I'm not sure whether to post this in general health or mental health in all honesty, but I'm convinced it's all connected.
I'm still trying to build up the courage to see a doctor (only one female GP at the practice and it's really hard to get an appointment with her - but maybe I'm just making excuses as I'm scared to go!).
The reason why, is that part of me thinks she will say "Oh, it's just periods/ Just part of being a woman" (as a male GP once said to me) but then there is another part of me that is terrified I will need a hysterectomy.
I'm 43 with four children.
Not sure if this is relevant but my mum suffered horrendously with hers when she was around the same age.
Mine have never been easy (although I did go through a wonderful few years of them being plain sailing).
Over the last six months however they have become very heavy.
I literally dare not leave the house for the two heaviest days (they are not prolonged or anything, just the standard length, no bleeding in between cycles and at the moment they are still regular).
I have to use two pads (but recently resorted to extra thick maternity pads!) and even then I was still experiencing leaking with sudden gushes (hence why I can't leave the house).
During this time I suffer with dizzy spells, feeling weak and exhausted, headaches/ migraines but more than anything highly emotional.
From a few days before, and during the actual period I just cry constantly. Mole hills become mountains and I just feel so incedibly sad (I do have a lot going on in my life at the moment, but even so, I don't think I should be feeling this low).
I suffer from panic attacks too, and to be honest I think they are all connected in some way! I'm having panic attacks about going to the doctors which I know is ridiculous but I'm just so anxious.
I need to know if I can buy iron tablets over the counter as I'm almost certain the heavy blood loss is making me anaemic and causing the other symptoms.