10 Things I’d Do If Period Pain Was Stealing My Teen’s Life (pt 1)
If my teen was missing school and sporting events…
or staying in bed because of period pain
I would not call it “normal.”
I would slow down.
I would get curious.
And I would start here:
1. Believe her. Validate her. See her.
I would believe her pain is real.
Even if tests are normal.
Even if others say “it’s just cramps.”
Her body is speaking.
She deserves to be heard.
2. Comfort her. Listen to her.
Before trying to fix anything—
I would sit with her.
I would listen without rushing.
I would say:
“I’m here with you.”
Feeling safe in her body starts with feeling safe with me.
3. Talk to a pediatrician
I would make an appointment.
And I would ask:
“Could this be endometriosis?”
Pain that stops her from living life is not something to ignore.
4. Learn from trusted resources
I would look for education and support.
One place many families start is Nancy’s Nook.
She has guides about teens and endometriosis and help you find trained specialists.-not just a general OBGYN
5. Start simple cycle tracking
I would help her track her cycle.
We would notice:
When pain starts
Where she feels it
What makes it worse or better
Sensations that nourish her and sensations that feel icky
Cycles can be irregular in teens (20–45 days).
Pain with bowel movements or rectal pain during periods can be linked to conditions like endometriosis and should be taken seriously.
6. Support her at school
If she feels okay sharing—I would talk with a trusted teacher.
She may need:
Easy bathroom access
A place to rest
Support with pain relief
Flexibility on hard days
She deserves to learn without suffering.
7. Reduce fear and overwhelm
Pain can feel scary.
I would keep communication open.
No shame. No pressure.
Just support.
When her nervous system feels safe, her body can start to settle too.
8. Focus on nourishment
I would support her with nutritious food.
Not strict rules—just adding in more anti-inflammatory choices like:
Fruits
Vegetables
Healthy fats
Protein
Small changes can help her body feel safer and stronger.
9. Protect play and joy
She is still a teen. I would protect space for:
Friends
Laughter
Things she loves
She deserves a life bigger than her pain.
10. Build a self-care toolkit
Together, we would create a simple toolkit she can use:
Heat pack (my favorite is the REB RELIEF)
Breathing exercises
Gentle movement
Outdoor regulating activities: reading, journaling, coloring
Comfort items
Shower stool or baths to encourage self care on the tough days
Listening therapy such as the Safe & Sound Protocol to help build safety and resilience in her nervous system
If you’re reading this, just know you’re doing great.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
Start with this:
Believe her.
Early support can change everything—
how she sees her body,
how she moves through pain,
and how she lives her life.
If you want support helping your teen feel safe in her body, book a free discovery call to help guide you in the right direction.
