What symptoms do you experience when you have your period?

I get cramps, and sometimes they can be terrible. Other times it's just tiredness that I get. It all really just depends for me. I used to get cramps something terrible to the point I couldn't sleep I was in so much pain.

This question is just perfect for me because it's my second day today. I really hate it when I have monthly periods (not because it is quite yucky or does not smell good, you know what I mean) but it really gives me a painful dysmenorrhea and like your friend, I also cry and whine every time I have it and the only comfort for me is to sleep it off for me not to feel the pain, of course. ahaha! It's good now that I stay at home because when i still have a job, I couldn't bear it so I have to take a sick leave for 1-2 days because I really can't do a thing every time I suffer from dysmenorrhea. I have tried to take kids' mefenamic syrup before my monthly period but it was not to prevent dysmenorrhea (I have irregular monthly periods, I cannot plan or cannot take medication to prevent from having painful menstrual cramps), I just wanted to drink and it was amazing that after a day, I have this monthly visitor and I did not feel pain. But as I cannot predict the day my menstruation would come, I cannot take medications the day before. As for the symptoms, like you, I feel so sleepy and my urine is a little bit acidic and body pain. So sluggish :)

hahaha.. i like this topic i can relate LOL. because my signs if my period is coming are: im too high blooded, meaning i easily got irritated, so moody and i craved a lot of foods.

I used to think I had the worst menstrual cycle in the history of woman kind. The premenstrual cramping I would get would almost knock me out, and I couldn't even stand up straight. One time it hit me when I was on the bus and I had to get off because I had to get air that badly. I ended up doubled over in the street and vomiting like crazy. I also would have really long and heavy periods. I remember having to put in a tampon and wear two sanitary napkins and still, it'd be running down my leg and into my shoes by the time I got to school. I would bleed for 8 days straight, stop for 3 days and then it would come back for it's final revenge for 4 more days. I must have went to every doctor under the sun and even had a couple of surgeries to find out what it was. Finally about 10 yrs ago I got diagnoses with something that has a really long name in the endometriosis family. I couldn't get a hysterectomy because I was too young and the doctors wouldn't do one unless my life was in danger. Now, I am finally over the whole period thing thanks to menopause (which has its own issues - I haven't worn my winter coat yet this year) but I still get cramps every month, although not as bad as when I was still menstruating. And like some of the others that posted, I had what my ex used to call UMS (Ugly Mood Swings) I still get those too. Another thing, I became a salt fiend every month. I used to buy potato chips just to lick the salt off of them. I'm glad I'm not in my menstrual cycle anymore, but I don't think this menopause gig is much better. xoxo Cyne

For me, it's painful cramps, and then paired with LBM, which is the worst part of it really, cause even if I eat only a little, my stomach would start grumbling. I also have backaches and headaches.. I try not to drink meds during my cycle, I just try to stay at home (Sick Leave!) and just stay in bed.. They say that exercising before your period will help you lessen the pain, but my problem is the diarrhea! I also hate the feeling of my b**bs cause it tends to be really firm and sometimes it just hurts!

I've experienced several crampings even last month. It's so hard I don't want to go to the office and just take sick leaves off the week which of course is impossible. Right now, I am using Anion Napkin. It made everything the best especially the bad dysmenorrhea days. Now I no longer irk the pain.

I hate mine too! I had an IUD inserted just over seven years ago and my Gyno told me that my periods would prolly get shorter. At that point they were only four days. Fast forward to now--I spot for 5-7 days before the flow even starts, then I have a low flow day, 1 or 2 medium flow days and then WHAM! I bleed through tampons like you wouldn't beige! Super duper extra heavy-type tampons--sometimes in 2 hours! And then I can spot for up to a week! Ugh! I know I have fibroids in my uterus, as well as a cyst on my ovary but the last Gyno I saw said that I had no fibroids? My period has been wacky for 15+ years...I almost look forward to menopause!

I hate it! Always have. For me, it's gotten worse as I've gotten older. I'm 46 and the past couple of years things have really gotten out of control. I've always had pretty severe cramps, that's nothing new. I deal with it and pop an ibuprofen when I just can't handle it any more. I have a lifetime supply of BenGay too that I rub on my hip joints and lower back to help out with that. What's changed is the addition of swelling in my ankles and feet and horrendous mood swings. Of course, most of that can be attributed to the fact that I'm now perimenopausal! lol. What joy! What bliss! My period has gotten lighter and shorter but the week before and the week after have simply become hell! I've asked my gyno about it but she says there's not much to do about it. My feet swell to twice their size sometimes and I've got to lay down and prop them up. Cramping in my legs and back get pretty bad too. The mood swings are the worst though. I find myself simply exploding for the littlest things! I've never been much of a crier but I sure bawl a lot for at least 2 weeks out of the month! lol. I can honestly say, I'll be glad when this part of my womanhood is done with.

When i was younger i could not wait to experience this new change in my body. It was part of womanhood. Now it is a time of the month I do not look forward to. I used to have terrible cramping and just didn't feel good. what was so great about this? Now I know the time is drawing near when i get so emotional and cry over the least little thing. Such are the joys of life's rewards!

Hello enslinPorter, When I was teenager had severe cramps! Took medicine from my doctors. Now that have two daughters in 40's all I get achy legs and sometimes constipation. Now that I am older I sometimes get twice a month because I not eating my vegetables enough when I do that then i usually get it once a month. If my daughters are home ahve the monthly I seem to get it again weird Huh! Actualy annoying for me. The second time is usually lighter and not as long like 3 days max. Sometimes I do get really tired too. Thanks and have a great day! Sincerley Unique16

Hello Lady! Well, I think that is one of the best things about being pregnant! I don't have to worry about it! I like it!! As a teenager, when I started, my period lasted like 9 days and with lots of... as you said... painful symptoms. I also was very irregular. Thank God with time it regulated, it only lasted 4 days and happened exactly every 29 days (that let me know right away when I got pregnant!!!) I think you should ask a doctor for some vitamins or something to fill you with energy at those days!! Hope its over soon!!

Yes I am the same, all of the symptoms mentioned, terrible feeling of anger, headaches, painful cramping and also a HUGE appetite! my stomach is always growling when I have a period and I always put on a few pounds that week!

i've been suffering dysmenorrhea for how many years.but one time i really had to go to my doctor because of bleeding.then there they found out the reason of the pain during my period.my OB gave me some pills to regulate my cycle.and gud thing i don't feel any pain for 6months now.i just feel sleepy during my period that i don't wanna do anything but stay in my bed.