Aaargh, just want periods to be finished and done with!

[Horsemad]

I am so sick of having periods I am 48 and have HAD ENOUGH.

Today, I have had to change a super plus tampon every hour, my insides feel like they're falling out and I'm passing clots the size of 50p pieces.
Not a good combination when you need to be out and about uniform shopping!

I stupidly thought 'hey, I'm liking this' after missing a period in June, started the next one in July, bled for 4 weeks (not as heavy as today, but still fairly heavy) a week after I stopped bleeding from that one, I've come on again. Grrrr!

I'm due a routine blood test next week for anaemia; what's the betting I'm back on iron tablets by the w/e?

[MissBoPeep]

Have you thought about asking for the Mirena coil? It is prescribed for heavy periods and doubles up as contraception.

Try toget it sorted and don't wish your periods away- you will then be coping with hot flushes, sweats and a whole lot of other stuff unless you go onto HRT- or are very lucky!

[Horsemad]

Hi MissBoPeep, yes, I've considered the Mirena, but am worried that it might affect my moods (always had terrible mood swings when on the pill and have read lots of negative reports from Mirena users re. this). Don't want to go through the hassle of having it fitted if I end up having to have it removed.

That said, if I have many more periods like this one, I could possibly be persuaded! That's the thing, they are never the same each month! After years of heavy periods, they had eased off a lot and were manageable, then skipped a month and then this one has more than made up for that

[shineypenny]

I was where you are now 18 months ago. I had put up with it for three years. I used tranexamic acid for a while (prescription drug that you take on the heavy days only, and it stops the flow by clotting the blood further), but after a while it wasn't so effective. In the end, it was the mirena coil that worked for me.
Like you, I wasn't sure, as I had read the horror stories on the Internet, but I am so glad that my GP persuaded me. I have gone from using two pads and a super tampon as well as the drugs and having to change hourly to using no more than a panty liner.
I get niggly headaches sometimes, but it is so much better than the alternative. Please go and talk to your GP. The first thing you will need is a scan to check you are not suffering from fibroids. If the mirena doesn't work for you, there are other things that can be done.

[Horsemad]

Thanks Shiney - it's the not knowing whether it'll suit me, but if I don't try it, I'll never know, will I?! I can always have it removed I suppose. But what if it falls out and I don't know???!! I really don't want a pregnancy scare

This is getting ridiculous really and I wouldn't put up with anything else impacting on my life, so I need to be grown up and get to the GP. Might pluck up courage to see GP whilst I'm on leave this week.

[Horsemad]

Crikey Mary, are you me? It's horrific, isn't it? I'm just off to bed now 'cause I'm shattered, but thanks for replying

[MrsShrek3]

Had all this hideous stuff at 36. Uterus lining was over three times as thick as it should've been, and thus period 3x heavier, puddles on floor and ridiculous measures even when on tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid. Was very anaemic.

You may well hate to hear it but a hysteroscopy, a big laser endometrial clear-up and mirena (all done in the one GA procedure) was my rescue. I have only good things to say about it, and have no periods New mirena soon

[MrsShrek3]

Hmm, see why you're anti mirena. Everyone's different though. Have you got other options like endometrial ablation or laser treatment?

[Horsemad]

Does anyone know the answer to this question? If you have a Mirena for a few years - how do they know you will be ok to not use contraception when it's removed if you are 50+?

The current advice is to continue with contraception until you have had no periods for a year if you are over the age of 50, but if you don't have periods 'cause of the Mirena, how would you know when your last period was?

[ByTheSea]

I can empathise! I'm 48 too and sick of it. After being like clockwork for decades, it is now coming every three weeks or so and the second full day is soooo heavy. I never needed super plus before! Wish it would just stop!

[Horsemad]

I've done a little bit of reading today on endometrial ablation and I'm considering asking my GP if he'd refer me. When I asked if I could have tranexamic acid, (quite a few years ago) he said no! Not sure why

[orangeandlemons]

I take tranexamic acid. It works a treat.

[Badvoc]

Horsemad
I resisted e mirenacoil for years choosing to beleive all the nightmare stories.
My gynae finally persuaded me to get one in may rather then go ahead with a hysterectomy and....it's been fine.
Bleeding much less, some spotting.
No long er anaemic (my iron level was 8 prior to getting it fitted)
Try it.
You can always have it taken out if it doesn't work for you.
Goo Luck x

[marriedinwhite]

I was like this at 45/46ish. At first there were little glows but as the gaps got bigger there were flushes and flushes and flushes, esp at night when I had badly broken sleep. Then the mood swings. It came to a head nearly two yaers ago when I had had a 9 month gap. I started HRT and relief came within about 3/4 days. I had no problems at all and because I have a family history of osteoporosis my gynaecologist and breast consultant (polycystic breast disease) have both recommended that I stay on HRT into my dotage. The dose has been reduced and I now have a combination of patches and pills. I haven't had a period since Easter 2011 and feel so much better.

