Horrible dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)?

I'm 22-years-old and have had my period for roughly a decade. I had such intense, throbbing cramps today that I had to cancel my plans. I took two Tylenol Gel Tabs, slapped on a heat patch, and spent the day sleeping off the pain or curled in a fetal position. I'd rate my pain an 8/10 for a good portion of it. Right now, it's subsided to a 4/10.

I had no nausea or vomiting, but I did break out in sweats. Do I need a stronger prescription than over-the-counter pain killers? Do I see an OB/GYN, doctor, or nurse practitioner? Is it natural to have such intense pain?

Although it is normal for some women to have very bad menstrual pain / dysmenorrhea, often many sort of grow out of it as they get older. It is a little suprising that it has lasted a decade, though that doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong with you. If you have never been to an OBGYN, you may want to anyways, just get that ball rolling, so to speak, since you are 22 now.

I would recommend you keep using the topical heat, and instead of tylenol, try and NSAID (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug) like ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve). The NSAIDs work a little better for menstrual pain, as long as you don't have any reasons for not taking them (e.g. allergies or stomach ulcers, etc.). If you know when you are going to get your period, you can try to start taking it about a day before it starts, too, to ward of the pain before it begins. Take the pain med every 4-6 hours around the clock (just don't go over the max. dose recommended on the bottle).

I would probably still make an appointment with your doctor, for peace of mind. Most likely you are fine, but this way, you will know for sure. Also, there are prescription-strength NSAIDs that are sometimes used, or sometimes doctors will put you on the birth control pill to regulate your period, because that wil actually make it lighter and often less painful. These other options might also be helpful to you.

i think it's normal, but see a doctor, just in case

You might be okay. I didn't get cramps much until maybe having my period for 9 or 10 years too...and when I started to, BOY did they HURT!! But be sure to visit your doctor once u get a chance.

not really you should get checked out

I used to have the same problem, my Doctor put me on birth control to reduce the pain and it helped, but I still take Midol-- I think it works the best. You might have endometriosis, your Doctor can do a test to check it can be harmful to your body if it goes untreated