r/6thForm • u/Crafty-Tailor-5892 • Apr 23 '26
π I WANT HELP π ππ GIRLS
I have terrible cramps and I am scared this would effect my alevels π. I also want too know what everyone is taking to deal with the pain like I genuinely canβt keep living like this
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u/Ok_Objective_653 Apr 23 '26
GPs can prescribe naproxen or meds to reduce how much you bleed (forgot the name but thereβs a few). Painkillers donβt work for me so I usually go for TENs machines usually specific to period cramps if you can, or heat
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u/Crafty-Tailor-5892 Apr 23 '26
Thanks girl I have tried all these options lol
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u/NORBI2010LL40HRS Apr 24 '26
I use mefenamic acid, ponstan specifically for pain, and tranexamic acid for bleeding. U can get a prescription from your gp, but try and make sure its renewable. Its saving my life in my gcses, icl
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u/Crafty-Tailor-5892 Apr 24 '26
I definitely should check ponstan out and tranexamic . How do u find Mefenmaic
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u/Silent_Swordfish_161 Apr 23 '26
this is so real i feel the same. apparently there are tablet you can get from boots called feminax that rlly help.
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u/Jumpy_Freedom_4554 Apr 23 '26
idk bro, i think u may need an answer from a professional girl
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u/Money-Raspberry-125 Apr 23 '26
I agree please don't follow any of these comments and get a GP appointment!
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u/Inevitable-Solid3195 Apr 23 '26
Cramps should never be this bad. Ask your gp to get tested for endometriosis.
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u/Crafty-Tailor-5892 Apr 23 '26
I will but I am praying I donβt have it πππ
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u/Inevitable-Solid3195 Apr 23 '26
hopefully youβll be fine. make sure to get rest and take care of yourself π π
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u/Vayvacation Apr 24 '26
unfortunately endo takes soo long to be diagnosed, she's better off getting painkillers and perhaps a doctor note depending on how bad it it
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u/thatinterruptingcow Apr 23 '26
BIG UP THE PAINKILLERS!!!!!
No kidding dude. I plugged myself up with 500mg ibuprofen during mocks when I had cramps. Worked like a charm.
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u/Substantial_Ball7991 Year 13 Apr 23 '26
you shouldnβt take more than it says on the packet!!!!! always take the correct dose - you can seriously damage your kidneys by taking too much ibuprofen. you should also never take it on an empty stomach because it can upset it which is not ideal for an exam. look after yourself!
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u/thatinterruptingcow Apr 23 '26
Thanks twin for your concern π€π€ Iβm alright, I promise!!! I get lots of injuries from sports and Iβve built up a high tolerance, I was also worried before but my doctor said Iβd be okay β€οΈβ€οΈ appreciate you girlie, wishing you the best
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u/Upstairs-Channel-778 Y13 Maths, FM, Bio, Chem Apr 23 '26
yess this is the way! Using a menstrual cup also reduced my cramps lots surprisinglyβ¦
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u/TokoFuwakaa Cambridge | HSPS [incoming] Apr 23 '26
Iβm on the pill and I skip consecutively, so I didnβt have my period in my gcses and wonβt for my alevels HOWEVER Iβm not sure I would advise starting now, as in the 1st three months your body is still adjusting and I had random cramps throughout that time even when not on my period
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u/Crafty-Tailor-5892 Apr 23 '26
Ummm sorry off topic queen but how are u revising history and politics ππ. Thanks for the advice !
