To think I shouldn't have to deal with

[SmileEachDay]

Periods that last 13 days (so far).

They've been all out of whack for months but this one is taking the piss.

At what point do I see a dr?

Is it the early signs of menopause? I'm in my early 40s.

Frankly it takes the piss.

Did I MENTION I also have spots?

This happened to me over Christmas.

Went to GP, had ultrasound. Went (privately) to a consultant and had an endometrial ablation. Few months later and periods haven't gone away completely but are significantly improved so it was worth the effort.

It could be anything though so I would definitely see your GP. I thought it was menopause too (am 45) but it wasn't and I'm glad I went or I think I'd still be bleeding 6 months later.

Endrometrial ablation??

WTF???

Oh GOD.

What IS that?

I had this in my 30s. Periods lasting a minimum of 9 days, usually 11 or more and my cycle was 21 days. I had everything going, bar a coil, as the thought of that gave me the creeps. I had a D&C and was told that no way would I have the period that was due, roughly, that weekend, and 4 days later, I was flooding all over the place and passing clots as well. That was the last straw. They gave me a hysterectomy at 33 and it was the best thing ever! I hadn't realised how much the constant bleeding took out of me. I was a different person after I recovered.

13 days is too long - yes, go see your GP. Could be a random hormonal blip, could be something easily fixable (not a medic). I get never-ending periods from time to time (but am older, on HRT etc) - I've been fully checked out and nothing is amiss; it just seems to be something that happens. I have some progesterone tablets I take to stop the flow.

They basically burn off the womb lining. Sometimes kills the periods completely but more often just reduces the intensity. I've gone from changing a super plus Tampax plus a pad every hour or two to only needing regular and changing every 6-8 hours. It sounds awful but it's really not that bad. Anyway you might not need anything so drastic. They will probably offer the Mirena coil first - they did with me too but I refused it as I've read too many horror stories about them.

And yes short term you can take Norethisterone or Provera type tablets that will stop or lessen the bleeding pretty quickly.

GP it is then.

FFS.

I'd happily get the whole lot whipped out it's NOTHING BUT TROUBLE.

I can't remember what it feels like to not feel flipping knackered.

They'll probably suggest you get your bloods tested too. I turned out to be dangerously anaemic due to the blood loss - been taking iron tabs since then and I have SO much more energy, I feel like a new woman.

That's good to hear Hunting - I'm currently existing on caffeine and sugar

My haemoglobin level was so low the GP said "How are you even managing to walk?"

I'd felt that way for months but figured I was just tired like we all are as Mums, and that I shouldn't complain about it. I was really breathless too and hadn't realise that is connected to anaemia. I thought I was just really unfit!

Breathlessness is a symptom??

I also had the ablation, no periods since 2013 (whootwhoot not-too-subtle-happy-dance)
And for the first time in thirty odd years stopped being anemic

But it is also weird because either still get spots and cravings for chocolate and alllllll the cheeseburgers

Of anaemia, yes - because there's not enough oxygen in your blood.

I wish I'd had the same outcome as you Beachy - but it was still worth it. And hopefully not many more years for me until the menopause hits anyway. Bring it on!

Can I just do a home ablation?

Possibly if you own one of those blow torches from Lakeland that are meant for creme brûlées...

I had ablation for long and heavy periods, utterly marvellous!

Hunting

Should probs trim pubes first though...

They do them all sorts of different ways - though all basically involving sticking something up your foof - but I think the Novasure method is the most commonly used. The thought of some of the others made my eyes water (look on Wikipedia!). They almost did mine under an epidural but thank Christ they couldn't get the needle in properly so they knocked me out instead. I was not happy about the prospect of being awake!!