Period from hell...what is happening?

[MadAboutHotChoc]

I'm in my early 40s, have always had very regular normal periods but this month I'm having the period from hell - terrible cramps, the flow is so heavy that pads keep getting soaked through after a hour or so and there are lots of clots. I have never ever experienced anything like this before except for the usual lochia after giving birth.

Its definitely not a miscarriage as OH had the snip 5 years ago.

Should I be worried?

I would def speak to a doctor as this is such a difference to normal. Do u have regular smears?

you poor thing. I am having very similar despite not even being due for one, its so heavy and clotted. when i woke up this morning my whole front and thighs were covered despite wearing a night time pad. its also so lumpy (boak) i am going to mention it to my gp when I am there next, i think you should as well. hope it improves soon

Yes, my last one was about a year ago, no problems there.

Trotters - it is gross isn't it, had to go to the shops to get maxi night time pads, but even then I will have to use two tonight as I keep leaking...

You may have fibroids, you will need to get your doctor to refer you to a gynacologist and get it checked out. Over a period of time you could get anaemic which is not very pleasant.

My GP said periods get heavier once you are in your forties when I suddenly started flooding . She prescribed me Mefanamic Acid tablets. They work a treat.

Mine have changed recently (at 42) to this sudden very heavy/flooding, I assumed it was my age - some are worse than others - but the really really heavy flow is just for the first 24/36 hours then it was straight into just pantyliner territory .
At least i know it'll only be awful for a short time if that helps.

Thanks for the replies - its much better today thanks goodness. Will see what the next period is like but from what you say its probably age related....

Off to google mefanamic acide now.

Sounds awful doesn't it Mad? I didn't even know such tablets existed.

I must add that when I mentioned them on MN before people had been prescribed them for period pain mainly but they really lessened the flow for me. Some people are are on other tablets. Just run it past your GP.