Help me get dr to take period pain seriously

[Belonger]

I'm 47 and have absolutely had enough of the pain and flooding I'm suffering, anything from every 3 weeks to 6 weeks. It's stopping me going out, it's making me take time off work occasionally, and I'm going to the dr again this afternoon and want - well, I don't know. Any advice about what to ask for - referral to gynae? Pain killers the size of Wales? I've been googling hysterectomy, I'm feeling so desperate today.

Any advice to help me feel more informed at my appointment would be very welcome.

For info, I take tranexamic acid which helps a bit with flow, but I'm still getting changing supplies hourly some days and sleeping on a towel. Mefanaic acid didn't seem to help with pain. I find ibuprofen with lysine helps the most, which apparently suggests I have issues with absoption. I take Spatone because the blood loss made me anaemic. I had terrible period pain as a teenager and was put on the pill for it, stayed on pill until late 30s. Since then pain and heaviness has got steadily worse.

Just really at the end of my tether. Thanks for listening.

Can you get the mirena coil? Completely stopped my periods for me and the pain.

Thanks, will bear it in mind. I've heard such bad experiences with inserting and removing it, it has put the fear of god into me tbh. But I will try to keep an open mind.

It did hurt to have it inserted, not going to lie! But for 5 years of no periods and pain it is so worth it.

Cerazette mini pill?

i have the mirena coil and it has really helped with the problems you list. It wasn't pleasant inserting it and it does have side effects however weighed up with what the alternative was it has been worth it. It was difficult for about 3-6 months then settled down and yes, 4.5 years of minimal periods/pain

However, in order to get your doctor to pay attention - if they are male, say it is impacting on your sex life (or even worse your husbands sex life) I know it sounds awful but it seems to be something they can relate to.

Belonger

You need a referral to a gynae; such problems are outside a GPs remit and what you have tried treatment wise to date has not worked.

I thought of endometriosis when I read about your symptoms as that can cause both pain and heaviness of bleeding. Ongoing period pain from teenage years is also making me think of endometriosis. I would insist to the GP that you are referred; find someone within the GP practice who will refer you.

I would also keep a daily pain and symptom diary particularly if you do not already do this as this would give the gynae clues. It is certainly in your interests to find out exactly why this is happening particularly if the cause is endometriosis. Find out the cause as well as trying to treat the symptoms (BTW what you've been offered to date is often given to women with endometriosis, they can offer the Mirena coil as well even though this is not a treatment for endometriosis).

I think you should definitely be referred to a gynae with that amount of pain and bleeding, can't understand why your doc hasn't done it! You could have fibroids, even endometriosis. At your age, you could also be in peri-menopause (it sounds like your cycle is a bit erratic?) which is something you should be able to have a conversation about, though in my experience few GPS are able or willing to explore that. But you really should get any gynae conditions ruled in our out and take it from there and do your own research if necessary.

I had heavy bleeding in my early 40s (and a small fibroid) and in retrospect that was the start of peri for me. I did a lot of my own research and figured out I was 'estrogen dominant' and took some supplements, watched my diet etc. There is a supplement call DIM which might be useful for you but I would get some answers from a gynae first. Contraceptive devices can be useful for some women but I wouldn't be adding artificial hormones into the mix until you have some idea of what could be causing this. And ask to get your iron AND ferritin (iron stores) checked - I think if you're low on either it can make bleeding heavier. You might need a stronger iron supplement. Good luck, I know how it can rule your life! X

You should be referred onto a gynecologist.

I have started experiencing heavy periods since having my kids to the point where I'm now anemic because of it. As soon as I mentioned this to the GP, she made the referral. I'm still waiting for the appointment but I have also been told I'll likely need an internal ultrasound as well

Insist on a referral.

Tell your GP what you've written on this thread.

No woman should have to live like this.

I would keep a diary on paper of your symptoms over time and insist on a gynae referral. If you have been multiple times and have a record of pain to show it's seriously affecting your quality of life, they'll hopefully take it seriously and refer you. Good luck, your symptoms sound horrible and no women should have to suffer like that

Yes you need a gynae referral! Perhaps one that specialises in endometriosis, which is chronically under diagnosed (there are special centres all over the UK and you are entitled to ask for a referral to one). Though it could also be fibroids or something else entirely.

Contraception that takes away your periods might help but is only treating the symptoms and masking whatever the real problem is.