Am assured that the present generation of HRT is much safer than the last and there is something in the pipeline that will be available within five years that attaches itself only to the non genetically cancer prone cells and which will take future risk in relation to breast cancer away entirely. That's how I understood it anyway.

Transformed my life it did.

[MissBoPeep]

To answer one question...
I haven't had a Mirena but I did have an ordinary copper coil- and it half fell out

I think you would know if it happened. I had bleeding for 3 weeks- which was only a short time after having had it fitted, and a period, so i wasn't sure what was going on. Went to have it checked and was told it was half out - eek!

The Mirena is bigger- some people have a problem having it fitted TBH and I think you'd know if it was making its exit!

I know that they like you to give the Mirena 3 months trial- then take it out iof not good.

[Horsemad]

I've had a better day today, thank God! Took some ibuprofen and have had nothing like the bleeding I had yesterday - coincidence? Who cares! I'm not surprised that today was better, it couldn't have got worse after the amount I lost yesterday.

Have felt weak and dizzy most of the day and a bit shaky too so have eaten lots to compensate!!!

Definitely need to speak to the GP though.

[crazynanna]

I am one of the original Peris' from the Peri quiche.
I thought I had cracked it as I beat everyone in the 'Missing Period' game (where we competed who had the biggest gap between them) I went 5 months...and then the bastards were back. with.a.vengence.

But now///aged 48 11 months....they are regular as a clock just like in my 20s...but yes tranex thingy acid...couple of flushes...but looks like I am way off fuckfuckfuck

[BigBoobiedBertha]

Not got to the heavy bleeding bit yet ('only' 46), although my hitherto clockwork periods aren't running quite like clockwork any more so it probably won't be long until it is my turn to want an end to it all.

However, I just wanted to post about the Mirena as I had one after DS2 was born. Yes, you would feel it fall out but you are supposed to go back 6 weeks after it is fitted to make sure it is still in place. Presumably if it is going to fall out it is most likely to do it at the beginning. You are also supposed to go back every year to make sure it is in the right place. You don't just put it in and ignore it for 5 years (or 10 as I think it has been changed to now but don't quote me on that).

I don't have one now, I have a copper one. I found that while I had it I put on a lot of weight which I couldn't shift until I had it taken out and changed to the copper. For periods though, it was fab. Very little bleeding from the beginning and after about 6 months no bleeding at all. If I could be sure all the weight I put on wasn't the fault of the Mirena I would have one again. I think in your circumstances I would give it a go. If it doesn't make much difference in say, 3 or 4 months, you could always have it taken out again.

[solidgoldbrass]

Oh dear... Sending you all lots of sympathy but also, having read the thread, am going 'Eeek! What might happen to me?' I am 47, had erratic period for the past couple of years, not had one since May and started having hot flushes from mid-June onwards. But for the past week or so I have had the sort of niggly cramps and collywobbles that usually indicated an imminent period. Should I not throw out the spare Always just yet?

[Squeegle]

I think the ibruprofen might not be a coincidence. I have just been to see a gynaecologist for the same thing (bloodbath some months eek!)

He has prescribed me tranexamic acid. First on the list of suggestions was mirena coil, but I wanted to try something less invasive first.

He suggested I try the tabs with non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs- I believe ibuprofen is one. This is what "NICE" says about them:

"reduce the body's production of prostaglandin ( a hormone like substance linked to heavy periods). These drugs are also painkillers"

So sounds like they may have some useful effect on heavy periods.

[crazynanna]

Mary I think the thread combusted with the hormonal rages on there.

I think one of my last posts was when I sobbed in the arms of the security guard in Tescos as they had no mince in the fridge

I was scanned for fibroids..but clear (ish)..showed "fibroid changes" or something.

They are regular but heavy and those pills help..I want them gone I tell ya!

solid no you ain't finished with the nappies yet I fear

[Bellaciao]

Horsemad
Re the Mirena and knowing when your periods would have stopped - I agree you wouldn't know. The same is true when using HRT - going from cyclical to continuous combined. If you start HRT less than 12 months before your last period you don't know when they're going to stop naturally. In this case the magic age is 54 when most women will be post menopausal.

So if you had a Mirena put in soon then when it came up for renewal eg after 5 years (not sure of the years either - thought it was 5 for contraception...but 4 for HRT - but could have changed this year - I wasn't aware) theoretically could still be fertile at 53 - but very unlikely. However if it suited you by this time you might be wanting oestrogen if not before so could have another Mirena for the progestogen part of HRT and you wouldn;t need to worry at all!

It's a real pain having heavy/unpredicatble periods - and I'm sure I've said this on another thread ( maybe the one that disappeared?) but when they finish you are in menopause for ever and a whole host of other lovely symptoms are there for you.....