How heavy does a period have to be to be too heavy?

[NoCapes]

Just that really
I am having the period from hell
I've always had periods heavier than my friends even when I first started, but nothing that a heavy flow sanitary towel couldn't cope with

Since I started having children they've got heavier and get heavier with each child
Since having DC3 in November they are ridiculous

This morning I have leaked through a tampon, 2 heavy flow sanitary towels, 2 pairs of knickers, a pair of tracksuit bottoms (all of this worn at once) and onto the sofa, I was sat there for about an hour
Through the night I had 3 sanitary towels, 2 pairs of knickers, a thick pair of pyjama pants and changed it all at 2:30am when I got up with baby and was still bloody to my knees by 7am this morning, I've had to change all the bedding and there is blood on the mattress

I'm also in quite a lot of pain (used to have pain free periods before kids) but I can deal with that

My mum says she used to have periods like this too so thinks it's normal and she thinks it will all calm down after a few months, it's just because I've just had a baby. She says GP is unlikely to do anything and they never helped her
I think its overly excessive and I can't just not leave the house for 6/7 days a month for fear of leaking everywhere plus the amount of washing is pissing me off

So is this normal? Does anyone else have periods like this? Should I go to the GP or just suck it up?
Sorry for the oversharing

[Paulat2112]

My first few after each of my 3 kids were like that. Mine are usually very light (only bleed for 2-3 days usually) so it has always been horrible, walking round the supermarket and knowing you have just overflowed was a low point for me. But it did get better and from what i read online it was quite normal.

I would give it another few cycles and if it is no better than go to gp :)

[dementedpixie]

No it isn't normal and I would see your gp

[Akire]

Go to GP that is to much if effecting your life. I tried few things over the years that helped slightly. I found tena pull up pants good for heavy days and nights they are much wider and longer at front and back than night time pads so least you can sleep better without shaking through pants pjs and bedding in the night.

[NameChange30]

That doesn't sound normal to me. I think you should go to the GP now. It's affecting your quality of life now and it may get better on its own but that doesn't mean you're not entitled to support in the meantime.

Can I also suggest that you get a menstrual cup such as a MoonCup or MeLuna (there are lots of brands but those are the two I know about!) Menstrual cups are brilliant for women with heavy periods because they have a much higher capacity than tampons and pads.

[SpuriouserAndSpuriouser]

Nope, doesn't sound normal. Definitely see your GP, and if they don't take you seriously keep trying until they do. You shouldn't have to suffer through this every month.

[WienerDiva]

Definitely not normal, and my heart goes out to you.

Give your GP a call. Big hugs

[NoCapes]

Oh I'm so relieved most people think it's not normal (although jot great that there may be an issue, but I'm sure you know what I mean) I will make an appointment at he GP

Thanks for the management tips too, surprised to hear that mooncups and the like hold more than pads & tampons, I wouldn't have thought that for some reason
Good to know that reusable may be the way to go, SanPro is costing me a bloody fortune at the moment (pun intended )

Thank you

[JollyXmasJumper]

I was recently told the threshold for (urgent) medical help is 8 fully soaked regular pads a day. Which does not mean you should not see your GP asap, I sounds like quite a lot and you must be exhausted. Also check the painkillers you are taking - they might have blood thinning properties and make it worse.

[Yohoodlum]

Yours sound really heavy. Mine are very heavy but it's probably only 1 day a month where I struggle. I can fill my mooncup in one gush ( sorry TMI). I was prescribed Tranexamic acid which is very effective and works very quickly. I'm not sure why but I don't love the feeling - I think it gives me stomach ache but I'm not sure- but it's great to have for when I need it.

If I have to go out then I pop the pills and the problem is sorted. I wish I had them before.

[Yohoodlum]

... and for goodness sake get yourself a mooncup. They are brilliant. I cut the tails off mine. You can feel when they are full. They take a bit of practice but you soon get the hang of them. I carry some wet wipes with me if I'm out and about.

[RoseDog]

I would see your GP too I also suffer heavy periods and I've found for the first few days nighttime tena last pads are a godsend!

[Lotsofplanetshaveanorth]

Goodness the 8 pad info is useful. I was worried mine were too heavy but it's actually two big floods and then normal then nothing. So perhaps not. The floods are very inconvenient thoug and v hard to keep clean especially in work loos. I was thinking GP but perhaps not worth the bother.

Sorry to hea you are having a grim time OP.

[TheFairyCaravan]

I'd make an emergency appointment with the GP. After I had my Mirena coil taken out I was bleeding like that, she gave me some tablets to stop the bleeding.

I had horrendous periods, which is why I had the coil (it didn't suit me) so I had an endometrial ablation 8 years ago. If you've definetly finished having children I would highly recommend it.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

You need to see the GP and ask for a referral to a gynaecologist particularly if the GP just prescribes you pills. Its all very well addressing the symptoms but the cause of this needs to be properly determined too.

Fibroids and endometriosis can both cause heavy bleeding to arise and you are in pain too. This is not "normal" and something you should have to put up with because its also affecting your day to day life. Quite apart from anything else any change to the cycle from your "norm" should always be reported to the GP.

[littlenicky61]

I would go and see the GP as this sounds heavy and is having a negative impact on your life. Also taking 2 ibuprofen is meant to help lessen the bleeding - I have tried this a couple of times when I've had really heavy ones and it has lightened the flow for me . Diary doll pants as also great for preventing leaks- they sell them online and in john lewis. Hope they get easier for you

[NoCapes]

Ooo interesting about Ibuprofen, I never knew that

I've got an appointment at the GP but it's not till next Monday, when I will have stopped bleeding. At our surgery if we ring at 8:30 we will be given a same day appointment, so would I be best doing that this week while I'm still bleeding?
Not sure whether they would just chat to me, in which case next week will be fine, or if they would want to see the bleeding (seems unlikely?) or if they want to examine me/take swabs or anything would it be better while there's no blood getting in the way?
So many questions - what would be best do you reckon?

[NameChange30]

I think it would be better to see the GP as soon as possible. Surely it's better to get medication and/or a gynae referral sooner rather than later. And the GP probably won't want/need to examine you.

[NoCapes]

Yes you're probably right, I will cancel the appointment and go later in the week
Thanks

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

My periods got a lot heavier when I had a benign ovarian cyst. Once the cyst was removed things went back to normal. You are right to see your GP it doesn't sound normal.

[OzzieFem]

Make sure your GP also does some blood tests as well as a Gynae referral. If you have been having such heavy periods since November then it is possible your Haemoglobin and Iron levels are low,

[Yankeepoodle]

Agree with all of the above. I was not as heavy as you, but it was still enough to make me anaemic. Not to mention the disturbed sleep and mess every damn month. Tranexamic acid has transformed my life! The GP wanted to give me the Mirena coil to start with, which I most definitely did not want so be prepared for that to be offered. Given how heavy yours are, I would make sense to ask for the further investigations that previous posters have suggested.

[RomComPhooey]

My GP recommended/prescribed tranexamic acid to reduce the blood loss (up to 25% she said) and said I should take it with ibuprofen, which reduces flow by a further 10-15%. I like my GP - she is really thorough and explains things properly.

[Yohoodlum]

Taking tan. acid reduced my flow by much more than 25 percent. It made a huge difference - maybe it depends on the dose.

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

What size tampon?
A super plus used to last a few minutes when mine got bad and when a clot came it would flood a towel instantly.
If you can't get through the night or cope with life then it's too heavy.