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Does your period pain feel ‘as bad as a heart attack’? You’re not imagining it

Some women experience debilitating period cramps, but the medical community isn't helping.

menstruation, pain management, wellness, women, health
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You’re not alone.

Here's an article to send to every jerk in your life who denied you the right to complain about your period cramps: A medical expert says that some women experience menstruation pains that are "almost as bad as having a heart attack." John Guillebaud, who is a professor of reproductive health at University College London, spoke to Quartz on the subject, and said that the medical community has long ignored what can be a debilitating affliction, because it's a problem that mostly inconveniences women.

"I think it happens with both genders of doctor," Guillebaud told Quartz. "On the one hand, men don't suffer the pain and underestimate how much it is or can be in some women. But I think some women doctors can be a bit unsympathetic because either they don't get it themselves or if they do get it they think, 'Well I can live with it, so can my patient.'"


And it's a problem that can't just be treated with common painkillers. Some people who experience dysmenorrhea, the medical term for painful menstruation, also suffer from endometriosis, a condition that can cause infertility if it's not treated properly. But research on the subject is scant, so doctors often misdiagnose it, or dismiss the pain entirely. It's estimated, however, that one out of 10 women has the condition.

Earlier this month, Girls creator Lena Dunham was forced to take a rest from show promotion and other work duties because she suffers from endometriosis. In a recent edition of her newsletter, Lenny Letter, Dunham wrote a frank essay about her struggle with the condition, and particularly with a medical institution that didn't know how to diagnose her. She didn't know how to put a name to her pain until she turned 24 and underwent laparoscopic surgery, "which is the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis," according to Dunham.

Quartz reporter Olivia Goldhill had the same problem. She suffered from frequent period pains that were as distressing as a slipped disk, she says. But doctors had no answer for her. "Before I had my MRI scans, I told my primary care doctor that the pain seemed to be triggered by my period," she said. "He didn't think this was relevant and ignored the comment."

For now, the medical community has been dragging its feet to do research on the subject. Goldhill says the only thing people can do right now is talk about it, to heighten awareness. "Tell your doctor, your friends, your colleagues," she wrote. "We need to talk about period pain long and loudly enough for doctors to finally do something about it."

This article originally appeared on 09.14.17

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Humor

A mortified server accidentally gave customer a $5750 bottle of wine. Her manager had her back.

A perfect response to a $5717 mistake.

Canva Photos, Hawksmoor Manchester

An unwitting server accidentally gave away a nearly $6000 bottle of wine

Ever screw up royally at work? There’s nothing worse than that sinking feeling that comes when you realize you have to fess up to your manager. Next comes the uncertainty over whether you’ll keep your job or not. If your mistake happens to be one that costs your company money, let alone a significant amount of it, the stress is unimaginable.

A server at the Hawksmoor Manchester steakhouse and cocktail bar in England went through that same experience. She accidentally served a customer a £4500 ($5750) bottle of Chateau le Pin Pomerol 2001 instead of the £260 ($33) Bordeaux they ordered.


wine, red wine, wine glass, vintage wine, fine wine, fine dining, funny restaurant storiesYou have to wonder if normal people can even tell if they're drinking a $6,000 bottle of wine Photo by Jeff Siepman on Unsplash

The server didn't realize the mistake right away. It wasn't until later that a manager clocked the switch, leaving the poor waiter absolutely mortified. It's not every day that a server makes a $5700 mistake! The few that do rarely end up keeping their jobs.

However, the server’s manager decided to handle the situation with grace and humor, posting a lighthearted message on Twitter.

"To the customer who accidentally got given a bottle of Chateau le Pin Pomerol 2001, which is £4500 on our menu, last night - hope you enjoyed your evening! To the member of staff who accidentally gave it away, chin up! One-off mistakes happen and we love you anyway," they wrote.


The manager even went a step further and excused the mistake by saying the bottles “look pretty similar.”

The post went mega viral, racking up over 53,000 Likes on Twitter/X. Commenters praised management and ownership for letting the server off the hook for an honest mistake.

"As someone who works in hospitality, bless you for being understanding and not flying off the handle at the poor lad/lass."

"Now that’s a good employer! Mistakes do happen, sadly some employees aren’t as forgiving and only see the value of what was lost. I’m certain your understanding and forgiving manner towards the member of your staff will win you more customers!"

"This is such a great way to deal with a member of staff who has made a genuine mistake - great to read about it, well done to the management team & a lot of leaders could learn a thing or two from this story. Thanks for sharing the story."

