WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for December, 1997: Re: Heating pads and tampons

Re: Heating pads and tampons

From: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 30 Dec 1997 21:40:46 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Connie: "Heating pads and tampons"

At Tue, 30 Dec 1997, Connie wrote: >
>At the age of 41, my painful periods have become almost intolerable.
>Clotting is an unpleasant problem as well.
>I have begun to suspect that the pain and clotting worsen when I use a
>tampon. Could the tampon be a factor?

No. The tampon cannot createpain in the uterus or worsening of bleeding.

>Sometimes I use a heating pad to
>try to alleviate the pain from cramps, but sometimes I notice increased
>bleeding to the point where I feel it becomes excessive. Can the heat
>cause this?

Although not directly, I have heard this before. Some people feel that the heat causes expansion of blood vessels locally and increases bleeding. There are no studies I'm aware of to corroborate this.

>I take OTC ibuprofen, and occasionally a codeine, but I
>worry about the amount of ibu. it takes to alleviate the pain (one
>NEVER even begins to help-sometime I take as many as 3-4 per day),

It's important to be careful with any medication, but 3-4 200mg ibuprofen is not excessive.

>and
>of course the codeine was not prescribed by my GYN., but is left over
>from treatment for a broken finger. Are there any truly effective pain
>relievers for cramps?
>
>Thanks for any answers.

Check with your doctor about higher doses of NSAIDS (ibuprofen-like medications). They can sometimes be used in combination. Also, hormonal changes can in some people be ameliorated with aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week for 30-40 minutes. I have patients who tell me their cycles (and PMS symptoms prior to the period) are better when they exercise regularly and worse when they don't. Try it. It may help.

--
Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG
OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York
Great Neck, New York
http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm
http://www.obgyn.net/women/advisors/harveym.htm

**Note:  Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only
and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.
This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options
and/or interventions.

**Private emails cannot be entertained due to time constraints,
consequently no private emails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

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Previous message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: Uterine Prolapse"
In reply to: Connie: "Heating pads and tampons"

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