When talking to doctor, be specific - eg don't just say periods are heavy, say you soak through a towel in half an hour (or whatever the situation is). Don't just say you are in pain, describe the type of pain (cramping, stabbing...) and how debilitating it is - eg can't get out of bed/can't stand up/work/cook/look after children etc).

I had a laparoscopy. Then 2 iron infusions. Now on depot and not had a period in a year. It's so much better.

Thanks so much everyone, I am quite teary at the support and encouragement

Saw the gp, she was sympathetic but rushed. She said they have to 'try something' before gynae will accept a referral, and has arranged a scan to check for fibroids. First thing she said was 'I think this is all down to perimenopause', which kind of dismissed my lifelong history but I guess at least she recognised peri!

I'm def peri, btw, and have been seeing a medical herbalist who has been brilliant at treating limb pains and hot flushes. The pain seems resistant to everything though! Have been prescribed mefamenic acid again, am trying it

That's progress! Even if nothing shows up on the scan, push for the referral - they can't see endometriosis with a scan, it can only be confirmed with laparoscopic surgery. Estrogen feeds endo and fibroids so meantime do seriously think about anything in your diet that could be causing hormonal imbalance (which is is par for course in peri, unfortunately). Also double check that your herbalist isn't giving you anything estrogenic. I saw a herbalist too and she was great but every time she introduced anything into the mix to directly treat my hormones, everything went haywire! So we stuck herbs that were good for adrenals and toning the uterus. I'm obviously not in a position to diagnose you but it does sound like you might have endo, or at least a severe hormone imbalance and high estrogen levels do see to be a culprit with these things! I'm sure there's light at the end of the tunnel so hang in there and don't stop pushing til you get some satisfactory answers.
Btw, when my periods were v heavy and went on and on I used to take ginger, omega3 and vitK (helps with clotting) and it really seemed to help xx

It sounds like endo to me too especially given your history as a teen and you need to see a specialist. I'm not in the UK but surely what the GP said about needing to 'try something' before referral is not correct? Can you self refer?

I'm exactly the same, 36 and peri. I've always had very irregular periods and an odd flow.

Over the last three years, I have a period every few months that lasts over a month and I have enormous clots, terrible pain and can't leave bed when it happens.

I've had scans which are clear and the gynea put me on a mini pill which helped enormously but sent me batshit, so I'm off it again. I'd rather the periods and have my sanity.

GP is most unsympathetic, I have tranexamic acid and codeine and have to live with it unfortunately.

I'm slightly in love with you all - I've never been encouraged to take this so seriously before. I'm going to read up about endo and get myself informed. I've known people with it and tutted about how long it takes to get diagnosed, but never once thought I could have it.

Weirdly, when I was with the gp I realised that because I've lived with it for so many years, I feel like I've tried everything - I haven't, I think I'm just so worn out and weary of it.

Maybe it's because of being older I'm just no longer willing to put up with anything so utterly crap any more.

Oh, my sister has endo, I'm guessing that's relevant??!

Endometriosis can go down the female line so the fact your sister has endometriosis is relevant.

Icantcopeanymore

Do not put up with this, period pains like you describe are not normal. If your GP is unsympathetic find another GP to talk to, change GP practice if you have to and be persistent.

Would suggest you keep a daily pain and symptom diary also particularly if you do not already do this.

Scans do not detect endometriosis if it is there. I have had more internal ultrasounds than I care to mention and none of those ever saw the extensive endometriosis that was in my uterine cavity.

I'm sorry to hijack your thread, but I am so relieved at some of these replies as I came on here today to ask exactly the same question!

I've had crippling period pain and very heavy bleeding ever since DC2 was born. I've tried tranexamic acid, naproxen and ibuprofen and the Mirena. I'm in bits each month and can barely stand or sit sometimes. Going to the toilet can be agony!

I saw the doctor this morning to get my Mirena removed and just got a lecture about how 3 months wasn't long enough to give it a go, and unless I go on hormonal contraception there isn't really anything they can do for my pain. I came home and cried, I feel so fobbed off every time. They talk about possible endo but then just arrange ultrasounds, which never show anything except regular ovarian cysts. Aaargh.

I wish we could all go to the doc together and support each other to demand the right tests.

I'm going to have the ultrasound then demand a referral to gynae and to have the correct test for endo.
It's an absolute bloody outrage that so little is known, taught or done about such a massively debilitating and common condition.

I've been offered mefenamic acid or mini pill. I refuse the mirena ever ever again!! I'll take the offer of cerazette I think.