Hugely heavy period (tmi, sorry)

[BrittaPerry]

Today, my period is massively heavy. Soaking (as in, it is starting to leak from being too full) two always uktra plus pads (in a t shape, as that is the only way to catch all the clots) in two hours. Now using one of the night time padss and it is about as heavy still, with clots that are about a teaspoon big.

Usually one ultra plus pad isn't totally full in four hours.

Should i be worried?

(i'm prescribed iron, anyway, for being anemic)

Last had a baby three years ago, dh has had the snip, not on the pill or anything. This period had worse symptoms before it (very sore boobs etc)

Does mother nature just hate me?

Or am I bleeding to death?

Wibble.

You won't bleed to death - I heard you can bleed more if your iron is low.

No help really but didn't want to leave you there on your own.

Britta, I had the same experience in my 40s, except that mine started with what appeared to be a miscarriage but continued in the vein you describe for 3 months. A variety of drugs were taken to stem the blood flow but did not work. Eventually, it was the ordinary contraceptive pill (microgynon) which brought it under control.

The diagnosis? Horrible hormonal imbalances due to pre-menopause. When I stopped taking the pill, it returned, but this time I was referred to a gynacologist and had a Mirena coil fitted ... which worked an absolute treat.

I'd get myself off to the GP if I were you. Hopefully yours will be proactive, but you may need to push it along (I certainly did). If you are already taking iron supplementation, you may need to up the dosage. Good luck with it, hope you get it under control before it starts to drag you down (both from lack of sleep and iron).

Why would you bleed more if your iron is low?

Sob

At least it isn't hurting more than an ache, yesterday it was agony.

I'm only 27, so it can't be the menopause, can it?

My mouth feels all buzzy too, and i'm slightly breathless, but that is just being low on iron, right?

Every time i move, i feel more coming out :-(

I would be asking the GP for a referral to a gynaecologist. Fibroids and endometriosis are two possible causes of heavy bleeding.

Small wonder your iron levels are low. This problem too is outside a GPs remit (many may just treat the symptoms rather than look for the cause) so you need a gynae referral.

Do not put up with this. It is too easy to be fobbed off so you will need to be persistent in order to get answers.

I'm not sure, seems counterintuitive but I think maybe it affects clotting or something? That's just a guess - I was told ages and ages ago, being anaemic makes you bleed more.

Bizarre. But it could be something to do with that.

Hope it eases up soon x

They aren't usually this bad. They have been getting worse, but nothing like this :-(

I have a headache too, and i'm really bloated - two dress sizes bigger than normal (although i could just be fat)

You bleed more when your iron is low as your body uses it as a place to shed blood, so it can make more, iron rich blood.

TBH, if its as heavy a you say I would have it checked, just to be sure nothing is wrong

Is it an urgent thing?

Also, you know after you give birth, you are meant to call the midwife f you get a lot bigger than a 2p? Well, i've had a couple of those, but is that ok? Or is my womb falling out?

Tb, it can fall out for all I care. Only good thing it has ever done is grow two babies, and it wasn't very good at that. It had to get slashed open (in a type of section that apparently hardly ever gets done these days) to get dd1 out, and the surgeon that rescued dd2 from it said it was really scarred. It coldn't hold another baby even if I wanted it to.

I don't think it'd be urgent like you'll be in trouble if you leave it till tomorrow to see the GP.

I think that miight be what I'd do.

I know it must be scary though, I tend to think the worst when something unusual happens - but loads of women get an occasional flood-like period and they are Ok x

If it doesn't get any worse, i'd still get appt with GP in next few days. Remember to mention the tingling, breathlessness and bloating. If it gets worse, you might want to get to dr tomorrow. Tena pads are very good for heavy loss - the are intended for incontinence but work well for catching clots IME! Do rest up as much as possible and remember to take foods rich in iron. If you're already on extra iron, then you should get yout levels checked again. It could be your not being adequately treated - your GP should take it seriously. You know there is a check list thingy on the NHS Choices site?

No, where is the checklist?

Sorry, i am a Luddite and can't do linkies. It's easy though- look at NHS Choices and click on link for 'check your symptoms'.

symptom checker There you, answer the questions honestly and it'll tell you what help you need