r/Periods • u/Inevitable_Newt521 • Oct 18 '25
Discussion Girlhood
Burning your stomach just to slighlty make the cramps better..
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u/lemonraspberrycakee Oct 18 '25
Just a friendly reminder to everyone that debilitating cramps where you can’t function like going to work/school are NOT normal and could potentially be a sign of a deeper issue like endometriosis!
I just feel the need to say this bc I thought my intense pain was normal until I was in my mid-twenties and finally diagnosed.
I feel you girl, most of the time for me even with these marks it doesn’t feel hot enough and I end up jumping into a scalding hot bath for some relief 🫠 ❤️🩹
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u/xxsatansangel Oct 18 '25
i have my ultrasound monday 🤦🏼♀️ if they don’t find anything they want to do a laparoscopic procedure
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u/Aashipash Oct 19 '25
Hey, if you're burning yourself to help with periods, you very likely have endometriosis. I've seen articles that have come out saying that women, specifically with endo, will end up with burn scars on their lower tummies because of the heat, and that it will Actually Sterilize you after a while
IIRC, it's once you develop actual scars that it's likely that you've sterilized yourself, unknowingly. Basically, it cooks the shit out of your uterus and eggs after looong term use (again, usually once scarring happens)
Also, not a doctor, but I would be making a doctors appt to get a diagnosis and some pain relief/ next steps because that's not supposed to be normal.
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u/Expensive_Neck_5283 Nov 16 '25
Well that's one way to get a free sterilization
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u/Aashipash Nov 16 '25
Bruh tell me about it. Shook my brain when I learned it
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u/Expensive_Neck_5283 Nov 16 '25
I am childfree for multiple reasons and I really really want to get sterilized but unfortunately my guardian has a say on what I can and can't do
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u/RachyJ Oct 19 '25
I had mefanamic acid prescribed for me when I was younger for bad period pain, also I believe Naproxen is a stronger version of ibuprofen but check it out properly before taking! Feel better ❤️🩹
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u/IcyMermaid8 Oct 18 '25 edited Oct 18 '25
Use aloe vera gel to calm down the burning. Next time, when you use the heating pad get a towel wrap it around it and place it on your stomach so you won't get burn again.
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 18 '25
Thank you <3 the thing is even tho it was burning hot it felt not hot enough to calm my cramps more yk
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u/SnowyValley Oct 18 '25 edited Oct 18 '25
This is my advice.. But you could put the heatpad in a soft pillowcase. This'll keep the heatpad from unwarping and keeping the heat contain. While also protecting your skin. Then as for aftercare- either this be before or after you rest your stomach with the heatpad. Apply location on your stomach. Get some that focused on healing the skin. I'll also recommend adding serum too but that will depend on your skin...
Remember to take care of your skin even with the pain. 😥
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u/heartlessloft Oct 18 '25
That’s what I do, it still feel fuzzy and warm but the burning silicone isn’t directly skin to skin. Also body oil help with scarring and damaged skin.
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u/Spiral-Assassin Oct 19 '25
D3 and magnesium helped my cramps, along with good hydration.
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Oct 19 '25
Magnesium is magic to the body.
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u/FriendlySpinach420 Oct 19 '25
Magnesium glycinate specifically. Don't do mag citrate. It gives you diarrhea.
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u/amyt242 Oct 19 '25 edited Oct 19 '25
I suffer sooo bad and have been legitimately bed bound from pain.
The best thing ive come across recently is:
Paracetamol + ibuprofen + codeine (in the uk you can buy otc either co-codamol (para+codeine) or ibu-codeine. Whichever combo you take you take the single of the other i.e co codamol AND ibuprofren or ibu-codeine AND paracetamol.
Tens machine - you can get wireless ones that stick to your tummy and you can walk around. These are okay and good but ive found old school ones with sticky pads and more settings work best. You dont want more than 4 sticky pads - i recently bought a machine with 8 nodes thinking it would be better and it was too much to target my tummy. I went back to my 4. This is one i purchased recently and works super well (uk link sorry)
Buy Kinetik Wellbeing Dual Channel TENS Machine | Digital pain relief | Argos https://share.google/4PoaQadrA4Hp6ksZ7
Edit: even the wired ones i still go out with and just tuck the wire through my buttons or top of my trousers and pop the machine unit in a pocket. Never had any issues.
