[BossDragonZ]

My daughter is 27 years old. She has just finished her masters (mention that cause of the stress factors) but she has graduated from that and is now teaching at the University of Oklahoma till she finds what she wants to pursue for her doctorate.

She has always had severe cramps and started her period when she was 9 years old. She called me the other night and said that a new sympton was occurring with the regular severe cramps. I know she had gastrinal problems prior to her period , severe cramps, bitchy, etc. but I have never heard of nausea with it. Anyone out there that can give their experience and/or how to combat it.

She is a vegetarian and a virgin so pregnancy is not possible. She is not sexually active. I do worry about the vegetarian part as she has never been fond of meat since a young child and I worry she isn't getting enough protein however she does eat eggs and tofu and soy. Also thought maybe not being sexual could cause hormonal irregularities.

I live in Tennessee therefore I have no connections with anyone there or doctors that might have answers. Any advise or knowledge out there would be so appreciated?

Respectfully,
Worried Mom
BossDragonZ

[Lindis]

Hi worried mom!

I think the first thing your daughter should do is go to her gynaecologist, which she goes to visit on a regular basis, right? Even if something isn't wrong, a woman, when she reaches 25, should go to the doctor at least once a year to check that everything is ok south of the belly button.

When it comes to her periods, I feel for her and you! I am 28, and my symptoms are changing all the time. The nausea is something I have been experiencing lately myself, especially right before the period, which has had me worry about being pregnant, which I'm not since I keep getting my periods.

I have read that being on birth control may reduce some of the typical symptoms of PMS, but only a doctor can tell your daughter what is wrong, if anything, and what to do. It's not a big deal going to the gynaecologist, if that's an issue for her. Just tell her to go!

[BossDragonZ]

Lindis,

I don't think she has a doctor out there that is a definite problem. I told her she needs to start her pap smears and breast exams once a year. But she is under the impression as educated as she is that if it isn't broken why bother with it. This is just a frank mom statement. She will be home for Christmas. Usually I have a dentist exam and eye appointment for her think that will be her added present an exam at the gynocologist.

I guess you are right I need to encourage her more strongly to take hold and get this done. I know that her salary has been low while in school and she has to scrimp by, but some things are more important. Young people think they are immortal *s*

Thank you for your frankness. Food for thought. Didn't realize that the nausea with PMS was so prevelant. See us old ladies are always still learning. *s*

[Lindis]

Hi again!

Good thing you know what to give her for Christmas already! Perhaps she is just worried that something is wrong, and by not going, she is not going to find that out for a fact. I can sort of understand the reasoning behind that, but as you pointed out, our bodies are too important to be ignored.
Well, good luck with all of this, and at least your daughter has a concerned mother which is very nice to have : ).

[jog78]

Hi there,
I get nauseous pretty regularly for about a week before my period; it used to happen to me when I was on the pill, but started up again about 6 months ago (I've been off the pill for 3 years now). What helps is always keeping something in my stomach, not drinking alcohol, and eating almost more than I want to so I never feel hungry. It seems to get worse in the afternoons and when I'm even slightly hungry.
I had an ovarian cyst removed in 2005 and I definitely had more GI symptoms before they took it out (nausea, throwing up right before my period, awful cramps, sweating, leg cramps, just an incredible array of annoying/painful symptoms). So when I started getting the nausea again the first thing I did was go in for an ultrasound, because I was sure I was getting another cyst. But nothing there--thank God--so maybe this time my PMS is just changing.
A side note: I was put on the pill when I turned 16 for painful and irregular periods (I've been menstruating since I was 10). I was on it for 10 years and finally went off it 3 years ago and both my periods and PMS are much better without it. I don't get depressed for 2 weeks anymore, the periods are like clockwork and light, and I feel much better overall than I did while I was on it. I know this is completely against conventional wisdom, but that's just my personal experience. I don't mind putting up with the nausea and some cramping in exchange for not feeling crazy most of the time!
Good luck to you and your daughter!