Two week period- and going!

[MadamePewter]

I’m fifty. Up til now periods pretty much regular as clockwork, though very heavy

Got this one a week early and still going, though not heavy, two weeks later 😱

Is this menopause..? Anyone else had this?

Disgusting treatment MadamePewter. What an ordeal for you on top of everything you've had to put up with! Never fails to amaze me how these misogynists make it to consultant level in women's health! If you have the energy, I would make a formal complaint and make it clear you cannot see him again and want referred to another.

As Topseyt says, why can't they just be honest and say " you know what, options are really limited but let me talk you through them nonetheless". Have an adult to adult respectful conversation without the need for the contempt. Absolute dickhead. This obsession with the Mirena Coil is ludicrous. Huge law suits going on in the US, yet they are pushing it at every turn. It's all about the £££'s. (I had such a battle getting the damn thing out - came onto Mumsnet and realised that it is a thing; once it is in, there is huge reluctance to remove it. I had to be very assertive and more or less demand they removed it - after years of having it in. Made no difference whatsoever to my heavy periods and actually (I believe) gave me a whole heap of side effects).

I had a longer gap between periods this time - 22 days as opposed to 14, and twice now I have stopped at 7 days (rather than 10). Longer gaps are a joy. I have just purchased my second bottle of agnus castus (VITEX) as this is the only change I have made, I am deducing that it is helping. I might buy the Lady's Mantel Tea that another PP recommended as the two seem to have sorted her cycle out. Haven't had a chance to research it properly, but really want to get back to a 28 day cycle and have the predictability that comes with it. Constant periods are hellish. Any individual would acknowledge the horror of having uncontrollable bleeding, flooding, clotting, pain and the complete debilitation that goes with it, so there is no excuse whatsoever for a consultant to act like that. Shocking treatment of women. Gives me the rage!

Thanks @Mummug and @TheYearOfTheDog. I agree.. I’m quite prepared to listen to his opinion (other than the fucking Mirena!) but not to be spoken to like that. I am going to complain if I woman up enough.

Speaking of womanning up, well done @TheYearOfTheDog! Hope it works.

@mummug I am thinking of trying alternatives so maybe give that a go. The bloating snd full feeling is horrible too, but I saw turmeric and ginger tea suggested.. sounds vile but might work..

MadamePewter, please do complain about that arsehole you saw yesterday. He ought to be called out on this behaviour.

Had the nurse who tried to comfort you heard his tirade? It may be telling that a member of staff in his clinic picked up the pieces like that. She may have felt very angry and embarrassed by him and you are probably not the first patient he has upset in this way.

Gynaecology is an area of medicine where women are often very vulnerable. Someone like him, who clearly has all of the subtlety and sympathy of a bulldozer has no place there as a consultant.

I don't mind men as gynaecologists, but I do worry that some of them really can't actually understand what it is like to have this uncontrollable flooding which makes it difficult to go out in public. They will never experience it (lucky sods). To me that means they need to try twice as hard with their "bedside manner", if that is what it can be called.

I'm sure some people have had issues with women gynaecologists too, but at least there is a chance that some of them will know what we are going through.

I hope you are feeling better today.

@MadamePewter oh my God poor you that’s shocking treatment and you should most certainly put in a complaint. Some consultants seem to completely lack the sensitive touch but shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it. Don’t allow him to make you feel that way and stand strong. Xx

@MadamePewter Sorry to heat your consultant was an arse. Echoing others, he has no right to be rude and dismissive about something that HE will never experience! You went to see him feeling vulnerable and looking for answers and came away feeling ignored and still with no answers. Men would never be treated like that.

I ran out of Lady's Mantle tea and have been continually spotting since AF ended over a week ago. No idea if it's linked, but I've ordered some more anyway. My scan is in three weeks, right when I'm due on, so that should be fun. Anyone know if they can still do it if you're bleeding? I don't really want to cancel unless I have to.

Thanks all. Really appreciate it.

@DivisionBelles they can do scan when you’re bleeding, they were lovely and reassuring about that at mine

So I had a follow up appointment yesterday after my laparoscopy and hysteroscopy a couple of weeks ago. It turns out I did have (non-atypical) endometrial hyperplasia which is why I was bleeding persistently for so many months.

After a good scrape and clean out and a daily dose of 3 Norethisterone tablets ever since the bleeding has totally stopped which is a joy - I've been able to return to exercise but I must say my sleep hasn't been great of late and I've been binge eating at times. I've got to go back in 4 months for another hysteroscopy and he suggested the dreaded mirena coil after that. I had a coil many years ago with no side effects. Why are people so anti them now?

