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Original poster

Ridiculously heavy periods. Sorry if tmi.

20 replies

PhaedrasChocolate · 26/10/2018 11:28

Right, this has been going on for a while now, I've put it down to being perimenopausal, but I still need to make sure it's normal.

I've had to cancel something tonight that I've really been looking forward to which has prompted me to ask the question.

I'm 48, my periods have gone to about every 6/7 weeks. I have no idea when to expect it because it's so erratic, and when it comes it's like a bloodbath. I lose clots almost as big as my hand, the flow is heavy enough that I get through a super plus tampon and a pad every hour or so.

It's got to the point where I don't dare leave the house, which used to be normal on the first day, but now it's for about 5 days, and then it just stops suddenly.

Is this normal? I'm wary of going to the docs because I suspect they won't really be that arsed

OP posts:

Tattletale · 26/10/2018 11:32

First of all please go to the Dr. I had heavy periods all my life but at 36 they got absolutely unbearable. I tried different types of contraception to control them and it didn't work as well as medication. The Dr eventually sent me for a womb ablation. This was 2 years ago and I haven't had a period since. It's honestly changed my life. You shouldn't have to put up with the level of bleeding you are having. You will probably need your iron levels checked as I became anaemic at one point.

SheeshazAZ09 · 26/10/2018 11:34

I had similar to you pre-menopause. With me it was fibroids plus enlarged uterus, which I put down to taking the pill when I was 19 (doubters should read Dr Ellen Grant's book The Bitter Pill). It's not 'normal' but it is increasingly common, due to the amount of deliberate (the pill) and non-deliberate (estrogen-mimicking chemical pollutants) endocrine disruption that is imposed on women. By all means go to your GP/gynae for a diagnosis and to rule out anything serious, but in the end I had to turn to alternative medicine and adjust my diet to make a difference. Now post-menopausal and never felt better.

Original poster

PhaedrasChocolate · 26/10/2018 11:41

What changes did you make to your diet Sheeshaz? I was on the pill from 20-40 apart from having my babies, dp had a vasectomy a few years ago so that I could stop using hormonal contraception so for the last 8 years I haven't taken anything.

Tattle I've wondered for a while about ablation, but I know the general consensus seems to be that nobody really cares, we're just expected to get on with it!

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Menopause Women's health

EBearhug · 26/10/2018 11:42

No. Go to the GP - if you can, take a flow diary - not just days, but how often you have to change protection; if you need to double up (i.e. tampon and pad); any flooding; any clots, with an idea of size (I think over about 50p size counts as large, so the size of your hand is truly impressive, but not a good thing.) Pain levels, any nausea, diarrhoea, faintness. You already have an idea of all this anyway. Be sure to mention how it's restricting your life, because you can’t go out some days.

It probably is because of your age, but that doesn't mean there's nothing they can do. There's a range of options, some of which may or may not be suitable, and some may not be effective, but there are definitely options.

Also, with that sort of blood loss, I would want my iron levels checked, and also possibly a referral to gynaecologist to scan for anything which could be causing that sort of blood loss - fibroid or endometriosis or whatever.

If you have a GP who tries to fob you off, be assertive. Get a second opinion. There are still those who will dismiss i'r as something women have to live with, but there are also those like mine , who said, "no woman should have her life dictated by periods in tissue day and age."

EvePolastriSorryBaby · 26/10/2018 11:47

Ask for Tranexamic Acid. Life changer!!

Aprilislonggone · 26/10/2018 11:48

Look into soft tampons op. I have just ordered some!!

Original poster

PhaedrasChocolate · 26/10/2018 11:49

I do have small hands to be fair! I can cope at home and work, but I was going on a ghost hunt tonight and I can't deal with it in the dark all night without proper facilities.

The pains are doable, it's the physical blood loss and inconvenience. Even if I go to the shop, I can feel it while I'm standing in the queue, and would be mortified if I flooded all over my clothes.

Weirdly they've never been too bad until about 5 years ago, but they're making up for it now!

OP posts:

Dragonlight · 26/10/2018 11:55

I'm going through the same and it's horrible. I'm wearing double pads and still needing to change constantly and I wear a jumper tied round my waist just in case. I'm pretty sure mine is endo as I have other symptoms too but ponstan helps a bit to lighten flow and reduce pain.

