Heavy periods since birth of DS - Consultant suggested surgery

[hsanders]

Hi there,

Just wondered if anyone else has had this experience so as I can make a more informed decision.
I had my DS by c-section 10 months ago. My periods before pregnancy were 24 hrs, and required very few tampax (yellow ones).
Since his birth, I went back onto the same combined pill I was on before DS's birth and my periods are 7-10 days long, cannot use tampax as it falls out (sorry to be so graphic) and I have to change my pad in the middle of the night as well as goodness knows how many times during the day.
I paid to see a private gynae consultant yesterday and he advised after an internal scan that my uterus was thickened at 17mm (average should be 5mm). He advised a surgical procedure to take some of the uterus to check it's health (his words). I cannot afford the surgery privately and I have no private insurance, and the NHS list is 3-6 months.
Have you had this experience?
If so, what did you do?
All I keep reading is if you do not want any more children, an hysterectomy is the best option.
If you have had this experience, do you think I should pay for the surgery privately (I will find the money somewhere if need be).
Thanks for reading.

My mum has been through similar problems with heavy periods, but in the end decided she didn't want surgery, and is just taking tranexamic acid. IMHO (which you may want to take with a pinch of salt) hysterectomy sounds dreadfully drastic - it sounds like there are a number of things you could try first - not taking the Pill, a mirena coil, endometrial ablation - I think they zap away the womb lining with this (not as drastic as hysterectomy, but you wouldn't be able to have children afterwards)

i don't know what to say in terms of paying for further investigations privately - they may not actually reveal anything - my mum has had various scans and two hysteroscopies and a biopsy, none of which have revealed any explanation for her problems.

I think if I were in your position I would see my GP with a view to going on the NHS waiting list, if anything at all.

Following the birth of my DD2 my periods started to last for 3 weeks as opposed to their usual week and the pill (although I hate taking it, so is not a long term option) has helped control that.

As Mts said, it may well be worth your while talking through other birth control options and it's worth bearing in mind that hormones really can take an age to settle down after child birth.

I would imagine such long and heavy bleeds are difficult to deal with in comparison to your usual periods but many women do bleed to this extent and in the general scheme of things, it really isn't unusual.

I have had dreadful problems with heavy periods since having my last child.

I think you did the right thing by seeing a gynae but I'll tell you what options my GP gave me.

1.Mirena coil - this works brilliantly for some people with heavy periods (can completely minimise them) but you would have to stick it out for several months because the benefit for people with severe heavy periods only starts to happen after around 3-6months. I tried this but suffered some bad side effects so had to have it taken out.
2. Tranexamic acid - this is something that prevents blood less. I use this when my periods are incredibly heavy and it definitely works.
3. The ablasion surgery - I don't know how old you are but I think they would probably refer you for this first before the hysterectomy.

I think the thing I am worried about is the fact the pill has not allowed my hormones to settle down after my DS's birth ten months ago.

Plus he did say that after the surgery - which I understand they'll do a biopsy - if they found nothing, then the coil (but he used a different name) may be worth considering.

I am only 30 and would love to have more children - as you can imagine, you shake the doctor's hand, leave the room, get back to the car and only on the way home do you think of all the questions you should have asked!!!

I should also say that my periods are now slightly better (although still heavy) than they were and my youngest child is now 4. It can take an age for the hormones to settle down (have no idea why!) but I do remember the first 1-2 years after ds's birth were definitely the worst (for bleeding).

I would get yourself on that NHS list now and perhaps in the meantime look at one of the other options (tranexamic acid, coil etc.).

I did ask if the coil should be used now and he said to continue on the pill and wait until the findings of the surgery.

what is he looking for in the biopsy?

I have every sympathy.... my periods have been horrendous since having the children. So much so, that it has increased year on year to the point that I wear tampax and st's and still have to get up in the night at least twice. It means I am virtually housebound for a couple of days.

I have tried tranexamic and whilst it seemed to help for a couple of months, my body seemed to get used to it and it stopped working. I have now been put back on the pill (i know, not the ideal situation) but I am like a woman reborn. I have fought against surgery because I am now 50 (an old bird) and it won't be too long before they stop altogether and I am so glad I didn't go down the hysterectomy route. Hope this is of help!

hsanders - I am having similar problems after having dd 13 months ago. I have been to the doctor about it and I had an internal scan to check what was happening apparently my uterus has thickened too but he didn't tell me how much.
He was very supportiveof trying all other options rather than surgery and I have started taking the Tranexamic acid that others have mentioned. If this doesn'w work we are going to look at the coil etc to see if we can find a solution other than surgery.
There are definately alternatives!

Thanks for all your advice - what gets me is this gynae is the top chap in Bristol (apparently) and comes highly recommended. So do I book to see him again, and pay again out of my own pocket to do so, take my husband along and ask some questions, or do we wait for the NHS to contact me direct as he was putting me on the list anyway?

Maybe a call to my GP may shed some light and also I presume he will have written to my GP with his findings.