Heavier periods now at 45 - normal?

[Petals23]

So for the last year my periods have become a lot heavier, to the point where I'd have a bit of leaking through clothes. Otherwise periods are still regular. Is this normal at my age or something to worry about?

I’m ur age. My last period went on for over a year. Yup. U read that right. Over a year.
My doctor had me checked out and all fine. She said I was probably peri menopausal and this is all just the start of it.
I would have it double checked especially if your not normally like this. But I would imagine your joining the peri menopause club.
My doctor told me this crap could possibly last for ten year. Let that one sink in. 😶

Could be normal but worth getting checked out with your GP. They may send you for an ultrasound. Are you getting more period cramps too?

Mine have started to get heavier I'm 40. Dm was 42 when menopause hit.
Lots of flooding last month thank goodness I'm not at work! If it happens this month I will have to ring and ask the doctor I think.

Yep, I'm late 40s and flooded for the first time in my life last year.

Yes, this is a normal symptom. You do not have to put up with it though! I was prescribed Tranexamic acid, which knocked the periods right back to manageable normal levels of flow and duration. @Paranoidmarvin did your GP make no effort at all to help you find coping strategies/meds to help you through this?? Because there are lots of things worth trying. Far too many GP's including some female ones seem to have an attitude that it's just something women have to suck up.

Very normal. Probably the start of peri-menopause. If you're like me, other symptoms will soon start as well.

Also @Petals23 there's a special sub forum on here for Menopause, which has loads of useful info and support.

Yes mine have done this too-it’s a common peri menopause symptom. Ibuprofen helped a bit and then got transexemic acid as pp which helped a lot.

You don’t need to suffer heavy periods. Speak to dr and if they can’t / won’t help get a referral to gynaecologist. For decades I thought heavy periods were normal until I made a flippant remark to a gynaecologist and she printed of prescription before continuing with what I’d gone to see her about.

@MoaningMinniee yes. We have changed my pill. But has taken over eight month to kick in. I’m not interested in having a coil etc as I have internal problems.

It has calmed down now a bit. But has taken over a year.

Yes it's normal, I had flooding where I was afraid to leave the house
I had an endometrial ablation which was life changing
I was lucky that I never had another period after,and must've gone into the menopause
Do see your GP, you may also be anaemia which makes you feel crap too

My periods were heavier in my 40s and I became anaemic. It turned out I had fibroids (huge) and I had a hysterectomy at 45.

It can also be a symptom of hypothyroidism. Mine started getting really heavy over the space of a year, and I thought it may be peri-menopause. Tried the tranexemic acid but it didn't work, was referred to gynae consultant and had endometrial ablation which has cured the problem and been fantastic.

However, whilst all this was going on I had my thyroid tested and I am hypothyroid (I actually have Hashimoto's). Heavy periods is one of the more common symptoms of this.

I saw my GP last autumn for the same reason. I was sent for a scan to check for fibroids. It wasn't those so I now have a repeat prescription for tranexamic acid which makes them easier to cope with again. It's made a huge difference to me.

@captainmycaptain snap! Exactly the same for me. Best and quickest solution👍.

“My periods were heavier in my 40s and I became anaemic. It turned out I had fibroids (huge) and I had a hysterectomy at 45.“

Same for me too and I had adenomyosis aswell.

Reading this with interest. I am 49, also perimenopausal as my periods have become irregular. Have been to the drs this week re my really heavy and flooding periods. They were so bad that I had to change during the night and I flooded through a towel which was under me for a few nights. I could not leave the house. Lots of clots too. The dr took some bloods for testing, I was prescribed transexemic acid which don’t seem to done much. My period is now day 15. Will see what the blood test results show....

[quote Ohdeariedear]@captainmycaptain snap! Exactly the same for me. Best and quickest solution👍.[/quote]
Yes. Life was so much easier afterwards.

I've had this too, I overnight gained the ability to flood through a super plus tampon, a liner, knickers and jeans in the space of a couple of hours.
My GP was very good and I was referred to the hospital where I was proved in all manner of ways I have not experienced before. I apparently have some polyps and would qualify for some sort of surgery. However I was also prescribed tranexamic acid which 100% agrees with me and has returned my periods to the carefree experiences of my early twenties (though I have not succumbed to roller skating in tight white jeans yet)
As I am peri menopausal and DM was finished by 42 I have opted to carry on with the tablets unless things get worse.

I had a hysterectomy at 45, via key hole surgery. I was out in a day and recovered by 6 weeks. Best thing ever no more periods. My GP was not keen about referring me to a Consultant for 'just' heavy periods, but I developed a polyp in my womb so did eventually see one. I asked him about a hysterectomy and he agreed to carry out the procedure (removing the polyp too).

Mine got much heavier post DD2 and then worse when I was early 40’s. I started taking evening primrose oil capsules on a friend’s recommendation and they have been great for reducing flow and shortening my cycle to 28/29 days when it had been anywhere from 34 - 39 days since my 20’s!