Period flooding..how do you know what is 'normal'?

[alltoomuchrightnow]

I've started flooding for my current and last few periods and don't know what amount is normal or not. I only have my teenage self to go by which is when it last happened..in the 1980s! It's a horrible deja vu as I'm also back on towels for the first time since then. (thankfully they have changed a lot since then!)
The largest size tampons (yellow Lillets) aren't cutting it any more. For work I'm wearing night time towels. The longest ones I could find as with the flooding it (blood sorry TMI) goes far up, a long way, if that makes sense.
I assumed a night time towel would be foolproof as it was meant to last a whole night. I've just finished a six hour shift and the flooding has gone over the side , over the wings and ruined my pants and got on my work trousers. I'm in fear of this happening in public and noticing (as I'm with customers all the time) . So is it assumed that night towels should be changed more regularly than a night's sleep?
Or should one have been able to last me 6 hours? Basically I flooded out the night towel as it couldn't hold any more.
I used to get mefenemic acid on prescription (for pain..I know it lessens flow but that was never the issue) but I stopped as it makes me too nauseous and groggy for work (very physical work, always on feet)
Should I just assume all is ok, change more regularly (v hard to do at work though and loos are miles away) and assume it's start of menopause even though no other symptoms? (no hot flushes etc)

If I can't trust the longest night towel I could find then I don't know what I'm going to do for work. I can't wear an adult nappy with my utility work trousers as will show!

I've been in your position but changed more often then I would normally. Also, would a tampon and pad work? As more absorbency.

Could you wear pad and tampon?
Doesnt sound normal. Cyclokapron and mefenamic acid here

Oh no, that sounds really bad, you should go to your GP as that definitely doesn’t sound normal. Transexamic acid might help but with fewer side effects or a mooncup to catch the flow but I was also concerned that you might be out of reach of a toilet for six hours, that is totally unacceptable for anyone. So sorry you are going through this.

Go to your gp and ask about ablation. Life changing for me.

I don't flood so much as my body hates me. Whatever towel I wear - regular, long, wings etc it ALWAYS goes over the top/bottom/sides

I always think that I bleed less at night than during the day - maybe something to do with lying down and gravity?! If I only used a towel at night (I use a tampon), I could probably last for 6 hours without a leak, but during the day I’d need to change a pad every 2 hours or so. If you have a heavy flow, I don’t think anything would last for 6 hours.
When my flow is heavy I use a super tampon and a night towel and change every 3 hours. Could that work for you and give you more confidence?

Go and see your GP. It’s something that should be checked out.

I had this a few years ago, probably when I was 45 or 46. Very heavy periods that went on for weeks, stopped for a couple of weeks then started again. I felt so tired too.
It lasted most of one summer and into September, I think, then it just stopped. Two or three very light?, very short periods afterwards then nothing. And no hot sweats either, although I think I feel a bit warmer all of the time.
I did mention the bleeding to the doctor when I went about something else and they agreed it sounded like the peri menopause and to get a blood test to check for anaemia if it continued.

I would use a super plus extra tampon and have to change it every hour or two the first couple days of my periods.
Try using a tampon and a pad and yes change more often - my daughter wears the overnight ones during the day and has to change a few times no way does it last that long (your night time flow is lighter than day. as you are not active).
Also get some period pants that have a layer of plastic as back up (not the ones meant to be worn on their own) my daughter wears those in case of leaks and I just wish they had them way back when!

Any pad (even the hospital ones they give you after birth!) wouldnt last me 6 hours to be honest. I would always have to get up in the middle of the night to change. I do 12 hour shifts and the best solution for me is a menstrual cup plus a pad to catch any over spill. I'd still need to empty the cup every 3 hours the first 2 days but after that I can leave it the whole day.

I think yours would definitely be classed as a heavier period but I think it's important to know what's normal for you. So if you havent had any hormonal changes in last few months, such as coming off pill, and you've suddenly began getting much heavier periods I think it would be worth a visit to GP. There most likely will be a 100% innocent reason but worth a wee bit further investigation. Most likely solution is beginning of menopause.

You know what is normal for you. Every woman is different.If your cycle changes drastically and / or you have concerns then that's a GP appointment. Hope you get it sorted OP.

