Heavy periods and work

[Keepshowingup]

I have very heavy periods and fill my pad and tampon within an hour. I work from home but I just can’t concentrate i keep going to lie down but when I get a call I dash back to my office. I’m just full of fear and anxiety also at this time of the month.

I feel like a failure as I fall behind on my work during this week and I just dread my period every month.

how on earth do you all manage this?

I manage with a lot of hormonal contraception to have as few periods as possible, strong painkillers, a hot water bottle constantly, and speaking to managers (which I hate doing) about the adjustments I need. But I also have endometriosis and adenomyosis and am waiting for surgery so the hope is it might not be forever.

Mine aren't heavy on hormonal medication but they are very painful.

Have you spoken to a doctor at all? I know it's hard to believe but we shouldn't just accept really difficult periods as normal - there often is something that can be done (medication, painkillers, you might have an underlying condition, etc).

Are you in a small or large company?

See a doctor about it. They may suggest you go on the pill or something else to reduce the flow. Have you ever found out the cause of the heavy periods e.g. fibroids? It might be worth asking. Some people suggest dietary changes too but these have never worked for me.

Periods this heavy aren’t normal - have you seen a doctor? You shouldn’t have to put up with this. Hormonal contraception will help. Apologies if all this is obvious to you but you didn’t mention a condition/diagnosis in your OP so it seems like you haven’t seen anyone about this.

I was working as a teacher when my periods were at their worst - long stretches without a break and little chance to run to the loo. Some days I would double or triple up on protection and wear layers of dark clothes. I had a mirror in my desk drawer so I could check my back view when I stood up. Horrendous.
Could you ask GP for advice or go on the pill? That improved mine no end.

I had the same problem due to having PCOS, the only thing that has helped me is having the implant as it has stopped my periods completely

There is medication called Tranexamic Acid. They're tablets that you take a few times a day on the heaviest days of your period. Definitely go to your GP about this

Have you seen your GP OP? This isn't normal.

I also have very heavy periods, but I don't work from home so am often very paranoid about leaking most of all.

Not ideal, but I wear the tena lady or always full absorbant knickers. They are really designed for incontinence.

I change them regularly throughout the day, but it is the only way I can be confident and comfortable that I won't leak. It really has been a game changer. I just wear dresses and tights on those days so it isn't obvious to others. Not that they would be studying my posterior anyway!

Periods with that much blood loss aren't normal. There may be an underlying issue. With me I had fibroids which made the periods really heavy. There is a lot that can be done to improve your periods. I would make an appointment with a sympathetic GP to discuss.

Doesnt sound normal. See your gp

You can take them up to 4 times a day however I had to see a specialist to be told to do this.

However they don't work for everyone this is why the OP needs to go to her GP. Ask to try things and if/when they don't work be asked for a referral to gynaecology.

I had the IUD in January and that’s made it worse as they said it would. But I’ve always had heavy periods anyway but just not to his extent.

I went into the office last month and leaked on the brand new seating area! I stayed until everyone left and scrubbed but you could still see it! I haven’t gone back in since. I will go back to the GP. I’m just a mess hormonally too.

The mini-pill dramatically reduces period frequency and flow - for me it stopped them altogether for a year.

I will say though, since coming off then again, I hadn't realised how much they also reduced my libido and my enjoyment in sex, so they're not without their downsides.

Is it the copper coil? I had this a few years back- the first few months were horrendous, so heavy and painful. My husband said I looked grey and he thought I was going to pass out a couple of times. They did settle down after a few months thoigh and it was great for a while after that (until I kept getting repeat yeast infections after about 3-4 years and had to have it removed a little early).

if it could’ve this is it worth stocking up on the period knickers, pads and tampons to get you through this bit? and also telling work maybe?

Hope this gets better for you OP x

Make sure you've had your iron levels tested, low iron can make periods worse.

I echo others with going back to the doctors.

Have you tried experimenting with sanitary products?

I find the traditional tampax way better than newer versions especially inserted a little lower than normal. Then always ultra night pads - stack these if you need. Moon cup holds more than a tampon, but not for the faint hearted.

Are you peri menopausal? I have experimented with Tranxemic Acid, Northisterone, the mini pill and HRT but nothing has really worked, GP keen on Mirena but don't fancy anything I can't easily stop if it makes it worse.

Recommend period pants and heavy duty washable pads, also get yourself prescribed iron for any anaemia.

See your GP. I am experiencing this and turns out I have some fibroids. GP gave me a prescription to help with the pain (I get ridiculous pain) and flow until they can sort out.

Oh poor you OP. This sounds horrendous and not just something you should have to put up with because you are female. It is debilitating and affects a whole week of each month. You need to be referred to a gynaecologist to see what can be done (there must be something).
My gran was very similar to you at one stage. She stoically refused to go to the doctor's (I have had 4 children, it's just how it is), but she would have to leave towels between bed and bathroom on her worst days and sleep on a plastic sheet. No life at all and terribly painful. She also became very anaemic. And like you was working a busy job. She ended up having some procedure done later on, but medicine has improved greatly since then and there must be something that can be done. All the best. Deepest sympathy.

I have had severe endometriosis and whilst waiting for surgery, I was allowed to work from home due to severe pain and flooding (I leaked through my clothes onto office furniture before). Much better after I had surgery and started the mini pill. What treatment have you tried so far?

Ultimately I had a hysterectomy. Still recovering from it so I don't fully appreciate the effect yet but after over 25 years of absolutely horrible heavy painful periods and feeling like a guinea pig with all of the tortuous treatments that they made me go through, I am finally free.

I had fibroids, and as a nurse in my feet all day and unable to go to the bathroom all the time. Mine was managed with a mirena, northisterone and tranexamic acid. Still ended up anaemic but had a hysterectomy 7 weeks ago now and it's been amazing xx

It didn't for me.

I echo what others have said - get yourself to the GP. Then can you speak with your manager? If a woman I manage came to me with the same issue and also had guidance from a doctor to hopefully improve the situation, I would absolutely do what we could to make adjustments. It might help you feel less anxious about it.