To ask if any of you have remedies to make periods lighter?

[HCantThinkOfAUsername]

Posting here for traffic!
I suffer horrendous periods (endometriosis), can't take NSAIDS because of stomach ulcer or have any contraception to stop them as I've had blood clots.
I've got an extremely heavy one atm, wearing 3 super absorbant pads and still been leaking through. On my 3rd pack of pads today.
Buscopan and Co codamol are helping pain wise but does anyone know something that can make them lighter temporarily?
I've work tomorrow, long shift and community care. I'm too scared to even sit down in case I leak through so want a lighter period tomorrow

@Listen if you ever need a tester give me a shout haha!

Had mirena but bled constantly, can't have ibuprofen or transamic/mefanamic acid as they are NSAIDS (I've had some ibuprofen though!)
Just had tampons and a maternity pad on that I've changed regularly.
So drained/crampy/grumpy.
No work until tomorrow night yay!

I'm on transexamic acid, 8 a day... two when I wake, 2 at lunch, 2 at dinner time and 2 at bedtime.... plus iron tablets all month and I've noticed it's a bit better but I still have one really heavy Day and lots of clots and leaks then.... I'm monitoring the frequency and length of my periods using the period tracker light and it seems they are becoming shorter but more frequent which could be pre-menopause (doctor said that could take 5 years!) so hopefully mine are on their way out!!! Yay!!!

Personally a magnet helped (worn on the front of my pants 3-4 days in advance) but it's very contentious and there is a huge thread somewhere arguing about it.

Now the pill I'm on has done away with periods

Why has @ListenFirst comments been deleted? I didn't see the last one :/

Why has @ListenFirst comments been deleted? I didn't see the last one :/

There are modifiable risk factors for heavy periods, you could look up, these are things people can change themselves that might make a difference.

No help if you don't have any of the M-RFs, but worth checking on.

I have endo too and feel your pain. It's been a long time since I tried this stuff but norethjsterone is what I used to take I'm sure, not sure if that's safe for you? Can you take the progesterone only pill? Big hugs.

I totally know how you feel! I couldn't have Ibuprofen either because of reflux and paracetamol barely touched the sides (Buscopan was totally useless for me).

Did you give Mirena time to work? I've recently had Jaydess fitted (similar to Mirena) to remedy my heavy periods and the first few months my periods lasted 10 days (but were lighter) with spotting in between. However, they are now getting lighter and lighter every month.

On a practical note, I find that the menstrual cup holds much more blood than the super plus tampons I used to use so at least you wouldn't have to change so regularly. I had a pretty heavy flow but could get away with changing it just 3 times a day and wearing a pantyliner. You might be able to get away with the cup and a sanitary towel.

Don't know how to lighten periods as I have terrible periods and am trying to work that out myself. (Losing weight and taking iron) However look up Modibod underwear. They are period underwear basically. Should help you not to worry about leaking.

I have used transexemic acid in the past, which worked, but I hated using drugs.
A traditional Chinese medicine/ acupuncture lady showed me how to use moxibustion, which vastly reduces my flow, and shortens my period each month. A compressed herbal stick like a crayon is lit at one end then allowed to glow/smoulder. When my period is really heavy, twice a day I hold the glowing end over an acupuncture point on each of my big toes - the flow starts to reduce almost immediately, and after a couple of days the period will end. It sounds bonkers but it really works.
On the basis of this, I also think that acupuncture is likely to be a very good option as well, though I'm a bit squeamish about the needles, so yet to try.
I've also noticed that the more yoga I do regularly, the less heavy and clotty my periods tend to be. But I think this is really only noticeable if I'm doing 4 or more sessions a week on a regular basis, which would be a big commitment for many people.