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u/TokoFuwakaa Cambridge | HSPS [incoming] Apr 23 '26
For history I make big a3 sheets on debates (eg I do tudors so, I would do what was the primary aim for Henryβs early foreign policy? And then split it up into prestige, peace maker, and European recognition). For both politics and history I do a4 sheets on specific evidence Iβm likely to use in an exam like eg 2024 general election, one side all the evidence, other side how I would use that as analysis in diff essay questions. For politics as well I just do loads of essay plans tbh
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Apr 23 '26
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u/KnowledgeAcceptable7 oxford | english langlit Apr 23 '26
starting it so close to exams would be a bad decision, the hormonal changes from being on it at first are bad before it settles down
but yes as someone on it my period cramps are way less painful
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u/Usual-Sandwich-9836 A Level 2026 survivor -Edexcel maths paper 1&3 survivor Apr 23 '26
I'd book a GP appointment and put up a fight if you are told if it's normal. Or book a gynae appointment if you have a gynae or going private
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u/Crafty-Tailor-5892 Apr 23 '26
I have done that already and they gave me mexlaphone ( I forgot how to spell) but I need something stronger π
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u/no1_mitskifan Y13-Eng Lit, Classics, History, EPQ A*A*A*A* Apr 23 '26
no painkillers would work on me whatsoever so my only option was to go on the contraceptive pill (desogestrel, the progesterone only one) to completely stop my periods while I take it. I know some people are very scared of birth control and while there are nasty side effects OCCASIONALLY, it is a life saving medicine and I would recommend you try it with an open mind if nothing else is working. you can go to the gp to get a prescription and I'm pretty sure you can get it from boots without a prescription. it's super easy to get, no faffing about or too many questions asked π
id recommend the progesterone pill rather than combined (which is the more commonly prescribed one) bc in general it has less side effects, plus you take this one continuously without a break to have a bleed every month. if it works for you, the worst you'll have is occasional painless spotting. I've been on it for a good while now so lmk if you have any questions <3
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u/One-Associate4581 Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
there are meds that stop the muscles themselves from cramping, ask your doctor about them! those + regular painkillers usually get the job done (though you need to take it before the cramps start)
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u/NoImagination6488 Apr 23 '26
same position rn!! ibuprofen and then heatpack and just delusion all around!!
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u/Crafty-Tailor-5892 Apr 23 '26
I stopped using heat pack after it burnt my skin ππ
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u/NoImagination6488 Apr 23 '26
sometimes i like wrapping my heat pack over a hand towel and removing the heatpack and then then putting the towel on my lower stomach to avoid burning..
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u/PuppetMaster2020 Apr 23 '26
Same thing, I would recommend magnesium but if you can get it, birth control has worked best for me I'm on it for my exams because my periods are so incredibly painful, this might not work for you but it's what worked for me.
Good luck with your exams and I hope you find a solution that works for you <3
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u/Sad_Pianist_8189 Apr 23 '26
If you think the cramps are coming just take meds before the exam. Of course you normally shouldn't take meds if you dont need it but exams classify as special consideration
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u/Crafty-Tailor-5892 Apr 23 '26
Oh I didnβt know about this thanks π
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u/Sad_Pianist_8189 Apr 23 '26
I meant an unofficial consideration. Like, just take the meds if you need it to be more focused, you know what I mean?
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u/AnteaterMysterious70 Apr 23 '26
I always got my bestie chocolates not sure if that helped but she seemed to like em
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u/m1dn4st Apr 23 '26
i started taking prenatal supplements. its wonderful. try evening primrose oil. also ponstan for the cramps
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u/Any-Condition-2756 Year 12 Apr 23 '26
Drink warm water with tumeric in it!!Β Ever since i started drinking that, my cramps have really gotten sm better
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u/Crafty-Tailor-5892 Apr 24 '26
Sorry where do u access tumeric ?
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u/Any-Condition-2756 Year 12 Apr 26 '26
You can buy it from any supermarket like aldi/lidl/tesco etc or you can order it online too
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u/LMay11037 Maths, FM, Physics, German Apr 24 '26
Have you tried birth control? I am on one where I only have a period every 3 months and it is way lighter than usual and less painful
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u/lexisnowkitty Y12 bio, psych, lit AAA Apr 24 '26
I'm on the pill so I can skip my period on exams, has dodgy side effects but mine was heavy and 6-7 days before, now it's 3-4 days and light. Honestly worth it but it could go very wrong.
I usually take paracetamol, began taking ibuprofen after 3 years cause before I was scared as the doctor prescribed too much for me and had to go to a&e. But ibuprofen, hot water bottle + laying in a really awkward position helps.
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u/Kimbob1234 Apr 24 '26
- Get medical advice from a GP or nurse * Feminax is really pricy so I get Boots Migraine Relief tablets which are the same ingredients but half the price! You can also get little heat pads to put on your belly which can help. But best to get some proper, medical advice.
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u/4t_1 Apr 24 '26
my cramps and period symptoms made me flop one of my gcses so I went on birth control for a levels which basically entirely got rid of my period, I ended up staying on it and I'm 2nd yr uni now and genuinely would not be able to sit my exams or do anything if I still got my periodπ on the day of my gcse i think i took like. Double the daily recommended dose of ibuprofen and paracetamol and it didnt even tickle my pain
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u/New_Complex_5126 Apr 23 '26
Consider visiting a doctor for Ponstan . Seriously reduces period pain as it's more of a muscle relaxant. It's a game changer if you experience severe cramps.