I've had the worst cramps just like some of you described. I'm 46 years old and 5 years ago I've finally found the reasons behind my cramps. I've a fibroids and endometriosis. Five years ago, my doctor gave me some iron pills for my pregnancy. I was also taking Evening primrose oil and flexseed oil. I noticed after I took the the oils, my cramps were reduced to about 60% intensity. And after the iron pills, I was virtually pain free. I was not anemic but may be slightly iron deficient during or prior to my periods. Now, I don't take the irons pills every month. I would try to eat some red meat once a week or iron rich foods.

I suffered horrendous period pains from the age of 11 to 32. It was so bad I would almost pass out with the pain. I used to sometimes have to take time off sick from my teaching post. I tried Feminax and Phenacitin (which I think is now banned). At a Family Planning Clinic my anger was roused when a male Dr. told me to take Aspirin, which is almost useless. After reading Katherina Doulton's book on period pain I went to Harley Street and tried her progesterone treatment, which didn't work and I believe was the cause of a breast lump which appeared a few months later. At the age of 32 I at last found the relief from period pains I was seeking. A wonderful GP in Beccles, Suffolk, who is now retired, prescribed SYNFLEX, an anti-arthritic drug. BINGO! Twenty minutes after taking one of these tablets my excrutiating pains would melt away. I am so grateful to that marvellous GP, as I then had a further 18 years of pain-free periods until my menopause at 50. If only I had received some relief from the pain in my younger days, my life could have been so different. Instead I was trying ineffective treatments and wrapped round a hot water bottle. I just don't understand why most GPs are not "up to speed" with sorting period pain. It is so debilitating and can ruin a woman's life. I hope this information will be of some use to sufferers.

I suffered horrendous period pains (cramps in days 1&2)from the ages of 11 to 32, such that I was on the verge of passing out as the pain was so intense. I tried Feminax and Phenacitin. I used to need days off sick from teaching. At a Family Planning Clinic I was told by a male Dr. to use Aspirin, which is totally useless, and I was so angry I could have hit him. I had Harley Street progesterone therapy for period pain at Katharina Doulton's clinic and a few months afterwards developed a breast lump which needed removing. That too was no good for the pain. Then at the age of 32, after over 20 years of suffering, a wonderful, now retired, GP in Beccles, Suffolk prescribed the anti-arthritic drug, SYNFLEX. Bingo!! At long last my suffering was over. Twenty minutes after taking one of these tablets the pain would melt away.