My male consultant (from Zimbabwe) was amazing. He said to me that he thinks it's awful the way menopausal women are treated worldwide and how we don't get the support and treatment we need. He was really quite apologetic about it! Also he stressed the importance of being very active to prevent osteoporosis - luckily I am active, although I was finding running really difficult when flooding all the time in recent months!

That sounds good, in the main, @MidLifeCrisis007. Your consultant sounds great.

I think the mirena works really well for some people; I just don’t want it as it was awful for me personally.

Interesting about the exercise, I do exercise quite a lot and have recently started weight training specifically to help with muscle mass and bone density as I age. Plus it’s fun feeling strong! And flooding isn’t so much of a problem as with running.. 😱😃

It’s good that you have an explanation for the bleeding and the drugs are working. I felt madly anxious on them.. Annoyingly.

Good luck with return to fitness!

Midlifecrisis, that's good that your bleeding has settled down and you are able to go out running again. 😃

Mirenas seem to work well for some people. A bit of a marmite sort of situation.

My bleeding does seem to have settled down, but what is almost worse is that I am now hormonal, often tearful, anxious and sad for no clear reason, and in a way that I wasn't before mine was inserted.

I am not anti coils if a person wants one and finds it works for them. All you can do is give it a try if you really want to know. It is the only way.

I freely admit that I have never really liked the thought of a device or implant being put into me. I am just totally uncomfortable with the idea and deliberately avoided them for my whole reproductive life (husband chose to have a vasectomy anyway).

My other issue with the mirena is that it is hormone releasing. I am having doubts about the assurances that the dose remains localised and barely escapes from the uterus. That means that I can't "turn it off" as I could if I were taking it orally.

My GP is sympathetic and nice. He has said that I could be prescribed the mini pill to take back to back if come April I still feel the same about the mirena. He explained the ins and outs of that and I left to consider it.

I think I would feel more in control that way, so am currently very tempted by it. After all, I could stop it myself at any time if I felt it unsuitable. If the bleeding returned and became unbearable again then I would push VERY hard for a hysterectomy.

Well so much for getting back to some regularity. Been spotting constantly since my last period ended and now I've started again. Bloody (literally) 18 day cycle. Give me a break!

After a couple of weeks on Norethisterone, which initially made me feel very out of sorts I finished the course mid week and started to feel myself again emotionally
Then the bleeding started, worse than previously! Super plus tampon and maternity pads not containing and I just don't know how I'm going to manage at work. And the pain is horrific, and I don't normally get pain.
This week for work I have to support at court so I can't just nip out!
Scans are 3rd, going to ring gp tomorrow to see about repeat prescription, as I can't see how they could scan me currently!

@DivisionBelles that’s rubbish... so wearing.

And @tibni that’s what happened to me with the northeristerone. The bleeding was terrifying. Someone on here recommended tena lady pants and I had to resort to them. That made me feel even more disgusting but at least I could venture out. I used a menstrual cup as well, and layered with normal giant knickers with pads over the top. Well sexy me..! I felt awful but could just about cope with my obligations.

@MadamePewter dh has nipped to supermarket for more mega pads and super tampons and I've asked him for the Tena pants ..... what has life become!!!
Just hope today is worst day as I'm totally useless and I have to function at work! The way I feel I'm willing to try anything because I can't go on like this!

@tibni I know!! I was bizarrely proud of my pelvic floor too so feel really crushed 😂
If it’s any help, I had a night and two days of the complete constant torrent then slightly less hideous, so hopefully same for you

@MadamePewter me too - 10llb 8 second child and never had pelvic floor issues. Fingers crossed things are peaking across weekend as I don't fancy my chances on commute currently!

@tibni that’s interesting.. I too had a giant baby.. maybe we can blame that..?! I’ll keep fingers crossed for it to stop

@MadamePewter my baby just turned 19 and I'm still claiming baby weight! . My childless sister, 5 years older than me, also really suffers and has massive fibroids and can't have the ablation.

@tibni 😂

Sounds rubbish for your sister. I sometimes really wish I was a man!!

I'm 53 and not had a period for 3 yrs. until August last year when my hrt went out if stock. From Sept til now horrendous unscheduled bleeding every few weeks lasting 7-14 days with accompanying cramps.
I've had to go back to tampons and towels to cope with heavy blood loss and clots.
It's like being a teen again in the worst possible way

@IndieTara that sounds awful.. have you been to the doctor?

Hello everyone.
Can i join?
I've just read all your posts and it was strangely comforting to read that what I'm going through is more common than i thought.

