Just a word of encouragement--I don't think my periods were ever as bad as some of the ladies on here, but they did occasionally move me to tears and interfere with my daily activities and/or sleep. Went on the pill from ages 18-27. There was a year and a half of wonkiness (but not discomfort), then I got pregnant. Post-childbearing, they did not come back NEARLY as bad. I rarely experience cramps at all, just some headaches and crankiness.
And actually, the Pill was causing a lot of low-level irritations that I didn't realize until they were gone--moodiness, general malaise.
I think a lot of people level out in adulthood, maybe? Like it's worst as teens?