Back to GP for periods?

[MonoNoAware]

My periods have changed over the past year, shortening from 37 days (normal for me) to 29, getting heavier and at times very painful.

My GP prescribed tranexamic acid which has been helpful, and which I take along with ibuprofen. I still spend at least 3 hours at the start of each period in quite a bit of pain and get through a lilets super plus extra tampon every 45 minutes to 1 hour for the first 6 hours or so of bleeding. However, compared to the god-awful day of agony I used to experience pre-DC I can live with this.

I happened to mention this to a nurse who seemed to think it was not normal at my age and that I should go back to my GP and ask for my hormones to be tested. Is it worth bothering? I'm not having hot flushes or any other obviously menopausal symptoms and we have completed our family anyway. GP had a good prod and poke at my abdomen when I saw him, so has presumably already satisfied himself it's nothing more sinister.

I'm 36 btw, although I flatter myself that I look younger

Its not normal at your age to be having such problems. Also any such changes to the cycle should always be reported. Yes this is indeed worth seeing the GP about. Do not keep putting up with this.

I would go back to the GP and ask for a referral to a gynaecologist (do not take no for an answer). Many GPs are not always up to speed when it comes to such problems and can just hand out pills or do blood tests (that will not detect endometriosis if is there anyway). The cause of all this needs to be determined as well as treating the symptoms.

I was wondering if infact endometriosis could be the root cause of your symptoms now given the facts that you are in pain at the start (any pain that is cyclical in nature and gets worse up to and at the start of menses should be checked out properly to see if endometriosis is the cause), the god awful agony you had pre DC and the prescribing of transexamic acid tablets (they can sometimes be given to women who also present with endo). Endometriosis can also cause heavy bleeding to arise too.

Would also suggest you keep a daily pain and symptom diary as this can also give clues. Do not be fobbed off, you will need to be persistent in order to get answers. Prodding your tummy as the GP did is not going to give definite answers.

Thanks attila. The pain is in the form of cramps, like the contractions you get in labour except up to 20 bastarding minutes long They are manageable with medication, so long as my periods are regular (I start ibuprofen 3 days beforehand, something to do with prostaglandins, and tranexamic acid too once the bleeding starts). The trouble is they are so irregular I am missing the 3 day window.

Still, I'd rather put up with one shitty day each cycle than go on the pill/mirena. I'm fine the rest of the month.

I winced in recognition when I read about your description of cramps; that's exactly what I used to get (in my case the root cause was endometriosis). Labour pains to me were less painful, at least they had a start and end. I never knew exactly when endometriosis was going to strike, when it did it hit me bloody hard in terms of pain.

Endometriosis tends to flare up more in the days leading up to and including menses as well so was not really surprised to read that you are okay the rest of the month.

You may well find that transexamic acid becomes less effective over time. I would really consider a trip to the GP with a request being made to see a gynaecologist. You're being obligated into taking pain pills three days in advance to manage such pains; that alone warrants a gynae referral.

I was also very pleasantly surprised by childbirth; nice little bite sized contractions, loads of sympathy and no one expecting me to 'just email over XYZ' or 'just pop to the shop', etc, etc ok, the end bit did smart a little

I'll book an appointment. The nurse I spoke to recommended that I try to get an appointment with the new GP so I'll see if I have any luck there.

I too have similar memories of the pain you describe. I used to spend 2-3 hours in the bath meditating through the vice like pain. I couldn't even stand the noise of the tap running. It usually hit in the early hours so was exhausting.
Again good old endometriosis.
Mirena coil has been my saviour. Had one fitted after Ds was born. The last ten years have been life changing. I have had a couple of episodes in that time but nothing like the old days.
The heavy blood loss caused chronic/severe anaemia. I had to have iron infusion during pregnancy because levels were so low I struggled walking upstairs.
Make an appointment with your GP. Start a diary documenting problems and dates and length of periods. Do a bit of research on local gynaegynae and ask to be referred to one who has an interest in endo. It is a complex disease and lesions are often spread throughout the abdomen and further.
I have a lot on my bowel and bladder. Pain ( IBS type symptoms) are triggered by certain types of food, in my case orange juice and factory farmed chicken are real killers. So keep an eye open for any connections to food.

I wonder how many of us suffer like this? I had years of GP visits throughout my teens and early 20s, until I finally went on the pill. After both DC my periods returned, but with only mild cramps. It's only in the last year or so that they've become painful again.

I had considered but for some reason dismissed endometriosis, I will look into it more now. Thank you.