Sweat trickling down my forehead as I grit my teeth with immense pain. Fingernails creating half moons on my palm as it cuts into my flesh. An empty stomach trying to find material enough to heave out through my throat as I retch painfully. Spots dotting my eyesight as I struggle against nausea and a sudden thirst for fluids. Pain coming in waves with momentary respite too short to grant me true relief. Downing pill after pill, staring at the same spot for 15 minutes but not seeing anything.

God, I hate my menstrual cycle.