I have another thread called flooding and progesterone and have had sone good advice but I think i would benefit from being on here. (Im sorry- i don't know how to link)

I am on day 17 of really bad bleeding. I went to the doctors last Tuesday as it was just pouring out of me. Super plus tampon and night time towel saturated in an hour or two at most.

I was given norethisterone and told my gp that I would rather avoid hormone medication but she said I should take it as I couldn't keep bleeding as I was.

It slowed down almost instantly and stopped after a day so as she had advised I stopped. Then it started again and I am back to flooding.

I am 49 and have had normal , in fact pretty easy and light periods most of my life.

The thing is as a PP said I had a really strong physiological anxious reaction on Friday, although it was when i stopped it. I do not want to feel like that again.

I am drawn to more natural alternatives. My worry about Norethisterone is as your experience @MadamePewter, what if it just delays the bleeding.

But, also I'm not sure how long I can go like this. I am aware I could get to dangerous levels of blood loss.

Has anyone had any luck with iboprofen? I had heard it can help, i suppose it will help with the cramp pain at least.

I do have more norethisterone left and might have to give in and take them. I
had yesterday and today off so i thought I would ride it out while i can rest but i need to be back on the ball tomorrow with an ill elderly parent who is in crisis then from Wednesday a very busy 4 working days. (I teach yoga classes and have had to go out in the middle of an hour and a half class to change, I have a whole day teaching a course on Saturday and not sure how I'll manage. Apart from the fact I dont have huge amounts of energy).

I have a book called Natural Alternatives to HRT and I've found it really helpful to at least understand whats going on with the hormones. I am not anti hormone replacement for anyone by the way, each person finds their own way though these things and I support every woman to be helped to find a way that works for them.

But I'm interested in reading all your stories although so sorry to hear of difficulties in getting the support you need medically.

Hello @Breathmiller and sorry you’re also in this horrible club!

First idea is could you get tranexamic acid which does reduce bleeding if not stop it?

Also, push for a gynaecology referral and a scan. My bleeding turns out to be nothing to do with menopause but this adenomyosis. Despite the consultant being a horrible man (which I’ve now found out he is to everyone!!) he’s now put things in motion to try to solve it.

The worst northeristerone effects for me were the first two or three days so hopefully might ease? I’m far too scared to take them again, but also scared of next period!

Anyway... insist on help from the medical profession. It must be a nightmare doing yoga! I’ve been missing my classes because of that Snd because the bending makes me really aware of my swollen belly.

Thanks MadamPewter

Im just waiting til my doctor opens to phone and get either advice over the phone or an appointment if I can. Its snowing her though and I live rurally and would rather not have to drive in this weather.

My husband has braved it to go out and get me more sanitary protection. I now see why some people spend the amount they do when they have heavy periods and have a better understanding of how period poverty is a thing!

I have used a mooncup for the last 15 years but it doesnt even touch the sides.

Im sorry to read about your experience with the consultant. Why on earth is he allowed to practice int his field if he has no empathy or understanding of how difficult it is.

It's been interesting to read your journey with Norethisterone. I have i there if I need to take i suppose but I would rather try other things first.

Tranexamic acid sounds the way to go. I'm wary of the hormone treatment because of how I felt and the fact that I am just delaying the bleed.

How does the tranexamic acid differ?

As for my yoga, i am adapting my own practice and luckily have had years of experience teaching so can adapt how much I have to demonstrate in a class. I am doing more meditation at the moment rather than a strong personal practice.

Stress is such a big factor in the hormones and I have had such a difficult month with my mum who has been in hospital and will more than likely be going into a nursing home after the big meeting tomorrow.

So I'm trying to do everything to lessen the stress response. But like the PP who felt anxiety with the hormone tablets, even though things are stressful, in unpicking it, I realised I have been riding it all. The long drive to my mum and all the related stress. But i think this how it is coming out in my body. But the reaction on Friday was a physical response. It was a nose dive into a very dark place, but it felt like it was a reaction to the hormones being mucked about. Rather than the stress of whats going on. If that all makes sense.

In the same way that when you have a case of PMT you can feel the stress in your body in relation to the oncoming period rather than a mental reaction to the stresses in your life. Then it lifts and you feel lighter. And can deal with whatever is going on.

Even though I am still bleeding and thra is worrying me and I still obviously have the stress of my mum and work looming, i dont feel like I did on Friday. That was grim. So like you I am nervous about going back on the tablets then doing this all over again.

Its not easy is it?
I found reading this thread so supportive and helpful at 5am this morning. So thank you all.

I found the hormones gave me an overwhelming sense of doom, if that’s reassuring? Good luck today, and to everyone else

The tranexamic acid is not hormonal but something to slow heavy bleeding