Working in any kind of customer service, especially food service, is brutally difficult and under-appreciated. These kinds of employees absolutely deserve some grace, so it's heartwarming to see them finally get some.

Other users teased that if this was the kind of service they could expect from the restaurant, they'd be making a reservation ASAP.

"How can I book a table?" someone joked.


Hawksmoor founder Will Beckett later clarified the story to BBC News saying that the server had been working with a manager from another location because it was a busy night. The manager accidentally grabbed the wrong bottle and the customer apparently didn’t notice the mistake. (Sure they didn't.)

Beckett said the server is “brilliant,” but he’s still going to “tease her for this when she stops being so mortified.”


wine, white wine, red wine, fine dining, sommelier, expensive wineAll wine is good wine. Cheers!Giphy

Some users questioned the very nature of a nearly $6000 bottle of wine. To be fair, reviews of the vintage call it "perfection," "luxury," and a "thrilling experience." Still, it can be hard for people to wrap their minds around such extravagance.

"Is no-one else disgusted by the fact that a restaurant charges £4,500 for a bottle of wine in the first place? No wine is worth that much; it's pure & excessive extravagance for the sake of it & I find it vile," a user commented.

Beckett followed up in another post adding that, while the wine was expensive, the restaurant has raised over £1 million ($1.3 million) for the Wood Street Mission children's charity.

This article originally appeared six years ago.

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'Himalayan fur goblin': Animal shelter adoptions up 25% after giving mutt-mixes clever names

These should become official breeds.

via Puptographer/TikTok

Adrian Budnick holds up two shelter dogs.

According to Best Friends Animal Society, approximately 2.3 million dogs and cats were adopted in 2023—345,000 fewer adoptions than in 2019—with a net result of 415,000 adoptable dogs and cats being killed in shelters. But if just 6% of people who plan to acquire a pet were to adopt, we could empty America's shelters, and not one animal would be killed unnecessarily.

That’s why the efforts of those who promote pet adoption are so important. Adrian Budnick, a volunteer at Nashville’s Metro Animal Care and Control, has saved countless lives of dogs and cats by using her creativity to bring some much-needed attention to the shelter's animals. Budnik is a photographer who creates fun TikTok videos featuring shelter dogs, where she gives the unique mixes clever names.

It all began when she was making a video about a large “poodle-doodle” mix, as she calls it. The fluffy dog wasn’t like the pit bull types generally associated with shelters. So, she adopted a slightly annoyed voice, held up the big pooch and asked, “What’s this then?” before revealing it was a “Himalayan fur goblin.”

The video got a lot of attention on TikTok, and thus, she began a series of videos in which she gives creative names to the mixes and mutts at the shelter. The names are funny, but they are also perfect descriptions for one-in-a-million pups.

@puptographer

Himalayan fur goblin. Yeah we have those. Jeremiah A406860 is a 1 year old 60 lbs mixed breed. He is available at Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control is located at 5125 Harding Place Nashville TN 37211. They are open 7 days a week 12-4 Thursday 12-6. #fyp #foryou #AnitaWalker #nashvilletn #adopt #petsoftiktok #adoptme #metroanimalcareandcontrol #nashville #dogsoftiktok #dog #adoptdognashville

Kenny G: Frankenpaw

Kenny is unique, to say the least, because he looks like someone took the head from a dog and put it on the wrong body.

@puptographer

Meet MACC’s Mismatched Frankenpaw. Kenny G is 8 years old and 67 lbs. When he’s not serenading you with the sultry stylings of smooth jazz he gives off chill vibes. He will say his hellos to dog friends but would rather be the aloof artist he truly is. If you are looking for a guy with flawless performances on stage and quiet nights at home off stage Kenny G is your guy. Kenny G A262135 is a 8 year old 67 lbs mixed breed. He is available at Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control is located at 5125 Harding Place Nashville TN 37211. They are open 7 days a week 12-4 Thursday 12-6. #seniordog #AnitaWalker #fyp #nashvilletn #adopt #petsoftiktok #adoptme #foryou #metroanimalcareandcontrol #nashville #spayandneuter #whatsthisthen #dogsoftiktok #dog #dogtok

Katie: Snacklejack

Katie is called a Snacklejack because her ears resemble Doritos.

