Very heavy periods (warning TMI)

[Marne]

Would have name changed as slightly but don't know how.

My periods have always been long and heavy (well sinse having the dd's), today (on the 4th day of my period) i have had a lot of pain down there (like presure/aching) almost like the pain i felt after having dd2. I just stood up quickly and felt a horrid feeling, rushed to the loo, passed a huge clot and managed to get blood everywhere (sorry if tmi), i always pass clots (sometimes quite big) but this was huge.

I have spoken to my gp a couple times about my heavy periods and he keeps trying to put me on the pill but will not reffer me to the gynee (sp), i'm sure its not normal to have such heavy painful periods. Should i be pushing for a refferal?

What could it be that causing it?

Yes, I would definitely ask for a referral rather than just going on the pill.

I'm sure there is loads of stuff online I found this which might be useful

I told the GP i don't want the pill as i have been on them before and couldn't find one that didn't make me feel sick, i asked about the mini pill and he refussed to give it to me as it is less effected as a cotraseptive (which is not why io wanted it). Just feel like the GP keeps fobbing me off .

That sounds really horrible for you. I have heavy periods as well - worse after ds. I was told by the gynae I went to see about fertility issues that if you take ibuprofen (max dose which is 3 x 400mg in 24 hours I think) for 3 days before period due it cuts down the bleeding by about 50%- and it really works and you def. get less clots.

Thank you Ealingkate - i deffently tick all the boxes for heavy periods, it wouldn't be as bad if i didn't have the bad cramps with it. I often can't go out as i am worried about leaking/bleeding everywhere.

I had very heavy periods and I could feel the clots dropping out. I was referred to the gynae unit for a scan.

I had very thick womb lining - I was offered the pill or the mirena coil which I wasn't very keen on. But the blood and clots kept coming. The consultant advised me that the cells could turn cancerous if I didn't take action. I had a D & C and they put a coil in. 1 year later I feel so good.

Get it checked out - thick womb lining has to be checked but unless you've had a scan you don't know if it is an issue or not,

Thank you Paddy, i do find ibuprofen helps (when i remember to take it).

The GP did recomment the coil, im a bit of a chicken when it comes to things like that but maybe its going to be my only option, i didn't realise there was a link to cancer.

Ask gp for tranxamic(sp?) acid you take it on day 1& it reduces the flow. I had awful periods & had a laporoscopy & they 'cleaned me^ out' which made a huge difference.

Oh & see someone else!

Hi Marne

Find another GP to work with; its no point having one that cannot be affectively communicated with. Change GP practice if necessary.

Would go all out to establish the CAUSE of all this and the GP should refer you as a matter of course onto a gynae specialist. Many GPs are clueless actually when it comes to such gynaecological matters and can mess around in complete ignorance (for instance one GP told me post my endo diagnosis that endometriosis was not common, I soon put him right on that one).

Trnasexamic acid and the like may help in the short term but will not even begin to address the underlying cause.

Heavy and or painful periods can have a number of causes; two possibles are endometriosis and fibroids.

Do not be fobbed off; you will need to be persistant in order to seek answers.

Thank you, i have been taking Taxamic Acid and found it didn't help . I will be going to GP next week to get a refferral.

Marne

Was not totally surprised to see that transexamic acid has not helped in your case.

Do not leave the GPs next week without a referral!.

If your symptoms happen to be cyclical in nature as well then a gynae referral is a definate must.

I've had heavy periods since they started.

I had a baby in November & have been having a lot of problems with bleeding since. Was admitted for the night due to the heavy bleeding 6wks after i had my son.

My last period after stopping the tablets they gave me whilst in hospital was extremely heavy. Super plus tampon & pad used every hour or less (sorry tmi).
I was prescibed tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid which wasn't helping but when i went to see my gp she told me to up the dose. I can't remember what i was taking now but i think it was 2 x tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid, 3 times a day. Once i upped the dose it really helped although i still had a 10 day period + i've had bleeding on & off all month.

When i saw my GP a couple of weeks ago i asked her to refer me to gyne outpatients as i'm fed up with the bleeding. I got a letter the other day & have an appointment for the end of March. I know full well that they are going to suggest the pill & the coil but i don't want either of them, they were trying to push me into having them when i was admitted into hospital.

I had a d&c in December 2009 as they thought i'd had a miscarriage but it turned out it was ectopic. Anyway after that i had 3 periods before i fell pregnant & omg i was in my element. Sounds funny but they were fantastic periods, i was so chuffed. My periods dropped to 4-5 days from upwards of 10 days & was only heavy for a day or two instead of 4-5 days.

I asked my GP if the hospital would 1. Have a look up there to check if everything looks ok & 2. Would they do a d&c.
She said that they would be very reluctant to do a d&c & would rather me have the coil fitted.

Its all well & good them saying that but the heavy & prolonged bleeding makes me so depressed & really effects my life. I just want to be normal again.

Has anyone had a d&c just for heavy and/or prolonged bleeding? Did you have to argue for it or was your hospital more than happy to do one?

I really must learn not to write such huge posts