Please do go to the doctor and ask for a referral to a gynae. No one should have to put up with this!

TheFuckfaceWhisperer · 26/10/2018 12:06

To be fair, it is common during peri-menopause and a lot of doctors don't seem interested. I showed the doctor photos of my large clots (one the size of my palm) and I was anaemic and was just prescribed iron and away you go missus

fluffycatinahat · 26/10/2018 12:12

Def get checked out by a doctor - loads of possible reasons

Mine used to be like that, had anaemia, bled on a work chair (cringe), tranexamic acid, polyp, hysteroscopy etc

In the end I got a mirena for my endo and it transformed my life spotting for ages but then no periods

AornisHades · 26/10/2018 12:18

Mine did the same sort of thing with the palm sized clots etc and I did get referred to gynae. There was a chat about Mirena but I really didn't want the hormones. My iron store levels were shocking and within a week or two my ablation was done. No underlying cause like fibroids and I haven't had a period since.

Original poster

PhaedrasChocolate · 26/10/2018 12:47

Thanks for all your advice. It's a major pita isn't it? I just wish it would all stop, I don't need it for anything any more!

OP posts:

HouseOfMouse · 26/10/2018 12:49

Fairly normal but you should definitely get it checked out as there may be a solution. I had this (but with terrible pain too) and it turned out to be fibroids. I was also anaemic which was making me tired and ill - but this was easily treated.

Armi · 26/10/2018 14:59

I went to the doctor recently as I spent the other weekend at home, changing sanitary protection and sitting on a towel on the sofa. Over the last few years my periods have become insanely heavy and I’m sick of not being able to get on with things. The doctor was great and has prescribed tranexamic acid - period due in a few weeks so will give it a whirl. If I don’t get on with that, she said there are other things we can try.

Go to the doctor. It’s the 21st century - women shouldn’t be at the mercy of this aspect of our biology.

chumbal · 26/10/2018 15:07

As others have said please go to the GP. I mentioned similar issues in passing when I went to the GP for something else

Had a scan & they found 8.5cm cyst on one ovary It is benign but showed me how I need to stop ignoring me & my stuff

If your GP is not helpful see someone else .

DaisyDreaming · 26/10/2018 15:13

I went to my GP, tranemic acid has made a big difference to me as did correcting my iron levels. Heavy bleeding causes anemia and anemia can
Cause heavy bleeding so I think I was stuck in that cycle. I also had a scan to rule out fybroids. Don’t suffer as there’s things that can be done

Roussette · 26/10/2018 16:19

Phaedras, I am way beyond the menopause but what you described in your OP is exactly what I went through, the only difference being they happened between every 20 and 28 days! So sometimes it meant that I barely got a break of a week or two before it all started again!

I used to have to try and move my part time job around so as not to be in work. I got adept at double tampons, double towels, double knickers (total flooding, lumps of chopped liver, sorry TMI)... and at night, OMG. I was up at least twice a night changing everything and when I properly got up in the morning, it was like they'd filmed SAW in there, I had to clean everywhere!

My worst experience was catching a plane, you can't cancel just because you have a period, and if there's turbulence and they put the seatbelt sight on....

What the Doctors did...
Yes I went on tranexamic and sorry but it barely helped.

I think I had some sort of scrape, made no difference.

Sorry, but the only thing that helped was my periods stopping and my god I have never felt such freedom in my life! Sorry I'm not helping!

HouseOfMouse · 26/10/2018 16:35

I resorted to wearing waterproof overtrousers in bed (the sort you wear on walking holidays) - not glamorous but it helped to protect the sheets somewhat!

SheeshazAZ09 · 28/10/2018 09:54

PhaedrasChocolate: For me what worked was a combo of homeopathic treatment and diet -- the latter meant going almost 100% organic, whole food, lots of fruit and veg, minimal dairy/meat/fish. Omitting sugar was major, too.

ItsalmostSummer · 28/10/2018 10:07

Totally get it. I’m going through the same. I feel like I live in a murder house when it comes. I have had accidents out and about too. All very embarrassing. I’m currently trialling options with my doctor and soon a gyno. Best of luck.

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