Anyone else fed up with AFs approaching mid-life? Stay away if squeamish!

[anorak]

I thought about changing my name for this but I can't be arsed. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

Anyone else experiencing irregular/heavy/exhausting periods at an age approaching the change? I'm 45 and so sick and tired of being out of action 30% of the time, having to rush to the loo every five minutes, changes overnight interrupting sleep, and so bloated that I look like 6 months preg. Also suffer from hot flushes and constant wind

Does this have anything to do with having a coil? Would it be better if DH had the chop and I had the coil removed? Sorry for so much detail but I'm so effing sick of feeling like this. I have family history of this kind of problem too. My mother had a full hysterectomy by the time she was my age, and my younger sis has fibroids.

Would like to hear from mums of similar age what is their experience.

am 44 soon, no signs yet thank god, but will watch this closely....

This probably won't make you feel any better, anorak, but between 45 and 50 I had horrendous periods - I used to calculate (from Lillets absorption rates) I lost ½ pint of blood every time, and they were every 26 days

But I didn't have a coil or use the pill or anything; I was nearly 42 when DS2 was born and was sterilised at that point - it was just the peri-menopause apparently.

Given your family history maybe a hysterectomy would be the best thing for you too?

Just like that! Do they do hysterectomies on demand?

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Um - dunno!

Because of mine I had an investigative D&C, which found nothing wrong, so I just went home and carried on bleeding practically to death every month - asking for a hysterectomy never occurred to me but with your family history they might consider it for you?

Blimey ursula that sounds grim!

My GP is lovely but she doesn't seem too expert on coils. She just changed mine after it's 5 years were up and has left the strings quite long on it. I went back and asked her to shorten them because they were irritating me and it felt like I had thrush all the time. But she told me to push them into my cervix!! leaving short ends. I wonder if this has happened to anyone else. My last doctor cut the strings shorter and it was very comfortable and my periods weren't this bad.

Also when my new doc fitted me with the new coil, it fell out after a few days. I had to go back and get another one. I just get the feeling (although I do like her very much) that she just isn't a coil expert and that she is bluffing if you know what I mean. I am wondering if anyone else has had their coil left with long wires that protrude into the vagina and irritate like this. Sorry if tmi.

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Anyone else going through this?

I have been wondering if I should switch to a mooncup as I am constantly worried about leakage. Would it be helpful and can you use one with a coil fitted?

bump

Gosh anorak - sounds unpleasant and worrying for you. I too have been wondering if some physical signs are indications that my body is getting ready for midlife change. But, my problem is the opposite - periods have gradually been getting shorter/lighter, and now haven't had a period for 3 months. And I'm definitely not pregnant!

No knowledge/experience of the coil, so no idea if that is contributing to the problem.

I do have two friends who have gone through some of the physical symptoms you describe with heavy periods and bloating. Both of them eventually had surgery, and are back to their normal selves now. I'd go see your doctor to discuss options. Good luck.

hey anorak. my experience is of dreadful heavy periods for the last 3-4 years( i am 42). Gp found that i have quite large fibroids which seem to be causing the heavy bleeding and pain. have been on a number of therapies and down a few dead ends. Gp has diagnosed peri-menopause and PMT and anaemia
course of action 1 was a d&c and ant-deperessants felt just as bad)
course of action 2 was primolut 9 (progestone)+ iron tablets which is supposed to make period lighter and world brighter felt 100 times worse with extra witchy rages and of course the lovely black poo)
course of action 3: decapeptyl jab once a month ( which stops you ovulating completely) and and HRT tablet every day called kliovance which you take to stop you getting menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and bone thinning.
I am still on this and moods are better, but too soon to say if periods lighter or less agony as they have not yet stopped - but gp says they will
Sadly i can only do the decapeptyl for 6 months so will eventually probably have to go to plan D=
course of action 4; complete hysterectomy
I need to do a lot of thinking about the last one.I would really need to be convinced that it was the only course of action.
hope this is helpful

Anorak-I had a mirena fitted 4 years ago (was having very heavy periods as taking warfarin at the time).
The mirena is excellent at reducing the bleeding. My periods were extremely light afterwards and now seem to have stopped altogether-I think I am also going into menopause. I think the ordinary coil can make the bleeding worse, so perhaps the mirena might be an option to consider?

Hi anorak. I'm 43 this month and in the last year my periods have been all over the place.

First of all I went through a phase of having a period every 2-3 weeks, being extremely spotty and moody. That lasted for about 4/5 months.

Then for a while everything went back to 'normal' - and now my periods are pretty regular but getting much heavier each month. I feel trapped indoors for the first 2 or 3 days atm.

