Unusual periods

[daintytoes]

Hi posting in Chat for traffic.

Currently on the sofa with a hot water bottle and looking for a bit of advice. (I know a diagnosis via MN isn't possible but hopefully someone can offer some advice on how to deal with my symptoms. I do plan on going to my GP however he can be a little dismissive at times...seems as though whenever I visit he puts it down to stress!).

This is now the 2nd month I've experienced no actual bleeding but only passing pretty large clots. Both months I've had pretty awful cramping in my lower pelvic area but when I've checked my sanitary towel there's been nothing. When I've went to the toilet I've either passed very large clots into the toilet or they've come away when I've wiped myself. When I say large I'd say anything from a 2p size the almost double in size. I'm not sure what's considered large but it's large for me. I'm currently coming to the end of Day 2 this month.

I'm not taking any type of contraception and haven't done for about 4 years. I previously had the Mirena coil, while it was in I didn't have any periods at all and since it came out I've been regular as clockwork and with fairly typical periods. It's just these last 2 months, literally no bleeding but just clots with pretty bad pain and cramping. No chance I'm pregnant.

Has anyone else had this? Tia.

Clotting is a sign that you’re passing more blood than usual, but I think there’s a number of different things it could be. It is supposed to be more common as you approach menopause (don’t know whether that applies in your case), when things go a bit haywire anyway. I had very severe pain and clotting (age 49), and it turned out to be fibroids. I also had anaemia at one point. So initially I was put on an iron supplement, and told to take both paracetamol and neurofen (at the same time), for the pain - which worked better than feminax for me. Best thing would be to get your GP to refer you to a consultant gynae as they’ll be able to do the appropriate scans etc. to determine what’s going on.

If you Google, you can find flow diary templates online, and I think one I used ages ago said over 50p piece in size counted as a large clot.

Mine have certainly got heavier and clottier through my 40s.

It's worth getting your iron levels and so on checked. If your GP is usually dismissive, are there others in the practice you could see? At mine, we can book any female (or male) doctor, as well as a specifically named doctor, but it is a large group practice.

Thank you both for replying.

I'm 37 so not close to menopause afaik. One child early teens. I've been taking Paracetamol and Ibuprofen for the pain as well as my hot water bottle. Just v strange with the lack of blood (just spotting really) but the large clots. Have always experienced clots but not this size and so frequently. Had about 15 last month.

I know I need to bite the bullet and get to the GP. Small practice however I think there may now be another locum GP assisting, haven't actually been since last year.

Will make an appointment tomorrow and take it from there. Flaming periods

Have managed to make a GP appointment for next week.

Was up most of the night with horrendous cramping but it came to nothing. No bleeding no clots, just spotting

I've been passing big clots lately, sometimes with heavy flow but also when it's not that heavy. Although I'm almost 50 with a known fair size fibroid and perimenopausal. I'm on long term iron due to chronic anaemia.
Hope you get some answers

Thanks for replying dont.

It's so strange as it's not my normal at all. Hopefully it'll just be a case of iron supplements when I see the GP next week and that'll sort me out.

Cramping on and off today, sometimes enough to stop me in my tracks. And either nothing on the pad or a little spotting, but a large clot when I go to toilet. Hopefully this isn't my new normal...give me moderate cramps with a steady flow any day!

Hi again, thought I'd update. I went to my GP a couple of weeks ago and as predicted I was told my symptoms of excessive clotting and cramping was down to stress. I kind of predicted this would be suggested as I have a history of anxiety and in the past, like friends with similar health history, this is what virtually everything has been down to.

Very frustrating tbh as I know something doesn't feel right. My normal bowel pattern is constipation...I go about 1-2 days each week. But this is my normal. I get trapped wind a lot which builds as the day goes on but when I wake it's gone

I do have about a stone to lose and although I have a fluffy layer of fat over my tummy it is generally flat underneath. My tummy hasn't been flat for about a week, has been rounded and firm. I do circuits 3 times a week and walk about 30 minutes each day, sedentary job. Plus dog walks most evenings on top of the 30 mins walking.

