Excruciating cramps

Typically my cramping is painful, but bearable. But every few months, the first 6-12 hours of my period is non-stop excruciating pain that Midol and heat pads don't even begin to touch. But then in the course of about 30 minutes, it goes from excruciating pain to normal cramping. I went to a gyno about it, and she immediately tried pushing birth control without even checking to see if there's an underlying issue.

Almost every female relative I have that has used birth control has dealt with permanent infertility issues after getting off BC. So I'm highly reluctant to start BC. Is there any other ways to handle the pain without BC?