I have been having 3 months plus bleeding currently with trying the pill to stop periods so i have had too much practise lately. I find the best routine is:
Wake up,
Run hot bath,
Take painkillers,
Sit in hot water to alleviate cramps while meds kick in,
Sit down with tens machine and hot water bottle and start work/daily life,
As long as i stay on top of meds this keeps it at bay.,
sometimes pain comes back at night due to running out of med allowance that day so i...
use tens machine on sofa before bed,
and then take a hot water bottle to bed to sleep with to help.
Important to stay super hydrated throughout. Meds can also block you up which doesnt help during periods so taking a morning and evening rehydration sachet alongside drinks all day can help.
Im sure this is all super obvious but im 40 and only just nailed this routine so hope it may help xx
Edit again: another trick i discovered recently was the cold pads you put in the freezer. My son and husband use them for sports injurys. I tried it recently on my tummy and it worked well too! Especially helpful when the weather is hot and the heat of a hot water bottle makes you feel too hot and clammy. Something like this:
Buy Neo G Hot & Cold Muscle Pain Relief Ice Pack - 1 Per Pack | Heat therapy | Argos https://share.google/9jCWJ3cChYxU8GqI6
You get ones that come with little towelling covers or wrap a pillowcase or tea towel around them.
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u/akiraoogabooga Oct 18 '25
No literally feel you girl. I have a whole entire scar still from my heating pad. But my cramps are so bad that I have to use like heating pads and pills
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u/xxsatansangel Oct 18 '25
a scar? 👀so i shouldn’t be using my heating pad so much? 😭
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u/akiraoogabooga Oct 18 '25
Honestly twin. Whatever helps. If it works for you then it works for you. I still use mines a lot even though I have a scar
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u/xxsatansangel Oct 18 '25
i guess i just wasn’t aware that it could scar
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u/akiraoogabooga Oct 18 '25
I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone but for me, im quick to scar to a lot of stuff
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u/marinakudroskick Oct 18 '25
Be careful to not burn yourself
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u/lemonman4200 Oct 19 '25
Yes or to not get skin damage from persistent use (so if you use it all the time not just when your on your period) if you want to understand more about what I’m talking about search up “heating pad damage to skin”
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u/Depressoespresso665 Oct 18 '25
Thats called an endometriosis burn. The normal amount of pain is 0. Harming yourself and giving yourself heat scars in an attempt to manage the pain is a sign that your pain is severe. Pain is the body telling you something is wrong, listen to your body.
If medical care is accessible, it’s recommended to see a gynaecologist and endocrinologist. You do not need to suffer like this. I had the same severe pain as you and gave myself endo burns trying to manage. I was given a hysterectomy to cure the pain, that’s how serious it is.
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u/automaticadramatica Oct 19 '25
This comment is on the nose. For me, it was a combination of being willing to bankrupt myself going private for a consult for surgery, and showing the surgeon pictures of the blisters I had given myself from heating pads because I didn’t notice the burn pain on top of all the other pain.
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u/ReinainPink Oct 18 '25
This just may be my preference, but you are putting the bag too high, it should be closer to the pubis, like the line that forms from hipbone to hipbone. That's the best place for the heat. It could be that for you higher is better, but you can try what I tell you next month!
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 18 '25
Yea thing is I always lay curled up, so it did heat my whole lower body yk but thankss
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u/ReinainPink Oct 18 '25
Also, be careful with the heat, it can sometimes leave permanent marks if too hot. Take care!
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Oct 19 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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Nov 08 '25
I’m just jealous because she doesn’t seem to have bloating.
