Heavy periods

[Holdbacktheriver]

Sorry for the whining post that is to follow but I'm so fed up and tired and really just want some way I can improve things slightly.

My periods have always been very painful and heavy, but since having my youngest (now 2) they are unbearable.

The pain is now worse than labour, it's so bad I'm physically sick on day 1. The flow is much heavier now and full of fairly large clots ( bigger than a 50p) and each month on day 3 I'm changing my pad every 10 minutes as it's that heavy I'm soaking through. I also only use nighttime pads as normal ones wouldn't last 5 minutes. It does ease off on Day 4 but I bleed for 8 days still. I have to sleep on an old towel and it will often disturb my sleep. I'm finding that I'm really tired all month and I'm struggling to function. By the time I feel I've recovered I'm due on again. I've tried taking pregnancy vitamins for the extra iron (we aren't ttc but I thought they wouldn't do any harm to try) but I'm still completely shattered and I'm nodding off on the floor in ds room when I put him to bed at 7.

I can't take any hormonal contraceptives as they just don't agree with me (they make me very depressed to the point I can't leave the house) and the copper coil made my periods heavier when I tried it in between babies.

Does anyone know of anything else I can try? I am getting quite fed up with it all now I'm only in my 30s so have a long time left to carry on like this.

So I don't drip feed, I have pcos. I have been lucky enough to control symptoms with diet (babies were all conceived with clomid though) so I'm an ok weight now and I exercise 4 times a week. Normally fit and healthy no other medical issues that I'm aware of.

I'd just be really grateful if anyone has any advice or if I need a grip feel free to hand me one and tell me to stop being so miserable

Absolutely do not need to get a grip, this isnt normal and I totally feel for you!!
I can only offer advice on my own experience which is pretty much the same story as you, same ages etc pcos, cant take hormonal treatments. My periods are not quite as heavy as you describe though but I do have nightime/daytime leaks etc.

Whats helped? Seeing a wonderful gyneacologist who assured me it wasnt normal - even that recognition helped psychologically. She basically went through the process of diagnosing endometriosis aswell as the PCOS. There were also support groups through the womens health dept.
I have antisickness tablets that somedays literally get me through, take magnesium and vit D supplements which also help. Paracetamol and codiene help with the pain (anything stronger and Im out for the count!). I dropped my hours at work which has been a great relief as I dont have the worry of 'how am I going to get through today'. I also take an antidepressant to help with PMT and this has also improved the pain as I dont have as much psychological burden. A colleugue had endometrial ablation for heavy bleeding and it was a godsend for her.

Hope this helps, I think its such an individual thing but id take your post and show your gp, hopefully they would refer you quickly xxx

This is not normal at all and this is also impacting on your day to day life. You certainly do not need a grip, you need medical attention from a gynae.

I would go to the GP asap. This person should refer you to a gynaecologist to properly determine the root cause of your heavy and painful periods. In the meantime I would keep a daily pain and symptom diary if you do not already do this to chart all your symptoms. It will also give the gynae clues.

Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding to arise and endometriosis can cause both heavy bleeding and pain. Given that you have pain as well I would think that endometriosis is a distinct possible cause here.

Thank you both. I had been a few times before I had my youngest when it wasn't as bad as it is now and was just offered hormonal contraceptives or the coil

I have been checked for endo before but it was probably about 10 years ago now.

I have started to track my cycles and note down what's happening and when so hopefully that will help when I go back. It's a 6 week wait to see my GP I've called and booked an appointment this afternoon so hopefully going in armed she might be able to do something for me.