Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Heavy periods!

75 replies

HeavyPeriodHelp · 14/04/2018 21:58

To all my fellow heavy period sufferers, I need advice! Not an AIBU posting for traffic.

I’ve namechanged for this, regular poster.

Every month I have extremely heavy periods, fine during the day and just about manageable but I’m struggling to find something that works at night. If I lay down for a few hours and then get up to change pad there’s a mini explosion and blood leaks everywhere. Up my belly, down my legs, feet....everywhere. I have to shower, clean, change, vanish carpet etc. it’s nightmare.

I wear 3 pads (front of knickers horizontal, middle one normal vertical and at the back horizontal).

I also wear 2 knickers that are on the tighter side to minimize the chance of a leak. I have the thickest pads. Etc etc. but I still explode and leak constantly at night.

Anyone else with this problem? What can I do?! Is there a nappy made solely out of sanitary towels for females?

OP posts:

DiplomaticDecorum · 14/04/2018 23:09

I used to use a microfiber towel as an extra 'nappy' layer between knickers and pj bottoms. I didn't go out on day 1 as I only had 40 mins before soaking everything. Tampons just didn't work, and the 'liver lumps' were horrendous.

I found that you can actually buy tranexamic acid which made a big difference, but went to the gp to check that it was ok (am old and fat) and got a prescription - a lot cheaper - and referred for a scan which found a lump, then removed and mirena coil fitted at the same time.

It's amazing - very light bleeding for 3 or 4 days, barely need to use a liner, don't have to plan holidays and social life around the bad days, and can manage to do the school run!

Sadly I had been to see my gp - in fact I'd seen 2 about it, one had said to take full dose ibuprofen which I think did help a little, and the other was quite dismissive and couldn't really see the problem. Keep going back until you get the help that you need.

Eifla · 14/04/2018 23:13

Tena lady pants.

Icequeen01 · 14/04/2018 23:17

I suffered the same Op and became seriously anaemic and began passing out and even losing my hair. Unfortunately the medication didn't work for me and, in fact, it made me worse! In the end I had an endometrial ablation which worked a treat and my periods became very light and manageable. However, if you want children ( or more children) I don't think this is something that would be an option for you but it literally transformed my life and took me through to the menopause.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 14/04/2018 23:21

Mine have always been that heavy. I used to have an hour drive to work and is have to stop halfway and change everything. I use 3 super plus extra tampons at the same time. And a night towel

Eminado · 14/04/2018 23:25

See GP

Have a scan - might be fibroids.

I take mefenamic acid now to control mine (prescribed by GP).

Insertquirkyname · 14/04/2018 23:44

Go to your gp!
Turns out I had endometriosis and I got the ablation- haven’t had a period for 5 years! Although I did have to make a case about not wanting hormones from pill or coil due to problems relatives had with it, changed my life and best thing I ever did!

bumbleboots · 14/04/2018 23:54

I have heavy periods and found the mefanamic acid helped.

Tena and Always do full on incontinence knickers which are disposable.

teenagerparent · 15/04/2018 00:00

Boots do a Heavy Period Relief tablet, they are transaexamic acid as other people have suggested. Depending on what the wait is for a GP app near you, go get some try them and if they work go see your Doc for a prescription. I use them and they are fantastic, I have to use a super plus tampon, pad and take the tablets but its better than being awake every hour or flooding everywhere.
Every female in my family going back 3 generations has had a hysterectomy by 45 due to this issue but still I'm fighting my doctor. It took one sister 6 years to get there and one went private.

Oraiste · 15/04/2018 00:32

Saw my gynae about this recently and was prescribed ponstan and Cyklokapron to take x3 daily. I'm not in the UK if this makes a difference. Basically you have to take the first one as soon as your period starts and continue for 3 days.

categed · 15/04/2018 00:35

Another heavy period sufferer here too. I also suffer from the flood when getting out of bed or standing up.
I tried the moon cup, it leaked (sob) and that was with changing 2 hourly. Now my periods have changed again, joy! I now have 1 month of 7-8 days heavy clotty flow, lots of pain and cramping. The next month is very watery, heavy, but less so. Fewer clots until the end of 8 days and lots of pain.
I teach but am lucky I have support assistants in class with me so I pre warn them that I may have to run. I also find that some months my period will stop for a day or so then whoosh it back on really heavy for a few more days.
Super plus and extra night time liners, lots of ruined pants and a hatred of bloody periods remain. Can't take hormones due to migraines don't want coils or anything.
Best of luck sorting something op x

