menstrual problems

[NeoSquall]

My girlfriend had this problem ever since she started having period.

her problem is that whenever she drinks cold water or eat something cold for an example ice-cream, she will get very bad cramps and then her period will start the very next day. same goes to "cooling" type of food.

this happens anytime. It happens after her period, way way before her period and right before her period. she is in her early 20s.

your help will be very much appreciated. thx

[tan_md]

What you described is very common among young female in their 20's. The exact reason is unknown. But these symptoms especially menstrual pain is usually benign and it will go off after their first pregnancy.

For the time being I will suggest only symptomatic relieave by taking mild pain killers like paracetamol. Evening Primose Oil is useful in some individuals. However, if the symptoms persist or worsening, it is always better to consult a gynaecologist to rule out other causes like endometriosis.

[kkmalaysia]

Many of my patient has great relieve of their menstrual pain by taking mefenamic acid plus hyoscine. May be your girlfriend can try that when she has menstrual pain. 

[NeoSquall]

I agree that it is very common with the pain. But the problem is that she is restricted to hot food and drinks only. Sometimes I get frustrated because I couldnt enjoy ice cream with her. In any given time of the month if she takes in cold drinks or food, she will have pain and her period starts the next day. Sometimes spotting and sometimes a full blown period(if its like 1 week towards the end of her cycle).

would it go off after her first pregnancy?

thx for your replies.

hey kkmalaysia, you from Sabah?

[kkmalaysia]

No, I am not.

Yes, cold food is a known precipitator for dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain) but the exact mechanism is not known (if you do, please let me know  ). But the pian can be easily controlled with simple pain killer like paracetamol as mentioned. If not, you can try my regime 

[NeoSquall]

I told my girlfriend about this. She doesnt quite agree(stubborn.. haha!) and she said I explained wrongly(?).

Whenever she eats cold or "cooling" food/drinks, she will have her period after a few hours, not the next day as I said. According to her, the amount it is like as if towards the ending of a period and the colour is brown/chocolate.

This happens anytime, for an example, a cycle is +-28days right? if just after 10days, she consume any cold or "cooling" food/drinks, her period(like the one I explained above) will appear after a few hours of consuming. Pain is not that massive but a mild uncomfortable type of pain. Eventhough this happens, her cycle is a still a perfect +-28days from the original menstrual cycle.

It gets even weirder, happens also if she takes paracetamol as prescribe by the doctor.

she told me that its been going on since she started her period.

any ideas.?

[drbalo]

There are many young females with this problem as well. Nothing to worry but if you do, do consult your gynaecologist as suggested by kkmalaysia. 

[NeoSquall]

is there any chance of her being able to consume cold food/drinks without having her period reappearing everytime..?

[kkmalaysia]

is there any chance of her being able to consume cold food/drinks without having her period reappearing everytime..?

I think what you mean is recurrence of the menstrual pain. It is almost impossible to predict when the pain will come but when the pain comes, it responds well with conventional treatment.

[amanda]

If none of the paracetamol or over-the-counter types work, then she will need to visit the doctor. this can be a good time to make sure the root cause of the problem.