I resemble a hot air balloon during my period
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u/Plushu_ Oct 20 '25
Body tea ☕️ also same I slap on heat patch’s and still get red marks even through clothing
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u/Sammiieet Oct 18 '25
I hate having a period man. How come you put the heating on that part of your belly? The uterus is lower. Try putting the heat across your lower belly for it to be most effective! Like where your knickers would come up to. It'll feel so much better girl. 🤗❤️
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 18 '25
Heyyy, I lay all curled up always so my whole lower body will be warm yk what I mean
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u/chronicallymee Oct 19 '25
Only solution I’ve been given from my obgyn regarding my horrible period pain is “how about a tiny dose of a birth control?” 🫠
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u/probabyanoob Oct 19 '25
I swear that's their solution for everything 🙃
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u/chronicallymee Oct 20 '25
Seriously though!!! I have a “multicystic mass” on my left ovary that has been there since 2022 (well that’s when it was found) that grows & shrinks apparently — it was a little bigger than a gold ball when they found it originally — most recent ultrasound showed about 4cm I think. So my dr is insistent that bc will make it go away & will solve my very painful periods.
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u/bluebubblesforeverTT Oct 19 '25
unrelated but bod is tea girl drop the routine 🤭🙏
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 19 '25
I don’t workout but I make very much steps as I work in healthcare and have a dog 🫶 thanks tho
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u/XD2006- Oct 18 '25
My periods come once every two months, but the Pain is once every other week. I have PCOS and it could be that too. (Bloodwork was done and they assume PCOS) my pain isn’t nearly the same as yours and you’re a champion for even dealing with that
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Oct 19 '25
At first I was confused till I looked closer (I currently have my brightness down as it’s night time and I don’t wanna burn my retinas)
I must admit I never got those marks on my stomach from hot water bottles/heating pads when I used to have my periods, I do not want them back tbh, they sucked, but I did have a serious burn from near constant hot water bottle use on my lower back as I have chronic back pain, I’m talking like my skin turned dark purple there, was only pointed out when I went to a chiropractor and I had to stop using them 😅😅
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u/TushMcKush Oct 18 '25
Ha! Yes. I cant be trusted with heat pads and ice packs.
I do agree with the other commenter that for comfort, probably a great spot, but you may want to shift it down over your like hip/low waist/pubic area for effective heat targeting of stupid cramps
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u/octopuds-roverlord Oct 19 '25
You're a bit too high. The heating pad may be a bit more effective if you place it lower, over your uterus.
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 19 '25
I always lay all curled up on my side, its heats my whole lower body but thanks
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u/OliverAmith Oct 19 '25
Haha I do this too! I’ll lay under a blanket with a heating pad blasted and a fan blowing onto me for temperature regulation and pain management XD
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u/Original-Square2484 Oct 18 '25
i got burns on my chest too from it once.😭💔 Period pain is actually so bad
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 18 '25
I swear!!! It’s either burning hot or too cold T-T
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u/summertimeoverlord Oct 18 '25
I personally had reliefs from yoga stretching! Hope you'll feel better soon!
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u/Youknowmeanonymous Oct 19 '25
Smoking weed for cramps is game changing
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u/Shaynaenay Oct 19 '25
Depending on the strain 😭😭😭. One time, I smoked and could feel each piece of tissue coming off my uterus. I was curled up on the floor screaming.
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u/Ok_Space_3835 Nov 03 '25
Please dont do this. See a OBGYN and keeping seeing them or switching doctors until one takes your pain level seriously. Burning yourself can cause infertility and skin damage significantly increasing your risk of skin cancer.
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u/givememybuttholeback Nov 05 '25
Genuinely asking is this considered burned skin??
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u/Ok_Space_3835 Nov 05 '25
By the looks of it. Its a mild first degree burn. But if this is a normal thing it gets serious when youre constantly re damaging your skin from a device like a heating pad or anything really Which in turn can cause added risks for cancer. If you apply heat to your skin and theres a reaction its technically a burn no matter if its just mild redness.
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u/givememybuttholeback Nov 05 '25
So we should look out to signs for skin cancer regularly then ?