PinkCrystal · 15/04/2018 01:41

Mirena helped me

itchychin · 15/04/2018 01:49

Really important you go to your GP and don’t just put up with it x

OliviaStabler · 15/04/2018 01:53

Go to your GP and ask for a mirena coil. I suffered from awful periods all through my life and finally I was fitted with a coil and after 6 months my periods stopped. It is not pleasant to have it fitted, but those days of crying in pain while curled up desperate for some relief should be over

OliviaBonas · 15/04/2018 01:55

Please go to your GP. I have endometriosis. There are pants called Diary Dolls that have a plastic layer inside as extra protection for heavy periods. I think Carole Smilie invented them.

purpleorchidwhite · 15/04/2018 02:28

Definitely see your GP.

In the meantime for nights, get some baby nappies, I think the newborn Pampers ones are designed to be longer up the baby's back and offer the best front to back coverage.

Cut the elastic and tabs off them leaving the big absorbent rectangle. Wear this with snug fitting pants at night.

It's radical, but it controls large gushing flow whilst you get this under control.

I hope you get good advice from your GP

FeckinCrunchiesInTheCar · 15/04/2018 02:33

You need to see a doctor.
You don't have to live like this you know.
the pill is probably what you need to go on.

DixieFlatline · 15/04/2018 04:31

Cut the elastic and tabs off them leaving the big absorbent rectangle. Wear this with snug fitting pants at night.

It's radical, but it controls large gushing flow whilst you get this under control.

This is an excellent idea, and sounds exactly like what we use in hospital, just far more expensive! Better to get some of the adult pads (the sizes range up to absolutely enormous) to be lain inside mesh or regular pants, i.e. the things available for exactly this approach.

cansu · 15/04/2018 07:54

Completely agree you need mefication but in the meantime take the maximum dose of ibuprofen as this can also help lessen flow.c

BlueUggs · 15/04/2018 08:14

What tampons do you use? I've discovered the lillets applicator ones. They do a super super plus size. They are far better than tampax or supermarket ones.

Original poster

HeavyPeriodHelp · 15/04/2018 08:24

Thanks for all the helpful advice and tips. Especially the different pills I can take to help with this, would never of known ibuprofen can lessen the flow!

I’m 27 to the PP who asked my age. I’ve always had heavy periods but I think they’ve worsened slightly after having my kids. In fact DD2 was born 8.5 months ago and I still have irregular bleeding inbetween my cycle. I definitely need to go see the GP about that and will mention my periods as well.

Interestingly I don’t get bad period pains at all. I used to when I was a teenager but now just get the odd twinge but nothing that requires pain relief. It’s just an extremely heavy flow which is very uncomfortable and a PITA.

Brilliant idea RE babies nappies, will grab one of my DDs and try. Thanks guys.

OP posts:

HPandBaconSandwiches · 15/04/2018 09:06

If you’re getting bleeding between your periods, please see your GP as a matter of urgency.

Cantthinkofabloodyname · 15/04/2018 11:42

@HeavyPeriodHelp I have lived with this torment since my teens (I'm 42 now) and I am now waiting to have the Novasure endometrial ablation. As I have stopped having kids now this is a suitable option.
I have resorted to wearing adult incontinence pants, as they are fantastic at absorbing the tsunami of blood. As others have recommended, go to your GP as they can prescribe tranexamic acid, which will help with the blood clotting. You may also be anaemic.

Itsthevicar · 15/04/2018 11:46

Definitely GP. Probably worth getting checked for anaemia as well if you’re losing that much blood.

Purplejay · 15/04/2018 19:03

Another vote for tranexamic acid. I had heavy periods for years and It made it so I could manage, go to work etc. I also took mefabamic acid for pain but it his helps too, as does ibuprofen (same family). I used nighttime pads and super plus tampons and big, tight fitting knickers with leggings to keep everything in place. Mostly it worked.

You are likely to be aneamic given what you describe. See your gp for both. I had to take iron tablet a few times.

If you dont mind a contraceptive (I put this off for years as was ttc), I now take the mini pill cerazette and my periods have stopped apart from a little spotting now and again. It’s blooming fantastic. I was offered the coil too, I don’t fancy it but it would have been my next option. My periods went haywire - bled for 8 weeks at one point and was given progesterone to stop it. My decision at 43 was to accept contraception to get my life back and feel well again.

rainbowduck · 15/04/2018 19:08

I had the ablation in December, it's worked wonders. But this is only something to consider if your family is complete.

Flip

1 2 3