unusually heavy period

[NeatFreak]

My period arrived yesterday and was just as it normally is. However, since I woke up this morning it has been really heavy, soaking through a pad every hour or so and every time I stand up I pass huge clots (some 5cm plus) I'm not too crampy but feel a little faint. I think the blood loss has lessened slightly but not the clots. I've never had one like this before!

Dh is getting panicky and making me a bit worried. We are on holiday 400 miles from home so can't ring the doc and not sure if I really need to anyway...

Any advice or reassurance would be greatly appreciated.

(i am categorically NOT pregnant!)

[Canistaysane]

omg. I could have wrote this. I get the same and last year I went to doctors but all they did was send me for a scan. I still get the problem now.I think you should visit your doctor although mine didn't really come up with any solutions.
Your doctor might be better than mine. If you find anything out please keep posting.

[whomovedmychocolate]

How old are you?

[NeatFreak]

I'm 32...

[Canistaysane]

I don't want to jump in on Neatfreaks thread, Hoping she will reply soon.
I'm 37.

[foxinsocks]

The clots are horrible. Mine are like that every time I have one grrr.

Make sure you keep drinking fluids and if you can get any iron, I would take it. See your GP when you get back as there are things they can do (tablets you can take when it's this heavy, different contraception etc etc).

[whomovedmychocolate]

Ideally you need to get hold of some nefamic or transxemic acid to stop the bleeding. What country are you in. Unless it's UAE any casualty dept will prescribe drugs to stop the bleed.

Lie down and stay down. Keep your head lower than your feet. Drink a lot of fluids to prevent your blood pressure dropping.

And seek help. You might have an ovarian cyst, endometriosis, an ectopic pregnancy (yes I know you say it's not possible but unless you are celibate funny things do happen), or it could be that you've just got a kick up the arse from your hormones and it will pass.

I assume you have not done any high risk activities on holiday (bungee jumping/ base jumping etc.) which could have caused abdominal injury?

[NeatFreak]

Thanks. Were in the UK.
I'm about to ring NHS direct- my back is now cramping and my shoulder hurts, which I know shouldn't be ignored.

[Canistaysane]

If you find out anymore can you keep posting as I had similar and am a bit worried now. hope everything is o.k.

[foxinsocks]

Poor you. Hope all is ok.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Oh gosh, that's not good. Please go to casualty if you have been bleeding over 24 hours in this way. Shoulder pain in particular should not be ignored in the circs. Good luck to you.

[Canistaysane]

I had it a few days ago now but not the shoulder pain. I had really bad backpain though( lower back). Anyway my period has gone for this month but if I get it next time I think I will be seeking help . ASAP.

[Canistaysane]

I have been losoing clots every month since last year but I went to doctors lots of times about it last year and they didn't seem to be any help. would you say it's not normal? are you in a medical job?

[whomovedmychocolate]

Canistaysane - if you are soaking through more than a towel an hour it's not normal nor should it be allowed to continue. Your first line of defence is to take drugs to slow the bleeding down, or you may choose to go for a contraceptive method which will stop your periods (such as the Mirena coil).

It's not unusual in perimenopausal women for periods to suddenly get much heavier but it is treatable. But you should be investigated for endometriosis as well as having a full blood count to rule out anaemia (which will be the end result if the bleeding is allowed to continue unabated anyway).

[whomovedmychocolate]

If you are getting no joy with your GP go to a family planning clinic or ask for a referral to a gynaecologist.

[Canistaysane]

O.k. Thanks for your advice. I was anaemic last year and was put on iron tablets for a while. I am feeling a little unmotivated lately so I'm wondering if the anaemia has returned. Although I don't feel as wiped out as I did when I was diagnosed last year.
How are you NeatFreak?

[whomovedmychocolate]

Hmm, any swelling in your abdomen Canistaysane? Or pain if you press down on your lower abdomen? Has your GP ever mentioned endometriosis? Did your mum or a sister experience similar problems?

[Canistaysane]

No I don't think so although I've never lost the "baby bump" since I had dd and she is now 2yrs.8 months.

[NeatFreak]

Thanks all. I have been to a and e and concluded it is a very heavy period so I have two types of medication and need to have my iron levels checked next week. Pregnancy test was negative, as I expected.

Off to bed now. Appreciate the advice

[Canistaysane]

I should say I'm not huge but have a flabby belly if that's the right description.

[Canistaysane]

Glad it was nothing serious NeatFreak

[foxinsocks]

Glad you are ok. Don't forget to keep the fluids up :-). I always forget and it makes you feel so much more shite not drinking enough.

[Milliways]

If it helps, this happened to me twice (a few months apart) and about 2 years ago. I literally could not leave the bathroom. I then got scared every month that it would happen again, but apart from the odd heavy (but manageable with super plus tampons) period, nothing like that again.

Apparently every woman should expect at least one like that before they hit the peri-menoause?

[whomovedmychocolate]

I would go to the GP canistaysane. Abdo swelling must be checked out - yes it could be fat but equally you could have a ovarian cyst. Or some structural abnormality leftover from pregnancy.

[Canistaysane]

I did have a scan last year and as far as I am aware they didn't find anything major. but I am considering an appointment with GP in September as ds will be at school again then( he is 7yrs) I don't want to take him with me you see as it's a personal subject.