Tranexamic Acid

[llareggub]

Does anyone have any experience of this?

I went to see my GP today regarding my repeat prescription for metformin, for PCOS. He asked me lots of questions which made me a little nervous; I began to suspect I wasn't going to get my prescription renewed.

He asked me about my periods which are very heavy since the birth of my children. I'd had in the back of my mind that they were heavier than normal but it had never occurred to me to ask my GP.

Anyway, he has given me Tranexamic Acid which he says will reduce my flow. I'm pretty impressed with my GP for being proactive with this, particularly given the fact I wasn't there for that. So top marks, my GP!

Has it had any side-effects? I'm breastfeeding, which he knew about, so I'm assuming that it will be OK from that perspective. I've not done well with hormonal medication in the past and struggle with the pill.

I'm feeling so excited about this. It has been pretty bad lately.

I thought you were me for a minute OP.

I too went to the GP today and she prescribed the very same for my heavy periods.

I really didn't want any hormonal meds/coil so she said to try TA instead.

I wasn't too keen as it's an anti-inflammatory a bit like ibuprofen but she said I only need take it on the days when flow is heavy (only 1.5-2 days for me). I guess as long as you don't take it on an empty stomach, it's okay.

I had tranexamic acid - which was brilliant, but I got it a bit late and was already anaemic - if only I'd taken action a bit sooner like you. No side effects ime. It's not 'hormonal' in any way, it just reduces bleeding. I was also on it whilst breastfeeding, from dd being around 6mo and I continued to bf her for another year after that, no effects on her either :)

I've actually been putting my life on hold for the past 2 years as I now have periods every 3 weeks and with heavy flow, having a normal job is a nightmare. Hopefully now though, it'll make a huge difference. GP said it works for about 50% of women who take it for heavy flow.

Oh, good news.

Thanks both. I have a feeling I may need it tomorrow. Last month was awful and I flooded onto my dress. I didn't noticed until I'd walked to nursery to pick up my son. Hopefully this will improve things no end.

Yes, luciemule, working has been a nightmare. Luckily for me, my really heavy days have been on my non-working days as I've only just gone back to work. But at home I've needed double protection, changed every hour. That just wouldn't be possible at work.

yep, I was doing that puddle-on-floor thing which was horrible. I've got a Mirena now and life is absolute heaven - don't have to plan my life round it any more. You have my sympathy, ladies.

Are you on iron tablets llareggub?

No, I'm not. The GP didn't mention a blood test for that. Are you? I've been anaemic when pregnant but as far as I know not since.

I am tired but I put that down to late night mumsnetting and a sleep phobic toddler.

get checked, both I also put hideous tiredness down to 3dc / work / mn lifestyle, but in reality I was horribly anaemic, and it took six weeks off work and lots of iron tablets to sort it - which I wouldn't recommend to anyone.

I'm not anaemic but she said my iron was low and I needed to boost my stores with tablets and an iron irch diet.
My level is 12 so borderline. After DD emergency CS, it was 8!!!

I usually take tranexamic acid and something called nefenamic acid. But not at present because I am breastfeeding.

The consultant at the hospital looked up the medication, and its especially the one that works by causing the blood to be reabsorbed (and I think thats the tranexamic) that you are advised not to take. Can you get your GP to doublecheck?

Its amazing stuff and I cant wait to go back on it as there are about two days a month where I just stay home now and wait til its over.

Why do the docs advise you not to take tranexamic acid? Do you mean as you're BF?

I am slightly worried as TA thickens the blood to reduce flow doesn't it? Therefore, the chance of thrombosis must be higher? I told the GP I'm overweight but she didn't say anything about DVT.

It is one thing treating the symptoms but you also need to determine the CAUSE of the heavy bleeding. Fibroids for instance can cause such problems to arise. It warrants further investigation.

Will GP refer you to a gynae, tbh I'd be asking for a referral to such a person particularly if this is an ongoing problem.

Well, I'd assumed the cause of my heavy bleeding was the fact that I've got PCOS. It seems to be the cause of all of my other problems!

I will ask the GP for a referral. One of the problems, of course, is knowing how heavy is heavy. I've put up with the heavy bleeding for so long, it has almost become normal and of course no one ever talks about it.