Tranexamic acid

[ImFree2doasiwant]

Does anyone know how it works? I've been prescribed it, GP saud she didnt think it would work but worth trying while I'm being referred to the gynae (there are no appointments available......)

I have very (VERY) heavy, very long periods. I'm very anaemic as a result.

I've been told to take 2 tablets 3 times a day for the first 4 days. I'm wondering, if this works, what happens to all the blood? As in normally, I'll have a very heavy 3 week long period. The nothing or just spotting for 3 weeks, then another very heavy 3 week long period.

I don't understand how taking tablets for 4 days will stop the flow that has to come out sometime?

I don’t know how it works but it does have an effect for me. I saw a gynae consultant today and he told me to carry on taking it.

I find i get more clots but it really helps

I get a lot of very large clots already, it's impossible to deal with. I'd be ecstatic of it worked, I just wonder, all the blood and clots I normally lose, builds up over those 3 weeks. It will still have built up......I do t understand. Id rather it was out than in. I'd rather it wasn't there in the first place!

Ive found it really helps Apologies if TMI but my periods were like water pouring out of me. Absolute carnage at times and I was scared to leave the house for the first couple of days. Thank God the loo is literally 5 steps away from my desk at work. Tranexamic thickened it up and made my periods more manageable. Just up once a night rather than 3 times! I’m on the waiting list for a hysterectomy but goodness knows when it’ll be with the COVID situation. Tranexamic is taking the edge off in the meantime.

Tranexamic acid helps with blood clotting - it will work on the blood vessels that provide the blood that creates your womb lining, almost like clogging them up so the blood isn't secreted into your womb in the first place iyswim.

Thickens the blood up and slows the flow hence less "fresh" blood pouring out of you and thus less blood loss overall. You'll still shed the womb lining that needs to be shed, just in a less torrential manner hopefully.
You poor thing- I hope it helps you suffer less

@Watto1im the same only I get huge ( up to fist sized) clots aswell. I can stand up and as you say, it just falls out. I have a much longer walk to the toilet at work, and have had an incident where it flooded down to my knees through my clothes. At work. (tmi you say......?) Or I feel a clot come out and sit on top of the pad. It's disgusting. Trying to Get to the loo and sit diwn, remove it etc. Without making a mess or it splatting on the floor.

@PatriciaPerch no appointments for at least 18 weeks. I have 2 children and am not having anymore.

What Watto1 said, it thickens the blood and I no longer feel like a running tap. It’s allows me to sleep better and I can go for a swim.

Ah well that doesn't give me much hope. I woke up 3 times between 4am and 6am with the sensation of losing a large clot.

I'll try it of course, but I'll stick with my initial "not expecting it to work" opinion.

DD just started on it this month (she’s only 14). It worked almost immediately.

Yes it kind of dries it up. I found it helpful but I could never get a repeat prescription. I bought some OTC from Boots but they don't sell it any more. Last time I had to beg GP for it and was lucky to get a locum who just agreed, normal GP is never so amenable. I've not needed it for about a year (and tbh as I'm now late 40s I keep hoping for the menopause but no luck in that yet!).

I know this is spouted all the time here but menstrual cup might help at night

Something like a super Jenni and a large surfboard size washable pad might help hold it back and protect you enough to dash to loo in morning.
I found cups game changing for heavy flow BUT I've not had the flood experiences you describe.

Might be worth looking at.

I'm the same but it didn't work for me. I have a fibroid and that's what is causing the problem.

Large one has capacity of 42 ish ml.

I thought mine was good at 25ml.

femininewear.co.uk/products/super-jennie-menstrual-cup-teal-large

@PatriciaPerch yes I've had a scan, small cysts on ovaries and thickened womb lining. Referred to gynae, had a letter back almost immediately, to say no appointments.

@Purringpaws I do have a menstrual cup but it's really no good for this sort of heavy flow. It's like a bloodbath trying to empty it. I do use it on "lighter" days (which I think most people would class as heavy) I have a fine collection of surfboard sized washable pads. They're a lifeline. I don't know how I'd cope without them .

Sorry didn't do much for me either. I used it along with Mefanemic (sp???) to ease horrendous pain. Ended up being put back in the pill which peed me off

Hope you get some relief soon OP.

I use this fir the same issues as you. Without it on the first day of my period I can't even walk downstairs after changing before having to go back.upstairs. I only live in a three bed semi not a mansion so not that far.
With the tablets I barely bleed at all.
I want to have the ablation but due to covodic I can't at the moment. I have had fibroids removed and had a biopsy was clear.however as its now Bern several months without the ablation I think I need to have the biopsy concession before j can have the ablation.

I'm. 44 and tests for peri menopause came back as negative as well. My mum.had ablation at a similar age and didn't have a period again!

Thank you. I have chased the GP up but will try again. Its impacting my life hugely at the moment, and has done for a couple of years now

I feel your pain. I have a v large fibroid over 10 cm and have been taking TA for about a year; one three times a day for the first four days It did initially help make things a bit more manageable although I have about 17 day periods now. I have to head for the loo if I need to sneeze or cough, make a sudden movement.. oh the list goes on..

@UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter it's awful isnt it? I've had that experience a lot, sometimes I dobt make it out of the bathroom. My drains have blocked twice withbthe large quantities of paper required to wipe. I'm glad to hear that you have had such improvements.

It's worked for me. I find it does extend my period by a day and an absolute game changer. I've been for a pelvic ultrasound which has come back all clear.

I find it works really quickly and if I miss a dose then the flow gets heavier very quickly too. It's quite fast acting.

It doesn't work for everyone but worth a try.