To think the male GP just mansplained?

[FuckingFabulous]

I have called today to speak to a GP because for the last eight months I've been having an issue with my periods. Rather than a light to medium flow for five days , I've been having a light flow for five, a crazy heavy flow for one abs then back to light for three days. And I mean crazy heavy. I know many women have it worse but on that day I'm changing super plus tampons every 40 minutes and waking up absolutely flooded three times a night. I feel light headed and trembly on this day and the two days after too, and I get a lot of sparkly/flashing lights in my vision for about a week after.

So. GP. I called the GP when the second period was like it and was told to monitor it for six months. By a male GP, just in the interest of full disclosure. I called again today. And the GP told me I should consider myself lucky that the full eight days aren't like it and what I need to realise about the menstrual cycle is that all women have a varied cycle and sometimes it's extremely heavy and sometimes it's extremely light. It's all normal. I said I didn't find it normal to be bleeding through super plus protection in under an hour, despite it only being a 24-36 hrs event in my monthly cycle. I use more protection in that one day than I do in the seven others! And the feeling of being so light headed for days and the visual aura make me feel unsafe to drive. I explained that I literally go wobbly and start to get that darkening at the edge of my vision so need to put my head between my legs, multiple times a day. He sighed and said "oh, I'm afraid it's part of the trials of being female. You'll get used to it. There's nothing I can suggest except take yourself to bed with a hot water bottle or go out for a jog."

What. The .Fuck?! Firstly, I'm a mother of three and can't just fuck off to bed. Go out for a jog when I'm bleeding like I just gave birth?? And I've been having periods for 25 years- I know what they are! Get used to it, indeed.

I'm so annoyed. Years ago I had Mefanemic acid or something similarly named for heavy bleeding, but apparently now there's "nothing" and I'm to just appreciate that it's not for the full eight days.

AIBU to be pissed with his attitude?

Have similar issue. Will only talk to women doctors now. I am one of the unlucky ones tgat have 8 days of flooding until I can't move so weak I felt. People don't believe how heavy it gets. I had never issues getting tranexamic acid. Go to them armed with your blood test. It does help reduce the flow. I wouldn't be able to go to work without it. Although at your age I think they should do some further investigation as you still quite young. This started for me at 45

You could be approaching the menopause or you could have a fibroid. I had the same experiences and it turned out to be a fibroid. You can have laser treatment which really helps too. You certainly need to get another opinion. Going jogging is a crazy suggestion. That GP is a wanker.

I am early 40s and mine are like that. He sounds a bit condescending but maybe he is saying there is nothing that can be done with pills etc. It does calm down over the next few years.

At about your age I started flooding for several days a month. Sanpro was almost useless - I used to bleed all over the furniture. I wrecked my office chair and our sofas. If I'd had to go into an office I would probably have got sacked for the amount of time I took off each month but luckily I had my own business and worked from home.

My female GP diagnosed fibroids and recommended a Mirena. She told me that all the female staff who menstruated had one - and I could soon see why. Although it was a pig to get in, I had to have three numbing injections in my cervix (I have an unusually sensitive cervix). But once it was in I never had another period. It was bliss.

I've had GPs of both sexes and definitely wouldn't say that women doctors are better than male ones. The best one I ever had was a bloke, though the second best one was the woman I mention above.

I have noticed that women GPs who have easy straightforward periods/pregnancies etc have a tendency to feel that less fortunate women are making a fuss. I bought one pregnancy book written by a woman doctor that was so patronising that I actually binned it. She said most pain during labour was psychological!

I've been through this, but thankfully with an understanding gp. I was very anaemic. I now take shit loads of iron and the contraceptive continuously. I'm so much better.

Also it took me 2 years, but I've got my ferritin to 70. I've been taking 644mg a day, check the NHS guidelines for a treatment dose. It's very high. Spa tone is water with some iron in, 5mg. I checked for another thread this week. My gp said the ferritin makes periods heavier. Chicken and egg.

I was like that... I knew I was perimenopausal but was told I had an underactive thyroid. Then I was told I was having an elongated miscarriage! Finally I persuaded them I was going through the menopause and my male GP started to do something about it. I was told it was because of my age... 34. Have been postmenopausal for 22 years now. It is brilliant!

I would be fuming

Book another GP review, ask if there is one with gynae background or request a specialist referral

YANBU. Complain and ask to see a female doctor. Hope you get it sorted soon, it sounds awful

I called today to be told that I can have a female doctor call me back next Thursday to decide whether or not I need to be seen. I said I was requesting specifically to be seen and they said that would be up to the doctor on the day.

First complain about him Second demand to see a gynaecologist You do not need to put up with it At an early age Iwas told to put up with it another doc told me paddling in blood or it soaking through my clothes wasn't normal or acceptable I had various treatments the Mirena coil was the best and 22 years on I'm on my 5th I've been where you are and wish it on noone

Wow thats not good , my male dr was great when I had issues and really pushed for me for tests at hospital for suspected endo and even whilst waiting I was given something to try etc
Yes request to speak to someone else
Thats beyond heavy what you are experiencing

Tell him you want a referral to a gynae clinic. You may have polyps.

wow, change GP!

Sorry, haven’t RTFT. You definitely can still get mefenamic acid - I take it every month.

I’m peri-menopausal and I bled heavily every day for months. Called 111, explained my symptoms (which don’t sound as bad as yours!) and they told me to go to A&E.

A&E referred me for an emergency scan and I had a biopsy and an op to remove fibroids within a month.

Your gp is a prick

@FuckingFabulous

I called today to be told that I can have a female doctor call me back next Thursday to decide whether or not I need to be seen. I said I was requesting specifically to be seen and they said that would be up to the doctor on the day.

If you go into the GP practice website, is there an option to send an online consult OP? What did the receptionist suggest you do between now and next Thursday about the daily fainting episodes? That should trigger an urgent ( within 24 hour) appointment. Maybe you should investigate the sexual health clinic option that a previous poster advised. Your GP surgery sounds pretty dire.

Agree with covidcorvid, sounds like tests needed.

YADNBU! Please keep pushing this and ask for a copy of your notes. Lots of good advice on here, I hope you can get some better support from your GP soon.

I'm male and I think this gp is an absolute twat. I think you know your body better than he does and if you say that this isn't normal then it isn't normal. Just because he's a Dr doesn't make him right all the time and he should at least listen to you and either run tests or send you to see a gynecologist for them to investigate.

The womens health strategy looked like it is England only. Guess that Wales will fall even further behind in womens health care. Makes me mad

I recently saw a gynaecologist who spent the whole appointment pushing me to have the.mirena. when I refused he told me he was not willing to help me further. My case has been dismissed.

I'm 43, my periods have been all over the place this past year, heavy to light bleeding and now I'm 3 weeks late.
He also told me I was too young for peri despite my mum and my nan having early menopause. I despair

New doctor, that’s appalling treatment xx

I would be raging!! And I would be calling straight back up and asking to speak to another female doctor.

Oh OP, I feel for you. I had this issue for years... in fact at the age of 40. I actually dread the first two days of my period... it’s awful, comes right through my clothes so I don’t sleep for those two days. I am pretty certain I keep all my neighbours up too with the constant loo flushing during those two days. I saw a gynae privately, and I was not peri menopausal. Iron levels were normal too.

I just wanted to say I got the same attitude/response from my GP. No resolution but will be watching this thread if you ever get to cure/remedy...

Derailing butt an amazed to see on another poor GP service thread the amount of posters saying complain to practice manager. From my experience they are useless, uncaring and only there to protect Dr and fob you off. Have others experienced a good service/complaint management?