As an aside, I'm not suggesting the OP isn't genuine,MN does get a few threads about flooding and periods by some unsavoury types usually on school topics and it wouldn't be surprising if those types turned up on a thread like this for their fodder so it may be useful not sharing too much in the way of intimate anecdotes.

the problem I have is working for a very large very busy retailers and yes I can access a toilet but not always in the time that I need or in emergency. There are no staff loos on my floor. I was rushing to customers loos before (near) but been told this is a sackable offence (I've been caught doing it many times and warned).
Staff loos are down on next floor, it's quite a trek especially at peak times eg weekend. To get there have to walk against the flow (excuse pun!) it can take ages. I'm not the only person to have this problem and we have complained but nothing done.So yes I can try and change more often but I can't always choose when I can get to a loo or how quick I can get there. I swear some weekends it's taken me 20 minutes to reach the loos, especially with customers stopping me all the time!
I was wearing largest tampon with the longest towel but when the tampon got flooded it was falling out of me. Which freaked me out a bit that one that size could just pop out.. I haven't had kids and thought I was naturally small down there (so doctors have told me) so yes not exactly comfortable if I'm helping a customer and can't get to the loo and one has fallen out. And the worry it's going to come down my trouser leg! Maybe should invest in some period pants. Does seem ridiculous at this stage in my life! I can't believe I'm dealing with this crap at my age as it was all the stuff I worried about as a schoolgirl (my friend was always flooding in school assembly etc... although I had problem periods then I never actually had a public accident).
But menopause could be many years off so I need to deal with this really.
I tried the mini pill two years ago but gave me migraines daily and I bled constantly . Can't have the coil

ugh, really Lola?! but yes actually I can imagine :(

Tranxamic acid available from boots over the counter would be worth a try. Tampon plus tena lady descreate incontinence pads or similar are more effective that night time sanitary towels. Go to GP and get things checked as you are also likely to be anemic.

Lola, because of undiagnosed thyroid problems I've not even had a huge amount of periods as an adult. Not compared to other women.
I've only had monthly periods for the last 11 yrs. I know this flow isn't normal for me but I asked because it may be normal for peri menopause?

Yes Jellybean good idea and the last period definitely left me anaemic but then I got some iron tablets that gave me awful nausea

I'm not disputing your intent OP.

It was more a heads up in case people hadn't seen the sorts of period/flooding types on school threads who have unsavoury intentions with regards to this topic.

I think given your issues then GP would be best your best starting point. Have you considered an app where you can track your flow/menstrual cycle symptoms? That might also offer useful insight.

Also Google period blood loss chart and fill it in to take to your GP They are more likely to take action if you can show the scale of the problem.

I think my first start is to make a non emergency appointment with GP, I'll have to wait two weeks but that means I can be seen before next period.
My periods definitely changed when got into my 40s . Heavier but not flooding, and unbearably painful but short lasting. Flooding has been the last few

Ive recently started using Naproxen and its reduced my bleeding a lot. I had previously tried mefanamic acid which helped a bit but no where near as much as Naproxen. You can get it over the counter as Feminax or on prescription.

Cheeky wipes period pants are brilliant and a fraction of the price of other brands and will give you reassurance re leaking but I would double up with tampon and pad as well if you are producing that much.

Definitely go to your GP, there’s no need for you to suffer like this. RCOG guidelines say that there’s no amount of bleeding that is diagnostic of ‘heavy’ but that the impact on the life of the woman is much more important.

Tranexamic avid and mefanamic acid can be prescribed together and have been shown to reduce flow by up to 50%. Mirena IUS is also very effective although I note you said you couldn’t have a coil.

If these don’t work or are unsuitable then you should ask for a referral to gynaecologist to investigate and explore further treatments like ablation

I'm in my 30s and "flood" quite frequently. I also wear nighttime pads and have come to the conclusion the design isn't as good as it should be. I blame the design- my husband has mild incontinence and his male pads seem to be much better designed.

I don't really have any advice other than blood seeps through skirts less than trousers. But wanted to know you definitely aren't alone.

I had a spate of heavy periods as you describe. I ended up double layering pads when I knew I wouldn’t have access to change for a long period of time. But once I had treatment for an under active thyroid my periods went back to normal. Have you had any tests along these lines?

Allie, I can only wear work uniform which is trousers, I'd be happier with a skirt but it won't happen
And thankyou
(and to all the replies)
Had an awful evening.. DP not being sympathetic at all, being an arse about it in fact. Feel very alone so these replies have helped