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Menopause

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Original poster

Really heavy bleeding, which pads are most effective?

24 replies

IamEarthymama · 09/12/2021 22:01

DW is menopausal and this latest period is so heavy it has made her cry.
She literally has changed her pads every 20-30 minutes since 5pm.

She had her Booster, Moderna, last Saturday as did I. We have both been feeling fluey and under the weather.I am worried about DW, she won’t let me ring 111, wants to wait for GP in the morning. I have to respect her wishes obviously.

So to my question, which disposable pad do you find most effective? I have seen some eco pads advertised, are they any good?
I really want to support DW, my periods stopped several years ago and were not as bad as this, in fact they became lighter and lighter.

Can any wise women help?

OP posts:
Snowisfallinghere · 09/12/2021 22:04

I can't help about the pads but when I have even slightly heavy periods, I start to get symptoms of low iron (tiredness and chills in the afternoon). So maybe feed her some nice iron rich foods or even take an iron supplement for a while. I take them every other day for a few weeks until I feel okay again.

CrotchetyQuaver · 09/12/2021 22:05

Maternity pads, I have heard Tena Lady pant things are supposed to be good but never tried them myself. I am thankfully out the other side of that nightmare.

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 09/12/2021 22:10

I used to have horrendous periods so bad in fact i ended up having a hysterectomy the best things for me where incontinence pants they didnt leak and i felt secure and comfortable in them. I still had to change them frequently but not having to worry about them leaking just made me feel better.
I also second the poster who said make iron rich meals i always felt tired, sick and dizzy.

JinglingHellsBells · 09/12/2021 22:24

Ibuprofen every 4 hrs ( as directed) can slow the bleeding or Tranexamic acid tablets ( from pharmacy.)

Weegiewtf · 09/12/2021 22:26

I take medication to control the flow and I ditched the disposable pads because they leaked so badly. I prefer nighttime reusable pads doubled up with period pants. I’ve never leaked since.

JustLikea · 09/12/2021 23:49

Is she on any medication like furosemide or anything that can thin her blood maybe.

MrsMoastyToasty · 09/12/2021 23:55

You mentioned the booster jab. Changes to menstruation/menopause have been reported as a side effect.

If I was you I would ring 111 for advice.

Wookiewoo29 · 10/12/2021 00:03

Honestly, maternity pads. Lil-Lets do some that are really good and have wings for extra protection. Lots of pads come without wings and they're just terrible and move around too much.

RJnomore1 · 10/12/2021 00:09

Please keep an eye on her, I’m pretty sure you’re supppsed to get medical advice if you go through more than a pad an hour.

bossyboo · 10/12/2021 00:12

Always platinum pads -the night time ones are great. Not leaked yet and I have very heavy periods too. Hope she feels soon it's horrible Sad

BettyFilous · 10/12/2021 00:14

@JinglingHellsBells

Ibuprofen every 4 hrs ( as directed) can slow the bleeding or Tranexamic acid tablets ( from pharmacy.)
I was going to post this. Tackle the problem from both sides: reduce the flow AND better pads.
NMC2022 · 10/12/2021 01:14

They're reusable ones but these. I have the slim mega and they're amazing
https://www.honouryourflow.co.uk/extremely-heavy-flow-66-c.asp

WhereAreWeNow · 10/12/2021 06:36

I really like mattress style pads rather than the thinner kind. Bodyform do them but you can't get them everywhere. They do a longer length super version too. Has she tried a menstrual cup?

Original poster
IamEarthymama · 10/12/2021 15:07

Thank you all for replying and for your suggestions.

The bleeding was horrendous overnight but has eased tip almost nothing today.
DW has a Gp appointment next week to discuss what's going on.

She can't use a Mooncup, smears are very painful too
Poor love, she's as white as a sheet with dark eyes 😔

OP posts:
Justcannotbearsed · 10/12/2021 15:18

Low iron makes periods worse which causes low iron….it’s a cycle. I had to go on heavy duty iron pills, trasenamix acid, and lots of ibuprofen.

But to get me home from holiday in order to get to GP without wrecking the car seat with blood, incontinence pads and ibuprofen. A moon up wouldn’t have lasted 2 seconds.

I then went on qlaira a pill that helps in menopause and then hrt. She may need a Mirena or a hysterectomy. But don’t lot doctors fob her off, get a blood test for low iron and don’t think it’s normal. It’s not.

QueenCoconut · 10/12/2021 15:30

On my first day of period I can only go about 30 minutes without the pad leaking. The only pads that work for me are “always maxi night plus’ I bulk order on Amazon for 12 months ahead. I go through about 3 packs in two days and then my bleeding stabilises.
I also take tranexamic acid.

I have a fibroid that’s causing this so it might be useful to have a scan ?

bestbeforedateexpired · 10/12/2021 15:39

The only ones that worked for me are the Always Infinity Night pads. Very difficult to get anywhere apart from Boots. They were on special offer last week when I looked.

Ibizafun · 12/12/2021 23:09

Depends how bad it is. I had my Mirena out and the following week started haemorrhaging one night I was terrified and almost went to A&E. I am on HRT and apparently I had began making my own oestrogen again, so my lining had thickened massively. But my point is, even after that awful night I couldn't find any pads thick enough to deal with clots. Sorry if TMI !!

christmaspavlova · 14/12/2021 22:49

Always platinum. Reusables are not very effective

CaMePlaitPas · 14/12/2021 22:52

My Mum had this, she went to the doctor in the end because she was soaking through pads, something that had never happened before. They found cancer in her uterus so they gave her a full hysterectomy a few weeks later.

Really heavy bleeding can be very serious, make sure she gets checked out. Wishing her the best x

londonmummy1966 · 14/12/2021 23:30

Incontinence pads (Tena) and a thick heavy flow version as they can cope with flooding from a lot of liquid all in one go which I suspect your DW will have if she has been this heavy. You can also buy bed pads which would protect bedding over night.

Lots of spinach/broccoli/steak etc and floradix as low iron (which face and dark circles is a classic symptom) makes the bleeding worse. If she is still that heavy tomorrow she should ring 111 and not wait for the GP.

londonmummy1966 · 14/12/2021 23:33

Also grim warning here - if she is flooding or clotting heavily and frequently she should take her phone to the loo and photograph each pad with a date and time stamp as GPs can be notoriously dismissive of heavy periods and your DW will find photos helpful in demonstrating that this isn't normal.

bestbeforedateexpired · 15/12/2021 09:11

@londonmummy1966

Also grim warning here - if she is flooding or clotting heavily and frequently she should take her phone to the loo and photograph each pad with a date and time stamp as GPs can be notoriously dismissive of heavy periods and your DW will find photos helpful in demonstrating that this isn't normal.
Wish I had thought of that. What a good idea.
NotAtAll · 15/12/2021 09:17

She needs the heavy bleeding investigated. Mine was caused by a uterine polyp, wasn't picked up on a scan, had to have a hysteroscopy. I am actually about to go in for another scan today as the symptoms have reappeared after 2 years and its likely regrown. My GP is very good though and didn't hesitate referring me for further investigations. I find it helps to be taken seriously if you mention how much it impacts your life /work.

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