Mysteriously cramp-free?

[oobiecoo]

I''ve had 2 periods since my doctor put me on Metformin and Prometrium. They finally seem to be regular! The weird thing is that this past cycle, I had NO cramps whatsoever. That has never happened to me! Usually they are so bad that I just have to lie in bed and not move. I''ve searched and can''t seem to find any information stating that these two medications could be the cause so I''m wondering if anyone knows differently. Or if its possible that they disappear with age? I''ll talk to my doctor about it of course, but I don''t go back for another couple of weeks.

 

[somethingshiny]

I know that with PCOS metformin is being used as a treatment. If you have a history of cysts, they could have been causing the cramps.

If that's not it, I have no idea, but ENJOY it!!

 

[oobiecoo]

I have PCOS but don''t have the cysts that often go along with it. I''m just so shocked that my period could actually be pain free!

 

[swimmer]

Meformin is the BEST! I know nothing about prometrium, but on M I finally lost that belly pudge that pcos brought when it settled down in me. The thing with cysts is that you only know that you didn''t have them when the Dr. looked, you know? Because the Met settles things down with blood sugar and related hormones, it could be a lining issue. Anyway, embrace the cramp free lifestyle!

 

[atroop711]

my cramps disappeared with the birth of my first child...maybe it was age (and it was just a coincidence?)

 

[brightlight]

Did you used to have heavy flows? I can''t believe I just typed that.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Date: 7/30/2009 3:56:39 PM
Author:oobiecoo
I''ve had 2 periods since my doctor put me on Metformin and Prometrium. They finally seem to be regular! The weird thing is that this past cycle, I had NO cramps whatsoever. That has never happened to me! Usually they are so bad that I just have to lie in bed and not move. I''ve searched and can''t seem to find any information stating that these two medications could be the cause so I''m wondering if anyone knows differently. Or if its possible that they disappear with age? I''ll talk to my doctor about it of course, but I don''t go back for another couple of weeks.

My guess, since your cycles were irregular, you had more to shed, so you had more stronger muscle contractions to allow your periods to happen. Also if you are taking Prometrium, you have shut down your bodies own estrogen and progesterone surge. So when you do build the lining of the uterus, it is a thinner lining than someone who''s own body is regulating their cycles. That means there is less blood to shed and the uterus does not contract as much. You don''t have "pain" receptors on your uterus like you do on your skeletal muscles, but you have receptors that feel the pain as cramps. Because of the way the nervous system is wired, the body usually thinks the pain coming from the nearby skeletal muscles, and that is why you have the sensation of abdominal cramps.

A little digression, but I thought I would explain the use of OTC pain meds for cramps. One of the substances in your body that causes the cramps to happen in a pro-inflammatory agent. It its called prostaglandin. It is responsible for causing fevers and muscle aches when you are sick. Another job it has is to help muscles contract, so more of it is made on your period. That is why many people have headaches, and muscle pain when they at that time of the month. Drugs called NSAIDS (motrin, alive, advil) inhibit this substance from being made. That is why Motrin works on fevers, muscle aches, and cramps, they are all caused by the same substance.

Hope this didn''t get too technical.

 

[brightlight]

Date: 7/31/2009 5:52:59 PM
Author: LtlFirecracker

Date: 7/30/2009 3:56:39 PM
Author:oobiecoo
I''ve had 2 periods since my doctor put me on Metformin and Prometrium. They finally seem to be regular! The weird thing is that this past cycle, I had NO cramps whatsoever. That has never happened to me! Usually they are so bad that I just have to lie in bed and not move. I''ve searched and can''t seem to find any information stating that these two medications could be the cause so I''m wondering if anyone knows differently. Or if its possible that they disappear with age? I''ll talk to my doctor about it of course, but I don''t go back for another couple of weeks.

My guess, since your cycles were irregular, you had more to shed, so you had more stronger muscle contractions to allow your periods to happen. Also if you are taking Prometrium, you have shut down your bodies own estrogen and progesterone surge. So when you do build the lining of the uterus, it is a thinner lining than someone who''s own body is regulating their cycles. That means there is less blood to shed and the uterus does not contract as much. You don''t have ''pain'' receptors on your uterus like you do on your skeletal muscles, but you have receptors that feel the pain as cramps. Because of the way the nervous system is wired, the body usually thinks the pain coming from the nearby skeletal muscles, and that is why you have the sensation of abdominal cramps.

A little digression, but I thought I would explain the use of OTC pain meds for cramps. One of the substances in your body that causes the cramps to happen in a pro-inflammatory agent. It its called prostaglandin. It is responsible for causing fevers and muscle aches when you are sick. Another job it has is to help muscles contract, so more of it is made on your period. That is why many people have headaches, and muscle pain when they at that time of the month. Drugs called NSAIDS (motrin, alive, advil) inhibit this substance from being made. That is why Motrin works on fevers, muscle aches, and cramps, they are all caused by the same substance.

Hope this didn''t get too technical.

Like I said ... heavy flows.

 

[oobiecoo]

Thanks for the replies, guys! (especially Ltl) I''m just so thankful that I might not have to deal with the pain anymore! Hopefully its not just a temporary thing.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

No prob....and yes, brightlight gave a great one liner .