To ask that if you have heavy and irregular periods, how do you manage leaks on day 1?

[LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet]

TMI warning!

So my periods are consistently irregular. They can be anything from 18 - 33 days apart. I have no warning signs - none at all. No pains, no gut feeling. The only way I know they’ve started is a huge gush on day 1 that 9 times out of 10 ends up in a massive leak. My periods are extremely heavy from the first moment they appear and I have to hope that on day 1 I am at home or very close to a toilet and wearing black.

Today I have spent the best part of my morning in a pub toilet, standing in my knickers at the sink with my hoodie wrapped round my waist, trying to wash my jeans, which were absolutely covered. Hoping and praying no one would walk in - we came out for breakfast so it was super quiet and only one woman came in and sympathised while I was drying them under the hand dryer , but it was still mortifying. To make matters worse due to a prolapse after having my DC, the blood gets everywhere not just on the crotch.

I have been to the doctors to try and get help, but I was literally laughed at and told periods are tough and part of being a woman. I’ve tried various contraceptives but all of them had horrible side effects so I gave up.

What do other people do if they experience the same? Short of wearing a sanitary towel every single day I don’t think I can take this any more, I leak at work, I leak at the school run and I feel like I’m forever having to think of cunning ways to sneak out places without my bum being seen. I’m completely fed up

I feel your pain! No that kind of period is not just part of being a woman. Keep going back to GP. There are things that can be tried like pill, Mirena, tranexamic acid and more. To solve your immediate problem. Could you try period pants if you go out from around day 18 ( and obvs keep back-uo in your bag)

Mine aren’t as irregular as yours. But from the 1st day they might appear, (generally after 2 weeks of no period), I will wear a panty liner and always carry a huge wad of Kleenex tissues and some super tampons. I have mastered the art of loitering innocently in a doorway or by a parked car and shoving a few of the tissues down there at the first hint of wetness. I then make my way to the nearest toilet or very thick bush or even a deserted alleyway and shove a tampon up there. Although sometimes it’s a false alarm, so I make sure to not use all the tissues in one go. The used tissues get wrapped in a dog poo bag and put in a litter bin or flushed if I’ve found a toilet. It’s not ideal or pretty so will pop back to see if any better ideas.

Sorry. Just saw you have tried various contraceptives, but you may have Togo through a few. Tranexamic won't fix the sudden surprise issue, but can help with heaviness

Mine are really irregular and very heavy on day 1 and 2. I've learnt to always wear a pad if I'm out and about around the time it should start. I also wear night time pads as they absorb a lot more and prevent leaking much better.

I think your GP shouldn't be so dismissive - this sounds above and beyond what most women are dealing with. I have heavy periods, as in I get through a super tampon and a super pad within about an hour on my worst days, but nothing like the "explosion" you're describing.

On a practical level, can you afford several pairs of period pants? Or maybe just reusable pads? (I know that I would get thrush if I wore disposable pads all day every day)

Can you just wear period pants all the time?

I’d wear period pants - I have only tried the primark ones but they are not bulky or rustley (is that a word? They don’t rustle!) so they are discreet.

I'm not sure how advisable my advice is but I'll share it anyway. I have a diaphragm/cap initially for contraception but these days I use it as a menstrual cup. I also have a prolapse and so it fits much better than a traditional cup as the diaphragm is flatter. I use it all throughout my period, emptying it obviously, and also use it for comfort during sex. So I basically have it in most of the time. Technically I suppose there is a risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome however it is made of the same stuff as the ring I was given for the prolapse which can be worn continuously. I've been doing this for years now and no issues. You could perhaps wear one from the earliest your period is due, putting it in when you leave the house and checking it when you get home?

You poor thing that sounds awful to deal with. So sorry to hear you got fobbed off by the GP, that is not ok. I hope you can see someone who will give you better care soon.

In the meantime, if you can afford it, I think the period pants option could be worth exploring. I use the heavy absorbancy boyshort style which is pricey but catches everything
www.modibodi.co.uk/collections/boyshort

They are insanely comfortable to wear as well.

I buy these from amazon:
www.amazon.co.uk/Lil-Lets-SmartFit-Non-Applicator-Ultra-Tampons/dp/B00I0O457C/ref=sr_1_8?crid=14YK0EDXGJRTF&keywords=tampons+lil-lets&qid=1659185050&sprefix=tampons+%2Caps%2C551&sr=8-8

They're the most absorbant tampons I've ever used by far, the best thing ever for heavy days as I no longer need to change my tampons every 45mins, I can get away with 2-3 hours with these guys.

Also using reusable pads is an option if you aren't sure when your period will start - you could wear them every day in the days leading up to your period and use light ones so you barely notice them and then you'd be prepared for when your period starts.

Period pants designed for heavy flow everyday with spare pair with me. Then tampons and period pants once starts. Just got mirena fitted as I'm tired of it all and being anemic so hoping periods will stop

I agree modibodi are the answer. Just not a problem and soooooo comfort

I was prescribed tranexamic acid and it was a game changer. I'm someone who used to bleed through XXL tampons within 10 mins and now I can get away with regular ones and I never have accidents.

Sounds awful OP, hope you can find a solution.
I had a prolapse and couldn't keep a tampon in so that may not be an option. I need to use liners every day and use reusable liners from Bloom and Nora, very handy if you get caught short and you're not buying constantly, if that helps.
I think you should try to find another gp and ask for some proper help regulating your periods.

I was going to suggest period pants too.

I wore them daily for years.

I had a hysterectomy a few weeks ago and I'm still getting my head around the fact I'll no longer ever have a sudden gain of blood.

IMO, Gps are fairly rubbish for women's health, try a well woman clinic or gynaecologist for real help.

Period pants really work. Sounds boring but I also don't wear jeans/trousers that aren't black or navy, most of the time.

You need to insist on a gynae referral to see a proper gynaecologist. I had this issue several years ago and GP was dismissive got a referral and within three weeks had a Novasure abalation which sorted everything out.

This sounds horrible to deal with and you shouldn't have to accept it - can you see a different GP?

towel on bed/couch plus 2 night pads

Mirena. I went from not being able to leave the house for 3 days a month, to no periods at all.

I suffer from very heavy periods but not right from the word go. So sorry to hear that. I think I would wear period pants all the time. Modibodi are expensive but good or you could try cheaper brands if you just want something to catch the initial flood and then use other things

Insist on Gyno referral! If they won’t give you one then ask for second opinion. It’s either a male
doctor or woman who hasn’t suffered heavy periods. People who haven’t experienced it really can’t comprehend quite how awful it is.

Ask for an ablation. In the mean time period pants and/or a menstrual cup every day there’s a chance it might start plus tranexamic acid (however you spell it) to minimise the flow.

Agree with others about pushing the GP harder to explore other solutions.

I use cloth sanitary towels and I find they work so much better for gushes than anything else. They won’t help if you don’t know you’re in your period but perhaps wearing period pants all the time as suggested by others is the answer there.

Period pants and tranexemic acid