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Original poster

Stopping periods for a few months?

31 replies

UncertainTea · 12/05/2015 09:57

Is there something I can take to stop periods for a few months? I can't deal with the thought of any more at the moment and am trying to decide if it's worth making a doctors appointment.

OP posts:

Mostlyjustaluker · 12/05/2015 09:59

You can get tablets to stop periods but they have horrible side effects, bloating, sickness and pmt worse than period.

Lots of people find some contraceptive pills stop bleeding but this does not happen for everybody and they have can cause weeks of spotting first.

What is so bad about periods? If they are problem then definitely talk throughout the potential solutions with your doctor.

Original poster

UncertainTea · 12/05/2015 10:13

What is so bad about periods? Hmm. Let me see. I'm fed up with the vomiting, shaking dizziness, cramps,bloating, being unable to stand up straight or sit down without being in pain for two or three days a month, needing to take painkillers so I can go to the toilet. Then feeling for a week afterwards like I've been punched in the stomach. Admittedly, I've not passed out since I've had the DC, (although I wasnt far off this week, which meant I had to admit to the IL's why I was bailing out on them, but at least I wasn't alone with the DC) so in that respect it has got better. Oh I know I should be so joyful about being a woman and worship the boldily functions and all that crap but I've had enough. I want a break. So shoot me. Just make sure it's before the next period comes.

OP posts:

reallybadidea · 12/05/2015 10:16

Definitely make an appointment with your doctor. There are various options you can try. I'm on a progesterone pill (cerelle) and haven't had a period for nearly 10 years.

Original poster

UncertainTea · 12/05/2015 10:17

Ooooh that's sounds good really! Any side effects? (Not that I care right at this moment!

OP posts:

SocietyClowns · 12/05/2015 10:20

Also on the mini pill but it hasn't stopped my periods so this is not a given OP. Definitely make an appointment with your GP and do not be fobbed off. I am always astonished some people seem to suggest this crap is just what we have to put up with - it's not, so make some noise!!

Archer26 · 12/05/2015 10:20

I had similar issues, losing a week of my life each month. I tried different pills including one I took continuously which stopped them but then now and then I'd get random bleeds, usually at the worst time. So I went on the injection. I was in this for nearly two years with no periods. I then came off in the February to Ttc and fell pregnant in the July. I had heard horror stories about weight gain and it staying in your system for years but not in my case. Go to your GP, if possible a female one as they tend to be more sympathetic to our plight!

Mostlyjustaluker · 12/05/2015 10:24

uncertain that is horrible and you don't that to put up with that. There are things they can do but it maybe a bit of trial and error to see which is best for you. Good luck.

BuzzardBird · 12/05/2015 10:27

Have you been checked for fibroids?

Original poster

UncertainTea · 12/05/2015 11:10

No.

OP posts:

BuzzardBird · 12/05/2015 11:35

It's just that I have suffered like you all my life and have begged men to knock me out to stop the pain it has been that bad. Only recently (now I am near the end of it all) has the GP casually said "oh, it is probably fibroids, but they will shrink when you go through MP so we won't bother to investigate given your age". ( I could have another 7 years of it).

If you are nowhere near late forties maybe you could get it checked out as I believe threatment is available.

I tried the pills that stopped periods and I could have easily ended up in prison for life the way they made me feel. I would not recommend them.

LtheWife · 12/05/2015 13:36

Do speak to your GP and as for some investigations into what's going on, there are so many things that can cause problem periods. They'll probably want to send you for an ultrasound to check for things like fibroids. Even if that doesn't show anything they can still refer you to a gynae specialist who can look into things further. A combination of tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid tablets work wonders for many women (available from your GP) but it's always a good idea to find out what's causing the problem.

PoshPenny · 12/05/2015 13:41

If you're suffering like that, then you should definitely go to your doctor to see about getting help. I hope they can do something for you.

PoshPenny · 12/05/2015 13:44

Make sure you let them know exactly how much it affects your ability to go about your daily life and how long it goes on for. Do not underplay it, let them know how it really is.

Babymamamama · 12/05/2015 13:46

Contraceptive injection?

Original poster

UncertainTea · 12/05/2015 21:33

Ive always been wary of hormone contraception. I assume it's meant to mimic part of your cycle in order to suppress ovulation. Is that right? If so, which bit?

OP posts:

Original poster

UncertainTea · 12/05/2015 21:34

Have an appointment for next week, got the last one!

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 13/05/2015 07:02

I would be asking your GP next week for a referral to a gynae. Do not take no for an answer!. GPs are not always up to speed when it comes to such problems.

Treating the symptoms is all well and good but they do not address the cause; you need to find the cause.

Fibroids tend to cause heavy bleeding to arise; they do not usually cause such pain.

