Anemia/Periods/Phantom Morning sickness - Please help

[DharmaLovesDraco]

I suffer from anemia quite often, which my Dr said is due to my heavy periods and suggested I take the pill in order to keep my iron levels up.

In the past I have been on the pill and tbh I hate it, I used to get all the side effects going and I have also tried the coil, which I bled with every day for 10 months before I conceeded defeat. This time he suggested I try Yasmin as apparently it's the one with least side effects, which I duly have; however I have realised today that since the day I took it I have felt awful, there has been the odd vomiting moment coupled with constant nausea, and I mean constant (I stupidly thought it was a bug as there's been various things flying around) which has effected my studying/work/home life. It is just like morning sickness.

So what else can I do for my anemia? Would it be so bad that that I have to take iron tablets all the time (which the Dr seemed to think I would want to avoid) he has also suggested lazering my womb (which again I'm not keen on).... what can I do besides hormonal contraception??

And tbh I don't think my periods are even that bad really, heavy bleeding for 2-3 days (have to change every 2 hours for the first day, then 4 hours from then on).

Just so fed up, and feeling like shite :(

[TheReturnOfBridezilla]

Bumping. I get anaemic every now and then, also suffer from very heavy periods and get awful nausea. I think it's the heavy periods making me slightly anaemic which in turn leads to the headaches and nausea. I take Cileste which is pretty good on the period front but I have been having awful pmt so am considering a copper coil... I know. I just can't seem to handle hornones any more.

[chimchar]

Sorry you're feeling shitty.

Ill be the first to say it here, but have you tried a mooncup? My periods have got much lighter since using it and are now really manageable. They used to be horrendous.

I have no idea how it does that, but it does!!!

[RooneyMara]

I just wrote a very long reply and there was a server disconnect, gahh! Sorry, will try and get it all in concisely.

1. Iron tabs are yuck, they make you constipated and there are alternatives - Spatone is excellent, try and get it on offer in Boots or somewhere, on a 3 for 2 is what I did as it's a bit expensive. But it works, I'm pg and it got my levels right up in a few weeks.
   

1. Getting your iron up MIGHT help the bleeding to calm down - I've no idea if this is a myth but I've always found I bleed more if I'm anaemic, or maybe that's just cause and effect! (when not pg I mean - was a veggie and a bad cook for many years!) But anyway, it cannot do any harm.
   

1. There are many many pills and they're based on different hormones so while you react to this one, you might be fine with a different sort. Many people find that - I felt dreadful on microgynon when I took it for 2 months. I gave up and got pregnant, rather than try a different one
   

So ask for another sort if you want to try that.

Good luck and I know how rubbish it makes you feel but hopefully it'll get better soon x

[wrinklyraisin]

I'm looking for similar advice as I suffer the same things! I don't want to take the pill though so am looking for tips on good iron supplements.

It's crappy feeling so crappy. You have my sympathies. Hugs x

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I would ask the GP to refer you to a gynae to properly establish the cause of the heavy periods. Sometimes fibroids can cause heavy bleeding to arise.

I would try and ascertain the cause as well as treating the symptoms. Many GPs are not up to date at all when it comes to such issues and can mess around in ignorance.

[DharmaLovesDracosbaubles]

Thank you everyone, I feel much better today as the nausea has almost gone.

I do have a moon cup, but tend not to use it as I leak all the time, I just can't seem to get it to fit right, maybe I'll give it another go and see. I definitely bleed more if I am anemic, and my GP said that it causes you to bleed more.

I will go back to the GP and also check out Spatone as I really don't want to go on the pill - I'm sick of feeling crappy!!

Thanks again

[idlevice]

There is a drug called Tranexamic acid which reduces menstrual bleeding. It can be prescribed by gp or bought over the counter at Boots. I have taken it for ages for heavy periods due to fibroids. I wouldn't recommend taking it unless you have been thoroughly checked for gynae conditions.

Also the herb Agnus Castus (aka Vitex) is good for regulating the cycle & easing PMS symptoms. It needs to be taken for several months to see an effect though. I find it lengthens my cycle & shortens the actual bleeding time.

If you want to supplement with iron, the best thing to take is a haeme iron supplement as this is the most absorbable. They are more expensive but you won't be pissing out as much iron down the toilet (literally!). Spatone is good but not enough to get over anaemia, ok for maintenance or just low iron-levels.

[chimchar]

glad you're feeling better.

Do try your MC. it took me about 4 or 5 cycles to get it right...cut the stem off completely if it rubs at all. Wear a liner too for confidence or to catch leaks, and when I was starting out I used to carry some tampons too for when it just wouldn't sit right.

I'm 4 years down the line now, and I can't tell you how different my periods are since finding the moon cup.

I hope you're feeling a bit more hopeful and can try some of the stuff on here. good luck.

[smearedinfood]

I had the same issues and was put on the pill while I was a teenager.

I am now not on the pill. What I found helped with period pain was Pilates. I have no scientific basis for this but since I started Pilates the pain is not as bad.

I use spatone every day and eat red meat 3 times a week.

Seems to be working ...