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Pain and cramping any time of the month and after intercourse.

By Anonymous October 27, 2011 - 1:24pm
 
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I have been having pain and cramping off and on, not just during my period. Also have cramping and pain after intercourse. This all started after the birth of my youngest child 2 and a half years ago. For the first 8-9 months after having my daughter, I would get extremely bad pains that would cause me to double over. Sometimes the pains would be not extreme, but would last several hours at a time. I went to my OB/GYN several times for the pains and cramps. He did a couple exams and had an internal ultrasound done. During the ultrasound I started having pain and the tech said that my uterus was moving. She said that can been seen at times right before someone starts their period. I however, was over 2 weeks away from mine. During my next Dr appt, he said that there was nothing abnormal seen on my ultrasound. I mentioned the movement the tech stated at the time of the test and the Dr told me that it was impossible for any movement to happen. He then told me that there was NO MEDICAL reason for my pains. Why is it that if some Drs don't know what is going on the pretty much say that it is all in your head?!?! I do not get the extreme pains as much anymore, but I cramp about 3 weeks a month on average. This is not normal and is not a great way to live. What can I do? I need someone to listen to me and to take me seriously! Please Help!!! Thank you.

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Hi anonymous,
I am so sorry you have been living with the pain of cramping for 2 years! You are right--some doctors will run tests, and if nothing shows up on this one particular test and the symptom is unexplainable, they shrug it off. However, please know MOST doctors will continue talking with you about other possible causes or treatment options, and will help refer you to specialists and treat you as a WHOLE person and not just look at your reproductive system as the culprit.

We would suggest two things:
1. Get a second opinion from another OB/GYN
2. Ask for a referral to a doctor who specializes in woman's health and pain management. Your OB/GYN may be so busy with women who have clear-cut reproductive conditions (heavy bleeding, annual exams, pregnancy, miscarriage) that he is unable to go through the journey with you to figure out what is possibly wrong.

You may need to talk with a couple of doctors or health care professionals and "interview" them, to find out how they help women with unexplained abdominal pain. Please know--there are other organs, muscles and other tissues in your abdominal region that the pain may feel like a uterine cramp, but it is important to rule out other possible reasons for cramping in that area.

Also, don't undermine the power of stress, and its effect on emotional and physical health and medical conditions. Stress can also be a culprit in causing pain if it is untreated, and talking with a caring doctor can make a world of difference. Other women have talked with acupuncturists (once other medical conditions have been ruled out), and have received great benefits from alternative medicine.

Please get a second opinion from another OB/GYN, or call your primary care physician to ask for a referral to a pain specialist who can rule out other medical conditions, talk with you about your entire well-being and help you figure out what is causing your lingering symtpoms.

Let us know how we can help!

October 29, 2011 - 8:07pm
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