Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

My life is being ruined by heavy periods

147 replies

ImFree2doasiwant · 01/11/2020 23:01

Sounds dramatic I know. But I am t the end of my tether with it. I have lived with it for well over 2 years now. Saw the GP when my maternity leave was finishing as wasn't sure how I would cope at work.

There have been times when it's not quite as bad. And indeed in general it's improved. But, I am bleeding for weeks at a time. Months in fact. Heavily. Losing large clots. Having to waddle to the loo. Have to use the accessible toilet at work so I can properly clean up. Been to the loo 3 times in the last 10 minutes to change a fucking massive pad that was full.

I'm severely anaemic. Exhausted. I do have underactive thyroid which I think may be the cause but who on earth knows? I know the bleeding us even worse if I run out of thyroxine for a few days.

I've had a scan, showing nothing small ovarian cysts and thickened womb lining, GP seemed unconcerned but has referred me to a Gynaecologist. I've had a letter back saying "No appointments available ".

I've had tranexamic acid. Which doesn't work (as predicted by the GP)
My sleep is disturbed as the feeling of losing the blood wakes me. I've done 3 extra loads of washing today - bedding, pjs and bath mat and washable pads.

Has anyone had this and what did you do? I'm desperate. I even said receny that at least I had no real pain and bingo, now I'm getting pains. I have no idea how I can go on like it.

OP posts:
Original poster
ImFree2doasiwant · 02/11/2020 16:36

@OwlOne I've been taking the mini pill back to back for over a year, it's done nothing. So no, it doesn't just stop periods.

OP posts:
hopeishere · 02/11/2020 16:36

@NeilBuchananisBanksy first off he prescribed Esyma but it's been withdrawn. My GP hadn't even heard of it.

I'm now getting a mirena.

Roselilly36 · 02/11/2020 16:51

Mirena is the way to go OP, I had terrible heavy periods, I don’t have any now, I am on my 3rd & final Mirena, as this one will take me through the menopause.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health
CottonSock · 02/11/2020 16:53

I got to 6 ferritin a couple of years ago. Tried mini pill which didn't work. Combined pill has been amazing. Gp said I can stay on it until 50 if I stay healthy.

CottonSock · 02/11/2020 16:56

Sorry, missed your post about combined pill op and now I sound really gloaty. Could you discuss a lower dose one maybe?

Original poster
ImFree2doasiwant · 02/11/2020 17:09

@CottonSock haha no problem. I should have listed all I've tried or not been able to have in my OP. I'm having a crap time of it atm and posted in desperation really. I'm glad it's work for you though! smug Grin

OP posts:
Mischance · 02/11/2020 17:11

I had a hysterectomy for this very reason - lengthy impossibly heavy and painful periods. I never looked back. Do not dismiss his idea if your family is complete. It was a life saver for me - I got some real life back.

Original poster
ImFree2doasiwant · 02/11/2020 18:29

@Mischance I'd happily have a hysterectomy, it's not being offered. GP said it isn't an option for heavy periods!

OP posts:
RettyPriddle · 02/11/2020 18:40

The heavy bleeding and anaemia will probably only get worse, so push for an appointment. Then, consider eblation (and a coil, at the same time - you can always have it removed asap if it’s a problem). NHS won’t do a hysterectomy, until you’ve tried eblation. If you don’t want any more babies, eblation and/or a coil could cure your problem. If not you can then go on the list for a hysterectomy.

OwlOne · 02/11/2020 18:52

[quote ImFree2doasiwant]@OwlOne I've been taking the mini pill back to back for over a year, it's done nothing. So no, it doesn't just stop periods.[/quote]
Oh no @ImFree2doasiwant sorry to be suggesting something so useless to you. :-(

Bagpuss324 · 02/11/2020 19:18

Are you overweight? I don't want that to sound rude, but I was having heavy periods and it turned out to be fibroid and oestrogen related - apparently excess weight can cause too much oestrogen.

I was overweight at the time, and decided to lose weight to see if it would help. Thankfully it did but I realise it will be different for everyone.

Original poster
ImFree2doasiwant · 02/11/2020 23:12

@OwlOne sorry, Its just so frustrating. How I wish the mini pill worked fur me as it does for you and others!

OP posts:
Original poster
ImFree2doasiwant · 02/11/2020 23:16

@Bagpuss324 I am overweight, not hugely but could lose a couple of stones. I have lost just over a stone, but it's a vicious circle, I'm exhausted, and have underactive thyroid so am struggling to do the things I need to do lose weight, and when I do eat well it's so slow to come off. That said, I have always had heavy periods, right from being a young teenager, and when I was really quite underweight too.

OP posts:
Highfalutinlootin · 03/11/2020 06:13

OP, it's outrageous that you're willing to have a body part removed rather than try the coil, which is the most popular form of contraceptive in most countries the world over and works wonders for millions of women. You can have it removed if you don't like it. But it is the one suggestion that really does work for your situation, and you're refusing to try it.

