How much blood loss is normal? (sorry periods - maybe tmi)

[verygreenlawn]

Just had ds3 16 weeks ago, and got my first period exactly 6 weeks later despite fully bf. I'm now on my 4th period since that first one (so 4 in 10 weeks) and a bit concerned at how heavy it is.

Difficult to compare to before, as I've just started using a mooncup - but on the first day so far its filled and started leaking 5 times - so that's 5 x 15ml or 75ml?

I'm used to fairly heavy and frequent periods, got quite anaemic before I had ds3, but then had a mirena so no periods for a year before I conceived him.

I was hoping it might all settle down after ds3. What do I do if it doesn't? I don't want another mirena. Any advice appreciated.

Any bleeding between periods should be investigated to ascertain the cause. Three further lots of bleeds within the last 10 week is not necessarily menstrual bleeding.

Would suggest you visit your GP and ask for a referral to a gynae. Gynae problems like fibroids can cause heavy bleeding - were you ever checked for these previously?.

You might consider going to your GP and being tested for von willebrands disease, which is a mild inherited blood clotting disorder.

The symptoms are easy bruising, nosebleeds, heavy periods, and heavy bleeding after teeth are taken out or other operations you may have had on vascular areas of the body. It is actually quite common but not many people have heard it/realise they have got it until they have kids or a bleeding episode.

I have it and so does my daughter. I wasn't diagnosed until after I had my children - my periods were much heavier afterwards (because your womb gets larger giving you a larger bleeding surface!) It is often not diagnosed until later in life and it affects women and men.

I'm happy to give you more information if you message again. You might have to be quite persistent with your gp about this because they don't always know about it.

I was checked for fibroids last time (this was some years ago) but it was decided it was nothing sinister, probably hormonal, and tbh the mirena was fantastic at dealing with the periods. Really don't want another though as I didn't much like the side effects, so just put up with it till we were ready to have ds3.

Now I'm wondering whether to go back and consider something more drastic as I think we're done having dcs - I'm still hoping it may settle down, but can't go back to the horrendous flooding and feeling ill.

myfriendflicka, have never heard of von willebrands, but will google - thank you for the info. Unfortunately I think lots of these blood disorders tend not to be known about; I know a friend of mine who suffered many miscarriages before an explanation was found along similar lines

I should have said, there is medication that can help with heavy periods if you have von willebrands, and other stuff that helps your blood clot more readily.

Most people who have it have mild type 1 (70 percent) and once you are diagnosed (if it is that) there is help and support and the symptoms can be relieved.

Do post again if you want more information.