Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Contraception that helps with heavy periods for 49 year old?!

26 replies

loopyloou · 02/09/2013 15:16

I know I can't take the combined pill (age and also migraines with aura), but is there something else that is safe for me to take and that will help with my very painful heavy periods? I don't need it for contraception (dh had the snip ten years ago), just to make my periods lighter. I've had a mirena coil before, very painful, so don't fancy that again. How have others got on with depo injection or the implant?

OP posts:

Original poster

loopyloou · 02/09/2013 17:58

Sorry, just realised I posted in the wrong place. Will post on family planning board.

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 02/09/2013 18:03

Have you tried something like Mefenamic Acid? Reduces the blood loss and helps with pain, but not a contraceptive.

Lovemynailstoday · 02/09/2013 20:25

Mirena! Love it. Don't believe read any of the negative press. Got mine the same age you are and it was life changing ( in a good way).

Original poster

loopyloou · 02/09/2013 20:46

I had a mirena 15 yrs ago and had no problems until I had an ectopic and had it removed. No worry re becoming pregnant now as dh had the snip so considering having another as I had no periods last time. However, I have been slightly scared reading through threads on here of negative experiences.

I remember the fitting being very painful, even though I already had two children.

Also wanted it sorted ASAP as I can't stand anymore painful periods. Am due on tomorrow or soon anyway (slightly irregular) and have appt tomorrow but suspect they won't do it there and then, even though was recommended by gynae a few months ago. Not even sure if gp will fit or if I need to go to hospital.

OP posts:

Lovemynailstoday · 02/09/2013 21:19

Mine was painless to insert (but doc told me it should always be done under GA if lady has delivered by c section as this means cervix hasn't opened.) I'm no expert but it really worked for me and did what it said on the tin, so to speak.

BreadAndJamForFrances · 02/09/2013 22:20

Have you thought about thermal ablation? It helped me for a while, lighter periods, but they have now got bad again so I am going for another treatment. (I was told though that I am one of the unlucky ones who needs more than one go!) I would have a hysterectomy if I could, but previous surgery has made it impossible.

missbopeep · 02/09/2013 22:53

Are you sure it was the Mirena? Not trying to be funny but I don't think it's been around for 15 years. Only reason I'm saying that is I had a copper coil fitted around 15 years ago and the Mirena was never mentioned or offered.

TheBeanAndTheBee · 02/09/2013 22:56

Talk to your GP about transexamic acid to reduce the bleeding. Not a contraceptive. It does help especially if you take it a day or so before you are due.

Do talk to your GP anyway. Might be fibroids??

TheBeanAndTheBee · 02/09/2013 22:58

You can also take transexamic alongside mefenamic acid as someone else suggested up thread.

Original poster

loopyloou · 02/09/2013 23:06

Missbopeep, yes, the mirena was very new at the time. It was 1998, I had the ectopic pregnancy two years before I moved house, and I moved in 2000, my dd was born 2001.

OP posts:

Original poster

loopyloou · 02/09/2013 23:07

I've been prescribed mefenamic acid, but never know when period will start, also don't like the sound of the risks?

OP posts:

DramaAlpaca · 02/09/2013 23:08

I'm same age as you & had a Mirena put in three years ago because my periods had become very heavy & more frequent. It's literally changed my life. I have had no side effects and my periods are now almost non-existent. I would highly recommend it.

I can't comment on what it's like to have it inserted as I had mine put in under GA because I needed other gynae stuff sorted out at the same time.

Original poster

loopyloou · 02/09/2013 23:08

Forgot to say, I had a scan for fibroids, no sign of any.

OP posts:

Original poster

loopyloou · 02/09/2013 23:10

I'm not as worried about the bleeding, it's only bad for one, maybe two days, and still manageable. It's the pain I can't deal with. The gynae I saw a few months ago suggested the mirena coil, at the time I said no, but now I'm wondering if that would be better than the mini pill, after some of the side effects I've been reading about.

OP posts:

MrsSlocombesPussy · 02/09/2013 23:27

I had the mirena put in 8 weeks ago and since then I've gone from having flooding (changing tampons every 20 mins and losing clots almost the size of the palm of my hand) to having no bleeding. I think I 'm having a period now but it's hard to tell, it's just a small amount of spotting.
Insertion wasn't too painful either - I haven't given birth naturally (2 CS's). Was slightly more uncomfortable than a smear test and was over in less than 5 mins. GP advised me to take ibuprofen 1 hr before my appointment.
Previously had the implant, but it didn't help me.

Original poster

loopyloou · 03/09/2013 07:56

Thanks

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/09/2013 08:48

loopyloou

Has anyone in a medical capacity ever tried to work out the CAUSE of your painful and heavy periods?. Both fibroids and endometriosis can cause such problems to arise, in view of the pain you experience I would think that endometriosis is a possible cause here.

I would seek a second opinion and try and establish why you have such problems with periods in the first instance.

Original poster

loopyloou · 03/09/2013 09:33

Thanks Yes, I've seen the gp and been referred to the gynae, had a scan, but they found nothing. They think it's just an age thing.

I've been to see the gp this morning and have instructions to call on the first day of my period to make an appt for mirena fitting.

OP posts:

DramaAlpaca · 03/09/2013 10:23

Good luck loopyloou hope it goes well for you.

Original poster

loopyloou · 03/09/2013 10:53

Thanks

OP posts:

digerd · 03/09/2013 13:09

I was 48 when for some time I had experienced heavy painful periods and went on a contraceptive pill to stop it for that particular month. Gyny said at my age falling pregnant was most unlikely so put me on HRT afterwards and I was fine.
DSIS went on the pill in early 30s and stayed on it until she was 55.
No menopausal symptoms before or after stopping the pill. She was on the micro pill.

missbopeep · 03/09/2013 13:46

what's the micro pill- is it the same as the mini pill?

Original poster

loopyloou · 12/09/2013 11:08

Well, I have my appointment for the mirena fitting next tues a.m. I'll take some painkillers an hour before. Really scared but hope it'll be worth it.

OP posts:

meditrina · 12/09/2013 11:15

If there are no other causes discovered by scan, one remaining possible condition is adenomyosis. Not that it makes much difference to have the name - it's can't be cured, all they can do is treat the symptoms, and if you don't want a mirena there doesn't seem to be much else they can do.

Hope it goes well for you next Tues, loopyloou.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 12/09/2013 13:58

Loopyloou

How long have you had this type of problem?.

Scans though (particularly ultrasound scans) won't necessarily detect endometriosis if it is there.

They've booked you in to have another Mirena fitted but you had one of those fitted previously and it did not work out!. I would be having strong words with this GP practice.

Flip

1 2