Period problems - suddenly really heavy

[LilRedWG]

I've always had fairly light periods only lasting four or five days, but the past couple have been really heavy, flooding for the first couple of days then tapering off after a few more - a day or two of nothing and then a 'normal' period followed by a week of pale brown discharge, so three weeks in all.

Am getting concerned but don't want to tell GP as don't want to sound like a hypochondriac - I've had a few health concerns of late.

[LilRedWG]

Anyone?

[EBearhug]

Has anything changed in you? Any pregnancy, or changes in (hormonal) contraception? What about other changes in health? Or circumstances? (My periods went a bit screwy for a couple of months after my mother died - just stress.)

If you've had a few health concerns, there probably is some connection. Periods do change as we get older anyway.

And please do tell GP, particularly if it's a sudden change, and if it's causing you flooding. My GP, when I saw her about heavy periods, said, "No woman in this day and age, should have to put up with periods interrupting her daily life." I could have hugged her - does depend on your GP, though. I've heard from others that their GPs have responded with things like, "Well, that's just what women have to put up with." It's not - there are things which can be done.

She recommended me these two links:
Heavy periods
Blood loss chart

But 3 weeks is not normal. Flooding does interrupt your daily life. And if it's a sudden change, there could be medical reasons for it - please go and get it checked. These are symptoms that should be checked, and it does not make you a hypochondriac.

[EldonAve]

You need to go see your GP

[LilRedWG]

Thank you. I have an appointment with in a week or so. Will broach the subject.

[LilRedWG]

I also have nipple discharge which my breast consultant wants to see me about as it's 15 months since I stopped breast feeding. Maybe it's linked, am totally fedup of my body.

[EBearhug]

I have found that things seem to go wrong in clusters - it's like things get out of kilter, and that has a sort of domino effect on other bits of our body. Good luck with it all.

[LilRedWG]

Thanks again.

[SourSweets]

I nearly started this thread today OP. No advice other than to see your doctor. I feel for you, it's horrible.

I've also had flooding and a lot of pain, this is my third period since having a baby and they never used to be like this.

[LilRedWG]

After three nothing days my next period started yesterday and was fine yesterday but this morning I got through, as in running down my legs, a super tampon in ten minutes.

sorry for tmi.

[canneverremebermyname]

I would recommend the ultra tampons by lillets - I still have to change them every 1.5 hours and wear a night time towel as well, but such an improvement on all other tampons.

But I would still recommend you mention it to the doctor - mine are heavy and all over the place because of fibroids that measure as big as a 20 week pregnancy!!

[LilRedWG]

Ooo, you poor thing.

I have an appointment on Monday with GP, so will mention.

[AlpacaLypse]

Ask about Tranexamic Acid. Wonderful wonderful stuff!

[LilRedWG]

Thanks Alpaca. Am having no more children, so don't need menstruation - wish we could just flick a switch amd turn it off.

[Squeegle]

After having kids my periods went shockingly heavy. I've always had really light ones before. Transaxemic acid is great. Really works. But now I've had the mirena coil. That works a treat as well. Can't think why I didn't go to the doctor earlier really. I suffered for about 3 years with that hideous flooding you describe. It's just awful!

[RuddyDuck]

I would definitely second the recommendation to use Lillets "Ultra" tampon (orange packaging). Tranexamic Acid seems to work for some people, but didn't make a blind bit of difference to me. Ditto the Mirena coil. Worth trying though.

[magicgirl74]

Also ask for a blood test as having heavy periods can cause anaemia iv had heavy periods for a few years now due to medication and I'm often anaemic but tranexamic acid helps I was offered the marina coil but it made me whince thinking about it :-( I'm really sqeemish xx

[LilRedWG]

GP isn't overly concerned and has given me a prescription for Transaxemic acid. She also wants to do an internal, so Im booked in for that.

She went through all the options, coil, progesterone pill, ablation, hysterectomy.

So it's a case of see how it goes.

Thanks for all your support ladies.