To wonder how you cope with heavy periods?

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I feel ridiculous even typing this as it's been almost 20 years since I had my first period. I feel I should know this, but I have never had excruciatingly heavy periods until now.

I gave birth a few months ago, and my periods came back like clockwork despite ebf. They are so heavy that I get through a tampon and a pad in the space of 90 minutes. I had to go as far as buying Tena pants the other day as even the pads weren't absorbent enough! I had a long journey with no toilet and was so scared I would leak.

AIBU to ask how to cope with this? Do I need to invest in a mooncup? I'm struggling.

I found that moving onto a mooncup calmed things down. I still get a heavy day 2 but just have to empty the cup every 4 to 6 hours or so. I wear a liner at night on the heavy day just in case.

I’d use the super plus tampon and a pad. Still would have to change after an hour on days one and two. There are pants with plastic lining between cotton that my daughter used which are good for leaks. I’m 57 now periods have pretty much petered out now thank goodness!

I have heavy periods and use a moon cup.
When my flow is heavy I empty it every 3-4 hours, when it's light near the end I can leave it in all day.
I usually use a pantyliner with it just in case but it's never leaked.

I did tampon plus pad, but was still having to plan my day around being able to change them every hour or two. A mooncup plus pad is much more manageable.

night pad, plus maternity pad on top, change every hour.
Wear dark colours - thick fabric, jeans type

Put a towel or 2 on the bed at night to protect mattress.

I can't be away from a loo for more than an hour at most at the worst time.

Have they changed and suddenly got heavier? If so you need to get checked out. Fibroids and ovarian cysts, for example, can cause heavier periods.
Taking ibuprofen (assuming it’s safe for you) can reduce blood flow and GPS can prescribe tranexamic acid for excessive bleeding.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/heavy-periods/#

Mefenamic Acid and Feminax really made a difference and my periods are so much more manageable now.

When it was really bad-Super Plus Tampons and a pad, and the all important Diary Doll pants so any leaks won't come through. They saved me on a few ocassions.

mine have been horrific the last couple of years I have two days where a super plus tampon and a night pad will last an hour so I plan everything around being near a toilet. I double up on pads at night. I read about tranexamic acid the other day, you can buy it at boots and I m going to buy some for my next period as they are awful.

After years of putting up with this after my second child, I went on the mini pill and it’s been a game changer. My life no longer grinds to a halt due to horrendous pmt and then a heavy period.

@ChazsBrilliantAttitude they have but I was on the pill for years before getting pregnant and I'm not now so this may just be normal for me.

Moon cup, definitely. I'm also thinking of investing in some period pants- thinx (?) For heavier days to use with the mooncup. Could never go back to tampons now.

Go to the GP. I found washable pads for very heavy flow the best. I didn't know about period pants at the time or would have worn those with a massive pad at night. Mooncup was no good when it was really heavy. Incredibly messy and having to empty every half an hour. I love it for my normal flow now though.

I use a moon cup on my heavier days.

I would recommend going and seeing your GP and asking for help. As previous posters have said there are different treatments that can help. You don't have to put up with them. Good luck!

A tampon and a night time pad - the night time ones tend to be thicker.

I was prescribed tranexamic acid for my very heavy periods but I found that they gave me bad diarrhoea! I figured I’d rather use a mooncup and pad and cope with that than have the shits

Going on the pill was the only thing that helped me, it was absolutely life changing

As others have said you need to go to your GP.
There is medication to help, you don’t have to put up with this.

I would get checked out by the GP just in case as it can be a sign of something else - mine got a lot heavier when I had an ovarian cyst.

Assuming this is just your new normal then look at the medication options. Even ibuprofen helps - my periods were heavier on months where my endometriosis wasn’t flaring up because I wasn’t taking any NSAIDs.

Tranexamic avid worked brilliantly for me.

Tranexamic Acid has been a life saver for me. I get it on prescription from my GP.

Double up on night time super pads, black pants (and numerous spares) and change every hour or so. Wear black trousers or skirts and have a friend check my bum. I also have to sleep on towels and have knickers ready immediately after a shower or its kill Bill in my bathroom.

I've had my coil removed as TTC. I had forgotten how horrendous mine are.

Short term mooncup , carries so much more than tampons (even super heavy ones )

Long term get checked , as agree could be fibroids

How long have you had them back for now? My periods were horrendously heavy when they first came back after ds1 but settled down after 6 months or so. But, silver lining, they were pain free for the first time ever. I used to vomit due to the pain.

I used to use maternity pads and keep close to a toilet. Unfortunately could never get on with a moon cup or tampon after birth. I hope you find a way to help, it's the last thing you need with a young baby.

I had to go back in the pill - even tho I don't need it for contraception. It really pisses me off but it's either that or take mefanmic (sp??) acid & transamic(sp??) acid every month. Which made NO difference what so ever. Having to cancel plans every month. Throwing out clothes after I had flooded thru them.
Before having kids I was one of those girls who could rollerblade down the prom in white jeans.

On day 2 I use the highest absorbency tampons and a night pad, I change the tampon every 90 mins to 2 hours and still sometimes have to change the pad, but it's only for about 18 hours, on days 3-5 I'm now so light I just use panty liners - go figure! Peri menopause I'm guessing, still regular as clock work though