Caeruleanblue · 03/11/2020 06:32

Well , obviously, if you are bleeding heavily DHs sex life could be curtailed - no wonder the female GP sat up and found a solution when he went with you OMFG

NeilBuchananisBanksy · 03/11/2020 06:39

@Highfalutinlootin

OP, it's outrageous that you're willing to have a body part removed rather than try the coil, which is the most popular form of contraceptive in most countries the world over and works wonders for millions of women. You can have it removed if you don't like it. But it is the one suggestion that really does work for your situation, and you're refusing to try it.
Stepping in here as I'm also refusing the coil and I feel you are being very dismissive of the op.

I hate how it's seen as some amazing cure when for a significant amount of women it does not work and actually makes bleeding worse.

Also you can't just have it removed. Drs don't like to do it- they'll just fob you off with 'give it time to settle' there's loads of posters on here where the mirena made their live worse.

I'd also rather have a hysterectomy than more hormones. I know my body and I know that it's highly unlikely to work for me.

For those that it works for, great. But it's not the amazing cure for everyone and if the op doesn't want to try it, that's her choice.

ouchmyfeet · 03/11/2020 06:52

Came here to recommend the Mirena coil which has absolutely changed my life. I now have no periods whatsoever, having previously had 8-9 days each month of heavy bleeding.

Am also a bit mystified by the OP's refusal to consider it, it's amazing. I understand that is doesn't work for all, I was reluctant myself for that reason, but I couldn't go on as I was and had to try something. Mine was inserted under GA as it was combined with another procedure but no one ever mentioned having given birth to my own hideously large children as being an issue

TeddyIsaHe · 03/11/2020 07:09

The thing is, drs will work their way up treatment. They will never go straight to ablation. So the logical next step for you is the Mirena.

I had one fitted in July after I kept passing out all over the place due to my horrendously heavy periods. Having a 3 yo meant that wasn’t the best idea!

I couldn’t recommend it more. I’ve gone from flooding and crippling pain, exhaustion etc, to barely even needing a pad on my ‘heavy’ period days. No cramping, no PMS, no weight gain, my sexual drive hasn’t been affected.

It works far better than the pill, because the hormone is concentrated directly in your womb, rather than starting your stomach.

When I had mine fitted, every single women at the iCash clinic had one. That spoke volumes to me.

mizu · 03/11/2020 07:20

I had a total hysterectomy 5 years ago -almost to the day - and it was the best thing I ever did.
Yes, there is a process of getting there, I had the merina coil (was not for me, felt like a weight had been lifted when it was removed) then ablation which worked for a few months.

I had 12 day periods. However I also had a whole range of other period related shit like for example:
Migraines
Very low mood for 10+ days before period
Extreme tiredness

It took years of going to the doctor to be told no, and moving house and going to a new doctor to be told I could be referred to the gynaecologist.

My mum and her mum also had full hysterectomies around the same age.

OwlOne · 03/11/2020 07:51

@Highfalutinlootin

OP, it's outrageous that you're willing to have a body part removed rather than try the coil, which is the most popular form of contraceptive in most countries the world over and works wonders for millions of women. You can have it removed if you don't like it. But it is the one suggestion that really does work for your situation, and you're refusing to try it.
I understand this. I wince at the thought of a coul inside me. And wince more at how they would get it in to me.

But a hysterectomy seems like a way of putting and end to all of the issues that could/will follow.

Just seems less yuck than a coil and you get reassurances too. No bleeding no cancer no prolapse

OwlOne · 03/11/2020 07:54

Ps, my gp did also try and push mirena on me. I suppose if mini pill hadnt work i could have taken a fistful of valium and had a coil inserted but ... omg.

PimlicoJo · 03/11/2020 07:59

An ablation is a much less radical solution than a hysterectomy, with minimal recovery time. The ablation doesn't work long term for everyone and bleeding can return, in which case the next option is a hysterectomy. I've had no problems at all and I had it done 12 years ago. It transformed my life.

PegasusReturns · 03/11/2020 08:01

You’ve had lots of good advice OP so I hope you get this sorted.

I lived with heavy periods, progressing to the sort of periods you describe for 25 years. Finally at 40 I had endometrial ablation. It was transformational.

Thanks please push your GP or see another one. As period related threads always show the world seems split in two: the women who totally understand what it’s like to flood dramatically when you get up to leave a room and those that wonder how on earth women spend more than the 99p one pack of small tampons costs per period.

PegasusReturns · 03/11/2020 08:04

For those saying coil, for women with very heavy periods who have had babies the coil is not a great option: the cervix is no longer clamped shut post childbirth and so the heavy periods often flush them out.

CottonSock · 03/11/2020 08:48

I understand the reluctance for a coil. I'm the same, although it keeps getting suggested. I can't tolerate even tampons or examinations..I'm convinced I would feel it, or react to it like I do many things.
My mum had an ablation and she said it was life changing. A friend of mine died after a hysterectomy in her early 40s from suspected clot..it's a major operation which all carry risks. It's a gloomy tale, but she had 2 young children. It was such a shock.