Vicious Cycles (Menstrual Issues)

This is going to be a bit of a TMI entry. I'll not go into anything graphic. This is me reaching out to see if I'm the only one...and hopefully, someone else will come across this blog and find that they are, in fact, not alone in this.

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I had heavy periods early on in my life.
I'd feel sick to my stomach and crampy beyond belief sitting in classes in junior high. My sanitary products didn't offer me enough protection, and I had more than one embarrassing incident because of that.
When I was 18, my mom finally decided enough was enough - I'd have two cycles in a month - and she made an appointment for me to see an OBGYN. I was put onto birth control pills to help regulate my cycles. (Unfortunately, I think this led to weight gain, as well - besides the hormones themselves, I'd eat with the pill, otherwise I'd feel nauseated at first.)

Eventually, things got better for me, though the one factor that hasn't really gotten better for me is the pain. And eventually, I stopped syncing with my pills. Even now, I begin a week before my actual pills run out, and the placebo begins.

I worked 3 consecutive summers at a Girl Scout residential camp. I loved it! Always, ALWAYS active, and a fairly balanced and scheduled diet.
After awhile, though, no matter if I'd just had my cycle, or if it wasn't due for a bit yet - it would happen after a week or two of that activity increase, and that diet change. It was a pain, in more ways than one. There was that pain, those awful mood swings, etc., etc., etc.

I don't remember if this happened to me back when I began my lifestyle change that led to a drop of 30 lbs.

I do, however, know that it's affecting me again.
My cycle ended just 3 days ago.
I felt uncomfortable at work, and wouldn't you know it...

The pain as I type right now is so terrible. I just took some Aleeve, and am hoping it'll kick in soon.

Has anyone else out there experienced this?
What's it been like for you? What do you do to cope? How long has it lasted for you? Did you even out eventually? Do you have any other conditions that may affect you.

I am 99.999999% sure that I suffer from PMDD; look it up, if you're unfamiliar. Its like PMS, but 10x worse.
I've had blood tests done, and unltrasounds done - other than a benign (and apparently tiny, though I'd love a second opinion) cyst on my left ovary, I'm apparently in pretty good shape.

It was a happy, but frustrating phone call when I was told I was pretty healthy - wonderful! Nothing serious! What the h*** is wrong wrong with me, then?!?

It's frustrating, it's painful, and I'd really just like to have a hysterectomy. But I know that won't be an option, since I'm fairly young and haven't had children (and at this point in my life, I'm okay with that).

Ugh.

Anyone else?
Or do you deal with something similar, and are happy to know you're not alone?

Body, why do you hate me, when all I'm trying to do is treat you right?