To seek medical help today (very heavy periods)

[Egm5478]

Hi all,

I have already got an appt lined up with my GP for next because this is an ongoing issue but hear me out.

since having my daughter 5 years ago my periods have been very heavy for the first 3 days - think soaking through pads and tampons, then they last another 3 or 4 days but at a manageable level.

I’ve had an ultrasound and all was clear, I do have anaemia (bloods result was 101 last month).

I came on my period on Thursday and have been heavy since, I bought a menstrual cup a couple of months ago so I can now see how much blood I’m losing - I’ve filled it (15ml) 3 times already today and emptied it 7 times yesterday - it was full everytime.

ive had a headache for 2 days but this has gone today however today everytime I stand up I feel dizzy for a few seconds and generally feel quite weak. Otherwise I feel well.

would it be a waste of time going to the walk in centre today? Would they even be able to do anything for me? Or just best waiting for my GP appt on Thursday?

posted in AIBU for traffic - sorry! 😊

She might need a transfusion by now. She needs to be checked.

Do you even know what hemorrhaging means

If she genuinely thinks its that bad then as an adult she can choose to go to a&e and any point. She doesn't have to listen to the advice of others online she has free will.

I’m happy to report the bleeding has really slowed overnight after taking a few doses of the tranexamic acid so I’m a lot less worried today!

still feeling a bit rough but no worse than yesterday and I’m sure I can wait to see the GP now. So awful to hear how many people have had similar experiences, being a woman is full of joys isn’t it!

I have had gynaecological issues pretty much my whole adult life - the only time I have been to a walk in or A&E is when it was literally gushing all over the floor every time I stood up - despite wearing several layers of period protection. I’m glad to hear that it has started easing off now.

I had heavy periods from day one, which became so bad year on year that I overcompensated, trying to stay fit and hiding the issue by avoiding some aspects of a normal life. I had severe anaemia picked up when I went to give blood!! Turns out a fibroid had junked my uterus (grapefruit size) and was beginning to impact on other health issues. Seek medical advice and it needs investigation, as it is definitely not normal and do not be fobbed off!

Hiya, I'm gonna say this like I always do on these threads.
The NHS is broken and appalling about gynae care.

If you can pay for £15 a month get yourself on Benenden healthcare. After six months you'll be able to see a private specialist and get proper help.
There is something wrong and you need proper help.

The lightheadedness is to be expected with low iron/haemoglobin - have spent months like this unfortunately both during pregnancy & prior to, due to low iron.

Ascertain whether she’s dangerously anaemic or has any other issue, such as unexpelled or trapped tissue. While that thankfully seems not the case here it absolutely has been in the past and has been possibly fatal. Telling women that have sustained heavy bleeding and secondary symptoms such as lightheadedness that there’s never any urgent risk is irresponsible and uninformed.

And telling every single person to go to a&e is also dangerous. Like I said previously she is a grown adult if she genuinely needed to go she would go. I'm sure she's not stupid and wouldn't just sit at home dying just because someone on the Internet said speak to the pharmacist.

God some of the replies here are plain nasty!

Give over, nobody has done that.

Some of these replies! Absolutely go to the walk in centre if you need to. You are not wasting anyone’s time. I’m sick of this idea that we’re somehow saving the NHS by suffering in silence. I don’t care if anyone comes for me because I’m sick of seeing threads like this where someone is genuinely struggling and the first few replies tell them to suck it up and not waste NHS time. Screw that. Look after yourself OP ♥️

Update for anybody who is interested..

saw the GP on Thursday who was really great, ordered bloods and a repeat ultrasound as she suspects fibroids and my last scan was 2 years ago.

ive had an appointment through already for an ultrasound next Wednesday, I thought I’d have to wait but seems quick!

bloods came back today, Hb is 102 but ferritin is only 4! Which according to Google is super low?

trying not to self diagnose and waiting for my follow up call where well hopefully have a plan!

If you’re done having children ask for an ablation for me it was life changing

I have fibroids too

I am 50, and have fainted at least once with every period since I was 12. I usually vomit from cramps on day one as well. I have known since I was about 15 that this is very normal, and have just learned to push through it. I would probably be diagnosed with endometriosis if I pushed for it, but I have grown up seeing my.mum and my two sisters all go through it as well as myself and just power through it. No point wasting a doctors appointment.