Hopefully the photo attaches, taken early evening. But this here is what my tummy has been like continuously for a week (bloated a bit more now, but when I wake my tummy is basically like in the photo).

I don't really want to go back to the GP again period is due on Tuesday so we'll see what it brings...if it continues as it has been or if it is back to normal (4-5 days bleeding instead of horrendous huge clots very little actual blood).

Hmm. If you're not happy with what the GP is telling you, I'd push for a second opinion/referral, just to be sure. Unfortunately (some) GPs do have a tendency to fob us off - especially male GPs. If you still have horrendous clots and discomfort, it is not right if you are expected to just bear it.

I have a bit of experience to bring here. I had horrendous problems with pain and clotting for a number of years (from age 35). Eventually, after a great deal of "putting a brave face on" and soldiering on, it became unbearable and I was finally referred (then age 48) to a consultant gynae. He was brilliant, but by that stage I had a huge fibroid, plus a number of smaller ones, which meant that I had to have a hysterectomy. (Since when, I have to say, my life has been bliss - no pain!).
I'm not saying that this is what's happening with you, but I would say that if you think you're being fobbed, off, please persevere - if just to put your mind at rest. If I had kicked up a fuss and been properly diagnosed sooner, the drastic solution (hysterectomy) may not have been necessary.

I have a history of anxiety and in the past, like friends with similar health history, this is what virtually everything has been down to.

I get this when I go too, have had anxiety. Extra common reaction from gps when you're a woman. I hate it. Honestly, nothing pisses me off more. It's like Victorian doctors telling women they're hysterical. The backwards pigs.

I find a combination of buscopan (ibs tablets) and ibuprofen good for cramping. But don't know if that'd be ok with your constipation.

Is there a female gp you can see? I think you should be given a scan at least. It's not right you're left to be in pain.

Wtf aliclia17 .... I saw that before you got it deleted. Highly inappropriate don't you think?!

Thank you jemima and enid for your replies.

Today I've barely eaten a thing as I just don't feel hungry. Had a little bit at lunch but felt full and no appetite very quickly. I normally love my food and I'm ravenous by lunch despite having a filling breakfast. So far today, 2 mini falafels and small handful of crisps (celebration buffet in work). Tummy has been bloated all day. Period is due Tuesday but I've had a hot water bottle on stomach all day due to pain, max dose of paracetamol and ibuprofen so far. Pain radiating to back and down legs. Spotting a little. So I think this month is going to go the same way

I've made an appointment with GP for Monday (locus as normal GP is on holiday).

Jemima, so it took 13 years for you to be taken seriously? I don't think I can put up with this for another year...that's another 156 periods hopefully it's something which can just be sorted with medication, but I just want to get past the first hurdle (gp).

Could possibly be premenopausal symptoms (I'm only 35 and have them). See your gp x

Yes appointment booked for Monday. Gosh premenopausal? That's didn't even occur to me have you been having similar symptoms to me youjust ?

Yes, (sorry, phone autocorrected but it's peri not pre). Irregular, acting differently periods, extreme and constant exhaustion etc. Perimenopausal, at 35 :( Apprently, it can last "months", or a decade or more until my delightful "menopause" kicks in. Sigh.

What did your GP advise for you?

Morning
Have been to the gp again this morning and saw a locum. He's arranging for blood tests and swabs, then depending on that potentially an US in the future. Although he does suspect stress could be a factor I've had my fair share of stress but so sick of everything being put down to that! Obviously I'm not hoping for something serious, but if there's a treatment to stop this then I'll take it (medication etc) instead of being robbed off with bloody stress again.

Morning
Have been to the gp again this morning and saw a locum. He's arranging for blood tests and swabs, then depending on that potentially an US in the future. Although he does suspect stress could be a factor I've had my fair share of stress but so sick of everything being put down to that! Obviously I'm not hoping for something serious, but if there's a treatment to stop this then I'll take it (medication etc) instead of being robbed off with bloody stress again.