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Original poster

What is a heavy period in your opinion?

50 replies

Claire2009 · 22/05/2009 21:46

Have the period from hell at the moment. Have had to change tampon/st every 30-45 mins today, has been hell as I've been out most of the day!!

Have endo & surprisingly not much pain this month but the period is heavier than usual!

OP posts:

bodiddly · 22/05/2009 21:51

mine are worse than that when I don't take my tranexamic acid! Have you been to the doctor about it?

whyme2 · 22/05/2009 21:52

Ooh, I would say that is too heavy. IMO too heavy is when you have to change more than every two hours.
Hope you are okay, I would be constantly worried about 'accidents'.

bodiddly · 22/05/2009 21:57

It is horrible isn't it? Definitely go to the dr if you haven't been - the tranexamic acid is good stuff! I have had a few nights where I daren't leave the toilet for fear of accidents.

Original poster

Claire2009 · 22/05/2009 22:03

Never heard of tranexamic acid, what does it do? Slow down the period I'm assuming

I did have an accident earlier, wasn't a noticeable one to others but had to rush home & get changed

OP posts:

janeite · 22/05/2009 22:04

Am bumping this for you as mine have been awful. Really need to get it checked out I think.

Original poster

Claire2009 · 22/05/2009 22:04

Forgot to say, Yes went to the doc. He did say it was part of the endo & I have ponstan for the pain of the endo (which isn't here this month!) but didn't say anything about the blood loss.

I seem to have worse periods when I've had sex in that particular month, but I've not had any sex for 4mths now & periods are all over the shot.

OP posts:

Original poster

Claire2009 · 22/05/2009 22:04

Thanks Jane.

OP posts:

bodiddly · 22/05/2009 22:05

You have my sympathies .. I have had some awful accidents ... tranexamic acid seems to lessen the flow considerably - I have been told exactly how it does it but cannot remember I am afraid. All I know is that it makes it completely manageable. There is no way I would be able to commute to work or really go out for a couple of days each month without it!

bodiddly · 22/05/2009 22:05

That said I do take a double dose!

Original poster

Claire2009 · 22/05/2009 22:11

Thanks Bodiddly, will see how this period goes and take a visit to the doc to see if I can get some, this isn't nice!

OP posts:

janeite · 22/05/2009 22:12

Interesting. I am a teacher and sometimes can't go to the loo for two hours - I have to wear a tampon and two pads and live in several layers of black for a week each month. Have been avoiding the doctor as I don't particularly want to go down the coil route and that is all that's been suggested in the past.

bodiddly · 22/05/2009 22:13

At least it is the weekend ... put your feet up and try to do as little as possible until things calm down. It is stressful and it can't be good to lose that much blood. At least that is what I try to tell myself!

bodiddly · 22/05/2009 22:15

janeite .. my dr asked if I were likely to want more children and when I said possibly she suggested this approach. If you aren't then you can have an implant or the coil I believe - if the pill doesn't help control it. There is no way I could get through 2 hours without getting to a toilet at times.

CarGirl · 22/05/2009 22:18

tranexamic acid makes your blood thicken/clot in your womb so the flow slows down & reduces (well that was what I was told).

My periods have started getting lighter but I suspect I am perimenopausal [schock], sadly my periods still last for at least 7 days.

policywonk · 22/05/2009 22:18

Yes, this definitely sounds too heavy - it's obviously affecting your quality of life. (Mine are pretty heavy but I don't have to make special arrangements for period days.)

Tranexamic acid works well and is quite commonly prescribed, although there are contraindications if you have other blood conditions (haemophilia is one I think). Definitely worth trying, esp if you don't fancy the Mirena (coil).

janeite · 22/05/2009 22:20

Thanks Bodiddly - no, it's awful. I have been known to call for a secretary or anybody I can find to just sit with a class for a few minutes whilst I make a mad dash. Long black cardigans a must!

Don't want more children - well I DO but I shan't be having any!

bodiddly · 22/05/2009 22:23

don't put it off any more then ... get yourself to the dr .. it has given me back my life for those days every month. That said, I have to take my tablets the second I thing I am coming on and make sure not to miss a single one or all hell breaks out!

PurpleOne · 23/05/2009 03:52

Would you be classed as 'heavy' if you can feel the dripping? TMI sorry.

Tranexamic acid is also called Lofepramine...and has worked wonders on me at times.

Can't do hormones, def not the pill..and am sterilised so nother contraception not required.
Just wish I could use tampons again as my kids beg to go swimming and I can't go with them at the wrong time.
Would you trust Tampax supe with a skirt, in a swimming pool?

bodiddly · 23/05/2009 13:30

Purpleone "dripping" wouldn't be a description for me .. more like flooding! Absolutely no way I could go swimming over the first few days without the tablets!

janeite · 23/05/2009 14:03

Nope, I couldn't go swimming. The worst is when you go to sleep and then wake up in a blood bath a couple of hours later. Gah.

PurpleOne · 24/05/2009 02:59

Sods laws really. Half term here now, and posting that post....I have now come on.
Bank Holiday the DDs wanted to go swimming...aint that bloody typical!

hellywobs · 24/05/2009 16:13

A heavy period = one that makes you worried you are going to leak! And one that you can feel. There are definitely days I couldn't swim.

lostinthecitylover · 24/05/2009 20:00

I think heavy period equals when you can't function normally. In the past I have not been able to leave the house because any movement makes the blood course out ie I can feel it coming out IYKWIM.

My periods are now still heavy but shorter in length and I can function.

I have got fibroids and have also been anaemic due to heavy blood loss. Ditto dark clothes at that time of the month. Started to worry I was anaemic again due to breathlessness!!

My top tips are

if you are anaemic take iron (or take iron such as spatone anyway) because ironically low iron leads to heavier periods
cut out caffeine and alcohol during periods as this makes flow heavier
use a mooncup because this lightens flow and shortens length of periods

I did try tranexamic acid but I felt congested whilst taking it so stopped and then had period from hell the following month.

Have been offered hysterectomy ( I don't want any more dcs) but have always had a fundamental objection to this so decided to ride it out.

Was also offfered coil (not sure which one) but also rejected that.

When things were at their worst I had just got on a eurostar traing went to loo and passed a clot the size of a saucer. That totally freaked me out I must say.

Was also offer a myomectomy (where they just remove fibroids) but again decided against as would have to take six weeks or more off work and I am single parent with no local help.

I upped the iron and also saw a homoepath - this has brought my periods under control with the other tips above.

HTH

lostinthecitylover · 24/05/2009 20:01

should add I now have three day heavy period which still resembles car crash at times and could not go swimming on heaviest days.

But for me is a vast improvement to before.

janeite · 24/05/2009 21:34

Which iron supplement do you take? Am almost certainly anaemic and need to get some iron down me I think!

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