@puptographer

Meet MACC’s Snacklejack. Katie is 4 yrs old and 35 lbs. She is a sweet girl who prefers to be the center of attention and be the only pet. She has very expressive ears and a kisser that goes and goes. She’s ready to steal your heart and your snacks. Katie A432563 is a 4 year old 35 lbs mixed breed. She is available at Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control is located at 5125 Harding Place Nashville TN 37211. They are open 7 days a week 12-4 Thursday 12-6. #AnitaWalker #fyp #nashvilletn #adopt #petsoftiktok #adoptme #foryou #metroanimalcareandcontrol #nashville #spayandneuter #whatsthisthen #dogsoftiktok #dog #dogtok

Pallet Jackie Wiggling Chewbarker

She is "small but mighty" and has a "thing for feet."

@puptographer

Meet MACC’s wiggling chewbarker. Pallet Jackie is 8 months old and 37lbs. She is a wild child with a thing for feet. She is learning that feet are not toys. She enjoys wrestling and running with her shelter friends. She’s the perfect size for every adventure. Pallet Jackie A435552 is a 8 month old 37 lbs mixed breed. She is available at Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control is located at 5125 Harding Place Nashville TN 37211. They are open 7 days a week 12-4 Thursday 12-6. #AnitaWalker #fyp #nashvilletn #adopt #petsoftiktok #adoptme #foryou #metroanimalcareandcontrol #nashville #spayandneuter #whatsthisthen #dogsoftiktok #dog #dogtok

Budnik also created a persona based on a used car salesmen who adopts "certified, pre-owned pets."

@puptographer

Find you a forever friend #AnitaWalker #Nashville #puptographybyadrianbudnick #dogsofttiktok #shelterpetsoftiktok #fyp #rescuepet #westernfashion #rhinestonecowboy #western #westernwear

Since the Himalayan fur goblin video, Budnik has gone on to present the “Teacup werewolf,” “Speckled freckled cuddle calf,” “French baguette long lady,” and the “Creamsicle push-up pup,” among others. The great news is that, according to Budnik, the number of adoptions at the shelter has risen by 25% since she began creating the viral videos. That’s incredible news at a time when animal intake is rising higher than demand at America’s shelters.

Budnik’s videos have caught the attention of adopters across the country and beyond. “We’ll get calls from all over. And it’s not just local here to Tennessee, even,” Metro Animal Care and Control Director Ashley Harrington told the Associated Press. “We’ve had an adopter from Canada. We’ve had ones from states all over.” Many of them call asking for one of Budnik's specific breeds. “It’s been pretty great, and it’s been fun for our staff,” Harrington continued.

Budnik’s videos haven’t just been great for adoptions; they’ve also led to donations of money and supplies. A wall in the shelter’s volunteer room is covered with letters it has received referencing Budnik’s videos. For Budnik, it's all a labor of love. “I’m just having fun,” she said. “I absolutely love dogs. I think they’re the best thing on earth.”

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Teachers

Teacher courts 'controversy' by admitting that students need to be told their reading level

She says students need a "reality check."

via Canva/Photos

A teacher showing her students their grades.

The results from 2024’s National Assessment of Educational Progress found that the slide in American students' reading abilities has only worsened. The percentage of 8th graders with “below basic” reading skills was 33%, the lowest in the exam’s three-decade history. The percentage of fourth graders “below basic” was the largest in 20 years, 40%.

“Our lowest performing students are reading at historically low levels,” said Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, which gives the NAEP exam. “We need to stay focused in order to right this ship.”

A big reason for the drop was the disruption in education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but educators are looking to see if there are other causes behind the drop in competency. “This is a major concern — a concern that can’t be blamed solely on the pandemic,” Carr said. “Our nation is facing complex challenges in reading.”

@amber.mariee44

Please give your feedback I can’t tell if this is a good idea or not #teacher #teachersbelike #teachertok #teacherlife #teachersoftiktok #highschool #literacy

Alarmed by the drop in reading scores, a high school teacher named Amber, who goes by @Amber.Maree44 on TikTok, is considering telling her students the grade level in which they read in hopes that it will motivate them and give them a reality check on their performance.

“I'm starting to think that we need to be more straightforward with students about their progress and where they're at academically,” Amber said. "I think they need to know what grade level they're performing at."

Amber’s perspective may also be helpful to parents. A 2023 study found a massive chasm between how parents think their child is performing and how they are compared to grade-level standards. Nearly nine out of ten parents thought their child was at grade level, while about half were below grade level nationally.

students, teachers grades, amber teacher, literacy rates, declining scores, american educationA teacher talking to a student about grades.via Canva/Photos

“I'm hesitant to do this because I know that we don't want students to feel bad about themselves, and I know that we don't know that we don't want to discourage students by showing them their deficits. So I think, for a lot of students, having a real reality check like that where it's like, 'Hey, you're in high school. but it looks like you're reading at a fifth-grade level,' I think some students need that in order to push themselves to actually try in school."