I thought of endometriosis when I read your post; the ongoing pain is a big giveaway here. If endometriosis is the cause it is unlikely that an internal ultrasound will see anything untoward as the endo deposits are so small.

BuzzardBird - I'd be finding another GP practice to talk to; the GP you saw was particularly unhelpful. It is not a problem that any woman should have to put up with.

Original poster

UncertainTea · 13/05/2015 07:35

Oh FFS! Have had one day no bleeding where my whol stomach area is still sore to the touch from the cramps at the weekend and now am getting ovulation pain. Spectacularly unimpressed.

How do they diagnose endometriosis then atilla? I've had a cyst removed before and had one that appeared and vanished last year. I've had enough. I've not actually ovulated yet as the "kill yourself" doesn't yet appear on my list of things to do, but in the pre-period version I may well be tempted to! Oh the joys of being female the bits they don't write in the books!

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 13/05/2015 09:05

Usually endometriosis is diagnosed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

Any pains that are cyclical in nature and become worse up to and including menses should be checked out properly to see if endometriosis is present. Its very common and very much underdiagnosed (its the second most common gynae problem seen in women after fibroids).

I would keep a daily pain (on scale from 1-10) and symptom diary if you have not already done this as this will give the gynae clues.

IronyFreeAnnie · 13/05/2015 12:08

I am currently off work due to an Endometriosis flare up,and your symptoms do sound similar to what I have had every month.
I was diagnosed 3 years ago with a laparoscopy, then had a second op to remove the endo. This combined with naproxen and tranexemic acid has made my periods much more manageable for the last 3 years.

Unfortunately with the latest flare up I have had to fight to get any treatment from the gynae dept, as they all seem to be obsessed with the mirena coil as the answer to every problem ( it's not for me as we are ttc), so you shouldn't have any problem being offered a hormonal treatment, but it's worth being prepared to argue your case if you want a non-hormonal treatment.

specialsubject · 13/05/2015 12:51

just to add that if your period is any more than a minor inconvenience, something is wrong. It is 2015 and there are treatments.

continue to pester for help until you get a treatment that works for you. Everyone is different so you may need to try different things, but there will be something that works.

but you may have to consider hormones.

mrssnodge · 14/05/2015 12:27

I was having problems like you too, only every 11 days, tried all the medications, none worked, had vaginal scans etc, lining of womb was really thick and never completely broke down as well as ovarian cysts, etc.
I was put on the progesterone only mini pill Zellata,- ( A week after Dp had the snip so it wasnt for contraception) this has changed my life- no more periods, and no side effects either, sailing through menopause now, Please OP go to docs, and keep going back until you get something that works,. best of luck

Willdoitinaminute · 14/05/2015 21:53

Having suffered from endometriosis through my 20s and 30s, I went for the Mirena coil. I know it's not popular with swathes of MNetters but it really has been the best thing that has happened to me since having DH. I was chronically anaemic for 10 yrs prior to pregnancy and then had to have iron infusions during pregnancy so they could safely deliver DH.
I could have opened my own pharmacy with the painkillers I had to take to just get through the day and spent long agonising nights dozing in the bath just to get a little relief from the pain. I didn't have the energy for PMT.
For the last ten years I have had little more than slight spotting each month and a slight headache for a couple of days. I probably take a couple of paracetamol a month now.
The coil releases a very small amount of progesterone into the uterus that stops the development of the lining, it may also shrink fibroids since I had grapefruit sized one during pregnancy which has all but disappeared.
I know when the hormone levels are dropping because I start to experience mild cramping and more bleeding, usually around 4 yrs. My GP Is happy to replace it early. At 51 I'm hoping that I am going through the menopause, there is some evidence that the Mirena helps with some of the side effects.
If it hadn't been for the coil I would have definately begged for an hysterectomy.

Original poster

UncertainTea · 16/05/2015 07:23

Still in pain. Low down on my right side and back. I'm a wreck! I hope I'm not imagining it. Is it possible I'm just being over sensitive because of the cramps I had during my period???

I'm dreading going to the doctors on Monday. Is he likely to believe me or will he just think I'm being a pathetic wimp? Last time I went to him (re dermoid cyst) I got the impression he thought I was being over dramatic and he said I was coping well (even thought I thought I wasn't). What is he likely to ask me?

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/05/2015 07:40

No you are not imagining it at all and I would see a different doctor from the one you saw last time if at all possible. If a GP practice is unhelpful then change GP practice; its no point in dealing with someone who you feel is difficult to communicate with.

You should be believed and I would be insisting to this person that you are referred to a gynae. Many GPs are simply not up to speed when it comes to such issues and act in ignorance. Also do keep a daily pain and symptom diary; this will also give the gynae clues.

(Willdoitinaminute - endometriosis can recur after hysterectomy particularly if it is sited in the intestines)

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