How period pain affects the brain

[PPSN_JudyB]

iol.co.za/lifestyle/how-per...

Thoughts welcome

[Hidden]

Just like any kind of pain, but less noticeable cos usually (hopefully) only lasts a day or two?

[PPSN_JudyB Pelvic Pain Support Netwo in reply to Hidden]

It can last considerably longer than a day and the type of pain can vary. Many describe it as contractions similar to the pain some experience giving birth. Imagine that happening every 3 weeks ! it would definitely affect your concentration.

[Hidden in reply to PPSN_JudyB]

I agree. Spent many a day in bed suffering, but I always seemed to recover my brain power in between. Done some strange things in the past that can only be accounted for by pain. Would agree that it can be as bad as labour pain, I was not meaning to belittle it. It was the reason I had a hysterectomy!

However chronic pain for two years has affected my brain power so much more, I permanently struggle to concentrate, never been so forgetful and regularly struggle to find the words I want to say. I feel that my brain has been permanently affected and worry that I will never again be the person I was or achieve my (former) potential. Every day feels like a challenge.

Good article though, thank you for sharing. All helps in our understanding. I firmly believe that if you understand why something is happening to you it becomes easier to cope with.

[Fimegs in reply to Hidden]

Wow, I was reading your post there and felt like I had written it myself! I too had a hysterectomy due to complications with my cycle and so many ops for scar tissue, so I eventually persuaded the Drs I really needed something done here, but I now have the crippling pain back to haunt me....when my daughter is due her period!!! As soon as she starts, my pain goes away! Very strange, but unbelievably sore too, if I didn't know better I'd have sworn I was in labour. My memory used to be so sharp and precise, but now I struggle to have a conversation without boring everyone to tears as I'm repeating myself but don't remember the first conversation?! I do have a nasty brain injury and this has resulted in severe epilepsy too, I know that is effecting my memory, but I'm worried how bad it is possibly going to get, I am heartbroken as I can't remember things I've done with my kids, they describe everything and where we went, what we done, but I'm blank, it's destroying me, and now with phantom period pains I wonder if it's ever going to end! The joys of being a woman as I'm always told? 😕

[PPSN_JudyB Pelvic Pain Support Netwo]

Yes, I'm sure the length the time in pain has an impact. Interesting that the definition of chronic: ongoing, persistent pain now includes intermittent pain in addition to constant. This means that dysmenorrhoea ( period pain ) is included in the definition.

[Hidden]

Very interesting to know this updated definition, I didn't realise. Thank you.

[Ldbrunt2]

This doesn't surprise me at all. I always find that I go into a trance like state when on my period and often feel like the whole thing is a dream! I have once driven home from work and struggled to remember the journey afterwards. I find it a similar feeling to that of a migraine, like you are just watching the world go round without actually being there.