Amber’s suggestion runs counter to some in education who believe that if children are told they are below grade level, it will discourage them from reading. This may further deter their progress, and it is far from an imperfect process to determine where a child is with their reading skills.

students, teachers grades, amber teacher, literacy rates, declining scores, american educationA young girl reading a book in school. via Canva/Photos

Amber believes that a big reason why 54% of adults cannot read at a fifth-grade level is because no one told them, so they don’t know they need help improving their reading skills.

To combat the literacy crisis, Amber was considering having her students take an online literacy test to determine their grade level; she doesn’t need to know the results because she already knows where they are from previous tests. Then, so no student feels singled out, she can have a dialog with her students who have fallen behind about how they can improve their skills. This approach is a happy medium where student learn where they are without being shamed by their teacher and are given some options for enhancing their skills.

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Education

Five years ago, this five-year-old with autism spoke for the first time and his pride is still inspiring

The incredible video of Micah's achievement was favorited over 730,000 times.

via Haley McGuire / TikTok

About a quarter of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are nonverbal, and while that number seems high, there's been sharp decline from a generation ago when the number was closer to half.

This positive shift is due to an increase in studies on ASD which have resulted in more effective, therapeutic strategies. Children with ASD are often nonverbal, but many go onto acquire language skills. According to a 2013 study, up to 70% of nonverbal children become fluent speakers or can use simple phrases.

Having a child that is nonverbal or speech-delayed can be terribly frustrating because you want them to be able to clearly communicate how they're feeling emotionally and physically. It's also very hard to see them interact with other children without being able to express their full selves like everyone else. So, when a child with autism spectrum disorder makes their first language breakthrough it's a monumental moment for themselves and those close to them.

Photographer Haley McGuire shared her son Micah's wonderful achievement on TikTok in the Fall of 2020, and the inspiring video was favorited over 730,000 times. Today, the video, which stays pinned at the top of McGuire's TikTok page, has been shared nearly 30,000 times and still garners attention and delight from followers and viewers.

The first video she shared was of Micah repeating the names of his family members as they cheer in the background. Every time Micah gets a name right, he leaps in excitement and beams with pure pride.

@haley_mcguire

We love you, Micah 💙 #autisim #autistiktok #fyp #learningtospeak

Since the video was first recorded, Micah has shown no signs of slowing his progress.

"It's been a day and a half now, and everything we ask him to say, he's copying," McGuire told Newsweek.

"He's not going out of his way to say anything on his own, but he's literally copying everything we say, which is crazy because he wasn't talking at all," McGuire continued. "Every now and then, he'd blurt out a word. But when I say 'wasn't talking,' he would go weeks without saying anything. This is crazy. He's been doing great."

The video of Micah repeating the names of his family members was followed up by a new recording where he says his name for the first time that received over 2 million favorites.

@haley_mcguire

Micah 💙 #autisim #speak #ohio #words #proudparents

McGuire says Micah is a very loving child and it's easy to see on the videos.

"Micah has always been a really sweet, tender-hearted, quiet kid," she said. "Obviously, he doesn't talk, but he kind of keeps to himself. He's always been extremely loving. I know that that's not necessarily normal for kids with autism. They like to not be touched and they like to be alone. But he's very affectionate and loving. It's been easy for us to be so happy and encouraging with him."

The videos have warmed a lot of people's hearts online and have been source of inspiration for the McGuire family. But, maybe the best part about the videos is they also give hope to families of children with an autism spectrum disorder, especially those who long for the day they can hear their child first speak.

Nearly five years later, Micah's progress is still going strong. Today, the McGuire family is on a journey to help Micah learn to spell, buoyed by the 2023 documentary, Spellers, inspired by the 2021 book Underestimated: An Autism Miracle (Children's Health Defense) by J.B. Handley and Jamison Handley.

Both the book and film challenge assumptions by "experts" about non-speakers with autism, namely that they're cognitively disabled. McGuire has shared clips of the documentary on her TikTok and has even begun teaching Micah S2C or "spelling to communicate." The method is an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) designed to help people with autism who also have limited or no verbal abilities to communicate. S2C claims to provide non-speakers with a way to express their thoughts, needs, and feelings through spelling using a letter board or keyboard.

Watch Micah during a lesson:

@haley_mcguire

Learning this new process together #spellingtocommunicate #s2c #spellers #autismawareness #nonverbal

Already, he's moving along wonderfully and making progress.