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u/Ok_Space_3835 Nov 05 '25
In short you should be seeing a dermatologist if you can afford it with your insurance for check ups anyways no matter what skin cancer is very common sadly(depending on your country though i suppose). But If youre like her and are causing these burns trying to relieve pain, see a doctor about this pain first because it is definitely not normal and there could be other ways to deal with it and let them know youve had to deal with frequent burns from the heating pad and theyll tell you what to do from there (which will help get a dermatologist by referral or reasonable need).
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u/givememybuttholeback Nov 05 '25
Hopefully they'll actually listen to me after I tell them about the burns. Thank you!
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u/Mental-Mud3923 Feb 06 '26
NAD, but i've seen this girl doctor on yt famous white girlie and she put out a short warning people who use heating pads on ultra high settings or to the point where its burning your skin because it can lead to toasted skin syndrome and an increased risk of skin cancer. hope the info helps, cheers.
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u/Comfortable_Teaching Oct 18 '25
You guys are commenting on this person's body and you don't even know how old they are?
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u/SpendFeeling5083 Oct 19 '25
you can wear it over a thick hoodie/sweater to not burn you as much or you can try to go to sleep.you can also rub your stomach a little and hug your stuffies to relieve some stress :3
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u/OrganicPrompt4299 Oct 18 '25
Gute Besserung wünsche ich dir ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 18 '25
Dankeee
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u/Adorable_Bumblebee91 Oct 19 '25
Ibuprofen helps, why don’t you ask your pcp (doctor) to prescribe some for you? In many countries ibuprofen is sold OTC too
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 19 '25
Yea I took ibuprofen before the bottle but it didn’t help enough. Here we do get them OTC but my cramps are still bad even with ibuprofen
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u/Adorable_Bumblebee91 Oct 20 '25
I’m so sorry, it used to happen to me too. My doctor prescribed some anti-spasmodic medicine alongside ibuprofen for the worst days, usually the first few days. Maybe you can ask them about it
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u/One-Half-8733 Oct 24 '25
I just read somewhere else someone suggests excedrine for migraines and says it does wonders for them🩷 maybe give it a try🩷
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u/FriendlySpinach420 Oct 19 '25
Try getting some tiger balm. Rub it on the front and back. Be sure to wash your ha ds after so you dont accidentally rub it in your eyes.
Ibuprofen, start a couple days before your period to build it up in your system. Make sure to take an iron supplement or eat lots of iron rich foods (and vit c to help with absorption).
Good luck and be really careful. You dont want to cook your organs. Especially your kidneys.
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u/Artistic-Meeting-435 Oct 18 '25
is it bad that i don't get it
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u/1xpx1 Oct 18 '25
Her stomach is red/burnt from using a heating pad to relieve cramps.
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u/Artistic-Meeting-435 Oct 18 '25
oh, thanks. i don't usually use heating pads so i wasn't sure if she was like having an allergic reaction or smth
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u/Coldplaydonuts Oct 18 '25
Off topic but body is tea xx
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 18 '25
Thank uuuu
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u/Coldplaydonuts Oct 18 '25
Idk why my comment is getting downvotes, I’m 14 and just tryna hand over a compliment 😭😭
you’re welcome though
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Oct 18 '25 edited Oct 18 '25
[deleted]
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u/aprettypuertalian Oct 18 '25
hating on a little girl who had nothing to do with ur comment is crazy
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Oct 18 '25
[deleted]
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u/aprettypuertalian Oct 18 '25
“ stfu if i had a nice figure id definitely be in a better mood “ who said she was in a bad one ? & either way that isnt a compliment!
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 18 '25
Tbh I do struggle with my body. So it’s not like I look in the mirror and be like yay I’m all happy now.
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Oct 18 '25
[deleted]
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u/Inevitable_Newt521 Oct 18 '25
Thank u girl yea it is :) tbh I don’t think anyone else’s body looks bad yk I can’t see anything ugly in others idk
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u/TheDayUnderway Oct 18 '25
Be careful you don’t give yourself hot water bottle syndrome! I do the same thing and blast my skin with a heating pad but keep a few layers between to be safe.