My cycle usually starts around the 20th or so of each month and about the second and third day of it I get this extreme aching feeling in my vagina. Umm its hard to explain since I don't know any technical terms but anyway it just is a throbbing pain that only subsides if I put pressure on it like sitting down. It doesn't last the whole time of my period, usually just about the second and third days of it.

Also recently I have been getting cramps about a week before I'm supposed to start and have been spotting brown about a few days before I start.

Please help! Is this normal ladies? Anything I can do to prevent it? What could be causing it?

This is something that you need to discuss with your doctor.

We cannot diagnose over the internet and every woman is different. A complete history and physical is needed to give you the answers you need.

You are leaving a TON of information out that could help.

Age?
Sexual activity?
Birth control?
How long has this been happening?

The more info we get the better we can help. Please do not be afriad that your post will be too long, we need everything we can get to help.

I'm 20, I have been sexually active since I was 17 but it has been almost a year since I've had sex... never have I taken birth control.

The aching has been happening for a long time now... I want to go back and say at least 2 or 3 years... I just always delt with it because it never lasted very long... and I only feel it when I'm standing.

The brown spotting and the early cramps have been happening for about 3 and a half months now...

I'm not really looking for a diagnosis since I know that only my doctor could provide me with that.. just looking to see if this is normal or if it sounds like something could be wrong as I have never asked another woman or told anyone... has anyone experienced this?

Thank you so much for clearing up the questions.

This could be normal for you since you are only 20 and hormones do not settle down until the ages between 25-28. However, it does not sound normal for you from what I see.

Have you ever been tested for any STDs? I doubt this is it, but I am just venturing a guess here.

Do you have a history of any form of cervical, ovarian, or breast cancer in your family?

Have you ever been diagnosed with endometriosis? This could be it.

Since this is the only body you have, and your health depends on it, I would make an appointment with my doctor if I were you. Just to clear the air if nothing more.

And STD? no... what type of std could that be??

Um no one in my family that I know of has had cancer except for my father with lung cancer.. but that wouldn't really apply here.. lol

What's endometriosis?

And yes I'm definitely thinking about seeing a doctor now!!

Well, I was just guessing with an STD. It is very unlikely, but some are asymptomatic for women, like syphillis for example.

If there is any kind of cancer in your family then you are at risk for cancer, so yes, it could apply.

Endometriosis is when the excess buildup of the lining of the uterus.

There can be many reasons for your symptoms, but without a physical it is really impossible to tell.

It honestly could be nothing at all, but I want you to know that it also could be a number of things and this is why you should get checked out by your doctor.

How long ago was your last female physical and pap smear?

Ooh well he was a smoker but I guess it still could

Ummm I know this is bad.. but I haven't had one yet!

Number one reason being I have no insurance... so you I don't know but I'm working on getting some for myself so I can get these things done

Well, if there is a history of cancer then smoking has little to do with it. Cancer, for the most part, is genetic. Smoking does not necessarily cause it, but speeds it up if it is in the genes. There are many people who smoke 3 packs a day who never get cancer, it is not in their genes. Do you see where I am going?

Yea, it is not good that you never had a pap smear. Once you become sexually active you should have on once a year.

Your health is all you have, without it you don't live. Plain and simple. Maybe you can find a doc who will do this on payments. But it is imperative that you get it done as soon as possible.