So, here’s a topic just about ALL of us ladies are ALL too familiar with.... Our periods!! Let’s take the typical hormonal imbalance and misery that comes along with that ever so special "time of the month" and throw in some extra factors just for fun; here are my A, B, C and D:A) Having endometriosis inside and out of most of my vital internal organs (which has regressed!)B) Having severe spasms of the pelvic floor musclesC) Having two surgeries two months ago to remove scar tissue, my appendix, Botox (to paralyze) my pelvic floor muscles, and to remove a cyst on my ovary that made its little nest in a major nerve bundleD) Having been on either Lupron injections and/or continuous birth control since I was 14 to stop my periods and control estrogen production. Now having stated the above I am currently having my first period in nearly a year and spent four of the recent five days alone in a dark room like a mama bear in hibernation. My best weapons against Mother Nature were Advil and a heat pack; it was a downhill battle my friends... I have been so infuriated because I had just worked so hard for several weeks to taper then detox off morphine which I have been on and off of for two years solid. I get better... detox immediately... and yup, a few months later my abdomen declares war. So, without sharing my entire story with you today I am simply putting it out there that our cycles can be VERY hard on us! I have found it to be very embarrassing and difficult to express (especially to men!) the amount of pain and discomfort a woman’s period can cause. With or without added complications they can be debilitating! I clearly advise anyone experiencing extreme pain to seek out medical help, however when given an explanation... Seek a second! I've been blessed with immense resources and yet I was still in the dark about the true nature of my problems; despite seeing various "specialists" for over two years. The point is, don’t be embarrassed about being in pain or second guess yourself when you seek out your own medical matters further. It’s empowering to be proactive and take control. Oh! And if you’re PMS(ing) like a wild woman (such as myself) cut the man you love a liiiiittle slack... After all, it’s not his fault he has nooooooo idea what you’re talking about!! ;-) - Sincerely, Ashley