Terrible horrible cramps!

For three months now, my period cramps have been the worst that they ever have. Today on day 1 of my cycle (and bleeding) it was horrible. It hurt to sit down, get up, walk, and it hurt even when I was sitting comfortably.

I’m 17, I’ve had my period for about 4.5 years now, is my body starting to ovulate/ entering my “prime” years of pain and fertility?

School today was excruciating painful unless I was distracted with work or talking to a friend. In the future, I may end up taking the day off from school if this happens (it likely will). I’ve tried midol and ibuprofen (alternating every 6 hours), hot compresses, cold compresses, I’ve drank plenty of water and avoided salty foods this past week.

I didn’t go to soccer practice today because it hurt my abdomen and breasts to walk up the stairs today.

My period shouldn’t change the way I live my life, should it?

Asking for advice, tips, etc.

I’m open to anything- but i want to avoid hormonal bc for as long as possible- my family has a medical history with side effects. The women in my family all have said that they had painful periods, childbirths, acne, (genetic) type I diabetes but no cancer.