After years, 18 long years, to be exact, of suffering from major menstrual cramps, I had become fed up with the nonsense. I was tired of the menstrual misery-groaning throughout the night, missing meals from pain and nausea, suffering from dizziness and chills and excruciating lower back pain and leg cramps. So, I decided it was time to put an end to all the problems or, at least, an end to the majority of the problems.

I was too grown, 28 years-old, to be crying and calling momma to give me solace every month for 3 consecutive days and cancelling fun nights with the girls because I couldn’t move or muster up enough energy to show off my greatest curve, my smile. And, when calling on momma didn’t help, I attempted purported relievers that failed me, too- anything hot (tea, water and soup), heating pads and Aleve.

During these horrid menstrual days, I took many days off work (at one point being told by my boss that I was blowing through my sick days). When I decided to put on my big girl panties to show the cramps that they didn’t control me, I drove 45 minutes to make the donuts, in order to pay my bills and shop for my favorite must haves, but I never made it through the day. I could be found in the kitchen area lying on the couch in the fetal position or locked in an empty office sprawled out on the floor in tears.

On numerous occasions, I had to have someone pick me up because my legs were too shaky to drive myself home. After my last bout of this womanly nonsense, in which I scared my boss to pieces and she took me to CVS wellness center and called my emergency contact (momma) to pick me up pronto, I made an appointment to see my doctor. All of my pain could not have been normal. I went to see my OBGYN; she recommended birth control, gave me my options and I chose Nuvaring.

I started Nuvaring instantly, which had my breasts extremely tender and my 32, sometimes 34, sometimes 36, hell sometimes 24 or 26 day cycle (it came when it wanted to come) a 28 day cycle always. While I was happy about the consistency, of my now regular cycle not tender breasts, it failed me in the area where I needed help the most, the damn cramps. It was my opinion, if I got rid of the cramps or at least diminished the pain to a more acceptable level, some of my other issues would lessen or become nonexistent. I knew a full cure would be me being too hopeful and I learned not to get my hopes up for anything-no matter how promising the situation seemed.

So, I continued this journey of Nuvaring, still missing days at work (not as many), having a heating pad attached to my stomach (that I knew still wouldn’t help, but I attempted it again), still feeling nauseous and my legs elevated to curtail their aches. Although this birth control was failing, I didn’t want to stop using it because I enjoyed the beauty of knowing exactly when my period would start. But, my comfort was being compromised so I stopped the birth control after 2 years and enlisted ON Demand (Sports and Fitness) as a new method. I had spoken with several people, recalled my doctor appointments touching on my physical activity (or lack thereof) and read many times that exercising was key to relaxing the muscles which helped alleviate menstrual problems. Leslie Sansone and Kendra Kemerly became my go to for walking, becoming heart healthy and hopefully reducing my menstrual anguish. Whoever said exercise was the key to solving menstrual complications was no lie. After only a couple months of walking, I noticed the welcomed change with my menstrual blues.

During my next OBGYN appointment following my toss of Nuvaring to the side, I was asked how the Nuvaring was working out for me. I explained that it didn’t work out so I stopped. My OBGYN then asked, “What are you going to do if you get pregnant?” I sat a little confused for a second with the thought floating in my head of whether or not she had reviewed the notes in my file. Nuvaring, for me, had nothing to do with postponing motherhood despite me not wanting motherhood. As I sat in silence for a few more minutes, I thought about saying, “If I get pregnant, then I will raise my baby.”

I wasn’t sure how I was suppose to respond to the question and why this question was being asked, especially since a question about my current sexual activity hadn’t been discussed yet. At that stage in my life, there hadn’t been any nooky in years, so having a baby was not an issue for me. But, instead, I just said, “There is nothing to worry about there. I am not having sex.” She nodded and we proceeded with the exam. Now, 3 years later, I am still doing sooooo much better. My crying has stopped. Well, at least it has stopped when it comes to menstruation.

While I have experienced a few bad months, I am okay with that because a few bad months in 3 years is incomparable to every month being a bad month for many years. And, here’s a little secret, those recent bad months occurred when I was a little relaxed on doing my workouts. Please don’t judge me. As long as I maintain my exercise routine, I can actually sleep through the night, complete my work day, hang out with the ladies, eat and showcase my smile.

Eve Everett