Age 49 very heavy periods

[Woodandsky]

Not really sure what to do or where I am in the whole peri menopause cycle, hoping some of you can advise.

I was diagnosed aneamic in the year I turned 40, I hadn't really noticed how heavy my periods had become due to using a mooncup & just getting on with it. Anyway had various check-ups and nothing obviously wrong so had a Mirena fitted. After putting up with about 8 years of light (so no longer aneamic) but endless periods I gave up and had it taken out.

So now I find myself peri-menopausal (I assume), periods of horrible mood swings and total exhaustion and horrific heavy periods again. I have traxenamic acid which works to a certain extent but if I take it too early it stops my period completely and then it starts again a week later or if I leave it too late I have at least 24 hours of a full mooncup every hour or so bloodbath periods.

Any help please? Should I ask for the pill, HRT, surgery? I'd like some idea what's worked for others before I talk to the doctor.

@Woodandsky The only thing that helped me was surgery, but you need to find out what's going on down there before taking such a drastic step. I would suggest asking for some tests - fibroids are often the cause of heavy, erratic periods (I had several fibroids) and there are various non-surgical treatment options. I'm not an expert but that would be my first step.

I had similar bloodbaths due to fibroids. I’m waiting for a hysterectomy but waiting lists for gynae are very long, so I’m taking the mini pill in the meantime. I had several months of light but constant bleeding on that, but now have no bleeding. I do think the mini pill had affected my mood for the worse though. I’m still going ahead with the hysterectomy because the fibroids are causing various other problems.

Thanks guys,
They did check for Fibroids back when I was first aneamic (8/9 years ago) and nothing then.
Oh dear I was hoping the mini pill might be an idea but the constant light bleeding and worse moods sounds like the Mirena and not something I'm looking to go through again.
Other than the fact it's a big operation are there long term downsides to the hysterectomy?

My hysterectomy was one of the best choices I've ever made.

Possible downsides: If your ovaries come out, you will go straight into menopause and, if suitable, will need HRT, which is a down side. If you can keep your ovaries, that doesn't apply (they shouldn't need to remove them unless they are damaged).

Some women find sex is adversely affected, particularly if uterine contractions are a normal part of their orgasms, and vaginal dryness can be an issue as you no longer have any kind of discharge.

Any negatives were outweighed by positives for me.

An additional benefit is that, if your cervix comes out (it's usually removed) that means no more smear tests/cervical cancer worries.

Azalia, back to back. I've no periods at all now.
You're where I was two years ago.. I was putting up with heavy periods until I flooded. Luckily I was at home, but omg, the shock.

Definitely try mini pill before a hysterectomy!! I was still getting a bit of breakthrough bleeding on the progesterone only pill (Azalia) for the first few months but been on it a while now and it's cleared up completely. I'm not on any HRT. Feel fine.

Thank you @J0y J0y, may I ask how old you are and if you have experienced any side effects on this progesterone only pill?

I'm 52 +a few months, but 2 months before I turned 50, I had had the worst day at work, I was taking a small rucksack full of thick pads and super tampons to work and going to the bathroom every 20 minutes to deal with my period, which had been going on for about three weeks. Nightmare!

The gp at women's health clinic gave me a ''double up'' of progesterone morning and evening for about 3 days I think that end the period, then I started on a back to back 'regime' and since then, touch wood, it's been fine. I have very occasionally bled, and nearly panicked! but it has just been light bleeding, nothing in the same arena as the heavy periods/flooding I was getting before.

I didn't have fibroids though. They scanned me before giving me the skrip for Azalia.

ps, side effects, I'm not aware of any.
I was on a thread about this at the time I started taking it and some people said it made them anxious but I didn't notice that I was any more anxious. I feel fine. I'm 52 and must be in the menopause but my only symptom so far has been the 'flooding' which has been dealt with now. Very occasionally I get a hot flush but it's not even that bad. And it passes as soon as I've registered that I might be having one. Can't complain really.

Thanks that really sounds like it’s worth a try.

Have you looked into an ablation?

Hi yes I've read that could work, sounds scary though do you have any experience?

All set for one but my uterus is the wrong shape so couldn't proceed. You have it under general and seems to be v v quick recovery and life changing. Am gutted it couldn't happen for me. Ditto the coil.

Ablation definitely worth trying before a hysterectomy.

I've had ablation and it was brilliant. Mine was done under general anaesthetic. Bleeding lightly for a couple of days then nothing. It's been 4 years now. I'm also on the mini pill which prevents the hormonal peaks and troughs too.

Sorry to hear that, I had a coil though and it was awful so might not be missing anything there.

Interested to read this as it's been a lovely day today and I couldn't even leave the house as I was bleeding so much. Not sure whether to go to the doctor or not as he is a patronising wanker and I don't know what to ask for or say. Fed up.

Ask for traxenamic acid if your period is unbearably heavy.

Traxanemic acid is definitely better than nothing, I now have around 24 hours of unbearable bleeding rather than 3 or 4 days. Definitely speak to the doctor.
I have an appointment with the surgery pharmacist (new doctors, the pharmacist seems to deal with way more than just doling out prescriptions) in a couple of weeks I'm going to talk to her and ask if she can arrange referral to a consultant and to see what they think of me trying the mini pill while I wait.