Cramps and the Pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2004
Cramps and the Pill
2
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 3:35pm
Whereas I used to never get cramps, now that I'm on the Pill they are horrible every month (relatively speaking, since I never had a problem with it before). Is this normal? It's not so debilitating that I would switch birth control simply because of that, but does this indicate anything that isn't working properly hormone wise? I ask because the Pill is often prescribed as a means of ameliorating cramps, is it not?
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 4:00pm
Well, I can only tell you my own personal experience. In general with me, the heavier my monthly flow, the fewer cramps I get. When I was on BCP (now on NuvaRing), my flow was extremely light, so I usually took 2 or 3 packs of active pills continuously to "build up" a flow so the cramps wouldn't be so bad. If I took the placebo week of pills to allow a period each month, yes the cramps would be very bad! You might want to ask your doctor if the same would be beneficial to you.

Cheers,

Alta

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 5:19pm
You don't have to worry that your pills "aren't working" just because you are having cramps. Reduction of menstrual cramps is a common side effect of the pill, to the extent that it is often thought that taking birth control pills WILL reduce (I'd often heard eliminate) cramps, but personal experiences can vary.

For me, I had terrible cramps as a teenager (to the point of needing prescription pain killers), I went on the pill at 20 & the cramps improved, but did not go away - I didn't need the prescription any more, so I considered that an improvement!!! I've now been off the pill for over a year (I'm 31 now) & I don't have cramps at all any more!!! Just shocking, if you ask me - my last cycle ON the pill had cramps, my first cycle off had NONE. I've had a cramp or two during the 14 periods I've had off the pill, but not every month by any means. Goes to show how much one's body can change in a decade.

If it gets too bad, *maybe* a pill change would help, but if the cramps are deal-with-able, I personally wouldn't worry about it if you otherwise like the pill you are on.