Have no experience of the coil but in view of your family's history, I would def go back to the GP. You shouldn't have to suffer if it's affecting your day to day life like this.

Thank you for your messages. It's very useful to compare.

cremolafoam your experience sounds much worse than mine. I don't have the terrible pain you speak of. Is there some reason why you baulk at the idea of the hysterectomy? Perhaps it would put an end to your suffering.

I'd prefer not to use the mirena coil. I took the pill for so many years that it made me ill in the end. I fight shy of re-introducing hormonal treatments into my body.

Hi anorak. Not as bad, but similar. I turned 40 in July and periods are generally frequent (21 days or fewer apart, the most recent being 18 days!) and unpredictably heavy. So I just don't know when on day 2 or 3 I'm going to 'flood'.

My mum had an early-ish menopause - 45.

Was checked for fibroids last year and they found nothing. Have had the odd bit of spotting, but GP says it's just hormonal. Well, duh! So I may be ante-perimenopausal, but there isn't much they can do. They suggested the Mirena coil to me too, but am reluctant because of some friends' experiences.

Wow, I might really be able to help here (hopefully). I've had dreadful heavy crampy periods since they came back post dd (so since summer 2004). Just soldiered on until I got worried about the cramping and got referred for a scan and to see a specialist.
The specialist recommended a procedure called endometrial ablation. It is basically a heavy trim of the endometrium and apparently alleviates heavy bleeding in about 80% of people who have it done.
It is done under G/A but as a day case. I was petrified more of the G/A and the op but went ahead anyway last month and I can honestly say I'm so glad I did. My periods are much, much lighter. And no hysterectomy or ongoing medication.
Am not sure if it is suitable for people who want to continue with the coil, but no-one has mentioned it on here yet and I had not heard of it until it was recommended either.
I would definitely ask about it anorak. There is a very useful patient info section about the procedure on the NHS Direct website btw.

yes anorak-it looks like the perfect answer-and many a woman has said to me it has changed her life for the better......
except all of them have had their own children and i have not.
i have one adopted dd and 5 years of unsuccessful IVF- last one only last year which ended in a miscarriage.
the consultant thinks i am not ready on several levels to have a hysterectomy.I am not so sure either.

cremolafoam, how sad for you, I'm so sorry. I hope you have a reversal of fortunes.

I'm beginning to think my periods aren't nearly as bad as some others here and that I am probably whining about nothing! My sister for example has such heavy periods that she has to take an iron supplement.

But I don't recall discussion on this subject and I'm finding this one very interesting and useful. I bet I'm not the only one wondering if this is normal, if it will go on for years, if there is anything one can do about it and so on. The endometrial ablation treatment is something I didn't know about, for example. I don't think I need anything like that atm, but knowing it's an option if things get worse has cheered me up already.

Please keep your experiences coming!

thanks anorak.
hope you find a good solution for you.
i agree this is a very interesting thread.i am glad there at least seems to be quite a few options.
i don't think it is a comparitive sport though- what is dreadful for one person can be a minor irritation to someone else so don't feel that your problem is not important. if it is really getting you down i would do something about it.
all the best.

Good grief, it's not just me...I'm about to see the doc, tomorrow, for several reasons including the fact that my periods are leaving me so drained and exhausted I look for bite marks on my neck.

I don't know if I'm pre-menopausal, though, simply because - like Marina - I was definitely pretty fertile only three years ago, and I understand your fertility drops dramatically in the decade preceding your menopause. Suppose I could have segued into that stage now, though.

this is exactly why I want to go on the pill again

must make that appointment

.. crippling pain, heavey and very long periods, huge bloating etc

.. am 39 ..

Poor you. I am 50 and went through huge amounts of bleeding once ovaries stopped ovulating. BUT - I had a scan to exclude fibroids before having Mirena coil fitted - at the local hospital, by gynaecologist. Brilliant, all bleeding stopped. If your tummy is swollen / bulky, you should have an ultrasound scan to make sure you haven't got fibroids. Still have some hot flushes, and cannot remember the names of friends / colleagues / my own children etc., have gained a bit of weight (but that might be the red wine!!!) My digestion isn't what it was, but i think that is a menopausal thing too. You can have a blood test to see whether you are perimenopausal or menopausal, and that can help to sort out what is going on. Ask to be referred to a Gynaecologist. Good luck.

Fertility drops?! Ha Ha - I was pregnant again at 41, still reeling in shock as I plummeted into the menopause.... thank God at least I can't get pregnant again!

Twiglett, would you be 'allowed' to go back on the pill? I thought the cut off age was 35.

But you obviously should see your GP if you are suffering like that.

When I saw the doc last year she was unwilling to put me on the pill - I was just approaching 39. She said that they like to get women off the pill by 40.