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?

Familiarise yourself with the NICE guideline on heavy menstrual bleeding - means you're aware of recommended practice, and give you more confidence challenging a GP with lazy solutions.
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng88

seek an appointment with another GP
I had an awful time with mefanemic acid and tranxemic acid - and was fobbed of with those for 18 months (by a female GP).

Mirena coil worked brilliantly for me, complete life changer; I've seen mixed reports on here, but worth trying.

I’d actually have thought gynaecology is one of the hardest areas of medicine as it encompasses so much. Surgery, gynae medicine, oncology, obstetrics. The issue here isn’t gynae, it’s the GP not undertaking basic investigations and/or not referring

He just as well have patted you on the head and said 'calm down dear'.

Yanbu!

I think you've won the internet.

That is truly outrageous.

@CovidCorvid

If you’re gf you shouldn’t be having malabsorption problems I don’t think? Dd is coeliac and was anemic but has been ok since being gf. 🤷‍♀️

I’m just wondering if there’s something else causing it. So 8 months of heavy periods would do that. But did you have low ferritin prior to that?

Always on the lower side. They want it to be 11 and mine is never higher than 9. But it has been 1 before.

Imagine if men haemorrhaged out their Willy for 24 hours a month and were essentially told to suck it up! Outrageous OP, ask for a second opinion, maybe ask if theirs a GO at the practise that specialises in women’s health.

YANBU

When the surgery rang about your last blood test, which showed you had iron deficient anaemia, what dose iron did they tell you to supplement with? It should be 100mg to 200mg daily. I think you can buy that OTC but most GPS would prescribe.
Most vitamins/ mineral combos only contain about 14mg iron, so you're never going to address the iron deficiency with that. Ditto Spatone.

@2bazookas

Years ago, in a clinic where I'd been referred for excessive menstrual flooding, the male gynae registrar mansplained that an entire period only sheds an eggcupful of blood.

Oh dear. I remember that trite little nugget from the puberty talk in Year 7. Sounds like his extensive medical training didn't get him much further.

Definitely ask for a female gp.
I had a lovely female gp but I had a bad experience at the pharmacy when the middle aged (about the same age as myself) male chemist would only give me one month's supply of the mini pill. I had suffered from flooding and sometimes have to double up. There were boxes of drugs everywhere, just delivered. And my prescription was for six months supply. He wouldn't even compromise and give me 3 months, or even two! ASSHOLE. He'll never have to deal with flooding at work. I was so angry. Closest I've come to complaining about somebody in a long time

I know this won't help now but someone gave me a brilliant tip when I was seeking help for heavy periods etc. When a medical professional dismisses your symptoms ask that they write their name and that they had dismmised your symptoms in your notes. I was sceptical but when tried they reluctantly referred me. I ended up having a hysterectomy and it was the best this I've ever had.

We know our own bodies. I was sent packing by seven doctors who all said its just normal. It wasn't and the consultant couldn't believe I had been living in such pain and never leaving the house.

I wouldn't accept what I'd been told by this GP, by the way. I'd be more concerned that they were incompetent rather than mansplaining thing. The light-headedness alone warrants a repeat FBC.

By coincidence, I’ve just filled in the govt Women’s Health survey and one thing I suggested was women GPs to be available for topics like menstruation - you might like to say a few things yourself, OP -
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/womens-health-strategy-call-for-evidence/womens-health-strategy-call-for-evidence

"Go for a jog" when you're feeling lightheaded and dizzy ?
He's not fit to be giving out medical advice to anyone
Definitely complain.
At the very least you're going to be anaemic with all the blood loss and it needs to get sorted.

I had this when peri-menopause and ended up going back on the pill (Cerazette) as I didn't have any periods when I was on that.
Just in case that's an option for you.

OMG! What a dick! I don't know how you kept from giving him an earful. Patronising so-and-so.

Really pisses me off the way some doctors think it's fine to talk down to patients and that they are beyond criticism/never to be questioned. I've run into a few myself in my time.

If he thinks what you're describing is a normal period, that makes me doubt his competence to talk about gynae issues at all tbh.

Definitely complain!

Go for a jog! That must be one of the most stupid things ever said to a woman who is bleeding through pads in 40 minutes. Christ.

What a twat! Seek a second opinion and complain to the practice manager. Shit doctors should not be allowed to get away with it.

This is why I prefer to see women. I know some of them can be awful too, but far less in my experience.

It’s fucking ridiculous! I was told by the smear test nurse to book a doctors appointment because of my periods causing me issues and spotting for a week, a week break and then a really heavy period, this only started about a year ago.

I booked and he said well if it causes a problem come back. I was really stressed so said nothing, I’ve been trying to get pregnant for nearly two years so as far as I know it is causing a problem.

He was visibly uncomfortable talking about it.

Absolute loon of the highest order and I am genuinely concerned about the professionalism of some doctors.

So, go to bed OR ... go for a run, Yes, ideal...

Just call back tomorrow and ask to be seen by a female GP.

Complain and get an appointment with another GP

Not surprised you are raging. That is appalling treatment in 2021.

Only read first and last so someone may have suggested this but have you tried a big dose of ibuprofen? Google and read for yourself but it works well for me for similarly out of the normal heavy bleeding. Do NOT go for a jog!! Ffs HOW would that work???!!

Omg what a twat!
you need to be seen!
You need an exam and repeat smear and scan

I'd be raging.

Fwiw I have much worse periods than that and have had an IUD for 3 months and still no improvement (but can take up to 6).

Had to see locus today about something else and mentioned my usual GP on leave and as I'm finishing course of iron she started me on do I need another blood test?

He was amazing. He really listened and unlike the female GP who has been empathetic and really looked into it he actually said "you shouldn't have to live your life being ruled by your periods"
He said it really isn't ok I can't even teach a lesson without having to run to the loo (I can flood a tampon and pad in 7 minutes!)

He has said he'll look after my case personally until my GP returns and if my iron doesn't rise on tablets then it's still too much bleeding and he'll look at taking next step sooner.

I'm gutted he's only a locum and hope he gets one of the positions available

Well he sounds just bloody great doesnt he! WTAF is wrong wih him? I would go and make an urgent appointment for a different Doctor (Female if possible).This is inexcusable to be brushed off like its the 50s! Surely its against the law to employ Dinosaurs!Check with her and dont be fobbed off .