this sound like menstrual cramping/symptoms to you? Do you have similar issues?

This sounds like a warrants a visit to your OB/GYN to me! Good luck!

Well, I've traditionally had horrific, painful periods, backache, cramping to the point of vomiting. Really, your uterus is contracting, so that whole lower back/abdominal area can get sore. I take muscle relaxants and anti-inflamitories.

However, since this represents a change for you, I would highly second going to the doc and getting inspected to make sure nothing is there that should not be.

I agree with both comments above; it does sound like it's probably just a normal change, but to be safe why not ask the doc? Are you remotely due for a checkup and Pap anyway? Or (gasp) your first post-40th birthday mammogram??

I had so many changes throughout my pre-hysterectomy years I couldn't begin to document them all and none were anything serious but I still think it's worth going and getting some reassurance from the doctor. Hopefully you like your gyn.

I had symptoms similar to wookies' prior to having the kiddos, but nothing like that now. At this point, if it's something that is just coming up, you should get it checked just to be on the safe side.

Don't take Ibuprofen, you need to take at least two, and probably three aleve. I live and die by prescription anaprox when I'm getting my monthly visitor. Oh, and I get the stomach thing too, but I'm prone to tummy woes.

Go ahead and see the Doc. At the very least s/he can give you a monthly repeating scrip so that you're not wanting to die every month.

Sadly, this sounds like my regular period. Except for the first year after my daughter was born (once it started again), your description fits my monthly symptoms for the last twenty (!) years. I take ibuprofen or slug a glass of wine and sleep it off.

However, you should prolly check with your GYN anyway. I've found my symptoms are vastly improved if I regulate my diet and exercise, especially the week before.

Pie, your situation sounds a LOT like my closest friend back in Pagosa. Once a month, her back just "goes out" on her during her period. She describes it as severe lower back pain that wraps around and cramps in the pelvis. She has seen several doctors that all took shots in the dark but none really fixed anything.

In the last two years, her symptoms have almost entirely been managed by chiropractic care. She swears by it. She sees a chiropractor that is "Gonstead" trained. Check with your GYN for other reasons, but consider chiro.

Huh! I never would have thought about the Chiro Ylime - thanks. I may check into that.

I did call the doc's office but the woman I see was gone for the day so she's set to call me back in the morning. And I am due for my pap so that should help rule out anything serious. And, yup Ruth - my mammo, though this will be my third. The ibuprofen helped (didn't have any Aleve Ellie) and, magically, taking off the too tight bra I had on - I think it was squeezing me too much.

Thanks ladies. As always, OS is a wonderful, supportive and informative network.

Just so everyone knows, I had to read this. I'd like to say it's so that I might understand my wife's problems even more in case it ever came up, but I'm not that cool.

Diggy can NOT resist a post that says "for the ladies."

Is there a warning you COULD resist? "for the birds?" "for the sheep?"

Please. For the sheep? We'd all be there.

Yeah, I have crappy periods. I think they're finally starting to go back to normal-ish, after the baby I gushed blood for a couple of weeks each time. Woo! Anyway, mine are always accompanied with back pain and alternating constipation/diarrhea.

I would say get it checked out, just to be sure, but it sounds like it could just be a bad period to me. Natural ways to help with the issues are physical exercise and orgasm (the cramps are your uterine muscles spasming and orgasm causes that to get, um, more regular and calm down for awhile).

Ugh, that doesn't sound good. I'd go see the GYN. I hope you find some answers.

You just described my normal monthly experience. Mine has gotten progressively worse since chidren and I ususally resort to overmedicating myself with whatever I can find at the drugstore.

And the heating pad. Lot's and lot's of time under the heating pad.

I talked to the Gyn's office this morning and described the whole sorry state of affairs to them. They said it's all perfectly normal and that my body is still trying to find it's rythym after the ablation. Plus it's all better today.

Thanks all for the commiseration and advice. And just for being you, Diggy!

Glad it's not that bad, PBM and I that I can be me. For the record, I seem to recall a bunch of women in a recent "For the Men Folk" thread. Anyone remember that?

Yup - I remember. I just know how squeamish some guys can get when it comes to this type of discussion, but I'm glad you're tough enough to handle it. :)

Course, now if I ever see you IRL again, I'll probably blush.