Apocalyptic periods - how do you cope?

[Corygal]

I'm 46 and now having the most flamboyant bleeds. Last month the flat looked like a scene from Reservoir Dogs after my period started and I tried to make it from the ruined bed to the loo - think carpet cleaning and binning the bedding - this month the bleeding has been so bad I've been almost housebound.

How do you cope, particularly at night? I'm using super plus tampax, a night towel, two pairs of pajama bottoms and still waking up soaked and having to change or throw away sheets. Pain is not too bad, but still nearly keeled over with a cramp when I nipped out to the shop today.

[AlpacaLypse]

Another Tranexamic Acid worshipper here. In fact you've reminded me I've got to drop in my repeat prescription request!

OP if you're in NE Wilts I'll come and collect you for your next appointment - no woman should continue to suffer like this and I have dogproof seat covers should WW3 occur on the journey

[Atbeckandcall]

Alpaca, I'm also in Wilts.

Should you have any other gynae issues I can't recommend highly enough Mr Griffiths at the Ridgeway (he is so at the GWH).

[Abra1d]

Mooncups definitely help contain the floods. Mine don't quite get me through the night without padding, but they are much better than tampons.

Re the additional padding: I used real nappies for my children and saved some of the lining pads. They are thick, soft cotton and I fold them in half or thirds and stuff them into my pants at night. I also keep a small dark towel by the bed so that when I stand up I can stuff it between my legs, and save the carpet. I also use old tennis and running socks, stuffed into my pants. THey are very absorbent and can just be either thrown out or washed on a hot wash and reused. I find them better than disposables and softer.

I used to feel so ashamed of the mess I made. I had no idea it was so commonplace.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Black bedsheets, duvet covers, knickers and PJs with a waterproof fitted sheet underneath.

Also, always have carrier bags in the car in case you need one to sit on.

See a GP. I too am anaemic and it has helped to be on iron. It has also meant I can now exercise which again helps with the pain.

There are other things that can cause heavy periods, like fibroids (can be ruled out/detected with a simple ultrasound) so ask the GP to find out what is causing the problem, not just treat symptoms. Anaemia does take a while to treat (and that's after you've waited a month for the GP appountment, another for bloods to get taken and another to see the GP again. One black sheet now will save you 3 or more....)

[puffylovett]

Another one here. I was very anaemic after flooding constantly for 2-3 days.

Iron tablets have helped, changing my diet has helped and also seeing a naturopath who has been supporting my liver function helped massively. I've gone from changing my overflowing mooncup hourly to every 2-3 hours not overflowing, so that's a 50-60% reduction? Since diet and supplementation :)

[RuddyDuck]

I used to have horrendous periods, and would get up every hour during the night to change all sanpro. Still ended up ruining vountless sheets, but sleeping on towels did save the mattress
I went countless times to the Gp. Tried Tranexamic Acid, which didn't make a difference. Had a Mirena fitted, which didn't lesssen the bleeding and also lengthened my periods, to the
point where they were 16 days long

I eventually saw a different GP who was much more helpful and referred me to gynae. Turned out I had a massive fibroid in my uterus, so I had that removed. I now still have very heavy -but managable - bleeding on day 1, but otherwise my periods have gone back to normal.

When my periods were at their worst, I could not have gone to work for the first two days as I had to change tampons approx every 20 - 30 minutes during the day, and regularly flooded through all my clothing. I took norethisterone so that my periods started on a Friday afternoon, and I could then spend the weekend in close proximity to a bathroom!

I found that Tampax are hopeless for heavy periods. Lillets are much better as they expand widthways. Lillets do a very heavy duty tampon called "ultra" in orange packaging. Our city centre Boots occasionally stocks them but I buy them online.

Definitely go and see your GP, we should not have to put up with this.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Agree, tampax are useless for this kind of thing. Lillets do an Ultra Extra (in Purple) which are great. Asda's own ultra extra ones are about the size of the Lillets ultra/orange ones.

[SteppingonLego]

Agree with those that have recommended mirena coil. I used to have to set an alarm for 2am to avoid leaking all over the bed in the middle of the night. Don't need to use anything more than pantyliners now. It did take around 2 or 3 months to settle down after having it fitted though.