@haley_mcguire

Working on longer pokes, less prompts and working not to “scroll” as much on his way to the correct letter, or touches the outside letters before hitting the correct one. (This is training him to use his AAC fluently, eventually, for open communication. We still work with AAC and SLP, please don’t continue to tell me what I am already aware of.)

The McGuire's advocacy for this communication method is providing hope, inspiration, and awareness for other families on the same journey. Keep up the good work, Micah!

This article originally appeared five years ago.

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Health

Ryan Reynolds got a colonoscopy after losing a bet and found a lifesaving surprise

Only 60% of men over 50 are getting regular colonoscopies. Reynolds just proved why they're important.

Ryan Reynolds/YouTube
Ryan Reynolds filmed his colonoscopy after losing a bet—it turned out to be 'lifesaving'

Cancer is serious. Ryan Reynolds is not. Luckily his characteristic sense of humor—along with being true to his word—has helped shine a light on a sobering topic in a fun way. First, he made a friendly bet with his Welcome to Wrexham co-star Rob McElhenney of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia with whom he also co-owns the Welsh football club Wrexham A.F.C.

The bet? That McElhenney would not be able to learn Welsh, the official language of Wales, where their soccer team is located. The stakes? If Reynolds lost, he'd have to get a colonoscopy... and post the entire thing to YouTube. About 30 seconds into a YouTube upload titled "Rob & Ryan Lead From Behind," McElhenney begins speaking in near-fluent Welsh.

Uh-oh. Colonoscopy it is.


Butt jokes galore in Ryan Reynolds' DeadpoolGiphy

Reynolds is an actor famous for hilarious hijinks. From his intense fictional feud with Hugh Jackman to performing epic pranks on talk shows, he is often the best thing on the internet for a good laugh. However, he is also not one to shy away from difficult conversations, particularly when it comes to health. So raising awareness about the importance of colonoscopies was, as he quipped, “enough motivation for me to let you in on a camera being shoved up my ass.”

Reynolds might have lost the bet, but his actions paid off. The procedure turned out to be lifesaving.

The video shows the Free Guy and Deadpool actor entering the hospital early in the morning, discussing the procedure with the doctor (with just the perfect amount of gallows humor), and being wheeled into the exam room. Reynolds notes that this will be his first colonoscopy.

As Reynolds begins waking up after the roughly 25-minute procedure, the doctor delivers the news that an “extremely subtle” polyp was discovered and cut out. A polyp is a small abnormal growth of tissue that is often benign but can develop into something much scarier if not detected. Reynolds had previously shown no symptoms.

“I’m not being overly dramatic,” his doctor told him. “This is exactly why you do this. You are interrupting the natural history of a disease, of something of a process that could have ended up developing into cancer and causing all sorts of problems. Instead, you are not only diagnosing the polyp, you are taking it out.”

Watch the whole video here:

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Ever the expert marketer, Reynolds smoothly slid in a quick plug for his alcohol brand, joking that “I can’t believe you pumped all that Aviation Gin into my IV. I was out like a light” before thanking the doctor.

Reynolds got his colonoscopy at 45, which is the recommended age to begin routine screenings. Though it’s a preventable cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women combined, and it is predicted to be the top cancer killer for people under 50 by the year 2030.

Because of the inherent invasiveness of the procedure, many people feel uncomfortable even talking about colonoscopies, let alone getting one, despite early detection being so vital. A colonoscopy involves the patient being sedated while a long tube is inserted into the rectum, which allows a small video camera to explore the colon and look for cancer or other abnormalities.

ryan reynolds, wrexham, celebrities, psa, public service announcement, mens health, aging, colonoscopyRyan Reynolds shows we shouldn't be scared of a camera "up our ass"Giphy

Some estimates say only about 60% of men over the age of 50 are following the screening guidelines, with men notoriously being afraid of feeling vulnerable in front of a doctor and also correlating the colonoscopy procedure with a certain sex act. Yes, sadly that's a real fear that has been studied and documented. You'd think not dying of cancer would be more important, but welcome to toxic masculinity.

In a show of good faith and education, McElhenney got a colonoscopy as well for the project, and took a strange pride in having more benign polyps than Reynolds did.

rob mcelhenney, welcome to wrexam, always sunny in philadelphia, ryan reynolds, mens healthRob loves it.Giphy

Now, thanks to Reynolds and McElhenney hilariously riffing on their experience and normalizing it, the whole thing might not seem so daunting after all. If a true Marvel superhero can get his regular health screenings, the rest of us should definitely fall in line.

Thanks for the delightfully silly PSA, Ryan.

This article originally appeared three years ago.

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