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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Options for controlling insanely heavy periods peri

28 replies

Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 12:37

Can anyone advise on options that worked for them to cure very heavy peri periods that ideally are light on progesterone?

I have been sensitive to progesterone in the past (injections in 20s), mirena that had to come straight out in 30s, bad morning sickness so I’m ideally looking for other options.

Ive got to do something as have had several blood transfusions in the last few months due to insane period flooding. I just feel in the best headspace I have in years and don’t want to rock the boat.

AIBU -

Yes - just take progesterone based pill or treatments so you don’t bleed to death!

No - totally understand that your choices shouldn’t be between losing your mind or all the blood in your body - keep on exploring options.

OP posts:
PinkFootstool · 09/12/2025 12:41

Copper coil instead of Mirena?

peachescariad · 09/12/2025 12:49

Definitely try the Mirena again - saved me and I was same as you.
Consider a hysterectomy?

CanadianInLondon23 · 09/12/2025 12:49

I feel for you! Last four months my periods have been so bad I attended A&E but at least didn’t need a blood transfusion. Have you been to your GP? There are drugs that help - Tranexemic acid and if that doesn’t do it there is another one. Also I’d give the oral progesterone a try again and and see how it feels. Everything feels different in peri, this might too. Good luck!

MooDengOfThailand · 09/12/2025 12:51

Cerazette

Utini · 09/12/2025 12:57

I'm assuming you've had investigations to make sure there's nothing underlying that's treatable, like polyps or fibroids?

Tranexamic acid probably reduced my flow by half, mefenamic acid is another one prescribed to reduce bleeding.

What was the issue you had with the mirena coil? Is this something you'd consider trying again? I was very nervous about this but it's been really helpful. Of all the progesterone options it's the one that will provide the lowest dose systemically, as it's released directly into the uterus, so side effects should be less than oral progesterone.

Has anyone discussed the possibility of uterine ablation with you?

Pinkacer · 09/12/2025 12:57

You might have a fibroid and need to have a scan. I'm ten years on from having had very heavy periods. I did nothing about it at the time believing it was just normal. I only found out I had 2 fibroids (now calcified) as I had to have some scans following post menopausal bleeding (unrelated to calcified fibroids)

Original poster
Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 13:03

peachescariad · 09/12/2025 12:49

Definitely try the Mirena again - saved me and I was same as you.
Consider a hysterectomy?

Oooh so did you find mirena worked for you and not too bad for mood? I started taking Escitalapram about 3 years ago as I was getting some peri sleep problems and flushes and it’s worked a dream for me. So I do wonder if it might take the edge of the mirena if I had it

OP posts:
bimbodoc · 09/12/2025 13:05

Try a mirena again, it has very little systemic effects and it's action on heavy periods is a game changer, although you may have to give it time to settle.

Original poster
Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 13:07

Utini · 09/12/2025 12:57

I'm assuming you've had investigations to make sure there's nothing underlying that's treatable, like polyps or fibroids?

Tranexamic acid probably reduced my flow by half, mefenamic acid is another one prescribed to reduce bleeding.

What was the issue you had with the mirena coil? Is this something you'd consider trying again? I was very nervous about this but it's been really helpful. Of all the progesterone options it's the one that will provide the lowest dose systemically, as it's released directly into the uterus, so side effects should be less than oral progesterone.

Has anyone discussed the possibility of uterine ablation with you?

Edited

Yes all investigations done last month in hospital and I do have a fibroid but they don’t think it should make a difference due to the way it positioned.

Tried Traxemix acid this month and just seemed to delay period and then it went nuts again. Blood loss needing transfusion and ambulance due to collapsing.

i had mirena after 2nd child and had quite a strong reaction with very low mood. Had it out after 2 weeks and felt better almost immediately

OP posts:
applegingermint · 09/12/2025 13:08

Tranexamic acid and naproxen. The naproxen stops the prostaglandins which reduces how much you bleed.

Multiple blood transfusions is a pretty extreme way to deal with heavy periods. Hopefully they are investigating the reasons for the heavy periods, if you are becoming so anaemic that they’re going straight to blood products (vs iron infusions or tablets)

TheresAlwaysMoortoSea · 09/12/2025 13:09

Taking dydrogesterone has helped my heavy periods massively and not affected my moods. I have had almost immediate, severe mood changes on other progestins but this one has been fine.

Original poster
Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 13:09

Utini · 09/12/2025 12:57

I'm assuming you've had investigations to make sure there's nothing underlying that's treatable, like polyps or fibroids?

Tranexamic acid probably reduced my flow by half, mefenamic acid is another one prescribed to reduce bleeding.

What was the issue you had with the mirena coil? Is this something you'd consider trying again? I was very nervous about this but it's been really helpful. Of all the progesterone options it's the one that will provide the lowest dose systemically, as it's released directly into the uterus, so side effects should be less than oral progesterone.

Has anyone discussed the possibility of uterine ablation with you?

Edited

At the moment I’m leaning towards ablation if at all possible. Maybe trying mefenamic acid next month to see if that works better for me. Traxemix didn’t work and also gave me eye pain so was told not to use again

OP posts:
Original poster
Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 13:11

This is all so helpful everyone! Thanks so much.

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 09/12/2025 13:14

I’m in the same boat. Hormones aren’t an option and for similar reasons I won’t risk a hysterectomy.

I take naproxen and iron supplements. I drink electrolyte beverages. I rest as much as possible when things are bad.

i bemoan the fact that my damn periods won’t just stop already because I am old enough to be far into full menopause.

