Heavy period. Help?

[Usernameinvalid16]

I am currently on my period. However, I am bleeding through a tampon in about 30-45 minutes and I am passing clots about the size of a 10p piece. I feel tired, cold and sick.

My cramps are severe, to the point I cannot move as it’s excruciating, I can only compare it to being in labour. I did take norethisterone to delay my period as I was on holiday last week. I also have the copper coil fitted but my period has never been this heavy or painful and I don’t normally pass clots even small ones.

Do I need to seek medical assistance? Thank you.

Give 111 a call.

That is a normal period for me but if it isn't for you and your worries, I've them a call.

Sending a hug as know what the pain is like! 😘

This isn’t normal for me so I’ll give them a call. Thank you 😊

Definitely phone 111. You could try taking Ibuprofen - some people find it reduces their flow. Are you aware you can get ultra size tampons - in case you can send someone out to get some. Possibly 111 can arrange a prescription to an all night pharmacy for Tranexamic acid tablets. But for sure phone 111.

I’ve taken some ibuprofen about an hour ago and it hasn’t improved. I use super and super plus tampons

Ultra tampons are greater absorbency than super plus. I really hope you get some help - I know how miserable it is

did the GP not explain to you that taking the norethisterone to delay your period it may cause heavy bleeding and clotting next period? My GP did - and I decided not to take it because mine are heavy enough and with bad clots and pains without any additional help.

Id take alternative paracetamol and ibuprofen, hot water bottle and in a few days Im sure you will feel better.

I'm another one who suffers like this for every period, so send a big hug

No the gp didn’t explain that this may happen, if they did I wouldn’t have taken it ☹️

Another one who is like this every period - I take ibuprofen in fours (three times a day) it helps lessen the bleeding for me and was recommended by my Dr. I took northisterone for a recent holiday, the period after it was horrendous - I think it's quite a common side effect!

As PP said ultra tampons (lil let's non applicator are a personal fave as they have great absorbency) and an always nighttime pad is a great help.

Thank you so much. I’m glad that it’s just a side effect of the tablets and nothing worse.

I will go to the shop first thing tomorrow morning and get ultra tampons.

My teenage dd had terrible pain after taking that, GP said her womb was contracting. Poor thing had to take it as her first period basically wouldn’t stop and ended in 2 pints of blood transfusion.

Take some iron supplements too if you are bleeding that heavily. Is there a chance it’s a miscarriage instead?

I’m not sure if it’s a miscarriage. I have regular periods, it’s a week late this month as I took the tablets to delay it. I’ve never had one before so I’m not sure what to look out for?

Op due to your other symptoms id be inclined to call NHS24 for some advice. While it may just be a side effect of taking the medication this is extreme for you and feeling cold, shaking and struggling to move would concern me.

I remember reading a post on MN re a female with heavy period and she reluctantly sought medical advice, she needed some medical help due to clots (if I remember rightly) I'm not mentioning this to worry you, that poster always springs to mind when question like this arise. This isn't usual for you your symptoms are extreme and aren't really easing off.

Thank you everyone. I was advised to go into a&e so I’m here now. Hopefully get some help soon

I had this with a copper iud, it had dislodged with the heavy bleeding and I got it taken out as an emergency, bleeding eased off the next day

Glad your at A&E, hopefully it's just a side effect, but it's better to be cautious!

super super tampons plus body form 10+ nighttime as they're extra long and get on the phone to 111 or gp.

as recommend ibuprofen or feminax, something to help with swelling and flow.

sometimes a bath and big sleep helps me on the worst days

Highly likely to be related to the Norethisterone. My immediate advice is to scrap the tampons & use nighttime pads for a day or so - tampons are fine for normal flow but useless for clots & I find much less pain with pads for heavy periods (gotta love perimenopause 😕) keep up your fluids, get a hot water bottle on your abdomen & if things still feel “wrong” seek advice as there’s a chance your coil has dislodged. Hopefully 1-2 days & everything will be back to “normal” 🤞

It's the norethisterone. I call it the devil pill. When you have your withdrawal bleed it can be very heavy, clotty and labour like pains. It's hell.

That’s exactly how I described the pain, like labour, maybe worse than that. If it is the norethisterone I will not be taking it again. This is terrible and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone ☹️

So everything is fine. They think the cause may have been the tablets, I have made the decision to get my coil removed and use a different form of contraception. Just got to take it easy over the next couple of days and hope it returns to normal. Thanks everyone, it was a scary experience since I had never experienced anything like it.