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?

I agree with other posters who've mentioned polyps - I had really heavy bleeding a few years ago and the polyps were the cause.

I think it's really concerning that this GP didn't organise another FBC pronto for you OP. You're on 200mg Iron daily, presumably for past 5 weeks ? (since your last FBC), feeling increasingly faint and flooding.
Wow 😯
Are you short of breath on the flooding days OP?
Make another appointment with another GP OP. Don't be fobbed off.
A female relative ended up having 3 units of blood transfused in a similar scenario.

Have you had your Vit b12 levels checked?

I also think with any really heavy flooding, just go to A&E. You might have lost quite a bit of blood.

@Pixie2015

Can you put an online consultation in saying what you have on here than may help get another opinion. Maybe put what you would like to have done eg - blood count for anaemia / ferritin to check iron level / thyroid blood tests as under active can give heavy periods - scan to consider if fibroids which can give heavy period - then maybe what you would like eg medications eg mefanemic / tranexmic or a pill / a Gynae referral/ Mirena coil etc - hope you get on ok - today sounds like terrible experience x

This is very sensible advice and I'd also include what @chocolateorangeinhaler has written about this being abnormal for you over the past 6 months warranting a gynae ref.

What an asshole. I hope you complain, they shouldn't be allowed to get away with this kind of bollocks. Once things may be to do with menopause or perimenopause, too many GPs just expect you to get over it. And that each practice will have one person who specializes in this - when menopause happens to half the population, without exception. Ask who the specialist is in your practice and see them.

I found out today that my mild urge incontinence, that I was told 10 years ago was "normal" , really isn't. I've literally been leaking for 10 years because the GP I saw was incompetent. Yanbu.

How on earth is go out for a jog even appropriate advice to someone who is lightheaded and may well be anaemic? OP as I'm sure others must have already said you need to be tested for anaemia and have to start taking iron supplements. It can be very dangerous if not treated. There are many things that can cause extremely heavy cycles but one of them is issues with your blood clotting, or inability to do so. This can be tested for in blood tests also. These are the first things they should be doing for you.

Disgusting, ignorant behaviour from GP.

See another GP in the same surgery or change surgery.

I had this problem, male Dr said take some medicine. Female locum Dr sent me straight for check at hospital, it was fibroids. Had keyhole laser and now all fine. Definitely ask to be referred for ultrascan and to see an expert at hospital to see what's the problem. I was bleeding like you explained and couldn't go to work with pain/bleeding. Lastly report this Dr, can you imagine all the other patients he has said this to!

I'm 43 and have one horrendous day during my period too (dizzy, exhausted and often requires 3 or 4 clothing changes as can immediately flood over the top of any sanitary protection) and it's caused anaemia which showed up when going to donate blood. Ultrasound revealed probably polyps and have just had a hysteroscopy to remove one and a Mirena coil fitted to reduce period flow from now on. My GP (female) is great and has pushed to investigate fully all the way. First thing she asked when my anaemia was discovered was if my periods were heavy and affect my normal life- I would avoid scheduling work meetings during my period etc.

I went through (am still going through) the exact same thing and started round a similar age and got a similar response from two to three docs I consulted (both male and female) with enough badgering I was eventually refered for further testing and ended up being a transvaginal ultrasound scan which revealed I have adenomyosis.

Nothing that can be done medically but have found some relief tweaking my diet (went keto for a while)

www.webmd.com/women/endometriosis/women-endometriosis-vs-adenomyosis

I think perimenopause exacerbates the situation too as my menstrual cycle is all over the place

Fuck him, ask to see someone else.

I was told by a younger female GP not to worry that I was randomly bleeding between periods it was just my age and it turned out it was endometriosis. But I had to go private to find that out.

Call surgery ask to speak to a female gp or a nurse. Clearly this bloke has no idea.

I’ve not RTFT op, but just to say that my step sister had the exact same symptoms as you at 40 and it’s been diagnosed as peri menopause

Very sympathetic OP and no, you're probably not wrong. I'm increasingly frustrated by the lack of interest/expertise from GPS on all sorts of issues, but particularly on women's health. If I hear 'what do you want me to prescribe/who do you think I should refer you to?' once more I will lose my rag. I can't decide if they're ignorant, lazy or just not interested in women patients at all. There's a worrying level of indifference and misogyny in the medical profession imo.

YANBU.

I'm picturing your GP as 24 and single ...

Definitely not wrong OP. I think you do need to complain about his misogyny.

Admittedly I think some GPs dismiss everyone, including men - if they can't think of an instant solution to your problem it's stress or all in your mind. But either way, he wasn't doing his job properly.

@ICouldHaveCheckedFirst

YANBU.

I'm picturing your GP as 24 and single ...

A young man would probably be far more sympathetic.

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay sorry, i didn't mean to scoff in that way. I can absolutely understand a woman thinking that her periods are exactly the same as every other woman's periods and not recognising a problem. I was criticising the gynaecologist who I would expect to understand that there is a whole lot more to female health than a pamphlet from Always!

What. A. Prat.
Hope you get a second opinion. This definitely warrants investigating further.

He's not a poor doctor because he's male, he's a poor doctor because he is not listening to you, lacks empathy, lacks knowledge, has not referred you and above all else because he is patronising.

@ICouldHaveCheckedFirst

YANBU.

I'm picturing your GP as 24 and single ...

He's actually about 60 with a wife and daughters- one my age. He should damn well know better.

That's awful. Not necessarily mansplaining just a bad doctor. I hope you are ok