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Heavy periods?

15 replies

MogadoredMemoo · 25/02/2011 22:33

Has anyone had a partial hysterectomy for heavy periods? I'm desperate to do something about mine, it's got to the point where I can't go out for the first few days because I suddenly flood and end up in a bit of a mess.

Can't have a cool fitted and wouldn't really be able to take the pill because of history of Dvt in my family and I'm already on enough medication anyway so don't want to add to it.

I've also heard of something where you can have the lining of your womb removed??

OP posts:
EldonAve · 26/02/2011 11:04

Have you seen a gynae?

herbietea · 26/02/2011 11:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Feenie · 26/02/2011 11:22

Yes, you do - that's what's stopping me choosing to have one. Also, my consultant told me that it has a 60% success rate, which isn't high enough for me until I am certain I want to stop at one dc. Interesting to hear your successful experience though, herbietea - wonder what the MN success rate is?

Vajazzler · 26/02/2011 15:25

I had the same as Herbietea but only had mine 2 weeks ago so cant comment on success rates yet.

KashaUK · 27/02/2011 04:19

What have you done about heavy flow so far?
Not to underestimate the hell you're experiencing, it's just that often doctors are plain bloody useless at helping with problems like this.

My periods are very heavy, to put it into perspective; ultra tampon, overnight pad, and clothing - leaked through all within 15 minutes. In my teens the only option I was given was the pill, which didn't work and caused me to have mini-strokes, it took my own research to find ways of helping. Some ideas that may be helpful to you;

Firstly has your doctor ruled out problems like hormonal imbalance or endometriosis? If so, and everything has checked out okay, have you tried taking tranexamic acid? You take three tablets a day for the first few days of your period and it can lessen your flow and length of your periods.

If open to it you may also want to look into complimentary therapies such as acupuncture or chiropractic care - I've met a few women with heavy flow who have sworn by these treatments, they are pricey as they aren't on the NHS, but they are a real option.

Healthy diet, obviously lots of iron is the most important, but also plenty of magnesium, zinc and calcium for menstrual health, vitamin E to regulate flow, and vitamins A and C to regulate estrogen levels to lessen flow. Seaweed is also known to help as it is a source of iodine, which helps to revitalize the endocrine system, however if not up for eating seaweed then you can just take kelp capsules from health stores.

Get a menstrual cup, for a start this is the best way of managing flow as they hold significantly more than tampons and pads combined and have light suction to prevent leaking. You can feel when the cup is full, and even if you don't empty when it needs to be emptied it's still only light leaking rather than the full flood you get when tampons or pads leak. Menstrual cups can be worn overnight which tampons can't so saves waking up to a blood bath, and for many women cups can even lessen flow. Menstrual cups have been the BEST things to help for me with my heavy periods.

Coffee is a good way to lessen flow as it is a vasoconstrictor so constricts blood vessels in the uterus preventing heavy blood loss, it isn't a huge difference but for me it does help. Look into taking herbal treatments daily throughout your cycle, particularly helpful are; chaste tree (tincture is best - a few drops in water once a day will help), evening primrose oil or black cohosh.

MogadoredMemoo · 27/02/2011 08:19

Hi and thanks for the replies.

Over the years I've lots of investigation in to my heavy period. Seen a gynaecologist, had various tests and a colposcopey (sp). Have taken medication to reduce it but that hasn't worked. I did have a coil fitted which really helped but fell pregnant whilst I had it in place and it turned out to be ectopic. Because of this they won't let me have another one fitted. Also take lots of medication for other reasons so I'm reluctant to add to them.

The older I get the worse it is becoming. I flood so badly that for the first few days I avoid going out because I sometimes end up in a bit of a mess.

I have thought about a mooncup but I can't believe that it could cope with the extent of my bleeding.

Never thought of alternative therapies but it's definitely something I'll look in to.

OP posts:
EldonAve · 27/02/2011 11:46

Do you have any other bleeding issues?
If so it may be worth seeing a haematologist

MogadoredMemoo · 27/02/2011 11:47

Sorry if I am being a bit dim but what do you mean?

OP posts:
EldonAve · 27/02/2011 11:54

Do you bruise easily?
If you get a small cut does it take a while to stop bleeding?

MogadoredMemoo · 27/02/2011 12:52

Oh yes I do bruise very easily, often have bruises and have no idea how I got them. Not so bad with cuts healing though. Also get anaemic a lot.

OP posts:
EldonAve · 27/02/2011 13:06

It's worth getting it checked out as you could have slow clotting blood

follyfoot · 27/02/2011 13:11

As others have said, it would be worth getting checked out for things like Von Willebrand disease.

inthesticks · 27/02/2011 13:11

Could you consider a mirena coil?
I had exactly the same problem and I believe it saved me from having a hysterectomy.

MogadoredMemoo · 27/02/2011 13:15

I have had the mirena coil fitted and it did work in reducing the amount of bleeding. I feel pregnant whilst I had it fitted and it was unfortunately an ectopic. Because of this the doctors won't let me have it fitted again. Even though dh has had a vasectomy and so there us no way I can get pregnant.

I will definitely ask the doctor about the clotting. I have an appointment next week.

OP posts:
canei22 · 27/02/2011 18:13

I had an ablation op carried out for the same symtoms you have; heavy flow, severe anameia stuck in the house for 2 days each mont.

The ablation was the best thing I have ever had done. Initailly I had a very light period but after a few months they got futher apart till they stopped.

I had it done as a day case and went home after.

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