Periperi2025 · 09/12/2025 13:14

Mirena but with an optimal dose of oestrogen hrt started at the same time.
I hated utrogestan even used vaginally. I had a mirena coil fitted a week ago and so far it's great.

NoisyViewer · 09/12/2025 13:15

I spent years where I would just flood. A tampax would last half an hour & just couldn’t deal with the flow. I would sit on the toilet where it would literally gush, stop for a few seconds & gush again. I’ve always had heavy periods but when I spoke about it I felt women specifically thought I was exaggerating. I would shut myself away for 3 days because how often I was caught out. Going to the shop with a tampon, extra absorbent pad & still leak in the 20 minutes out the house was unbearable. I did have fibroids when they investigated & they prescribed transemic acid. Things have calmed down now & my flow though still heavier than when I was younger is controllable. But for 2 years it was hell. The amount of holidays, days/night it spoiled was ridiculous.

OrdinaryGirl · 09/12/2025 13:19

Sorry to hear you’re dealing with this, OP.

I too am mega sensitive to progesterone in that it makes me feel very depressed.

However the Mirena has been ok for me. I think the fact that it’s localised and not systemic means that it doesn’t affect my mood the way tablets did. Period bleeding stopped altogether, which I don’t love, but sounds like it might be a game changer if that happened to you!

Maybe talk to your doc about giving the Mirena another go if you can face it?

Also, lots of people know heavy periods often lead to low iron, but my nutritionist friend told me that low iron can also contribute to heavy periods. (Have a google as to how this happens) So perhaps consider getting your iron levels tested and if low, treated.

Wishing you all the best with it 💐

OrdinaryGirl · 09/12/2025 13:21

(I would probably also gently seek a second opinion on the fibroid. It seems very odd that it’s been deemed as not a contributor towards the heavy periods)

Pfpppl · 09/12/2025 13:26

HRT has drastically reduced my flow and I no longer side from repeated anaemia. I'm on oestrogen patches and 12 days of progesterone per month. Although the progesterone tablets are prescribed for oral use, my doctor confirmed they could be used vaginally instead. I no longer get the awful low mood and sore boobs that came from taking them orally.

I'm tempted to try the Mirena coil as I'd love to not have periods (or 12 days of pill discharge!), but I'm scared of having it put in and that it will make me miserable.

Lizzy7596 · 09/12/2025 13:29

Low Ferritin can cause heavy periods and vice versa . Please get yourself checked by the GP.

Original poster
Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 13:29

NoisyViewer · 09/12/2025 13:15

I spent years where I would just flood. A tampax would last half an hour & just couldn’t deal with the flow. I would sit on the toilet where it would literally gush, stop for a few seconds & gush again. I’ve always had heavy periods but when I spoke about it I felt women specifically thought I was exaggerating. I would shut myself away for 3 days because how often I was caught out. Going to the shop with a tampon, extra absorbent pad & still leak in the 20 minutes out the house was unbearable. I did have fibroids when they investigated & they prescribed transemic acid. Things have calmed down now & my flow though still heavier than when I was younger is controllable. But for 2 years it was hell. The amount of holidays, days/night it spoiled was ridiculous.

What is annoying is that I would cope with the actual practicalities if I could keep my mental health as it is but I’m currently sat awaiting another transfusion after collapsing again so I’m going to have to do something as the bloodloss is carnage. Pumping with blood leading to transfusions each month is not great.

Adult incontinence nappies, pjs and a towel wrapped round me and still leaking onto hospital bed 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 13:31

Lizzy7596 · 09/12/2025 13:29

Low Ferritin can cause heavy periods and vice versa . Please get yourself checked by the GP.

My ferritin and hb levels were awful but then I had blood transfusions and 2 iron infusions and they were back up before this last period. Just waiting for new bloods now

OP posts:
Makingsenseofitall · 09/12/2025 13:32

Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 13:03

Oooh so did you find mirena worked for you and not too bad for mood? I started taking Escitalapram about 3 years ago as I was getting some peri sleep problems and flushes and it’s worked a dream for me. So I do wonder if it might take the edge of the mirena if I had it

Show quote history

I recently had the mirena fitted. It’s been amazing. I had the same experience re any artificial progesterone until this point/ properly suicidal. But this has not impacted me at all in that way. And my periods which were also so bad I was attending an and e are soooo much better. Worth a go I would say. It’s the only solution I have found that has worked and I was very reluctant to try it. But I’m sooo glad I did.

Original poster
Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 14:08

Makingsenseofitall · 09/12/2025 13:32

I recently had the mirena fitted. It’s been amazing. I had the same experience re any artificial progesterone until this point/ properly suicidal. But this has not impacted me at all in that way. And my periods which were also so bad I was attending an and e are soooo much better. Worth a go I would say. It’s the only solution I have found that has worked and I was very reluctant to try it. But I’m sooo glad I did.

Show quote history

I might give it a go you know as hopefully the Escitalapram might take the edge off. I really need to do something. I was really scared this time when the blood was just pouring out and I was blacking out.

OP posts:
NoisyViewer · 09/12/2025 14:48

Sixsevern · 09/12/2025 13:29

What is annoying is that I would cope with the actual practicalities if I could keep my mental health as it is but I’m currently sat awaiting another transfusion after collapsing again so I’m going to have to do something as the bloodloss is carnage. Pumping with blood leading to transfusions each month is not great.

Adult incontinence nappies, pjs and a towel wrapped round me and still leaking onto hospital bed 🙄

Show quote history

My gosh you’re way worse than I was. It affected my mental health so yours must be taking a bashing. Had to swap bedding to darker sheets as was throwing away duvet & duvet covers pretty much each month . My body has thankfully settled down. Fingers crossed you get it sorted