Yep, not pretty to watch your daughter suffer. Especially since you know first hand what it is like. I went through the whole gamut too...I was literally writhing in agony on the ground the day of my sister's wedding. I got told Have a Baby! Yeah like that will solve everything!
I do understand your concern, the evening primrose oil is taken all month, to balance out the estrogen and progesterone through the month. I used to take it the week leading up to my period but soon realised it was needed all month.
If your daughter decides to take any pill the Tri-phasal are the best...Depo-Provera is a drug inserted under the skin and lasts for 3 months, but with personal experience the many women I have met (my sister included) had horrendous problems with this birth control. The Mini-Pill is progesterone only and you can get break through bleeding at any time. ( I had this after my 3 childrens births and found it too unpredictable, so did many others I have spoken to) So the best bet is Tri-phasal. This is a dose that is regulated through out the month in a 3 step way. It may be the best thing for her as you say she is suffering so badly.
There is also a Cervical Ring now too, which is supposedly good. I saw it on a documentary recently.
I would still get her tested for thyroid (especially anti-bodies) as too many years later for me it turned out I had Hashimoto's Disease (horrendous periods are part of the symptoms) I really do not want your daughter to go through what I did and I am so concerned I wish I could jump through the internet and help you! As a mother of a 20 year old with health issues I completely understand you wanting her pain to ease.
Let me know what happens!
Well, by horrible periods I mean cramping so badly that she can't get out of bed, vomiting and just a general shutting down of the quality of her life for 2-3 days a month. She also has PMS so badly that she becomes completely irrational and can't function. I would not even consider this if I didn't think it warranted attention. I did take her to a nutrtionist a long time ago who put her on calcium lactate and B6. It helped some but not as much as she needed. I suffered with the same ailments as a teenager all the way through my adulthood until eventually I had to have a hysterectomy. I was on the pill for many years and had no ill effects. I see what you are saying but I just don't see any other options. I do not think evening primrose will cut it as she just gets violently ill. We are going to talk to the gynocologist before making any final decisions obviously, I just thought I'd get some input since I've been out of the birth control loop for centuries!
Taking birth control pills are one of the biggest misnomers in modern history! They are notorious for causing health issues, even with the low doses. The artiifical hormones trick the body into thinking it is pregnant all the time..which when you think about it, can't be a good thing to have excess hormones when they are not required.
This is just me, but have you tried Evening Primrose Oil tablets? They are fantastic in regulating the PMS (believe me I know ALL about that!) I used to take 3 a day now only 2 a day all month long and if I don't take them the symptoms return.
When you say horrible periods do you mean heavy bleeding, pain? It could be she has endometriosis, could even have a thyroid problem! ( I'm on the thyroid disorders group where I saw your post!)
I have done tons of research over the past 25 years and I can tell you birth control pills are NOT the way to go. Ultimately the choice is yours and hers, and any thing I say is just advice of course.