Heavy periods - how have/do you cope?

[majorcrowdpleaser]

Although regular, my periods are very heavy lasting 7 days with days 2-4 really heavy and passing horrible clots (sorry tmi!)

I have had a scan which showed a thicker than normal endometrial lining, a biopsy came back clear and a scan showed possible polyps.

Today I had a hysteroscopy which confirmed polyps but as the base of these were thick they couldn't remove them today and I will need to go back to hospital another time. As I am petrified at the thought of going under a GA I requested a local and if possible a thermal ablation at the same time, which they have agreed to.

However ,I am now having second thoughts having come back home and googled the possible complications of ablation!

I have in the past been prescribed tranexamic acid but have never taken them (has anyone ever tried these?)

I would really like some advice from anyone who has experienced heavy periods and how you coped etc as I have now completely confused myself but am sooo fed up with these heavy periods :(

[RedOnHerHedd]

Mine are always regular, lasting 14 days of proper bleeding, 7 of these very very heavy and painful (endometriosis). And then a further few day either side of the 14 days of spotting. I'd have about a week in between of not bleeding.

I've had
Tranexamic acid
Mefenamic acid
Cocodamol
Ibuprofen
(All taken together)

They did bugger all. I had to do a diary for two months and the gynaecologist asked me to try the progestogen only pill (POP). I'd already tried the mirena coil which caused all sorts of other problems.

Anyway, I was given the POP just before Xmas time and apart from one heavy period (which actually didn't hurt at all) I haven't bled or had any pain since (few days of spotting here and there)

My iron levels are now at an acceptable level for the first time in years!

She was going to schedule a hysterectomy when I have my next appointment with her in April as she said ablation doesn't always work and that if I get pregnant that it's life threatening to me.

So, even though I'm taking a hormone that I didn't necessarily want to take, I'm not taking the cocktail of pills that I was taking a few months ago and I now get to avoid having major surgery (at least for the time being anyway).

So for me the POP has been s lifesaver.

[2016namechangecomingalong]

Tranexamic acid and mega amid acid combined help massively with mine.

[majorcrowdpleaser]

Red - my friend swears by her POP and although I am loathed to try anything hormonal I have thought of this as an option - do you suffer from any side effects?

2016 - I have my packet of tranexamic acid just sitting in the cupboard unopened. I have been worried about them upsetting my IBS but will bite the bullet and try them next week when my period is due.

[KanyesVest]

Medina coil has worked wonders for me. Have it in a year this week. I had been using maternity pads with a mooncup, now there's a pink tinge when I wipe. Consultant said it's a gynae miracle and she does almost no hysterectomies now for dysmenorrhea.

[louise2011]

This is me for last 2 years. Horrific periods- I was just so tired from the immense blood loss. Changing pads & tampons hourly!
Mirena coil was a lifesaver- really didn't want it but was my only option apart from hysterectomy!
Honestly feel likes new woman these last 6 months

[majorcrowdpleaser]

Kanye and louise did you experience any side effects of the Mirena?

[KanyesVest]

Honestly, I'm not sure. My ovulation pains, periods and associated pmt (and post natal spd) had been getting worse in the previous 12-18 months and they are still bad. I really don't know if the merina has made it worse or if they would have got worse anyway. It's hard to judge, tbh, but not having 3 days of flooding each month really tips the balance back.

[RedOnHerHedd]

No side effects from the POP.
Tranexamic and mefenamic acid gave me terrible nausea and drowsiness. And the Mirena coil gave me a severe allergic reaction (which is the reason I didn't want any other hormone based treatment).

But I was at the end of my tether when I decided to give the POP a go. And was extremely skeptical about it, but I was very pleasantly surprised.

[lucjam2105]

I had ablation 15 months ago and highly recommend it. You need to have completed your family and they might want to sterilise you at the same time they did me. Best thing I ever did.