Help me decide about Norethisterone (or suggest an alternative?)

[Alabasterangel6]

Gah. Procrastinating.

I am 47 and probably perimenopausal. Last few years I’ve come off the Mirena and my periods are heavy-ish (certainly more so than pre-Mirena and DC). My cycles are not clockwork but vary between 26-29 days. This cycle threw me a curve ball and was 32 days and as a result my next period is due to turn up either the day before we go on our beach holiday or certainly during it. It turning up the day before would be the best case as at least by the time I get there it would be day 3 and only a day or two to manage. But if I get another whacky cycle it’ll be all over the holiday. Usually lasts 5-7 days. Joy.

I’ve got a practice nurse appt tomorrow to ask for Norethisterone but I’m cautious. I get constipated and bloated and grumpy with PMT anyway and I don’t fancy exacerbating that or extending it. I’m also very cautious with hormones - family history of hormone related cancers and I came off the Mirena for that reason. I don’t like to ‘mess’ with mine.

So what else could I do? Thoughts are tranexamic acid (never tried it before) to at least minimise things down a bit - I believe you can buy this OTT? Is that the case?

I’ve got a mooncup and I’ve tried and tried but don’t get on with it. It makes me cramp terribly. Ditto tampons.

Suppose it’s a ‘WWYD’ in my situation?

I took Norethisterone for a holiday and wouldn't take it again. It not only didn't work, but my fairly regular 7 day period lasted the 2 weeks of my holiday and they've been messed up ever since. I was also a complete crazy woman.

That’s what worries me. I don’t want to mess or make things worse!!

Does tranexamic acid properly slow the flow or make it lighter but thus extend it?

I love norethisterone. I’ve taken it twice for holidays, it worked like a dream and I had no side effects whatsoever.

There's also a risk of clots.
Tranexamic acid only works for me when I get it iv'd.