I take ibuprofen when I have my period, too, also recommended by several doctors! They told me never to take acetomeniphen…Never been told to take “lots”, though.
I’ve taken both ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Mostly ibuprofen.
Why did your period stop coming for three months?
Periods aren’t “bleeding” though. It’s not blood, it’s the lining of your uterus. IANAD, but I don’t think ibruprofen affects that.
I hope you’re not looking for “heavy” petting?
I’m glad you went in after three months and didn’t wait longer.
Sympathy. Lots and lots of sympathy.
Think back to those happy days.
I had nearly 40 years of such misery. I believe I missed one period during that time. My menopause has sunk the American economy.
While antiinflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen can increase bleeding, they also block prostaglandins which is what causes the cramping. While it is a trade-off, the beneficial effect on pain usually greatly outweighs the minor increased bleeding risk for otherwise healthy women.
Grr, thanks so much for the earworm! 
I wouldn’t mind being a woman, as long as I didn’t have to put up with all the biological and sociological crap that comes with it… it’d be a lot easier to hook up with straight guys if I were a woman :-p
Ugh. I’m glad to say that despite the shit that my uterus has but me through, I’ve never experienced what you are going through. You have all my sympathy.
I am on week 2.5 of my current period because my uterus decided to not wait for me to finish my round of pills. I started when I still had a week and a half left.
I’m another one with PCOS so I don’t really expect anything more humane from my lady parts.
Some thoughts:
Re; the Motrin: Lots in this case means 800 mg every 8 hours. Dad said it should slow the bleeding. (perhaps because it does mitigate the cramping?)
Re; Rogers and Hammerstien, Alas, I cannot shoot them. they are already dead.
Re; Pads/ mess/ etc Yeah, I’ve been going through some pants, I haven’t been out of the house much this week 
Re; Why the whonky menses in the first place. I’m fat. Fat stores estrogen, I have extra estrogen, which is crapping my cycle all up. (at least that’s the theory)
Re; My Boyfriend, who i forgot to mention yesterday, is hearby Nominated for sainthood. Trust me on this.
Thank all of you for all the hugs, sympathy, chocolate, etc. you guys are swell!!! Not bleeding quite as bad ( though it’s still plenty steady) and the cramping has let up a bit. maybe there’s a light at the end of this big red tunnel, after all.
I am not the OP’s doc obviously, but speaking generally from my former experience working in a family medicine clinic, the NP’s advice to use an NSAID doesn’t sound out of line at all to me. It’s very common to prescribe NSAIDs to healthy young women with menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). I’ve read research indicating that NSAIDs actually reduce menstrual bleeding in these situations rather than making it worse.
I finally discovered a use for Aleve, which is for the cramping/crap feeling. It took me a while to try Aleve 'cause it literally doesn’t work for ANY other kind of pain or discomfort for me. I took it once out of desperation during a bad crampy time and bingo. Works AWESOME!!! Oh, and nothing else works. Ibuprofen barely helps at all, Tylenol NOT at all, and aspirin…well, I know it’s not ‘bleeding’ per se, but I’m not going to help it along. Just thought I’d mention the Aleve thing in case it helps anyone else, too.
Yeah, Aleve is Naproxin and that’s normally what I take, but Daddy specifically said to take the ibuprofin because it would slow the bleeding.
I’m awake at this ridiculous hour becauseI had to change pants and get cleaned up again. sigh I’m so tired of this, I could just puke.
If it’s any explanation, “I Enjoy Being A Girl” is from the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, Flower Drum Song, so it was men who wrote it. But they’re already dead men, so shooting them won’t help.
Yeah, well at least it’s not as bad as that damn Always “have a Happy Period” bullcrap. Thank og I haven’t seen that this week, I think I really would have to kill somebody!!
Even though it IS the lining of the uterus, there is still bleeding. In a normal period, ibuprofen is fine, so in naproxen, but “lots” of either one in a situation of heavy menses might not be a good idea.
I didn’t say stop, I didn’t say not to use it with a normal period. I just said she should talk to her GYN about it, especially if the bleeding remains heavy for a long time.
I have personal experience with this. I had a similar situation when I was younger. I ended up having a hysterectomy due to excess bleeding.
Much sympathy, janis. I can bake some brownies if it’ll help.
I found out the hard way that Aleve does nothing for my cramps. I had a rare allergic reaction to Aleve that caused me to have muscle spasms all over my body, including down there. Not what you want when you’re already crampy.
I also had PCOS with labor quality cramps, and golfball sized clots for random amounts of time. My life has been heavenly since dealing with the inner girly bits with extreme prejudice a while back. I can deal with the hot flashes. Beats the hell out of what I went through before.
Y’know, the NP in my Doctor’s office asked me about PCOS. How would they diagnose it?
Mmmmmmmmmm Brownies. My boyfriend is going out after while to get me ice cream. ( Didn’t I tell ya’ll he was a saint? )