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Menopause

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Original poster

Two week period- and going!

423 replies

MadamePewter · 28/12/2019 10:59

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?

OP posts:
Sprinklemetinsel · 30/12/2019 15:30

I got heavier and closer periods for a while, then they got intermittent and unpredictably very light/heavy. I went ten months without a period and started to feel quite excited that this was it... then bam! Heavy one now. Sigh. Not quite there yet.

I wouldn't have a hysterectomy if you are almost there- it does get easier. I even joined a gym and swim regularly for the first time in my life- in the past I could never predict if I'd be 'on' or not.

Original poster
MadamePewter · 30/12/2019 15:58

I see what you mean and am not anxious for surgery. But this is lighter than usual, just for so long and my insides feel like they’re being squeezed and wrung out!

I’m normally pretty energetic but am feeling a bit floored

OP posts:
Topseyt · 30/12/2019 17:51

I know that they don't do so many hysterectomies these days, but I tried to discuss ablation before and was nudged towards Mirena, which I reluctantly agreed to.

I really wish I hadn't agreed to it. I'm regretting it. I'm sure it is adversely affecting my moods and everything. I seem to be living in a state of permanent PMT since it was fitted so I don't think I want to continue with it.

I want a permanent solution to the problem, which has put me through so much. Apparently ablation doesn't seem guaranteed to necessarily provide that. Unfortunately for me, I am really doubting that I can continue tolerate the Mirena.

I have been told that I could have several more years of this as my own mother did not have the menopause until her late 50s. I don't want that and can't handle it anymore.

I have a check up in January and will be discussing both ablation and hysterectomy. I know which I favour because it is permanent.

Mischance · 30/12/2019 17:57

I had very heavy periods that went on for at least two weeks each time - I was menstruating far more of the time than not. I used to use two super tampax at the same time with big thick pads and \I would still flood the sheets at night. At age 42 I had a hysterectomy and entered a whole new life.

God we women put up with some rubbish don't we?

bettybattenburg · 30/12/2019 18:00

I had one recently which was about 10 days, my first in six months, it was horrendous - massive clots and it was never ending. I felt so ill.

Sprinklemetinsel · 30/12/2019 18:05

I hated mirena.

Original poster
MadamePewter · 30/12/2019 18:08

I did find the Mirema a very effective contraceptive as I was fat, crabby and with a constant period 😂

OP posts:
Sprinklemetinsel · 30/12/2019 18:14

There's that is suppose!

ChocolateHelps · 30/12/2019 18:27

I had a fibroidectomy about 3 years ago aged 44. Best thing ever. Gynaecologist was very pushy to fit the coil at the same time and I said no. I woke up in a small ward and just kept hearing other women being told to give the coil 6 months - bloody awful advice if you ask me! I went from 2 week long periods with 10 day gaps for over a year to back to 3 day periods every 28 days. Starting to get some different length cycles and definitely peri menopause but if I had regular heavy bleeding I would go back to GP for investigation. Keeping track of periods is essential IMHO. My GP initially told be to come back in 3 months time to show what had actually been happening...I had a spreadsheet at the ready with a year of data. I talk to my teenage daughter about knowing what's normal for you.

DivisionBelles · 30/12/2019 18:46

I finally managed to get a Drs appointment today...for 24th January! The earliest they have apparently. And I’ve started spotting again today. I’m so fed up and my health anxiety is making my mind go into overdrive. Who’d be a woman?!

hazeyjane · 30/12/2019 19:18

My appointment is tomorrow morning, I made it 2 months ago and will be glad to finally get it out of the way (earliest I could get with my preferred dr!) - I will let you know how I get on!

bettybattenburg · 30/12/2019 19:22

I didn't get on with mirena, if anything my periods were heavier with it, the certainly never stopped. When I had it taken it my periods went to just 1-2 days long and very light.

Original poster
MadamePewter · 30/12/2019 19:38

Yes @hazeyjane please report to us!

OP posts:
Boristhecats · 31/12/2019 06:54

Mine are now two and a half months long. With just a few weeks between them. But that’s when the agonising boob pain starts.
I have been checked out. I’m still on the pill and everything checks out fine. But I have been on for most of this year and to be honest I have had enough. It is not heavy it is just an annoying amount.

JolieOBrien · 31/12/2019 06:58

Don't have the Mirena Coil it made me fat, spotty, miserable and my hair dropped out ... it does not suit everyone but the NHS keep pushing it on women. I contains an artificial progesterone which is a steroid and can cause lots of horrible side affects imho

JolieOBrien · 31/12/2019 07:00

I used tranexamic acid tablets which slow down the bleeding and after a few months of using them my periods stopped.

JolieOBrien · 31/12/2019 07:02

There is also a class action in the US against the drug company that manufacturers the Mirena coil .... just google it.

JolieOBrien · 31/12/2019 07:02

manufactures

Topseyt · 31/12/2019 08:59

I have used tranexamic acid for the last four or five years.

It did make the bleeding a bit more manageable but only to an extent. I still flooded a fair bit and could have periods that were up to a fortnight long.

Original poster
MadamePewter · 31/12/2019 09:25

I will never get the mirena again.

I was getting mad flooding periods but regular and less than a week long. I never thought I’d say this but I’d take them over this.

I’m also in a lovely relationship after an awful time with my ex and am worried this is going to affect it. I’m feeling pretty unattractive and obviously fearing now that I’ll have a period and associated grottiness for years... 😱

Sorry others suffering too 💐

OP posts:
hazeyjane · 31/12/2019 12:00

Well GP said it is Perimenopausal Menorrhagia. She said as it followed a regular cycle then it was almost certainly this, which is a common perimenopausal symptom and said to see how I manage with tranexamic acid, keep up with the iron tablets and come back and see her if it gets worse. She said sometimes if it goes on for a long time or gets unmanageable then she would refer me to gynaecology.

Original poster
MadamePewter · 31/12/2019 13:11

Thanks for the update. I suppose it’s good it’s “normal” but I was hoping to hear of a magic cure.

OP posts:
mumsnoangel · 31/12/2019 13:49

@hazeyjane do you have any idea what would have made your GP more concerned and more likely to refer you? I'm not sure if it is of concern if your uterine lining does not shed efficiently, or whether they are more on the lookout for cervical cancer signals? Glad all seems ok with you

hazeyjane · 31/12/2019 17:18

I think it was more a case of the heavy bleeding and associated symptoms becoming too difficult to manage, if tranexamic acid doesn't help. She is also aware that I have a history of gynae problems as a result of a persistent invasive trophoblastic tumour that I had years ago.

mumsnoangel · 02/01/2020 17:47

Waiting for an ultrasound appointment. My head says I am absolutely fine and my symptoms are probably just perimenopause, but my anxiety keeps getting the better of me. Wish I could be more philosophical generally about my health and only worry when I know I have something to worry about....