Heavier periods since having children - anyone else?

[nadaley]

Since having my kids (youngest just turned 3) I’ve noticed quite a change in my periods and onset of symptoms. Everything goes on longer and is considerably worse. Mine were never too bad apart from a few a year that seemed noticeably more savage but this is an every month thing now and I didn’t know if anyone else experienced the same and if there were any easy fixes?

I’ve had a quick Google but most articles are about when you’ve just had your baby.

Yes! My youngest is 9 years old and since he was born it’s been a bloodbath every month!

Yes! My youngest is 13 months and since him I've had awful period pains for a week before my period. I had never had period pains before so its definitely a change. I used to only bleed for two days before children now it's close to seven days most months

Yes. Honestly thought I was dying on first period PP

Yes, mine got horrific after my second (now 5). Two years ago a friend recommended Evening Primrose Oil as a supplement - game changer! Made my periods lighter (still worse than pre-baby but way better than they were) and turned my long irregular 32-38 day cycle of 20 years into 28/29 day clockwork...

Yep. I’m really anaemic now too, and I think heavy periods to blame. All this stuff they don’t tell you ....!

Yep! He's 2 years old now and I get awful PMS for 2 weeks before my period along with sore boobs and headaches and the day my period starts I feel like my uterus is trying to expel itself from my body and painkillers rarely help! I'm definitely going to try evening primrose oil. My mum used to take it I think. Do you take them every day?

Please see a GP and get checked over. A routine blood test found my iron was severely low, sent for ultrasound and they found a large fibroid which is causing the heavy bleeding.

Yes, me too. Youngest is 14 months, oldest is 3. Tried Evening Primrose Oil, found it didn't do much at all to help any symptoms. Got so bad recently that I contacted GP, gave me two options, the combined contraceptive pill or an antidepressant which you take 2 weeks for every month. Was advised either can be successful. I opted for the combined pill, 2 months in I feel a lot better.

Might be worth just having a chat with your GP.It's so common but makes life so hard at times!

Yes after my second. Took two years until they came back and they are epic now! I wonder what it is?

Yes! Horrible PMT as well which I never had before DD.

Wow. A lot of people in the same boat but I’m sorry you’re all feeling so rubbish too 😩 Thanks for all the responses so far though. I definitely feel less weird about it now.

Might give the Evening Primrose a go and my husband has been suggesting for a while now I should go and see the Dr, @MrsWildermac. I’m just that person who tells everyone else to go and will never go myself. Only I can help myself I suppose!

Also Tranexamic acid is a wonder drug - really helps

Mine were always 7 days but had a 5ish week cycle.

Post DC it became a 3 week cycle with 7-10 days of bleeding with 5 days of flooding. Plus at least a week of horrific mastalgia.

I had womb ablation in the end it was a life changer! Sore boobs have continued to plague despite trying every supplement in existence.

I already knew I had endometriosis and adenomyosis before I had my twins, my periods have always been awful but now they are far worse (4 years pp). It’s not uncommon for endo to be diagnosed after you’ve had children. I think that I have more adhesions following my EMCS too.

Terrible since having my last nearly 2 years ago. Dreadful pain during ovulation as well. Basically I have about one week during the month when I don’t feel crap.

Yep really heavy periods now. Awful awful pmt that lasts about 2/3 weeks too